Typology and characteristics of dairy goat production systems in Greece

- Typologies of goat farming systems were obtained by multivariable statistics.
- Four clusters sharing common characteristics and major differences were identified.
- A tendency towards more intensive goat farming in Greece was found.
- More profitable clusters had more variation in profit suggesting they are riskier.

Our objective was to classify dairy goat farms into representative typologies. We used a random sample of 103 goat farms from 8 regions in mainland Greece and the islands. Farmers were surveyed using a designated questionnaire for in depth interviews on their farms. A general description of production methods and farm characteristics was recorded. The farms were classified using a multivariable statistical approach including principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The differences between clusters were assessed using one-way ANOVA and χ2 test and the profitability of farms was estimated. The intensity of production system was mostly classified based on goat herd size and age of kids at weaning. Reproductive management was classified mostly based on age at first mating and does to bucks ratio. Herd turnover rate and genetic improvement strategy was mostly classified by bucks' replacement rate and doelings to does ratio. Cultivated land per livestock unit, irrigated land used, years of farmer's experience, and facilities and equipment score were significant farming descriptors. We identified four clusters that shared common characteristics and major differences. Cluster 1 (26 farms, 25.2%) included large, semi-intensive, high producing and investing farms. Cluster 2 (50 farms, 48.5%) included semi-extensive, low-input, traditional farms. Cluster 3 (12 farms, 11.7%) included medium-sized, semi-intensive, low replacement rate farms. Cluster 4 (15 farms, 14.6%) included semi-extensive, low-input, traditional farms, producing heavy weight kids carcasses. Regarding profitability, Cluster 1 was significantly more profitable than clusters 2 and 4, whereas the more profitable clusters also had more variation in profit suggesting they are riskier. Cluster 4 could benefit from further developing meat production, processing and packaging to become an independent cluster. This new cluster would be focused on both milk and meat whilst the other three clusters focus on milk.