ARTIFICIAL-INSEMINATION OF DAIRY GOATS IN FRANCE

In France, goat Artificial Insemination (AI) plays an important role i n the milk intensive production system to control reproduction and, in conjunction with progeny testing, to improve milk production. About 6 0 000 goats were inseminated in 1996, 95% of them before the breeding season with deep frozen semen after induction of oestrus and ovulation by hormonal treatment. The efficiency of this method was about 65% of kidding rate. In 1996, 290 000 lactating goats were officially record ed. The selection scheme, aimed at improving protein yield and protein content, benefits from the sampling program for young AI buck. AI all ows higher selection intensities for male selection, adequate genetic evaluations through genetically connected herds, and monitoring and se lection of bucks for major genes like the alpha s1-casein gene. In ord er to further develop AI, a cooperative action between the partners of the dairy goat industry (Research, Agricultural extension and Farmer organizations) has operated since 1992 with the aim of reducing the va riability of fertility rates. This program includes improvement of the control of reproduction by hormonal treatments, AI conditions, embryo nic mortality and pseudopregnancy. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.