I Reuniao Nacional de Caprinicultura, Braganca, Portugal,

October 19-21, 2006

The IGA country representative, Alfredo Teixeira, for Portugal in association with National Serrana Goat Breeders Association (ANCRAS) and the Agriculture School (ESA) of the Bragança Polytechnic Institute I (IPB) organized the First Portuguese Goat Production Meeting which occurred in Bragança (Portugal) from October 19-21, 2006.

IGA President, Dr. Christopher Lu, attended the opening ceremonies and had the opportunity to showcase the role of IGA in the world and to explain to people the main objectives and activities of the IGA including our global vision, priorities and major tasks of IGA Strategic Plan for 2005-2010.

During three days 187 breeders, students, professors and researchers participated in several sessions covering subjects such as; meat and milk production, animal breeding and genetics, nutrition, biology of goat production systems, behaviour, welfare and health. Several Breed Associations also made presentations. Eighteen oral presentations and six posters were discussed in their specific sessions. An issue with all communications and abstracts was published and distributed to all participants. At the end of sessions a round table held to discuss the principal problems, constraints and future of goat production in Portugal. Finally a technical visit to goat farmers took place and was an exciting social moment between the breeders, students, professors and researchers.