Farms.com Home   News

Do You Know The Worldwide Trend Of Goat Numbers?

 
By JM Luginbuhl
 
 
Although known as The Poor Man’s Cow, the worldwide number of goats has more than doubled (+109%) during the last 30 years, attesting to the importance of that livestock species to the livelihood of million of families. Conversely, during that same period the number of sheep and cattle only increased by 20 and 4%, respectively.
 
 
 
 
Thus, due to the increased importance of goats worldwide, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is dedicated to eradicating rural poverty in developing countries, recently requested the International Goat Association (IGA) to undertake a study  to sensitize policy- and decision-makers about the impact of small ruminants in development, using rigorous case studies and economic analysis.
 
 

Trending Video

CEOs of the Industry – International Edition Michael Agerley | Partner, IQinAbox

Video: CEOs of the Industry – International Edition Michael Agerley | Partner, IQinAbox

In this CEOs of the Industry – International Edition, we sit down with Michael Agerley, Partner at IQinAbox, to explore how data is reshaping the future of pig production.

After more than 20 years as a veterinarian, Michael shares his unique perspective on the shift from hands-on animal care to data-driven decision making across the pork value chain.

We dive into:

• How better data is improving real on-farm decisions

• The biggest opportunities still untapped in pig production

• How Europe is leading (and where it’s still lagging) in tech adoption

• The role of AI and smart systems in the next 5–10 years

• Why trust, leadership, and practical application matter more than ever

This conversation bridges veterinary insight, technology, and real-world farming, offering a clear look at where the industry is headed—and what it will take to get there.