Replacement index in a herd of dairy goats

The population analysis of 1271 adult goats of 3 genetic groups (471 Beeta1, 527 Alpine X Beetal F₁ and 273 Saanen X Beetal F₁) which left the herd indicated that 46.6% died while remaining in the herd and 51.4% were culled whereas 2% were present in the herd. The annual death rates were 15.6% while the annual culling rates were17.2%. The tota1 loss per lactation was 33% (15.7% through deaths and 17.3% through culling). The overall replacement index was 0.76 indicating decrease in herd size. The annual replacement index varied widely and differed significantly among years.