Changle Grey Goose Expands into the National Market
Youqing Goose Industry Preserves Superior Breed Resources and Expands Flock Size
Changle Grey Goose Expands into the National Market
Changle Grey Geese. (Photo courtesy of Changle Media Convergence Center)
“Ga... ga... ga...” Recently, the reporter visited Fujian Youqing Goose Industry Co., Ltd. in Yuandai Village, Tantou Town, Changle District. Before the geese were in sight, their honking echoed through the air. Moments later, a large flock of Changle Grey Geese gracefully appeared, stretching their necks. Some flapped their wings, others wagged their tails, while a few tilted their heads. One by one, they entered the water, and the pond seemed to come alive immediately. “These are all mature female geese, selectively bred for over three years,” said Liu Youqing, head of Youqing Goose Industry. “The pond acts as a natural playground for them, providing plenty of space to move around and grow.”
Youqing Goose Industry is the only grey goose breeding farm of its kind in Fujian Province. It was established in October 1998 with approval from the Animal Husbandry Bureau of the Fujian Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. In December of the same year, the research on the breeding of superior breeds and supporting technology development for Changle Grey Geese was included in the Fujian Provincial Science and Technology Projects by the Provincial Science and Technology Commission. From 2015 to 2017, it was designated a city-level non-staple food base under direct municipal control. In December 2017, the Ministry of Agriculture awarded it the Agricultural Product Geographical Indication. In this small, specialized area, the Changle Grey Goose, a superior local breed of Fujian with over 500 years of history, is being revitalized, showcasing its unique breed traits and thriving once again.
“Previously, grey geese were mostly raised free-range by individual farmers. However, due to poor management and other factors, the local breed declined and became increasingly mixed,” said Liu Youqing. To safeguard the genetic resources, they’ve adopted measures such as selective breeding of local breeds, purification and rejuvenation, and the expansion of the core breeding group. To avoid inbreeding and ensure the preservation of the superior breed of local grey goose, each goose is individually marked and kept in separate cages, with each cage representing a distinct family line. The breed conservation farm currently houses a core group of 210 female Changle Grey Geese, 35 males, and 35 selected family lines for breeding. The expanded flock totals 2,500 geese. In addition, the farm manages 15 mu of grassland, producing over 40,000 eggs each year and supplying more than 40,000 goslings.
“Changle Grey Geese are easy to raise and seldom fall ill,” said a staff member from Youqing Goose Industry. The warm, humid climate, vast coastal plains, and abundant aquatic resources in Changle provide the geese with an ideal environment for growth.
Despite the challenges, the path to breed conservation has not been smooth. “I remember one year when a typhoon struck and blew down the goose shelters, trapping the grey geese underneath. The losses were devastating,” recalled Liu Youqing. In recent years, the business struggled due to slow sales of goslings, but his steadfast belief that “the Changle Grey Goose breed must not be lost” has kept him going. For this reason, he visited Zhejiang and other places to study advanced practices and gain insights. He made the decision to broaden the industry chain and focus on deep processing. Currently, Youqing Goose Industry primarily focuses on selling goslings. In addition to supplying regions within Fujian, such as Putian, Fuqing, Ningde, Minqing, and Yongtai, the goslings are also distributed to other provinces, including Guangdong and Zhejiang. The Fujian Provincial Animal Husbandry Station, the Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine at the Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and the Changle District Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Technical Service Center regularly visit the company to offer on-site guidance and assist with technical challenges.
Liu Youqing noted that they plan to continue expanding the flock size by scientifically managing the farming environment and fine-tuning feed formulas to boost the production of live geese. Additionally, they aim to delve into the history of the Changle Grey Goose while expanding the industry chain of deep processing. This includes introducing specialty products like smoked goose and nutritious goose soup. Their ultimate goal is to build a distinctive local brand of Changle Grey Goose, taking it beyond Fujian and making it a national presence. (Fuzhou Daily Reporter: Jiang Yachen; Correspondent: Lin Qian)