By: Lacey Noterman, Livestock Extension Agent
The meat goat industry is an expanding U.S. business. Estimates indicate approximately 50 million pounds of goat meat are consumed each year. Imports from other countries total 23.7 million pounds.
The increasing popularity of goats is due to serval reasons. The biggest reason is the increased demand. A large number of ethnic groups whose members prefer goat meat have settled in the U.S. Outside of the U.S., goat meat is the meat protein highest in demand. Another reason is the attraction of goat production as a sustainable enterprise for producers. Goats can be a very profitable enterprise for producers with limited resources, time, and capital.
One type of enterprise to raise goats is for brush control: to clean up woody areas. Producers who use goats for brush control generally are not concerned about overall goat production. They only are interested in the effectiveness of goats in controlling or removing brushy plant material.
Another type is multi-species grazing operation. This producer would start a goat operation to compliment other animal enterprises, normally cattle. When goats are grazed simultaneously with cattle, a higher percentage of the pasture production is utilized. Goats typically eat weeds and forbs that cows will not eat, which leaves the grass for the cows.
A third type would be raising purebred meat goats and or show goats, such as the Boer goat. Although this type of operation seems to be the most profitable due to the higher prices received for such animals, it is also the type of operation with the highest start-up costs and the highest percentage of failure. These producers typically are required to purchase higher-priced full-blood does and bucks for this type of operation.
The final type is a commercial meat goat operation. This type of operation, the goal should be to produce the optimal number of goats to maximize profits. The optimal number of goats will depend on the resources available.
To determine which operation is the best for an individual producer, the critical factors are the producer’s needs, objectives and resources. Resources such as available land, capital, management capabilities, fencing, and marketing channels all need to be evaluated. Once the producer’s resources are determined and matched with the production goals, a long-term business plan can be developed.
For more information about starting your own goat operation, contact Lacey Noterman with the K-State Research and Extension Wild West Extension District. Feel free to stop at your local Extension Office or email lnote@ksu.edu.
