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Consumer Demand and Meat Goat Marketing The meat goat industry is relatively young and largely unorganized. However, it is predicted to continue growing in order to meet increasing consumer demand. Current locations of goat production, processing and consumption of the final product are geographically distant adding to the marketing dilemma. Nutrition Production efficiency depends greatly upon the nutritional status of the goat herd. Nutrients are required for maintenance, growth, pregnancy, milk production, and fattening. Basic nutrients required by goats are protein, energy, minerals, vitamins, and water. Goats are browsers and will utilize a wide variety of shrubs, woody plants, weeds, and briars, which may be unpalatable to cattle and sheep. When compared to sheep, goats are more efficient in utilizing nutrients from their diet. They retain nutrients in the digestive tract for a longer period of time (particularly when receiving poor quality forage) and have a higher concentration of bacterial microbes in the rumen which break down the more difficult to digest forages. Goats also consume less water and more feed under harsh conditions. Keys for determining a nutrition program: Know the current nutritional status of your herd (are they in good, fair or poor condition);
Facilities Good exterior fences, a clean, accessible water supply, some type of working facility and minimal protection from the elements are needed. Proper exterior fences serve a dual purpose; they keep goats in and predators out. Common types of pasture fences include net fencing with openings from 6"x 8" to 2"x 4", closely spaced barbed wire fences using 9-10 strands, and more recently electric fencing. A clean water supply that is easily accessed by the goats is necessary under all conditions. In open range areas some type of shed is beneficial as goats will seek shelter during a rain and during nighttime hours. Brush and tree canopies can provide some protection. Goats are quick and agile making them a challenge to handle with out the proper facilities, but with proper design they can be convinced to move easily through the working pens.
Health Goats are susceptible to the same diseases and parasites as other ruminants. Of particular concern in wetter climates are gastrointestinal parasites including protozoa (coccidia), nematodes (round worms), cestodes (tapeworms) and trematodes (flukes). Infestation by these parasites can cause economical loss not only from death in extreme cases, but also from decreased utilization of feeds in unthrifty animals. The most economical method of control for these parasites is prevention rather than cure. Different health problems occur in every herd and local veterinarians can help develop a health plan for your particular herd. Other common health practices include foot care, care of the newborn and castration of males not used for reproduction. Breeds and Breeding All goat breeds provide meat for human consumption, but some breeds are better suited for meat production than others. The most popular meat-type goat breeds in the United States include Boer, Spanish, and more recently the Australian Kiko. Adaptability, reproduction, growth rate, and carcass characteristics are important production factors to consider when choosing a meat goat breed. Reproductive characteristics, such as pregnancy rate, kidding rate and the ability to breed out of season are very important to meat goat production. Goats in temperate climates tend to be seasonal breeders, but goats located closer to the equator commonly breed throughout the year. Three kiddings with in a two year period is an achievable goal but will require extra management and care. Proving supplemental feed during lactation and at breeding times will help achieve this production goal.
Management
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