Meat Goat Business 1

Dairy Goat Breeds & general info

• Nubian, Oberhasli, Saanen, Toggenburg, Alpine

• similarly to dairy cattle, each breed has its own milk composition

• Nigerian Dwarf goats are also a dairy breed

  • known for high milk fat content

  • small size reduces output

Dairy Operations

1. producers of milk and cheese products

2. slower growth of demand than meat operations

3. Has more USDA restrictions that Meat

4. an average of 1-2 gallons produces per day

5. larger operations profit better

Meat Goat Breeds & general information

• Boer, Kiko, Mytonic, San Clemente Island, Savanna, Spanish

• any goat breed can be used for meat

• meat breeds are characterized by more muscling

• Boer Goats are the most common in the US

Meat Goat Operations

1. Increasing YS demand for goat meat

2. Majority of goats in the US

3. more popular in southern states

4. Good husbandry is the key to success

5. commonly used in vegetation management

Good Husbandry Practices

• adequate shelter (some exceptions based on location)

• access to clean water

• acess to food and proper nutrition

• clean living spaces

• health monitoring (herd healths)

Vegetation Management

• Any business that uses goats to manage vegetation

• a farm or business may rent some of their herd out to be used in:

  • clearing out land

  • managing overgrowth

  • maintaining property

  • removal of hazardous plants like poison ivy.

3 types of vegetation management operations

• Brood (doe-kid)

• Stocker goat

• Mature wether

Brood (doe-kid)

• Does produce kids

• require greatest management input

• highest predation risk

• encounters the most problem

• potential for greatest profit

Stocker Goat

• young goats/kids

• risk of bringing sick goats into the herd

• typically purchases at the beginning of warm season and sold at the end

• profit depends on market timing

Mature Wether

• adult castrated male goats

• minimal management input

• lowest predation risk

• profits made from working animals not animal sales.

Benefits of Goat Grazing

• decreased use of herbicides

• reduced fossil fuel usage and carbon emissions

• cheaper than specialized land clearing equipment

• natural high quality fertilization

effective management practices

• rotation of animals on pasture based on available vegetation

• proper secure fencing to keep animals inside and predators out

• make adjustments depending on herd and business needs

• maintaining healthy animals

• maintaining good husbandry practices

Small farms

• a farm is considered a small scale farm if it has less than 500 heads (animals)

• despite most goats in America being meat goats most small farms (60%) farm dairy goats

• average herd size is 20 heads

Small Farm expenses

• Start up costs:

  • initial investments: $5000-10,000

  • Cost per goat (pg): $100-800

• Annual costs:

  • feed: $150-250pg

  • Veterinary care: about $100pg

  • shelter: $300-1000

  • water: $500-1500

  • waster management: $100-500

Small farm profit (expected, variables, & keys to more)

• Expected profit

  • with proper management small farms can expect $10,000-30,000 in profit a year

• Profit Variables

  • number of heads

  • market demands

  • sale of goods

  • efficient use of capital

• Keys to more profit

  • expense tracking

  • observing supply/demand

Liability insurance (what is it, why do I need it, what if I don’t have it)

• what is it

  • coverage for animals that receive unexpected injuries or are involved in accidents

• why do I need it

  • removes a businesses financial responsibility in the case of damages

  • a business responsible for their animals

• what if I don’t have it

  • if anything happens without insurance the business owner is responsible to pay any damages.

Unscheduled (blanket) coverage

• covers all the farms personal property under one total limit

• as it covers full personal property, any property value increases are covered with a built in cushion.

Scheduled livestock coverage

• customizable insurance for select animals

• based on a farms specific needs and budget

• usually works in the case of an animals death

What does scheduled and unscheduled insurance cover?

• accidents involving livestock: fires, electrocution, smoke, drowning

• weather: flooding, storm, and wind damage

• natural disasters: sinkholes, hurricanes, earthquakes

• crime: theft, vandalism

• transportation: collisions, issues during loading/unloading, fights

Goat yoga

• liability insurances are not sufficient for goat yoga. Additional protections and insurances are required. Worker’s compensation insurance and your normal liability insurance is required

Worker’s Compensation

• covers employees from injuries caused by farm animals while working

• it covers medical expenses, lost wages, & legal fees in the case of a lawsuit

• distractions can lead to injury and covering all bases helps a business succeed.

Gestation Calendar

• a management tool for farmers and breeders

• a card with a rotating dial highlight important gestation dates

• key dates:

  • 1st breeding date

  • kidding date

  • next heat

  • doe dry off

Gestation timeline

• day 1 - first breeding date

• day 21 - next heat cycle

• day 40 - pregnancy check (ultra sounding)

• day 108 - doe dry off begins

• day 150 (-155) - kidding date

• about 6 days post kidding: castration or disbudding may occur