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| Site designed and maintained by: 4 Legs Up Farm |
| Page last updated: March 28, 2008 |
| Kevin & Tara Gross 72667 Rd 419 Holbrook, NE 68948 (308) 962-4290 tgross@4legsupfarm.com Contact Us |
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| Got Goat?? |
Goats were one of the first animals that humans domesticated due to their versatility. They can be used for meat,
milk, fiber, and hides while thriving in many different environments. For the purpose of this website, we will be
focusing primarily on meat goats.
Except in the US, chevon is one of the most consumed meats throughout the world. It is a traditional food in many
cultures, including Hispanic, Middle Eastern, African, Jewish, and Caribbean peoples. There has been a continuous
growth in demand for chevon in the US, due to the increase of immigration in recent years. Many of these
immigrants eat, and prefer, goat meat. This has been proven by the increase of imported chevon into the US.
According to the USDA, goat meat imported into the US has increased from 1.29 metric tons in 1970 to 9,500
metric tons in 2004.
Meat goats can also serve another important function - land management. By grazing and browsing, goats turn
previously unused plants and land into meat while also preventing those plants from taking over the area.
milk, fiber, and hides while thriving in many different environments. For the purpose of this website, we will be
focusing primarily on meat goats.
Except in the US, chevon is one of the most consumed meats throughout the world. It is a traditional food in many
cultures, including Hispanic, Middle Eastern, African, Jewish, and Caribbean peoples. There has been a continuous
growth in demand for chevon in the US, due to the increase of immigration in recent years. Many of these
immigrants eat, and prefer, goat meat. This has been proven by the increase of imported chevon into the US.
According to the USDA, goat meat imported into the US has increased from 1.29 metric tons in 1970 to 9,500
metric tons in 2004.
Meat goats can also serve another important function - land management. By grazing and browsing, goats turn
previously unused plants and land into meat while also preventing those plants from taking over the area.
Strong Demand = Strong Prices
Many immigrants would rather eat goat meat than any other kind. This, in turn, increases the demand for chevon in
the US while increasing the prices. Currently, we are importing goat meat equivalent to over 700,000 goats per year
into the US! This shows the great need for goat meat produced within our nation.
There's a lot more meat on cattle - why not just raise them?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with raising cattle, we raise them also. But, goats are smaller and safer to work
with than cattle. Because of that, there is no need for expensive working facilities or head gates, chutes, and other
large equipment essential in cattle ranching. Goat producers are able to recoup their investment much quicker. Also,
producers can increase their profits by 25% just by putting one or two does per cow in the pasture.
Low Cost
Goats are one of the cheapest livestock enterprises to start up. They do not require much capital to purchase or
feed.
Better Land Management
Because goats prefer to eat brush, weeds, and vines rather than graze grasses, it pays to use them in "multi
species grazing" with cattle or horses.
For example, on a pasture used by only cattle, shrubs and weeds usually increase because cattle do not generally
graze on those plants. Adding goats will result in more meat being produced on that land because the goats and
cattle will be turning different forages into meat.
Sustainable Control of Weeds and Brush
Goats are a much safer and more economical tool to use against weeds and brush because it won't be necessary
to use chemicals or other expensive ways to control the plants. Using goats to accomplish weed control is much
better for the environment and those living in the area.
Prolific Breeders
It can take years to build a herd in some livestock enterprises. However, goat herds build much faster. Many goats
can give birth to their first kid at one year of age. Additionally, most does will produce twins or triplets after their first
kidding. (First-time kidders are likely to have single births.) Some breeds of goats can also kid twice a year.
Shorter Production Cycles
Gestation in goats is only 5 months (compared to 9 months in cattle) and the kids may be sold at weaning, about 3-4
months. The initial investment for the goat producer can be quickly recouped.
Many immigrants would rather eat goat meat than any other kind. This, in turn, increases the demand for chevon in
the US while increasing the prices. Currently, we are importing goat meat equivalent to over 700,000 goats per year
into the US! This shows the great need for goat meat produced within our nation.
There's a lot more meat on cattle - why not just raise them?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with raising cattle, we raise them also. But, goats are smaller and safer to work
with than cattle. Because of that, there is no need for expensive working facilities or head gates, chutes, and other
large equipment essential in cattle ranching. Goat producers are able to recoup their investment much quicker. Also,
producers can increase their profits by 25% just by putting one or two does per cow in the pasture.
Low Cost
Goats are one of the cheapest livestock enterprises to start up. They do not require much capital to purchase or
feed.
Better Land Management
Because goats prefer to eat brush, weeds, and vines rather than graze grasses, it pays to use them in "multi
species grazing" with cattle or horses.
For example, on a pasture used by only cattle, shrubs and weeds usually increase because cattle do not generally
graze on those plants. Adding goats will result in more meat being produced on that land because the goats and
cattle will be turning different forages into meat.
Sustainable Control of Weeds and Brush
Goats are a much safer and more economical tool to use against weeds and brush because it won't be necessary
to use chemicals or other expensive ways to control the plants. Using goats to accomplish weed control is much
better for the environment and those living in the area.
Prolific Breeders
It can take years to build a herd in some livestock enterprises. However, goat herds build much faster. Many goats
can give birth to their first kid at one year of age. Additionally, most does will produce twins or triplets after their first
kidding. (First-time kidders are likely to have single births.) Some breeds of goats can also kid twice a year.
Shorter Production Cycles
Gestation in goats is only 5 months (compared to 9 months in cattle) and the kids may be sold at weaning, about 3-4
months. The initial investment for the goat producer can be quickly recouped.
| The following was learned through personal experience and research. References are listed at the end of the page. |
References:
"Do you want to be a goat producer?", by Linda Coffey;
Myotonic Goat Description, 2005, by D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD & Barbara Roberts;
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy;
Hobby Farms Magazine - November/December 2007, "All-American Goats" by Sue Weaver
"Do you want to be a goat producer?", by Linda Coffey;
Myotonic Goat Description, 2005, by D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD & Barbara Roberts;
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy;
Hobby Farms Magazine - November/December 2007, "All-American Goats" by Sue Weaver
| Definitions |
Buck - Male goat, also called a billy
Doe - Female goat, also called a nanny
Kid - Goat less than one year old,
also called a buckling or doeling
Wether - Castrated male
Chevon (pronounced [shev'-uhn]) - Goat meat
Doe - Female goat, also called a nanny
Kid - Goat less than one year old,
also called a buckling or doeling
Wether - Castrated male
Chevon (pronounced [shev'-uhn]) - Goat meat
| What's so special about goats? |
Fences
Goats are smaller than other livestock and are extremely clever. This can make it hard to keep them in a pasture.
They are notorious for escaping out of fences and horned goats can get caught in certain types of fencing. Wires
must be spaced closer than for cattle and there cannot be any wide gaps between gates.
Internal Parasites
In nature, goats do not need to be resistant to parasites because they are meant to browse over a large area and to
eat plants from the 'top-down.' Most goat parasite larvae are found close to the ground. Therefore, goats that graze
on grass only or close to the ground are more susceptible to internal parasite infections. It isn't really feasible to most
producers to allow their goats to browse over very large areas, due to cost of land and safety issues. Therefore,
many producers find it necessary to have a deworming schedule for their goats, that fits their needs.
*Note: Myotonic goats tend to have a higher parasite resistance than other goats.*
Predators
Goats are vulnerable to many predators, primarily coyotes and dogs. In goat operations, it is necessary to find ways
of protecting against these predators. Some ways include: a good fence; guardian animals, such as donkeys or
llamas; LGDs (Livestock Guardian Dogs); penning the animals close to home at night; or a combination of these.
Lack of Knowledge
There can be a lot to learn about goats and help can be difficult to find: educators may have no training in the field;
area veterinarians may not have much experience with goats; and other farmers may be experienced with other
livestock, but know nothing about goats. Remember, goats are NOT the same as cows or sheep.
One way to learn more is books. There are many out there that focus on the different types of goats (dairy, meat,
fiber, etc.).
You can also visit other farms to see how they handle their business. Ask yourself if what they're doing will work for
you.
Joining producer groups, such as a state group or breed association, is another way to learn more.
By far, the best way to learn is through 'hands-on' experience. It's best to start with a small, healthy herd so you can
learn all the aspects of raising goats without being completely overwhelmed. Remember, goats multiply quickly, so
you'll soon have a larger herd.
Before we bought our first goats, we took the time to research, plan, and learn about them. We visited the farm we
purchased our first ones from and asked many, many questions. We also joined some online mailing lists and
newsletters. In our opinion, you are never truly done learning.
Goats are smaller than other livestock and are extremely clever. This can make it hard to keep them in a pasture.
They are notorious for escaping out of fences and horned goats can get caught in certain types of fencing. Wires
must be spaced closer than for cattle and there cannot be any wide gaps between gates.
Internal Parasites
In nature, goats do not need to be resistant to parasites because they are meant to browse over a large area and to
eat plants from the 'top-down.' Most goat parasite larvae are found close to the ground. Therefore, goats that graze
on grass only or close to the ground are more susceptible to internal parasite infections. It isn't really feasible to most
producers to allow their goats to browse over very large areas, due to cost of land and safety issues. Therefore,
many producers find it necessary to have a deworming schedule for their goats, that fits their needs.
*Note: Myotonic goats tend to have a higher parasite resistance than other goats.*
Predators
Goats are vulnerable to many predators, primarily coyotes and dogs. In goat operations, it is necessary to find ways
of protecting against these predators. Some ways include: a good fence; guardian animals, such as donkeys or
llamas; LGDs (Livestock Guardian Dogs); penning the animals close to home at night; or a combination of these.
Lack of Knowledge
There can be a lot to learn about goats and help can be difficult to find: educators may have no training in the field;
area veterinarians may not have much experience with goats; and other farmers may be experienced with other
livestock, but know nothing about goats. Remember, goats are NOT the same as cows or sheep.
One way to learn more is books. There are many out there that focus on the different types of goats (dairy, meat,
fiber, etc.).
You can also visit other farms to see how they handle their business. Ask yourself if what they're doing will work for
you.
Joining producer groups, such as a state group or breed association, is another way to learn more.
By far, the best way to learn is through 'hands-on' experience. It's best to start with a small, healthy herd so you can
learn all the aspects of raising goats without being completely overwhelmed. Remember, goats multiply quickly, so
you'll soon have a larger herd.
Before we bought our first goats, we took the time to research, plan, and learn about them. We visited the farm we
purchased our first ones from and asked many, many questions. We also joined some online mailing lists and
newsletters. In our opinion, you are never truly done learning.
| They Are NOT Problem Free |
Fainting Goat Farm
