Title: Goat Production and Marketing
1Goat Production and Marketing
- SUSAN SCHOENIANSheep Goat SpecialistWestern
Maryland Research Education CenterUniversity
of Maryland Cooperative Extensionsschoen_at_umd.edu
- www.sheepandgoat.com
2MD small ruminant web resources
- Maryland Small Ruminant Pagehttp//www.sheepandgo
at.com - Wild Woolly Quarterly Newsletterhttp//www.shee
pandgoat.com/news/Index.html - Shepherds Notebook Bloghttp//mdsheepgoat.blogsp
ot.com - W. MD Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test
Bloghttp//mdgoattest.blogspot.com - Sheep 101 (resource for youth, teachers,
beginners)http//www.sheep101.info - Sheep 201 A Beginners Guide to Raising
Sheephttp//www.sheep101.info/201/ - National Resource on Sheep Goat
Marketinghttp//www.sheepgoatmarketing.info
3Some specific online resources
- Langston University (OK)http//www.luresext.edu/g
oats/index.htm - Web-based training (free) and certification (25)
program for meat goat producers - Nutrient requirement calculators
- Penn State Meat Goat Home Study
Coursehttp//bedford.extension.psu.edu/agricultur
e/goat/Goat20Lessons.htm - Meat Goat Selection, Carcass Evaluation, and
Fabricationhttp//www.lsuagcenter.com/en/crops_li
vestock/livestock/sheep_goats/ - Southern Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite
Control (SCSRPC)www.wormx.org
www.wormcontrol.org www.controlworms.org
www.scsrpc.org - Alabama AM and Auburn Universities Small
Ruminant Pocket Guidehttp//www.aces.edu/pubs/doc
s/A/ANR-1296/ANR-1296.pdf
4For your extension library
- Sheep and Goat Medicine (Pugh, 2001) - 109
- Goat Medicine (Smith, Sherman, 1994) - 105
- Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants (NRC,
2007) - 120 - Meat Goat Production Handbook (Langston
University, 2007) - 50 - Small Ruminant Production and Management Notebook
and CD-ROM (Infovets, 2002)- 80 - Goat Rancher Magazinewww.goatrancher.com -
29/year
- http//www.sheepandgoat.com/references.html
5Some people resources
- Veterinary
- Dr. Kevin Pelzer, VTkpelzer_at_vt.edu
- Dr. Mary Smith, Cornellmcs8_at_cornell.edu
- Internal parasites
- Dr. Anne Zajac, VTazajac_at_vt.edu
- Dr. Ray Kaplan, UGArkaplan_at_uga.edu
- Nutrition and Management
- Dr. Jean-Marie Luginbuhl, NCSUJean-Marie_Luginbuh
l_at_ncsu.edu - Dr. Joe Tritschler, VSUjtritsch_at_vsu.edu
- Reproduction
- Dr. Stephan Wildeus, VSUswildeus_at_vsu.edu
6An idea
- Multi-state small ruminant in-service training
- SARE professional development grant
- Central location - MD, DE, PA, VA, WV
- Subsidize cost
- Top speakers of attendees
- Similar to training in Missouri several years
ago. - Need collaborators.
7Goat production and marketing
- Production
- Breeds
- Predators
- Diseases
- Feeding
- Marketing
- Ethnic market
- Grading system
8The Goat Industry
PetsHobby
Commercial meat goat production
Wethers
Vegetation control
Dairy
Fiber
Seedstock
Small Ruminant industry
9How do goats differ from cattle?
- Require a more nutritious diet.
- Browse vs. graze.
- More selective diet.
- Fatten differently (inside-out)
- Require better fencing.
- Poorer immunity to parasites.
- Greater reproductive capacity.
- Shelter seeking.
- Easier to handle.
- More labor-intensive.
10How do goats differ from sheep?
- Prefer to browse.
- Top-down grazer.
- More selective diet.
- Higher maintenance requirements, as of BW.
- Fatten differently than wooled sheep.
- Poorer immunity to parasites.
- Need/tolerate higher Cu levels.
- Shelter seeking.
- Other behavior differences.
- Reach puberty earlier and tend to, be more
prolific and less seasonal. - 21-d estrus cycle vs. 17 d.
- Easier to detect heat, do AI.
- Almost always horned.
11U.S. Goat Breeds
- Dairy
- Fiber
- Meat
- Miniature
12Six dairy goat breeds
- (Anglo) Nubian
- La Mancha
- Swiss breeds
- Saanen
- Sable
- Alpine
- Toggenburg
- Oberhasli
- Nigerian Dwarf
13Six dairy goat breeds
14Fiber goat breeds
- AngoraProduce mohair
- CashmereCashmere guard hair
- CashgoraCashmere x Angora
- PygoraPygmy x Angora
15Meat goat breeds
- Improved
- Boer
- Kiko
- Savannah
- Indigenous
- Spanish/brush
- MyotonicTennessee meat goat
- Pygmy
16Comparison of three meat goat breeds
Crossbreeding is recommended for commercial meat
goat production.
17Production issues
- Predators
- Common health problems
- Feeding goats for profit
18Predators losses
- 37.3 of sheep and lamb losses in 2004 were due
to predators. - 30.8 of sheep losses
- 41.0 of lamb losses
They may have horns, but I can still catch them
and eat them.
19Predator lossesby geographic region
NAHMS, 2004
Predator Southeast other Northeast Central West Central Pacific
Bears 1.4 1.9 0.0 6.0 1.7
Bobcats, Lynx 1.1 0.2 2.9 4.9 0.3
Coyotes 21.0 66.2 57.0 56.1 51.7
Dogs 52.4 27.5 31.7 16.0 15.5
Mountain lions 3.3 0.1 2.7 7.2 14.0
Foxes 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.6 0.0
Eagles 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.5 0.0
Other 6.6 1.2 1.4 2.7 0.00
Unknown 14.2 2.7 3.8 5.0 15.9
Virginia, 1999 predator lossesCoyotes accounted
for 44.4 of sheep losses and 60.0 of lamb
lossesDogs accounted for 44.4 of sheep losses
and 20.0 of lamb losses
20Non-lethal predator controlUsed by 31.9 of
operations
NAHMS, 2004
Method operations employing method based on operation size operations employing method based on operation size operations employing method based on operation size operations employing method based on operation size operations employing method based on operation size operations employing method based on operation size
Method 1-24 25-99 100-999 1,000 or more 1,000 or more All
Fencing 58.1 44.9 38.3 38.3 38.5 52.2
Night penning 32.2 37.1 31.1 31.1 21.8 33.4
Guard dogs 32.5 28.1 40.4 40.4 56.4 32.3
Lamb shed 29.5 35.5 29.5 29.5 23.8 31.1
Frequent checks 11.2 17.1 20.6 20.6 36.2 14.1
Llamas 11.2 17.5 20.5 20.5 21.2 14.0
Culling 8.0 22.1 25.6 25.6 34.0 14.0
Removing carrion 9.4 16.1 17.5 17.5 20.8 12.2
Donkeys 8.1 10.0 16.5 16.5 10.5 9.5
Change bedding 7.4 9.6 12.5 12.5 26.2 8.7
Fright tactics 1.4 2.9 7.9 7.9 29.9 5.9
Herding 4.6 6.9 7.9 7.9 29.9 5.9
Other 2.8 5.5 6.0 6.0 8.3 3.9
21Non-lethal predator control in Virginia
NASS, 2000
Method operations
Fencing 69.1
Lamb Shed 43.5
Night penning 36.5
Guard dogs 32.2
Donkeys 25.1
Herding 21.4
Llamas 15.7
Fright tactics 8.6
Other 9.2
22Lethal predator control options
- Hunting, shooting
- Trapping
- Livestock protection collar
- M-44 cyanide injector
- Must work with USDA Wildlife Services
23Common health problemsSimilar problems as sheep
- Gastro-intestinal parasites
- Stomach worms
- Coccidia
- Clostridial diseases
- Overeating disease
- Tetanus
- Other ?
- Hoof care/problems
- Other important diseases
24Stomach worms affecting goatssame as other small
ruminants, different from cattle and horses
- Haemonchus contortusbarber pole worm
- Teladorsagia (Ostertagia) circumcincta small
brown stomach worm - Trichostrongylus bankrupt worm
25Issues with worm control in goats
- Lack of FDA-approved drugs almost everything is
extra-label for goats. - Esp. lack of options for dairy goat producers.
- Widespread drug resistance.
- A more integrated approach is required, less
dependence on anthelmintics.
Compared to sheepPoorer immunityMetabolize
anthelmintics quicker require higher dose of
drug.
26Integrated parasite management (IPM)
- Appropriate stocking rates.
- Rotational grazing to give pastures a rest and
increase grazing height. - More browsing.
- Multi-species grazing.
- Tanniferous forages.
- Proper Nutrition.
- Proper use of anthelmintics.
- Test for anthelmintic resistance.
- Selective deworming.
- Genetic selection (between and within breeds).
27Coccidiosis
- What is it?
- Protozoan parasite (species-specific)
- Everywhere in environment and normal inhabitant
of goats gut. - Healthy goats are immune.
- Cause of clinical disease
- Poor sanitation
- Overcrowding
- Stress
- Symptoms
- Damages lining of intestines
- Diarrhea
- Slight, short-lived
- Profuse, bloody
- General malaise
Damage can be permanent.
28Coccidiosis
- Prevention
- Good management and sanitation
- Avoid stress and overcrowding.
- Coccidiostats in feed, mineral, or water.
- Bovatec (approved for lambs)
- Rumensin
- Deccox
- Corid (not FDA-approved)
- Treatment
- Corid or sulfa drugs(not labeled for goats)
toxic to equines
29Vaccination program Clostridium perfringins type
C D and tetanus (CD-T)
- Vaccinate pregnant does approximately one month
before kidding with CD-T toxoid product. - Vaccinate kids at approximately 8 and 12 weeks of
age. - Yearly booster for bucks and pet wethers.
- Use anti-toxin for immediate short-term immunity.
- Store and use vaccines properly.
- No vaccine is 100 effective.
Compared to sheepVaccines not as
effective.Goats more sensitive more side
effects.
30Other vaccines for goats(usually sheep products)
- 7 or 8-way clostridial
- Abortion Vibrio, Chlamydia, Lepto
- Caseous lymphadenitis (CL)
- Foot rot
- Pneumonia
- Rabies
- Soremouth
- Autogenous
31Hoof care
- Frequency of hoof trimming varies with . . .
- Farm
- Climate
- Goat
- Personal preference
- Restraint for hoof trimming
- While standing
- On a stand
- Tilt table
- Manual
- Automatic
- Cull animals with problem hooves.
Compared to sheepTend to require more frequent
hoof trimming.Restrain differently.
32Hoof diseases
- Foot rot
- Infection in horny tissue of hoof
- Caused by interaction of two anaerobic bacteria
- Contagious
- Foot scald
- Infection between toes
- Caused by bacteria that is present wherever sheep
and goats are. - Not contagious.
Zinc sulfate foot bath
33Other important diseases
- Caseous lymphadenitis (CL)
- Widespread occurrence.
- Overrated?
- Johnes Disease
- Prevalence not known.
- Is it a problem in goats?
- Caprine arthritic encephalitis (CAE)
- Concern with dairy goats.
- Cross contamination with OPP.
- Scrapie
- Prevalence not known.
- Mandatory ID program.
- Voluntary certification program.
34General guidelines for feeding goats
- Feed mostly forage
- Supplement, when necessary, to meet nutritional
needs of animals. - Separate different classes of animals for
appropriate feeding. - Plenty of feeder space.
- Make changes in diet slowly to give rumen time to
adjust. - Free choice minerals.
- Intelligent use of concentrates.
35When to supplement a forage diet
- When forage quality or quantity is low (e.g.
summer, drought). - When the forage cannot meet the nutritional needs
of high producing animals. - Late gestationPrevent pregnancy toxemia
- Early lactation (1st 6-8 wks)
- Growth (twins, triplets)
- To improve performance
- Flush thin does
- Milk production (dairy)
- Kid growth rates (show kids)
- When forage is a more economical source of
nutrients.
Whats a cheaper source of TDN 5/bu corn or
250/ton 5/40 lb. balehay?
36Intelligent use of concentrates
- Given rumen time to adjust to concentrate diet.
- Prevent overeating disease.
- Prevent acidosis and feedlot bloat.
- Feed balanced rations to prevent urinary calculi
and milk fever. - Less digestive problems with whole grains
- Limit feed to prevent sorting.
- Always provide plenty of feeder space.
- Clean feeders.
- May not be economical to creep feed kids or feed
much concentrate to meat goats.
37Free choice minerals
- To ensure adequate intake of vitamins and
minerals - Prevent white muscle disease
- As carrier for coccidiostats.
- As a management tool.
- Feed mineral mixes that have been formulated for
goats. - Contain copper.
- Sheep minerals if goats are co-mingled with
sheep. - Cattle minerals okay.
- Can feed loose or block form.
38Goat marketing
- Demand is increasing among certain segments of
the U.S. population. - Hispanics
- Muslims
- Asians
- West Indians
- Population demographics and immigration patterns
favor an increasing demand for sheep and goat
meat. - USDA slaughter is increasing.
- Prices have increased.
- Goat meat is naturally low in fat.
39Population Demographics
- 31.2 million Americans are foreign-born.
- 11.1 of the U.S. population
- 1 in 9 people
- 41 of New Yorkers
Demographic ShiftAfrican, Asian and Latin
Americans gt European Americans
40In Virginia
- 2006 Population 7,642,884
- 2006 Data U.S. Averages in parentheses
- 6.3 Hispanic (14.8.5)
- 19.9 Black or African-American (12.8)
- 4.8 Asian (4.4)
- 0.3 American Indian (1.0)
- 8.1 foreign born (11.1)
Source http//quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/0
8000.html
41What is an Ethnic Market?
- An ethnic market is a group of consumers that
share a common cultural background race, color,
national origin, religion, language, etc.
It is many different markets!
42A goat for everybody and a market for every goat
Hispanics 20-35 lbs. CabritoLarger animals for holidays Younghigh quality milk fed
MuslimsRamadan and Eid al Fitr 60 lbs. ideal 45-120 lb. range UnblemishedHalal
MuslimsEid al Adha Prefer yearlingsLarge kids 60-100 lbs. blemish-freeHalal
Caribbean/West Indians (Jamaica, Haiti) Prime young bucksMature bucksCull bucks and does Prime young bucksMature bucksCull bucks and does
Orthodox Christian(Greek, Italian) 30 lbs. ideal20-50 lb. range fleshy, milk-fedlt 3 mos. Old
Asian(Chinese, Korean) 60-70 lb. range 60-70 lb. range
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44American Muslims
- Exact population is unknown since religious
affiliation is not included in U.S. Census - There are an estimated 5 to 8 million Muslims in
the U.S.
- Lamb and goat consumption by Muslims is unknown,
but was estimated to be 16 in the UK.
Largest concentration of Muslims in the U.S. is
in Dearborn, MI (30 pop.)
Images from National Geographic magazine
45Mosques/Islamic Centers in Virginia
- 37 Mosques listed on http//islamicvalley.com
Interior of Mosque in Fredericksburg, VA
46Muslim Holidays
Eid Festival
- RamadanMonth of Fasting
- Eid ul Fitr Festival of Fast breaking
- Eid ul Adha Festival of Sacrifice
- AqeeqahBaby naming ceremony
Muslim holidays move back 10 days each year.
47Hispanics
- Persons of Hispanic origin may be of any race.
- Mexicans 58.5
- Puerto Ricans - 9.6
- Cuban - 3.5
- Dominican - 2.2
- Central American - 4.8
- South American - 3.8
- Other - 17.6
48Market Research Hispanics
- Hispanic families spend more on food purchases
- 15-20 of their disposable income
- Hispanic incomes are growing at a faster rate
than other groups there is a rapidly growing
middle class. - Hispanic families are more likely to cook at
home. - Goat is served far more often in Hispanic homes
and is a frequent holiday fare. - Demand is seasonal, highest in late-spring and
summer, when people are barbecuing. - Demand is for fresh, lean, thinner meat.
49USDA grade standards for goats Live and carcass
- Based on conformation (muscling, meat to bone
ratio) - Select 1 superior meat type
- Select 2 average meat type
- Select 3 inferior meat type
Grades are independent of age, sex, breed, fat,
and weight.
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51Goat meatChevon, cabrito
52Goat marketing challenges
- Lack of infrastructure.
- Goats not always weighed.
- Lack of consistency in grading.
- Price differences between local and regional
markets. - Dont transport well.
- Lack of acceptance among mainstream America.
- Consumers generally want lean meat from intact
males. - Goat market is different from other livestock
markets.
53Goat slaughter options
- USDA inspectedCan sell meat anywhere
- State inspectedCan sell meat within state
borders - Custom exempt
- Custom slaughterFor personal use, stamped not
for resale - On-farm slaughterFor personal use
Halal - Muslim slaughter Kosher - Jewish slaughter
54Marketing alternatives for meat goats
- Public livestock auction
- Sell to a middleman
- Direct to a meat processor
- Direct to consumer
- Marketing group
55Public livestock auctionlocal vs. regional,
regular vs. special, graded vs. ungraded, weighed
vs. not-weighed
Pros Cons
Convenient Minimal effort Certified weight Prompt payment Guaranteed payment True price discovery Price is not known in advance Wide fluctuations in price Must pay sales commission, yardage, and other fees Transportation costs Shrink loss Stressful to goats Goats may not be weighed You are a price taker
56To a middlemanbroker, dealer, order buyer,
buying station
Pros Cons
Price known ahead of time No sales commission, yardage, or other fees. No transportation costs or shrink losses if goats are picked up by the buyer at the farm. Transportation costs if you must deliver goats to a pick-up or buying station May be shrink costs No grading or weighing (varies) Prices might be lower than auction Payment/credit risk
57To a meat processor/packer
Pros Cons
Price known in advance Less fluctuation in price No sales commission Year-round pricing possible Can re-negotiate price periodically Can sell carcass instead of live animal (value-based marketing) Less stressful to goat Usually need to guarantee supply Usually need to guarantee quality Prices may be higher elsewhere Harder for small producers to do because they lack volume Payment/credit risk???
58Direct to consumerfreezer market, on-farm
slaughter by customer, farmers market, internet
sales
Pros Cons
You set or negotiate price with buyer Repeat customers Maximum price potential Can sell by pound or head Cash sales No transportation costs No sales commission Less stress to goats Time consuming individual sales May need to make arrangements and transport animal to processor. May need to provide follow-up service On-farm slaughter
59On-farm slaughter considerations
- On-farm slaughter by the customer is allowed
under USDA regulations and Virginia law. - The producer may not provide ANY assistance to
the consumer. - The producer should invoice a live animal.
60Custom exempt slaughter in Virginia
- CUSTOM EXEMPT OPERATORS
- The Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry
Products Inspection Act, and the Virginia Meat
and Poultry Inspection Act exempt the preparation
of livestock products and the processing of
poultry products from mandatory inspection when
the owner of the livestock or poultry slaughters
it for his own use, or for use by members of his
household or nonpaying guests. Custom slaughter
or processing may also be conducted when the
animal is slaughtered or processed by someone
other than the owner for the personal use of the
owner of the animal. - http//www.vdacs.virginia.gov/meatpoultry/pdf/fac
t.pdf
61On-farm slaughter considerations
- Cultural differences
- Language barrier
- Loss of privacy
- Need to dispose of offal
- Need for discretion
- Legalities
- May be stressful to family.
- Not for everyone!
62Group marketingMarketing co-op, alliance, pool
Pros Cons
Gives producers more clout in the market placeCan share transportation costs with other producersCan organize special salesDemocratic Needs so many goats to functionNeeds money to operateMay need to have similar genetics and management Hard to organize and keep going
63Choose the alternative that results in the
highest net price.
64Questions?