| This is a question I have heard for years since I got | | | | front runner in the goat auction market is San Angelo |
| in the meat goat business. To me there is nothing | | | | Texas. The price yesterday was $1.43 per pound in |
| else. The world population outside of the United | | | | 2008. This is the price on goats at 60-80 pounds. The |
| States consumes goat meat on a daily basis much | | | | goats with Boer influence have been recorded and |
| like we do with beef. Near 72% of the world | | | | are bred, for rapid growth. Closer than ever before, |
| population eats goat meat. All across the world goat | | | | approx. one pound, per day gain after birth. I feed a |
| meat is known to be lean, tender and healthy | | | | supplement feed at a rate of 14 cents per day, per |
| alternative to beef, poultry, pork and lamb. It has less | | | | animal for approx. 100 days. I also need to mention I |
| in fat than the previous mentioned meats and | | | | provide ample hay for the little ones. They are ready |
| actually is quite delicious. ABGA (American Boer Goat | | | | for auction at 70-80 pounds in that time frame. Now |
| Association) has prepared a nutritional chart for | | | | for the best part. The goat will birth 6 off-springs in a |
| comparison to goat meat.abga.org/nutritional.php | | | | two year period. Many people in the meat goat |
| Do to the Euro-Asian influence into the United States. | | | | industry don't feed at all. Only to maintain herd |
| This is one of the reasons demand has provided an | | | | appearance so to be observed and doctored as |
| increase in goats for meat. On the Western seaboard | | | | needed. |
| as well as North-Eastern regions of the United States. | | | | Now a captive goat needs 10-11 pounds of hay per |
| Lamb and goat are available in restaurants and meat | | | | day. That is the equivalent to 3.75 pounds per day of |
| markets much more than the South and Central | | | | feed. In the winter I feed three round bale of hay |
| regions. Goat meat definitely is becoming more in | | | | per 200 head, per week in the pasture. That is |
| demand. | | | | approx. 2250 pounds per 100 head of hay weekly to |
| Where the dairy goat has been established for some | | | | supplement little more in harsh winters. They do fine |
| time now in North and South America. It too has its | | | | with that. That is a cost of $2.40 per animal per |
| qualifications in nutritional benefits and very pleasant | | | | month. Compared to beef which consumes 300 |
| taste. Many people in passing express a strong desire | | | | pounds per day per animal of hay and needs huge |
| and have asked me for milk from goats. This industry | | | | amounts of protein, mostly fed in cubes. Cattle prices |
| is regulated by FDA. In the last decade there has | | | | are up or down but of late, right at 1.00 per pound |
| been a dramatic increase in the meat goat industry. | | | | on hoof. Unless as in 2008 rains came early, many |
| A contributing factor is the large scale Mohair industry | | | | more cattle where fed out because the pastures |
| in Australia and New Zealand. This has contributed as | | | | were excellent and consequently prices dropped to |
| well as general progress a technological advancement | | | | $.75 per pound. For the most part every cow will be |
| in disease recognition. The advancements in artificial | | | | wintered before bred or sold. |
| insemination and embryo transfers have unleashed | | | | In the years past, many of my neighbors that were |
| new innovative advancement for the goat industry | | | | raising meat goats for pets, brush control and cattle |
| as a whole. This brings us to the introduction of the | | | | on the ranch. Now are raising meat goats for market |
| Boer goat into America. | | | | and have a few cattle for pets and personal meat |
| The United States only produces 1% of the goats in | | | | supply. The profit margin has changed with beef |
| the world market. It is estimated that Asia holds | | | | cattle on good rain years. Even our largest ranch |
| 56.5% of the world population of goats. Africa holds | | | | nearby has altered stock toward the four legged |
| 32.4%. Now for decades the many various types of | | | | ruminant creatures which is contradictory to decades |
| goats that had been introduced the United States | | | | of ranching. Taking into consideration many factors |
| were small mountain, Spanish, and dairy goats. | | | | such as drought, harsh winters, and age of the |
| Due to the introduction of Boer breed just over five | | | | individuals tending the animals also has an effect to |
| years ago into America. We have noticed that the | | | | be mindful of. |
| size has increased and price has doubled and tripled | | | | It is simple, to do the math. You can actually lease |
| to say the least. My wife Granddad Ollie Cox, brought | | | | land and make profit on goats. Wintering an animal is |
| over a thousand goats into Nolan County back in the | | | | your greatest cost. With winter oats and wheat, if |
| early 1920"s. It was years later sometime after the | | | | blessed with cultivation, greatly offsets your cost. |
| great depression that the goat value was as much as | | | | The goat will do fine in pasture with a little hay during |
| $15- $20 dollars per head. Now herds are purchased | | | | winter. While we are on the subject it is estimated |
| every day of 200 head and up for a standard price | | | | that you can run four to six goats per acre. With |
| of $120.00-$150.00 per head. This is good quality | | | | proper crop rotation and or irrigation you'll find an |
| breeding stock. | | | | improvement on that. Where cattle need 10 acres |
| Now to answer the question "why meat goats." The | | | | per head in this part of the country. |