Goat Production and Marketing

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Goat Production and Marketing

• SUSAN SCHOENIANSheep Goat SpecialistWestern
  Maryland Research Education CenterUniversity
  of Maryland Cooperative Extensionsschoen_at_umd.edu
  - www.sheepandgoat.com

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MD 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

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Some 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

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For 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

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Some 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

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An 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.

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Goat production and marketing

• Production
• Breeds
• Predators
• Diseases
• Feeding
• Marketing
• Ethnic market
• Grading system

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The Goat Industry
PetsHobby
Commercial meat goat production
Wethers
Vegetation control
Dairy
Fiber
Seedstock
Small Ruminant industry
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How 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.

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How 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.

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U.S. Goat Breeds

• Dairy
• Fiber
• Meat
• Miniature

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Six dairy goat breeds

• (Anglo) Nubian
• La Mancha
• Swiss breeds
• Saanen
• Sable
• Alpine
• Toggenburg
• Oberhasli
• Nigerian Dwarf

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Six dairy goat breeds
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Fiber goat breeds

• AngoraProduce mohair
• CashmereCashmere guard hair
• CashgoraCashmere x Angora
• PygoraPygmy x Angora

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Meat goat breeds

• Improved
• Boer
• Kiko
• Savannah
• Indigenous
• Spanish/brush
• MyotonicTennessee meat goat
• Pygmy

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Comparison of three meat goat breeds
Crossbreeding is recommended for commercial meat
goat production.
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Production issues

• Predators
• Common health problems
• Feeding goats for profit

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Predators 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.
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Predator 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
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Non-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
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Non-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
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Lethal predator control options

• Hunting, shooting
• Trapping
• Livestock protection collar
• M-44 cyanide injector
• Must work with USDA Wildlife Services

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Common health problemsSimilar problems as sheep

• Gastro-intestinal parasites
• Stomach worms
• Coccidia
• Clostridial diseases
• Overeating disease
• Tetanus
• Other ?
• Hoof care/problems
• Other important diseases

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Stomach 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

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Issues 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.
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Integrated 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).

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Coccidiosis

• 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.
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Coccidiosis

• 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
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Vaccination 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.
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Other vaccines for goats(usually sheep products)

• 7 or 8-way clostridial
• Abortion Vibrio, Chlamydia, Lepto
• Caseous lymphadenitis (CL)
• Foot rot
• Pneumonia
• Rabies
• Soremouth
• Autogenous

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Hoof 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.
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Hoof 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
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Other 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.

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General 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.

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When 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?
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Intelligent 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.

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Free 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.

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Goat 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.

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Population 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
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In 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
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What 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!
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A 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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American 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
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Mosques/Islamic Centers in Virginia

• 37 Mosques listed on http//islamicvalley.com

Interior of Mosque in Fredericksburg, VA
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Muslim 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.
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Hispanics

• 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

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Market 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.

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USDA 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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Goat meatChevon, cabrito
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Goat 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.

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Goat 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
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Marketing alternatives for meat goats

• Public livestock auction
• Sell to a middleman
• Direct to a meat processor
• Direct to consumer
• Marketing group

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Public 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
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To 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
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To 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???
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Direct 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
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On-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.

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Custom 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

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On-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!

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Group 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
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Choose the alternative that results in the
highest net price.
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Questions?