Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Chapter 8 The Goat Industry

Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Chapter 8

The Goat Industry


Goat History

• Among first domesticated animals– Used for milk, meat, and fiber

– Hides became clothing and housing materials

– Adapted easily to nomadic lifestyle

– Survived on sparse vegetation

– Were popular on trade ships

(continued)


Goat History

• Likely brought to America first by Christopher Columbus

• Today, country has millions


U.S. Goat Industry

• Worldwide, goat meat and milk outpace cow milk or beef– Easier to keep

– Cheaper to maintain

(continued)


U.S. Goat Industry

• Three categories:– Meat

– Dairy

– Fiber


Meat Goats

• Insignificant in U.S. agriculture, though growing

• Some religions and cultures use as beef alternatives

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Meat Goats

• Goat meat nutritionally desirable– Good source of protein

– Very lean

– Low in fat and cholesterol


Milk Goats

• Goat milk’s benefits make it popular worldwide– Good for people who are lactose intolerant or have

allergies

– Naturally homogenized and easily digested

– Good source of calcium

– Complete protein with all amino acids

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Milk Goats

• Goat milk’s benefits make it popular worldwide– No heavy fat content

– High in some vitamins

• Goat milk has other applications– Soap and lotion

– Moisturizer


Goat Fiber

• Some of the finest fabrics come from fiber goats

• Common fiber goat breeds:– Cashmere

– Angora

– Pygora

(continued)


Goat Fiber

• Goat leather– Another by-product of goat industry

– Strong and durable

– Thinner than cow hide


Goat Production

• Commercial– Provide high-quality carcasses for meat industry

– Low ratio of fat-to-lean

• Purebred– Provide high-quality herd sires and replacement does for

breeding

– Improve breed overall


Meat Goat Breeds

• Terminology– Male goat, mature: Billy

– Female goat, mature: Nanny

– Male, castrated: Wether

(continued)


Meat Goat Breeds

• Types:– Boer

– Kiko

– Tennessee Fainting

– Savanna

– Spanish


Dual-Purpose Goats

• Nubian

• Kinder

• Spanish

• Pygmy


Dairy Goat Breeds

• Terminology– Male goat, mature: Buck

– Female goat, mature: Doe

– Male goat, castrated: Wether

– Female, young: Doeling

– Male, young: Buckling

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Dairy Goat Breeds

• Types:– Alpine

– Saanen and Sable

– Oberhasli

– Toggenburg

– LaMancha

– Nigerian Dwarf


Anatomy and Physiology

• Goats closely related to deer, antelope, and sheep

• Well adapted to varied climates– Agile and maneuver well over rough terrain

– Use forages like other ruminants

– Strip leaves and grass

(continued)


Anatomy and Physiology

• Meat and dairy goats have different body types– Dairy: Shaped like triangle from above and thinner,

flatter bone

– Meat: More rectangular shape and ample bone


Goat Breeding

• Can produce one to four offspring after five-month gestation

• Seasonal

• For some, optimal goal is 100 percent kidding– Every doe has at least one kid every breeding season

– Females that do not should be considered for culling


Goat Nutrition

• When fed well, goats do not eat tin cans, clothing, or garbage– Actually picky eaters

• Commercial feeds available– Meat production

– Milk production

– Custom blends


Goat Housing, Fencing, and Protection

• Southwestern goats require shade– But no buildings

• Housing varies in other parts of U.S.– Can be enclosed fully or partially

– Must be clean, dry, and well ventilated

(continued)


Goat Housing, Fencing, and Protection

• Good fencing important– Keep goats in

– Keep predators out

• Livestock guardians– One option for predators

– Donkeys, mules, llamas, or dogs


Goat Parasites

• Susceptible to internal parasites or worm overload due to:– Grazing behavior

– Poor immunity

• Good management practices and dewormers or Anthelmintics help control internal parasites

(continued)


Goat Parasites

• External parasites can cause production loss and weaken herd– E.g., lice, mites, flies, ticks


Summary

• U.S. goat industry should grow in popularity

• Goats typically categorized by purpose

(continued)


Summary

• Goats are unique alternative– Provide alternative to cow milk

– Produce lean carcasses

– Can survive with varied housing and fencing options

– Use forage other ruminants do not

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Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Chapter 8 The Goat Industry