Meat GoatsMeat Goats

Mrs. Gilbreath

DefinitionsDefinitions

Buck – A male goat. Doe – Female goat. Weather – Castrated male goat. Kidding – Process of giving birth. Kid – A young goat.

Meat GoatsMeat Goats

Goat is the choice of meat in some countries.

In Greece it is like eating turkey in US at Thanksgiving.

Goat meat (cabrito) is a traditional BBQ meal in Mexico.

In France (chevon) is a delicacy.

Meat GoatsMeat Goats

Less in fat than many other meats.

Goats were brought over to the US by European explorers in the 1500’s.

Were liked because of size and their ability to eat weeds.

GoatsGoats

Used for brush and weed control. Business is profitable because of the

demand for goat meat. Low feed cost. Thrive in areas where cattle cannot be

supported. Reproduction rate is very high.

Goat IndustryGoat Industry Twice as profitable as the cattle

industry. The reason for the slow development of

the goat industry is the lack of uniform goat breeds with high carcass quality and yield.

With the intro. Of the South African Boer goat, now producers can get a uniform genetic material to build the meat goat industry.

2 Major Meat Goat Types2 Major Meat Goat TypesSpanish Breed Assoc. started

in 2007 Known as the “brush

goat”, “scrub goat” or “woods goat”

Small & agile Dual-purpose Got away from large

udders?

Boer Ranchers developed

in South Africa. Meat breed in 1900 Dutch word meaning

“farm.” 1st full blood imported

in 1993. Boer Association is

largest in the world

Boer GoatsBoer Goats

Dark red head Lop ears Horns that curve backwards Strong Vigorous Well-balanced

Boer GoatsBoer Goats Bucks mature to 300lbs. Does should be feminine yet strong. Does breed easily and have fast growing

kids. Does have high productive kidding rate of

about 200%. (twins most of the time) Extended breeding season, which allows her

to produce three sets of offspring every 2 years.

ConformationConformation

Subdivided into head, neck, forequarters, body, hindquarters.

Heads of the goats are very standard. Determine age by toothing! Two-teeth (1-1.5 years) with no over or

under bite. Four-teeth (1.5-2 years) can have an

overbite.

ConformationConformation

Strong horns Broad ears, smooth, medium in length. Short ears, concave foreheads, straight

horns, overshot jaws, and blue eyes are not acceptable.

Skin & CoveringSkin & Covering Loose supple skin Folds in neck and chest region

especially in bucks. This type of skin helps to adapt in hot

climates. Eyelids and other hairless areas are

pigmented to prevent sunburn. Short glossy hair and limited amount of

winter growth.

Ideal Boer GoatIdeal Boer Goat

Red hair on head and ears and white on the remainder of the body.

Face hair may vary from dark to light red and even brown.

The face has a white blaze. Ears should be 80% color pigmented. Head should be 50% colored.

Selection of Meat GoatsSelection of Meat Goats

Conformation – (structural correctness) General Appearance – (size, scale,

capacity, depth and width of body) Muscling – (growth and weight per day of

age) Condition – (amount of finish or fat the

animal is carrying)

Selection and EvaluationSelection and Evaluation

Goats deposit fat internally before they do externally.

Ideal condition is a thin, but uniform covering over the loin, rib and shoulder.

The external fat thickness over the loin at the 13th rib should be .08 in. to .12 in or an average of .10 in.

A Good Meat Goat has:A Good Meat Goat has:

Fairly level rump Level overall body

shape Straight level top Length of rump Length of body Length of leg for

market desirability

Straight legs placed square under body

Muscle in leg Muscle in

hindquarters, loin, shoulders, and neck.