1. James “JJ” Jones Area Ag Economist Southeast District OSU Extension
These Aren’t Your Fathers Goats, A Look at the Past, Present and Future of the U.S. Meat Goat Industry
James “JJ” Jones
Area Ag Economist
Southeast District OSU Extension

2. Goat Industry before 1990 Dairy Mohair Brush Cheese
Government program cut from farm bill
Brush

3. Goat Industry after 1990’s
Started importing African meat goats in mid 90’s
Started with Boer goats
Now are there are 3-5 distinct meat goat breeds in the U.S.
USDA started counting meat goats in 2004

4. Why the increase? Goat meat is consumed by:
Muslims
Hispanic
Europeans
Asians
Africans
Seems to be limited by supply
Future demand?

5. Industry Overview 2006 Demand Mil. Lbs Slaughtered (official) 20.4
Imported 24.5
Slaughtered (unofficial)

6. 2007 U.S. Meat Goat Numbers U.S. Total: 2,400,000 > 1,000,000
100, ,000,000
75, ,000
50, ,000 3 7 6
30, ,000 8 2 5 4
10, ,000 1 9
< 10,000
U.S. Total: 2,400,000
Source: NASS

7. Southern Region Goat Numbers
Texas (1) 1,080,000
Tennessee (2) 103,000
Georgia (3) 95,000
Oklahoma (5) 74,000
Kentucky (7) 68,000
North Carolina (8) 60,000
Florida (9) 55,000
South Carolina (10) 44,000
Alabama (11) 43,000
Virginia (12) 41,000
Arkansas (14) 29,000
Mississippi (18) 24,000
Louisiana (27) 12,800
Total 1,728,800
or 72% of the U.S. goats
76.5% of U.S. Total

8. 2005 U.S. Inspected Slaughter
U.S. Total: 566,208 head
8. Indiana
22,899 4%
3. Pennsylvania
37,041
6.6%
4. New York
33,459
5.9%
7. Illinois
25,660
4.5%
New Jersey
209,156
37%
6. DE/MD
25,682
4.5%
9. California
22,214
3.9%
2. Texas
38,079
6.7%
10. Florida
15,610
2.7%
5. Tennessee
29,692
5.2%

9. Types of Goat Operations
Brush Control
Used as weed eaters
Profit is not the motive
Purebred or Seed Stock
Higher start up costs
Build a reputation
Breed association
Registration of animals
Multi-Species Grazing
Compliments other livestock enterprise
Profit can be a motive
Commercial Goat Operation
Produce kids for meat production
Manage for profit maximization

10. Holiday Demand Holiday Date Type of goat Easter (Western)
April 8, 2007
March 23, 2008
April 12, 2009
20 to 50 pounds
Easter (Eastern and Greek)
April 27, 2008
April 19, 2009
Independence Day
July 4
20 to 35 pounds
Caribbean holidays
August
60 pound bucks

11. Holiday Demand Holiday Date Type of goat Start of Ramadan (Muslim)
September 13, 2007
September 8, 2008
August 22, 2009
45 to 120 pounds less than 12 months
Eid al Fitr (Muslim)
October 13, 2007
October 2, 2008
September 21, 2009
45 to 120 pounds 60 pounds optimum
Eid al Adha (Muslim)
December 20, 2007
December 8, 2008
November 28, 2009
Yearlings, blemish free
Dassai (Hindu)
October 12, 2007
September 30, 2008
Male goats only, size depends upon number being fed

12. Why are goats popular? Perfect for a small producer with limited:
Land
Capital (although can be higher than first thought)
Equipment
Can be profitable
OSU budget shows a return of $35/head
Show goats
Around 1800 kids with goat projects

13. Goat Industry Challenges
Production diversity and multiple products
Demand diversity
Demand future
Will future generations continue to eat goat?
Geographic dispersion of production and consumption
Seasonality of supply and demand
Fragmented and limited market infrastructure
Lack of market information
Lack of research on goat production

14. What about the future? Goat numbers continue to increase.
Theoretically could increase goat herd by 500,000.
Show goat projects continue to increase.
Currently have not reached saturation point.
It is not the ostrich market all over again.
It is not your dad’s goat farm.
As long as there is a demand for the final product there will be a viable market.

15. Questions?