Goats for Small (and Large) Livestock Operations Doug Pavel Butte Vista Farm Whitewood, SD

Goat Breeds Can Generally Be Classified As DairyFiberMeat

Regardless of Breed Characteristics, Goats Can Be Used For BreedingShowing Diary, Fiber, Meat Companion Animals 4-H and FFA Projects Pets

The Goats at Butte Vista Farm Full Blood Boer Breeding Stock American Pure Bred Stock Boer – X Commercial Stock

Goats Were Added To Enhance The Diversity Of Our Operation Meat Animals Meat Animals Replacement Breeding Stock Replacement Breeding Stock Show Animals Show Animals Weed Control Weed Control Component Of Our Multi-Species Grazing Program In Accordance With Our Small Acreage Goals Component Of Our Multi-Species Grazing Program In Accordance With Our Small Acreage Goals

Multi-Species Grazing is Nothing New In the Western United States cattle, horses, and sheep have been a common mix.

Multi-Species Grazing Has Several Advantages Each Animal Species Prefers Different Plants for Their Diets Each Animal Species Prefers Different Plants for Their Diets Reduces Parasites Reduces Parasites Can Co-Graze or Rotation-Graze Animals Depending on Pasture Conditions Can Co-Graze or Rotation-Graze Animals Depending on Pasture Conditions

More Advantages to Multi-Species Grazing Stocking Rate of Pastures Actually Improved with Multi-Species Grazing Stocking Rate of Pastures Actually Improved with Multi-Species Grazing Adding Small Ruminants Does Not Adversely Affect Stocking Rates Adding Small Ruminants Does Not Adversely Affect Stocking Rates Better Utilizes the Vegetation in a Pasture Better Utilizes the Vegetation in a Pasture Perfect for Small Acreage Operations Perfect for Small Acreage Operations

In the past few years, another animal has entered the grazing picture.

Goats Work Nicely Into the Stocking Rate of Pastures One Animal Unit is about One Animal Unit is about One Cow/Calf Pair One Cow/Calf Pair One Horse One Horse Six Sheep Six Sheep Six Goats Six Goats A few goats do not increase Stocking Rate because… A few goats do not increase Stocking Rate because…

Goats Prefer Plants Other Animals Don’t They Are The Original Organic “Weed & Feed”

As Earlier Mentioned – Animal Species Don’t Eat the Same Plants Table Courtesy of Progressive Forage Grower, August 2010 Edition, Jodie Pennington, Small Ruminant Educator, Lincoln University, “Multi-species grazing can improve utilization of pastures”, Written July 22, 2010

Grasses Are Least Preferred By Goats Browse is Most Preferred Browse is Most Preferred Bushy Plants Bushy Plants Forbs Forbs And Yes – Ornamental Trees, Bushes and Shrubs And Yes – Ornamental Trees, Bushes and Shrubs SO BE CAUTIOUS SO BE CAUTIOUS

Goats Prefer to Eat at Head-Height or Higher So Standing Weeds and Brush Left Behind by Other Animals are Ideal

Quick Example Before Before After After

Important Considerations When Adding Goats to Your Pasture & Weed Management Program Fencing is a Major Consideration Fencing is a Major Consideration Smooth Horse Fence Wire Is NOT Adequate Unless Electric Wire is Added Smooth Horse Fence Wire Is NOT Adequate Unless Electric Wire is Added Multi-Strand (5 -6 Wires) Barbed is OK Multi-Strand (5 -6 Wires) Barbed is OK Multi-Strand (4 Minimum) Electric is Good Multi-Strand (4 Minimum) Electric is Good

Importance of Fencing (Continued) 2”x4” or 4”x4” No-Climb Horse fence or Woven Wire is Best 2”x4” or 4”x4” No-Climb Horse fence or Woven Wire is Best 6”x6” Woven Wire is problem because of Goat’s Horns can become caught in the fence 6”x6” Woven Wire is problem because of Goat’s Horns can become caught in the fence Fence As If Keeping Chihuahuas In Fence As If Keeping Chihuahuas In

Examples of Fencing

Other Important Considerations When Adding Goats to Your Program Adequate Shelter Is Needed Adequate Shelter Is Needed Goats can handle cold weather, but Goats can handle cold weather, but Goats DO NOT like to get wet Goats DO NOT like to get wet

More Important Considerations Predator Control is Essential Predator Control is Essential Especially if Goats are going to be located away from Yard, House or other Buildings Especially if Goats are going to be located away from Yard, House or other Buildings Guard Dogs, Donkeys, and Llamas are all Options Guard Dogs, Donkeys, and Llamas are all Options AND a good Fence – did I mention fencing is important? AND a good Fence – did I mention fencing is important?

Goats are Social Animals – So Keep That In Mind If Adding Them To Your Operation Goats are “herd animals” so more than one is recommended Goats are “herd animals” so more than one is recommended Or they must be with a “Friend” so the Goat can be a companion animal Or they must be with a “Friend” so the Goat can be a companion animal

They Don’t Call Them Kids For Nothing… Goats need to be able to climb and play - otherwise… Goats need to be able to climb and play - otherwise… They will get into trouble

Beyond That… Goats are easy to handle Goats are easy to handle Goats are generally healthy animals Goats are generally healthy animals Goats do require proper mineral supplements Goats do require proper mineral supplements Regular grass hay is fine unless lactating Regular grass hay is fine unless lactating Goats require minimal vaccinations & de- worming Goats require minimal vaccinations & de- worming

AND BESIDES… They’re Cute

Marketing Is Key Issue For Producers In The Midwest Chevon is consumed primarily by ethnic populations – Mainly on East and West Coasts Chevon is consumed primarily by ethnic populations – Mainly on East and West Coasts 60% of the red meat consumed in the world is Chevon 60% of the red meat consumed in the world is Chevon But…because Chevon is healthy, low in fat, low in cholesterol, other segments of the American population are buying it But…because Chevon is healthy, low in fat, low in cholesterol, other segments of the American population are buying it Of particular interest to “Foodies” Of particular interest to “Foodies”

25 Month Project Will Be Underway Beginning This Year In The Black Hills To Study Feasibility of Marketing Goat Meat Locally Funded by Grant from North Central SARE Funded by Grant from North Central SARE Primary Components Primary Components 1. Nutrition vs. Carcass Quality Study with Follow-up Seminar 2. Marketing Study and Familiarization of Established Trends and Practices

East River Contact for Potential Producers JASON & KARLIA DAHL Jason is President of Heartland Meat Goat Association (605) OR (605)

QUESTIONS???? Feel free to contact us anytime: Doug and Carol Pavel Butte Vista Farm Crackerjack Road Whitewood, SD (605)