Marketing Slaughter Goats and Goat Meat

Tatiana Stanton – Cornell University

Unit Objective

After completion of this module of instruction the producer should be able to point out the benefits of goat meat and describe the types of goats usually wanted for different markets. The producer should be able to evaluate the different marketing channels available in their region for marketing goats, and be able to calculate probable expenses and income from these different markets. The producer should be able to evaluate goats for market readiness using tools such as the USDA Live Goat Selection Criteria. The producer should be able to distinguish the advantages and disadvantages of selling suckling kids, weaned market kids, goat carcasses, or retail meats. The producer should be able to complete all assignment with 100% accuracy and score a minimum of 85% on the module test.

Specific Objectives

After completion of this instructional module the producer should be able to:

Identify the number one consumed meat in the world.
Identify the desirable characteristics of goat meat.
Identify what country exports the more goat meat to the United States.
Identify the number of goats killed in the USDA slaughter facilities in 2003 and state if that number is on the increase, decrease, or stable.
Define the meaning of the term feral goat.
Identify the population group in the United States that consumes the majority of the goat meat.
Distinguish between Halal and Kosher kill.
Match farm fresh product terms with the correct definition.
Match types of market goat terms with the correct definition.
Distinguish between suckling and market kids.
Match terms related to holiday marketing of goats to the correct definition.
Identify the marketing channels for meat goats.
Distinguish between federal, state and custom kill slaughter facilities.
State the recommendations a producer should follow for on the farm slaughtering.
State the purpose and advantage of marketing pooling.
Match slaughter terms with the correct definition.
State acceptable birth weight ranges for different goat breeds.
State acceptable weight gains for baby goats from kidding to weaning at 3 months of age.
State acceptable weight gains for weaned goats to marketing weights.
Identify the number of days in a goat’s gestation period.
Match the USDA Live Goat Selection Grades to the correct definition.
State the meaning of market readiness.
State factors/input items that affect the marketing bill.
Identify acceptable ranges for carcass percentages.
Calculate dressing percentages.
Evaluate the marketing options that are available for your goats in your service area.