Within each of the four production systems introduced above, there may be any of the following six types of meat goat businesses. These businesses are categorized according to the goat markets they address. The production system is how goats are raised, while these business models reflect why goats are raised.

Meat for ethnic holiday markets

When raising meat goats for ethnic markets, producers time breeding so that kids are the desired size at the proper time to meet holiday demands. This requires knowledge and planning on the part of the producer. What size kids are needed for a certain holiday? How fast will the kids grow? When are the holidays? Producers who go to the trouble to find the answers and produce kids to fill holiday demand will get top dollar for their product. Help in answering questions about ethnic markets may be found at www.sheepgoatmarketing.info.

Meat for the open market

Meat goats can be sold at any time, and some producers do not have the interest or time to manage their herd for the holiday markets. They allow breeding to happen when the does are naturally cycling (generally in the fall, as days get shorter). Kidding occurs five months after breeding, and the first kids can be sold at weaning, about 14 to 20 weeks later. The producer sells when it is convenient and takes the market price, ignoring opportunities for higher prices. However, in areas with strong ethnic markets, prices can still be strong, and if costs are kept low, the enterprise should be profitable.

Meat for on-farm sale

Producers in areas with large enough ethnic populations may choose to set their own prices and sell animals from their farm premises. This has several advantages, including reduced risk of low prices (since the farmer sets the price) and lower marketing cost (no hauling charges, sale barn commission or shrink loss). However, it may be inconvenient and disruptive to have buyers come to the farm. It may be difficult to provide a consistent supply of kids for sale. And it can be very time-consuming to sell kids one or two at a time rather than by the truckload.

Some producers who are successful in on-farm sales eventually become brokers, purchasing kids from other farms to re-sell on the premises. This does pose the risk of spreading disease, however. Another consideration is that some buyers will want to slaughter the kids on the spot. Is this allowed in your state? What requirements must be met to properly dispose of offal? Do you need extra farm insurance to cover any possible accidents?

For the right family this is a profitable and interesting way to market meat kids. However, it will not be feasible in all areas or for families who are reluctant to give up their privacy. More information about marketing methods is available from www.sheepgoatmarketing.info. (See the Education section).

Goats for brush control

In this business, meat kids are a by-product of the main enterprise, using goats for land management, such as pasture improvement, noxious weed removal, or to create fire breaks. The goat owner may contract with land owners to provide these services. Goats need to be healthy and good foragers, but the manager needs to pay most attention to the condition of the land (not the goats). Goats may lose body condition if they are forced to overgraze to meet the goals of the landowner, and kids may not grow to their full potential. Many people have been successful in this enterprise, but it is certainly not simple. Goats must be monitored and controlled, water and predator protection must be provided, and the contracts have to benefit both parties.

Breeding stock for commercial herds

Because breeding stock is in demand, some producers find it profitable to focus on producing kids for commercial goat herds (purebred or crossbred, registered or not). To be successful at this, production costs must be kept low, animals must be healthy, and the stock must not only meet the needs of the commercial producer, but also be offered at a fair price. For the long-term success of the business, all the lower-quality kids (male and female) should be sold to the meat market, while better-quality kids stay in the herd or are sold to other producers. This enterprise requires some advertising and marketing.

Breeding stock for show herds

The most rarefied goat business is the production of breeding stock for show herds. In this case, stock will be purebred and registered, and success in the show ring will be essential to its reputation. Stock must be “what the judges are looking for,” in addition to being healthy; extensive marketing and advertising are necessary. Kids in this herd should be sorted in four ways; for show and sale, for show and for building the herd, for sale to a commercial herd, and for sale to the meat market. This business offers the chance for high income, because top end kids get top dollar, but this business demands a lot of time, expertise, marketing, and show ring ability. It also has the highest costs of production. It is a risky business because the market is both fickle and political. Therefore, it is not for the beginner or the faint-hearted.

Each of these businesses has its challenges and opportunities. Each also requires that the producer begin by selecting healthy stock that will work in the business. Learning how to choose stock is the subject of our next section.

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