Boer goats are popular for meat production.
4-H members raise goats for milk production, meat, mohair or cashmere fiber, brush control and companions. 4-H is an organization for students ages 9 to 19, and 4-H goat projects are available in most states. 4-H members sell goats through auctions and by private treaty sales. The purchase price may be based on the weight of the goat, such as price per pound, or the price per individual. Does, bucks, wethers (castrated males) and kids (young goats) are available
Instructions
1. Contact the county 4-H office in the area of interest to find 4-H clubs with goat projects. The 4-H program is under the direction of the University Cooperative Extension in most states. There may be a local county 4-H agent or advisor to coordinate the locate clubs.
2. Determine the type of goat to purchase. Purchase dairy goats that produce about a gallon of milk per day during a nine-month lactation from 4-H members who specialize in raising goats from dairy breeds. Goat milk is popular for drinking and cheese-making, and is produced by breeds such as the Saanen, Nubian and Toggenburg.
3. Locate 4-H members raising the Boer breed to purchase meat goats. Meat goats are usually purchased when they weigh 80 to 120 pounds. The dressing percent for goats is about 50%, which means a 100-pound goat will produce about 50 pounds of meat.
4. Purchase angora or cashmere goats for fiber production. Angora goats produce mohair; cashmere goats produce the popular cashmere fiber. The goats are sheared annually to produce pounds of the fiber.
5. Buy goats of any dairy or meat breed for brush control, companions or pets. Purchase mature goats for the most efficient vegetation control. Pygmy goats are often purchased as pets or companions.
6. Attend goat auctions at county, regional or state 4-H shows or fairs. 4-H members sell meat goats at junior livestock auctions. Contact 4-H members to buy young goats, breeding animals or animals not consigned to auctions.
7. Read local newspaper and on line classified advertisements to find 4-H goats for sale. Local feed stores often have bulletin boards with "for sale" posters.
Tags: brush control, brush control companions, cashmere fiber, cashmere goats, control companions, fiber goats