Meat Goats

Terms Buck or Billy – mature male Buck or Billy – mature male Wether – castrated male Wether – castrated male Doe or Nanny – mature female Doe or Nanny – mature female Buckling – young male Buckling – young male Doeling – young female Doeling – young female Kid – young goat Kid – young goat

Meat Goat Facts Minimal care animals Minimal care animals Browsers by nature – prefer brush, shrubs, and weeds rather than grass. Browsers by nature – prefer brush, shrubs, and weeds rather than grass. Helpful in controlling weeds & brush Helpful in controlling weeds & brush Gestation period = days Gestation period = days –Around 5 months

More Meat Goat Facts Boer goats are the most common goat breed in U.S. Boer goats are the most common goat breed in U.S. Offer adequate milking, but raised for their high quality meat. Offer adequate milking, but raised for their high quality meat. Show goats must be registered by their breed association. Show goats must be registered by their breed association. Multiple births (2-4) are common Multiple births (2-4) are common

Even More Meat Goat Facts Most critical part of ANY meat goat operation is the selection of a herd sire. Most critical part of ANY meat goat operation is the selection of a herd sire. Primary market weight is 50-90lbs Primary market weight is 50-90lbs Common crossbreedings include: Common crossbreedings include: –Boer x Nubian –Boer x Spanish goat –Boer x Angora –Boer x Kiko

Goat Stomach Goats are ruminants and have a 4 compartment stomach Goats are ruminants and have a 4 compartment stomach –Sheep & cattle are also ruminants Ruminants get a lot of their nutrients from roughages that humans cannot use for food. Ruminants get a lot of their nutrients from roughages that humans cannot use for food.

Goat Stomach cont. Rumination aka cud chewing – the process of regurgitation where a small bolus (ball) of food is “thrown-up”, re-chewed, then re-swallowed. Rumination aka cud chewing – the process of regurgitation where a small bolus (ball) of food is “thrown-up”, re-chewed, then re-swallowed.

Goat Stomach The 4 compartments (in order) are: The 4 compartments (in order) are: 1.Rumen 2.Reticulum 3.Omasum 4.Abomasum RUMEN RETICULUM OMASUM ABOMASUM

Rumen Aka Fermentation Vat Aka Fermentation Vat Largest compartment Largest compartment Used for food storage and fermentation Used for food storage and fermentation

Reticulum Aka Honeycomb Aka Honeycomb Sorts food particles by size Sorts food particles by size Retains foreign objects Retains foreign objects –They keep a magnet in here!

Omasum Aka many fold Aka many fold Removes excess water Removes excess water

Abomasum Aka true stomach Aka true stomach Final breakdown of food Final breakdown of food

Parts!

Goat Meat Facts Cabrito – meat from goats under a year old. Cabrito – meat from goats under a year old. Chevon – meat from goats over a year old. Chevon – meat from goats over a year old. Wholesale cuts: Wholesale cuts: –Forequarter –Rack or Chine –Brisket –Loin –Leg

Wholesale Cuts Forequarter Rack or Chine Loin Leg Brisket

Goat Meat Facts 95% of the World’s countries are major consumers of goat meat. 95% of the World’s countries are major consumers of goat meat. –63% of the red meat consumed worldwide is goat meat. Especially popular with the middle eastern, latino, african, chinese, and caribbean ethnic populations. Especially popular with the middle eastern, latino, african, chinese, and caribbean ethnic populations.

More Goat Meat Facts U.S. is the world’s largest importer of goat meat U.S. is the world’s largest importer of goat meat –In 2003 U.S. imported 18 million tons Goat meat is 50-65% lower in fat than beef Goat meat is 50-65% lower in fat than beef Has a similar protein content to beef Has a similar protein content to beef Goat meat is 40% lower in saturated fat than chicken. Goat meat is 40% lower in saturated fat than chicken.

Sheep vs. Goats Say “Baa” Say “Baa” Grazer – like short, tender grass Grazer – like short, tender grass Eat from bottom – up Eat from bottom – up Flock mentality Flock mentality Strong instinct to “follow the leader” Strong instinct to “follow the leader” Usually grow wool Usually grow wool Most require annual shearing Most require annual shearing Say “Maa” Say “Maa” Browser – like leaves, twigs, vines, shrubs Browser – like leaves, twigs, vines, shrubs Eat from top – down Eat from top – down Very independent Very independent Very curious and inquisitive Very curious and inquisitive Usually grow hair Usually grow hair Most require no grooming Most require no grooming

Breeds 1. Boer 2. Kiko 3. Spanish 4. Angora 5. Fainting or Myotonic Goat

Boer Goats Developed in South Africa by Dutch Farmers. Developed in South Africa by Dutch Farmers. –Boer is Dutch and means farmer First brought to U.S. in 1993 First brought to U.S. in 1993 White body with a red to brown head White body with a red to brown head

Boer Goats Rapid growth rate Rapid growth rate Docile Docile High Fertility High Fertility Mature does weigh lbs Mature does weigh lbs Mature bucks weigh lbs Mature bucks weigh lbs

Boer Doe Registrations 3 types of Registered Boer Does 3 types of Registered Boer Does 1.Percentage 1.50% - 88% boer 2.American Purebred 1.At least 95% boer 3.Fullblood 1.100% boer

Kiko Goats Originated in New Zealand Originated in New Zealand –Kiko means flesh or meat Typically white in color Typically white in color Hardy Hardy

Kiko Goats Fast Growing Fast Growing Tolerant of multiple climates Tolerant of multiple climates

Spanish Goats Aka brush or scrub goat Aka brush or scrub goat Came from Spain to Mexico then to the U.S. Came from Spain to Mexico then to the U.S. Broad color range from black to brown to tan. Broad color range from black to brown to tan. Hardy Hardy Can survive harsh climates Can survive harsh climates

Spanish Goats Small udder and teats Small udder and teats Low-input goat Low-input goat Difficult to find a pure “spanish” goat because they are commonly crossbred with other breeds. Difficult to find a pure “spanish” goat because they are commonly crossbred with other breeds.

Angora Goats Originated in Turkey Originated in Turkey Came to U.S. in 1849 Came to U.S. in 1849 White, black, or red, or brown in color White, black, or red, or brown in color Produce mohair Produce mohair

Angora Goats Very susceptible to external parasites (fleas, ticks) because of their thick mohair. Very susceptible to external parasites (fleas, ticks) because of their thick mohair. High nutritional requirements High nutritional requirements Poor fertility Poor fertility

Fainting Goats Have many names: Myotonic Goats, Tennessee Fainting, Stiff- leg Goats, etc Have many names: Myotonic Goats, Tennessee Fainting, Stiff- leg Goats, etc Originated in Tennessee in 1800’s Originated in Tennessee in 1800’s Common colors are black and white Common colors are black and white Small in size Small in size

Fainting Goats Large eyes set in high sockets Large eyes set in high sockets Muscles freeze for around 10 seconds when startled Muscles freeze for around 10 seconds when startled –Caused by a genetic disorder Listed as a “threatened” breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Listed as a “threatened” breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

Yes, I’m a VERY dirty boy…