1. There are over three hundred breeds of goats around the world
There are over three hundred breeds of goats around the world. The breeds covered in this unit represent the most common breeds in the United States and are recognized by the largest recognized breed organizations. Many of the breeds mentioned can be considered dual purpose breeds. For the purposes of this unit they have been placed into the category they are most commonly recognized for.
Four Goat Types

2. Meat Breeds BOER Lop ears Red or black head, white body
From South Africa, to US in 1993
Known for rapid growth, excellent carcass quality, and adaptability

3. Meat Goat Breeds SPANISH
Descendants of goats brought to the U.S. by early New England settlers (ancestry is as mixed up as that of a mongrel dog)
Almost any color, usually left horned
Ears are somewhat pendulous but shorter than a Nubian’s

4. Meat Goat Breeds TENNESSEE MEAT GOAT “Wood leg” or “fainting goat”
Many color combinations and have airplane ears (shaped like Alpine ears but not erect, instead they jut out sideways)

5. Meat Goat Breeds
KIKO
Produced in New Zealand by taking feral does that exhibited good meat conformation and breeding them with Saanen and Nubian bucks to increase their milk yield and butterfat content
Similar ears to Spanish goats but are usually larger framed

6. Meat Goat Market
Goat holds a significant meaning in the observances of many religions and are a dietary staple in many countries. In the U.S., the largest consumers of lamb are Middle Easterners, Greeks, and Hispanics.

7. Dairy Breed ALPINES Originated in the Alps
No distinct color - ranges from pure white through shades of fawn, gray, brown, black, red, piebald, or various shadings or combinations of these colors
Face is straight
Good milkers
Short hair
Large size
Rangy look

8. Dairy Goat Breeds LA MANCHA Originated in Oregon Short-eared goat
High milk production butterfat milk
Face is straight
“Gopher” or “elf” ears
Any color

9. Dairy Goat Breeds NIGERIAN DWARF
Smallest of all the recognized dairy breeds
Nose is straight
Ears are upright
Coat is soft with short to medium hair
Any color or combination of colors

10. Dairy Goat Breeds OBERHALSI Swiss dairy goat
Color is chamois (medium to grayish yellow)
Does may be black but chamois is preferred

11. Dairy Goat Breeds SAANEN
Originated in Switzerland, in the Saanen Valley
Heavy milk producers and usually yield 3-4 percent milk fat
White or light cream in color (white is preferred)
Ears should be erect and alertly carried, preferably pointing forward
Face should be straight or dished
Short, fine hair
Do best in cool conditions

12. Dairy Goat Breeds TOGGENBURG Swiss dairy goat
Oldest known dairy goat breed
Excellent udder development, high milk production
Color is solid varying from light fawn to dark chocolate with no preference for any shade
Distinct white markings on the face and legs
Medium sized
Erect ears

13. Dairy Goat Breeds NUBIAN Most common goat in the world
All purpose breed – meat, milk, and hide production
Not a heavy milk producer but has high average butter fat content
Very long, pendulous ears that hang close to the head
Always short-haired
Roman nose (prominent upper part or bridge)
Any solid or parti-colored coat is permitted but black, red or tan are the most common

14. -Produce 5 pounds of milk a day
-Supply 1.8% of the worlds milk supply
-Has more minerals than cow milk & is easier for elderly and children to digest

15. Cheese is the most common made dairy goat product in the United States.
It is shipped across the world. However, most goat milk cheese is still made in Europe.
Most cheeses are sold as a gourmet product.
Goat Cheese

16. Goat Milk Pasteurized goat milk is sold in every state.
About half the states allows raw goats milk sold. South Carolina as of 2005 allows the selling of raw milk.
The raw milk has the benefit of enzymes that help absorption of nutrients and digestion without many illnesses associated with cow’s milk (Lactose intolerance).
The primary markets for the milk are people who can not drink cow’s milk, people with ulcers and babies with failure to thrive syndrome.

17. Soap
Soap is often a side product that dairies use their out dated or oversupply of milk to produce.
The soap can have scents added but is best known as very mild and healing to damaged skin when produced in its unscented and uncolored form.
Many dairies make small decoratively wrapped bars and sell them to bed & breakfast businesses as gift baskets.

18. Fiber Goats ANGORA Originated in the district of Angora in Asia Minor
Dates back prior to early biblical history
Well adapted to areas not fit for other livestock
Almost totally maturity
Produce up to 7 pounds of mohair a year
Horned with long, droopy ears
Bucks weigh pounds, does weigh between pounds (at maturity)

19. Fiber Goat Breeds CASHMERE
This fiber is so luxurious that the Arc of the Covenant of the Old Testament was lined and curtained with it
First Cashmere goats were imported from Australia and New Zealand in the late 1980's
Large demand b/c fiber is in short supply
Solid colored are preferred but multicolored are used too

20. Fiber Market

21. Hobby Goat Breeds PYGMY Originated in West Africa
All body colors are acceptable, the predominate coloration is a grizzled (agouti) pattern produced by the intermingling of light and dark hairs, of any color
16-23 inches the withers
Horned
Any color or combination
Mainly used for 4H or FFA projects, research, pets, or in zoo exhibits

22. Hobby Goat Market