1. Recordkeeping, Marketing and Economics Goats 101 Sheep & Goat Toolbox

2. Records are important!!! Keep records that you will use Types of records –Breeding/kidding –Health –Economic (costs, sales) Recordkeeping

3. http://www.sheep101.info/201/Forms/BarnRecordgoats.pdf Records

4. http://www.sheep101.info/201/Forms/Doerecord.pdf Records

6. http://www.wvu.edu/~exten/infores/pubs/Record%20Books/ES06-142 %20Goat%20Guide.pdf Records

7. http://www.famu.edu/goats/UserFiles/File/Record_Keeping.pdf Records

8. Takes time Helps to: –Identify animals to keep or cull –Identify health issues –Evaluate marketing –Track costs/income –Make tax time easier! Recordkeeping

9. Marketing is what sets your farm apart Dependant on: –Farm and lifestyle goals –Local access and demand –Your ability/desire to create demand –Personal preference –Time you are willing to invest –Income goals Make or break time

10. Lots of options Learn what your customer wants Consider the benefits and challenges of different marketing channels Marketing

11. Methods? Products/services? Marketing Options?

12. Sale barn Pooled/cooperative sale Graded sale On-farm Buyer’s club Farmers Market Restaurants/stores Ethnic markets Organic Value-added products Breeding stock Show stock Vegetation management Fiber Milk/dairy products Marketing Options

13. Variable Cover cost Build in profit Setting your price

14. Break-even Kid Price (per pound) Doe cost ($/head/yr) % Kid Crop 75%100%150%200% 30.67.50.33.25 40.89.67.45.34 501.11.83.55.42 601.331.00.67.50 Assumed market weight: 60 lbs.

15. Keep costs low Manage forages and animals well Pay attention to marketing Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian To Enhance Profitability

16. www.sheepgoatmarketing.info Marketing chapter in the Small Ruminant Resource Manual, and Tips for Marketing Sheep and Goats series (Live Animal, Meat, Dairy, Fiber, Vegetation Management Services) at www.attra.ncat.org Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian More information at:

17. The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is a nonprofit organization that helps people and communities. NCAT champions small- scale, sustainable and local solutions to reduce poverty, protect communities and promote natural resources. Since 1976, NCAT has weatherized houses, trained farmers, monitored energy use and demonstrated renewable technology. NCAT works on local and national projects that foster a healthy quality of life for everyone.