Enhancing Goat Production
Cassandra Vaughn, D.V.M.

Goat production has increased dramatically over the past ten years in the United States. One major problem many producers face is the inability to find reliable, complete information about goat production in their geographical zone. Thus, the quality of the animal produced is decreased. In this paper I will address factors which must be considered when entering or sustaining goat production.

Getting Started

Equipment and supplies should be factored into the start of any livestock production entity. Without the necessary equipment and supplies, much time and money may be lost by having to rely on outside personnel. I recommend the following equipment and supplies for any goat enterprise:

Basic Rules of Goat Production

There are some basic rules which should be observed when producing goats. They are as follows:

1.    Buy only healthy appearing stock, free of lumps, cuts, limps and other physical defects.

2.    Isolate newly purchased stock for 30 days from the remainder of the herd.

3.    You can realistically raise 2 - 10 goats/acre. This depends on the amount of brush and grass available. If an abundant supply, closer to 10, if sparse, closer to 2.

4.    You must invest in a woven wire fence i.e. cyclone fence, 6X6 woven wire, or reinforced chicken wire.

5.    If you decide to use electric fencing, at least 3 strands of electric wire will be needed for the perimeter. The goats must be accustomed to woven wire fences prior to using electric fencing. It is highly likely that goats will run through an electric fence especially if they were previously free-ranging.

6.    You need a three-sided shed which is large enough to accommodate the entire herd.

7.    A clean water source, preferable not a pond is needed.

8.    An isolation pen or area is needed which is completely separated from the other herd areas. There should be no physical contact between the affected and normal animals, thus this areas will need separate feed and water containers. There is a need to disinfect with a product such as Clorox between ill animals. Consider concreting this area to enable easier disinfection. All bedding should be burned or buried.

Management Factors

1. Predator control. Using proper fencing, guard dogs, mules, llamas, etc. to deter predators

2. Supplemental feeding. Goats are not cattle. Grazing alone will usually not produce a high quality animal. You should plan to provide feed. The amount of feed needed depends on the available of browse.

3. Improved Pastures. Take the time to plant and fertilize grasses for your pasture. This will help offset the cost of the feed.

4.  Penning. By keeping your animals penned at night, you accomplish two things:

a.    decrease exposure to predators; and
b.    allows you to quickly determine any problems in the herd.

5.  Health Maintenance. This includes nutrition, vaccinations, and parasite control.

a.    Nutrition. There is a great deal of controversy concerning the protein needs of goats. We do know that different levels of protein are required by the various stages of the goat (kid, doe, nursing doe, pregnant doe, buck). Protein levels of 12 - 16% are thought to be acceptable. In the pasture, grass seldom exceed 15% crude protein and weeds/browse commonly contain >25% crude protein.

b.    Vaccinations. Why vaccinate? One, to prevent disease and two, if your animal is exposed or contracts the disease, there tends to be a shorter recovery period. There are four vaccines I recommend for goats: Clostridium, Chlamydia, Tetanus and Caseous Lymphadenitis. Tetanus oftentimes will be in combination with the Clostridium vaccine. Costs for the vaccines in the Southern regions based on a 100 lb. goat are:

i.         Clostridium- 50 doses      $21.25
ii.        Chlamydia- 50 doses          $33.00
iii.        Tetanus- 50 doses         $ 5.35
iv.        Caseous Lymphadenitis     $16.35

For a total cost of $75.95 per year. You may think this sounds expensive, but the cost of a veterinary visit to treat one of these diseases will equal or exceed this amount.

c.    Parasite Control. Internal parasites are the number one health problem of goats. The costs associated with controlling parasites is second only to the cost of feed. Strategic deworming should be incorporated into your health maintenance plan. The cost of parasite control in the Southern regions based on a 100 lb. goat are:

i.        Ivermectin         $45.00
ii.        Levamisole         $37.58
iii.        Safeguard         $44.64
iv.        Dectomax         $89.00

6.  Kidding Assistance. It is a good idea to be present whenever a first-time doe or a doe with previous kidding problems is due. Your assistance may be needed to pull or turn a kid. Make sure you have blankets available in the winter.

7.  Breeding Management. This process begins with the selection of breeding stock. The stock should be healthy and conformation should be correct. Selection of a buck to improve the herd is important. This means take the time to avoid mating your does with any undesirable bucks, offspring bucks, or bucks originating from a diseased herd. Castrate or sell all bucks not used for mating purposes. Your main goal should be the production of a high quality animal.

REMEMBER
IMPROVED NUTRITION AND MANAGEMENT =
INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY =
INCREASED PROFIT!

Mailing address for the author: Cassandra Vaughn, D.V.M., Alcorn State University, 1000 ASU Drive #750, Alcorn State, MS 39096-7500.

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