Enterprises

Why Meat Goats?

We’ve been asked why we chose to raise meat goats. There are many reasons. First, and foremost, was our desire to improve range land. This led to more research and we soon understood it was a wise economic move as well. According to Penn State Extension Service goat production in the United States has seen an increase by one-third in the last decade.

A statement by the American Goat Federation on their webpage explains, “The demand for high quality, lean, healthy red meat is one of the underlining forces behind the development of the American meat goat industry. With a growing base of ethnic consumers, the demand for goat meat continues to increase in the United States each year. The importation of goat meat into the United States is estimated over 30 million dollars annually, and over half of the goat meat eaten in the U.S. is from feral goats imported from Australia.”

“Goat meat is leaner than poultry and other red meats, low in fat and cholesterol and is a source of conjugated linoleic acid. Meat goats totaled 1.3 million head in 2016 (National Agricultural Statistics Service).” American Goat Federation

Alfalfa

We raise alfalfa under irrigation and harvest our crop four times annually. We produce both 3/4 ton round bales and 70 lb. small square bales. This highly nutritious legume is included in our herd’s ration.