Goat farming

Domesticated goats in Africa

The Boer goat, a widely-farmed meat-breed

Goat farming involves the raising and breeding of domestic goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) as a branch of animal husbandry. People farm goats principally for their meat, milk, fibre and skins.

Goat farming can be very suited to production alongside other livestock (such as sheep and cattle) on low-quality grazing land. Goats efficiently convert sub-quality grazing matter that is less desirable for other livestock into quality lean meat. Furthermore, goats can be farmed with a relatively small area of pasture and with limited resources. ^[1]

Pasture

Goats are remarkably agile and will climb trees to browse.

As with other herbivores, the number of animals that a goat farmer can raise and sustain is dependent on the quality of the pasture. However, since goats will eat vegetation that most other domesticated livestock decline, they will subsist even on very poor land. Therefore, goat herds remain an important asset in regions with sparse and low quality vegetation. However, goats also show preference to certain browse and grasses, such as; Multiflora Rose, Briar, Ironweed, Ragweed, Spiny Amaranth, and Pigweed among others. They are less fond of Tall Fescue, Bermuda Grass, Orchard Grass, and Crab Grass. ^[2]

Worldwide goat population statistics

As of 2022, India is the largest producer of goat's milk. In 2024, the United States of America were the largest importer of goat's milk, and in the same year, New Zealand was the top exporter.

World goat production: Selected regions and countries, 2008

Country/Region	Total animals (millions)	Goat milk (MT)	Goat meat (million MT)
World	-----	15.2	4.8
Africa	294.5	3.2	1.1
Nigeria	53.8	N/A	0.26
Sudan	43.1	1.47	0.19
Asia	511.3	8.89	3.4
Afghanistan	6.38	0.11	0.04
Pakistan	60.00	N/A	N/A
Iran	16.00	N/A	N/A
India	125.7	4.0	0.48
Bangladesh	56.4	2.16	0.21
China	149.37	0.26	1.83
Saudi Arabia	2.2	0.076	0.024
Americas	37.3	0.54	0.15
Mexico	8.8	0.16	0.04
USA	3.1	N/A	0.022
Europe	17.86	2.59	0.012
UK	0.09	N/A	N/A
France	1.2	0.58	0.007
Oceania	3.42	0.0004	0.018

In the US

Meat goats are farmed in all US states, although most meat goat production occurs in the Southeast. Texas is the primary producer of meat goats, representing 38% of US production. ^[1]

Male goats are generally not required for the dairy-goat industry and are usually slaughtered for meat soon after birth. In the UK, approximately 30,000 billy goats from the dairy industry are slaughtered each year. ^[3]

Gallery

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  Goat farm
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  Goat milking
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  Pen for goats
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  Goating Farming in Uganda
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  Goatskin parchment on wooden frame

See also

• List of goat breeds
• Goats as pets
• List of goat dishes

Further reading

• Carol A. Amundson (2009). How to Raise Goats. Voyageur Press. ISBN   978-0-7603-3157-6.
• Cheryl K. Smith (2010). How to Raise Goats. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN   978-0-470-56899-6.

References

1. Qushim, B.; Gillespie, J.M.; McMillin, K. (2016). "Analyzing the costs and returns of US meat goat farms". Journal of the ASFMRA.
2. "Grazing Management for Goats" (PDF). 20 November 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
3. "Meat and Dairy Production". Our World In Data. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2019.