Introduction to Value-Added Goat Products

Karen Jackson, UT Extension Agent

Introduction All parts of the goat are

used in 3rd world countries In the US meat, milk,

hides, hooves, and organs are mainly used

Presently, with the Boer breed, the meat goat is the most popular animal in the US

Most goats can trace their ancestry back to a dairy goat, mainly the Anglo-Nubian and Saanen

Meat Products of Goats Cabrito Sausages Jerky Chevon Specialty cuts

Laws concerning value-added products

Remember that laws change from time to time and it is the responsibility of the producer to find the law and follow it.

When slaughtering your animal for resale a USDA processing facility for goats must be used.

If selling prepared meats a commercial kitchen or processing facility must be used.

Places to look for laws and assistance on budgeting State and local health departments

TN Department of Agriculture website

University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University Farm Management Specialist

Center for Profitable Agriculture

Marketing Cooperatives “A cooperative is a business that is owned

and controlled by the people who use it. Its primary purpose is to provide goods and/or services to its members for their mutual benefit.” (University of Wisconsin)

In 2000, there were 213 dairy co-ops in the U.S. of which 157 were pure bargaining co-ops (co-ops that work together to lower cost and increase sale prices)

Marketing Co-ops continued By forming a co-op goat producers will

have enough goats to sell in graded lots through tel-o-auctions, internet auctions, and video board sales.

If the co-op works well enough producers can get contracts for their goats and possibly sell into high-end restaurants, stores, and individuals nationwide.

Marketing Co-ops continued

Marketing managers must be selected

Interest in the products is a must for a good marketing manager, both from the producer end and the consumer end

People skills Timely, Responsible, and Loyal

Contracts

Contracts are promises that the law will enforce

Contracts vary from individual to individual

Contracts are pretty specific

Direct Marketing

Producer takes more of the risk Producer must know what the

consumer wants and provide it Liability and product insurance is a

must for the producer Producer must be aware of the laws

and regulations and follow them

Unedible Milk Products Soap Lotion

Soap and Lotion

Regulations depend on the type of product and in which state the product is made and sold.

Cost must be considered: oils, lye, and equipment in addition to the milk

Classes should be taken to understand the safety and chemistry of the product

Hide Products Kid Gloves Drum tops Coats Boots Belts Art

Hides and Fiber continued

If selling hides, they can not be blemished

You can make these items yourself or send them to a manufacture

Artist and craft enthusiast may wish to purchase hides for their product

Hides and Fiber continued

Some goats have a fiber in the form of cashmere (winter fine hair undercoat)

This fiber is stretchy, silky, and usually has a high yield

Producer can sell products from it or sell the raw fiber to hand spinners and clothing companies

Hides and Fiber continued

Angora goats produce mohair Dollmakers use the locks to make

doll hair Craftspeople usually will want a

raw or semi-raw product

Breeding and Driving/Pack Stock Reputation matters, producer must

know people in the industry before they can sell breeding stock

Quality stock should be selected for milk ablity, mothering ability, disposition, height (driving/packing stock), ease of kidding, rate of gain (weaning and post weaning), birth weights and environmental adaptation

Breeding and Driving/ Pack Stock continued Driving stock can be sold and/or

rented for parties, fairs and gatherings Millington, TN has Goat Days Festival

each year which includes a goat driving contest

New York has a driving goat 4-H project

Washington State has driving goat competitions at its fair

Breeding and Driving/ Pack Stock continued

Goats can carry up to ¼ of their own weight

Better equipped than mules and horses to handle rugged mountain sides

Pack well together in group Survive well on brush available to

them in the woods and mountains

Conclusion First thing you should consider when

doing a value-added enterprise is plan the product, make a budget, find a market, make the product

The purpose of a co-op is to provide goods and/or services to its members for their mutual benefit

High quality fibers that two breeds of goats produce are cashmere and mohair

Conclusion continued A product that all meat goat producers

have after slaughtering is hides An animal needs to be slaughtered in a

USDA inspected facility if the meat is to be sold

Other products that goat producers can sell and not slaughter their goat is breeding stock, pack/driving goats, fiber, and beauty aids

Questions Please

Any questions?