This document provides 10 things that every goat producer should do, including establishing goals and objectives, building good fences, having a marketing plan, learning to feed goats, enrolling in the mandatory scrapie eradication program, developing a veterinary-client relationship, having a biosecurity plan, keeping good records, educating oneself, and joining a goat association. It discusses each of these topics in detail with recommendations and tips for goat producers.

1. THINGS
THAT EVERY GOAT PRODUCER SHOULD DO
SUSAN SCHOENIAN
Sheep & Goat Specialist
University of Maryland Extension
sschoen@umd.edu
www.sheepandgoat.com
www.wormx.info

2. 10 THINGS EVERY GOAT PRODUCER
SHOULD DO
1. Establish goals and objectives
2. Build good fence
3. Have a marketing plan
4. Learn to feed goats
5. Enroll in the mandatory scrapie eradication program
6. Develop a veterinary-client-relationship
7. Have a biosecurity plan
8. Keep good records
9. Educate yourself
10. Join a goat association

3. D E T E R M I N E Y O U R G O A L S A N D O B J E C T I V E S

4. THERE ARE MANY REASONS TO RAISE GOATS.
WHY ARE YOU?
Reason(s) $$$
COMMERCIAL
(meat, dairy, fiber)
FOR PROFIT
Land management For profit or not
Hobby Not-for-profit
4-H/FFA project Seldom for profit
Pets and companions for other

5. GOATS PRODUCE MANY PRODUCTS.
WHICH ONE(S) DO YOU (PLAN TO) PRODUCE?
• Meat
• Dairy
• Fiber
• Grazing
• Skins
• Show
• Packing/hikin
g
• Agro-tourism
• Biotech
• Pets
• Other (?)

6. SETTING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
• Establish your reason(s) for raising
goats.
• Your goals and objectives will affect
every decision you make regarding
your goat enterprise: breeds,
facilities, labor, nutrition,
reproduction, and marketing.
• A mission statement is important
part of a business plan.
• It says what the business does and
what your values are.
Sample Mission Statement
Antietam Goat Farm is going to produce and sell
performance-tested Kiko goats to the commercial
meat goat industry in the Mid-Atlantic states. We
will specifically focus on developing genetics that are
more resistant to gastro-intestinal parasites. Our goal
is to supplement our retirement income and build a
social network with other performance-oriented goat
producers.

7. WHAT MAKES YOU A COMMERCIAL
GOAT PRODUCER?
• Meet your county’s definition of a farm
• Do a business plan
• File a schedule F with your taxes
– 2 out of 5 years tax rule
– 9 factors that determine profit motive
• Operate your goat enterprise like a
business; decision-making on the basis of
economics, e.g. least cost feeding,
performance evaluation.
• There’s nothing wrong with raising goats
as a hobby.

8. B U I L D G O O D F E N C E S

9. “IF IT WON’T HOLD WATER,
IT WON’T HOLD GOATS!”
“GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS.”

10. YOU NEED TO BUILD GOOD FENCES TO
PROTECT AND CONTAIN YOUR GOATS.
• Goats are clever, athletic, and smart.
• Fences that contain other livestock won’t
necessarily contain goats.
• More strands of electric wire are needed,
wires must be spaced closer, gates cannot
have wide gaps, and there cannot be gaps
under fences.
• Goats are more likely to crawl under than
jump over a fence; you need to get rid of
crawlers and jumpers!
• You also need to protect goats from
predators; predators dig under or go
through openings or gaps in fence.

11. FENCING OPTIONS FOR GOATS
PERIMETER OR BOUNDARY FENCES
• Woven wire (field fence) provides a physical
barrier whereas high tensile electric is more
of a psychological barrier.
– Animals should be trained to electric.
– Goats can sense when electric is off.
– You may need a physical barrier during rut.
• HT electric is more economical to build than
woven wire, but you need to keep fence
lines clean (labor).
• 10-12 strands of tightly strung barbed wire
can effectively keep goats in and predators
out, but there is some risk of injury.
36 to 48 inch high fences generally recommended
(need varies by breed).

12. PERIMETER FENCES FOR GOATS
WOVEN
• Smaller openings (2x4, 2x6, 4x4) are better for
predator control, keeping goats from getting
their heads stuck, and keeping kids from
getting out.
• Larger openings (6x12, 6x24) help goats get
horns out, but are less effective at deterring
predators, and keeping kids in.
• An electric off set wire will keep goats away
from fence (prolongs life of fence, too).
• Electric wire on top will prevent fence jumping.
• Fence can also be topped with several strands
of barbed wire.
HIGH TENSILE ELECTRIC
• 12.5 gauge, smooth, HT wire
• 4-6 wires, spaced closer at bottom than top
(example spacing: 6-6-6-6-8-10).
• Less wires for interior fences (?)
• Electrify all wires except under very dry,
frozen, or sandy conditions.
• At least 4000 to 5000 volts on fence.
• Keys: strong corners + proper grounding
• Can rejuvenate or “goat-proof” existing
fences by adding electric wires.

13. H AV E A M A R K E T I N G P L A N

14. THE UNMET DEMAND FOR GOAT MEAT
IN THE UNITED STATES
• There is a strong demand for goat meat
in the United States.
– Shift in demographics towards more
Hispanics, Asians, and Muslims.
– Increase in foreign born population
13.5% of population in 2015
• The US only produces about half of the
goat meat consumed domestically.
• The other half is imported, mostly from
Australia, and mostly from feral goats.

15. WHO ARE YOUR CONSUMERS?
• Goat meat is
consumed almost
entirely by ethnic
markets.
• The ethnic market is a
generic term. It is
composed of many
different sub-groups,
each with different
preferences as to the
type of goat they
want, how, and when.
• While lamb is more
the meat of religion,
the demand for goat
is also affected by
holidays. Source: www.sheepandgoat.com

16. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO SELL YOUR MEAT GOATS?
THERE ARE PROS AND CONS TO DIFFERENT OPTIONS AND NOT ALL OPTIONS ARE AVAIL ABLE EVERYWHERE.
Product Inspection Options
Live animal None
Cash and carry
Facilitate slaughter of animal for customer
Allow on-farm slaughter of animal (if legal in your state)
Broker/dealer and other middlemen (feeder, direct
marketer)
Live markets
Public auctions: local, terminal, special sales
Marketing alliances (transportation pools, co-ops)
Abattoir (slaughter house)
Carcass
Custom
State
Federal
Consumer (freezer trade)
Retail establishment (butcher shop, store, or restaurant)
Meat
State
Federal
Personal consumption
Direct to consumer via
Farm sale or store
Farmer’s market
Internet sale
CSA

17. ALWAYS KNOW WHAT YOUR GOATS
ARE WORTH.
New Holland, PA (per head) San Angelo, TX (per pound)

18. MARKETING OTHER GOAT PRODUCTS
DAIRY
• About 10% of US goat operations focus on
dairy; majority for personal consumption.
• There is a slow, steady growth of goat milk
and cheese consumption in US.
• More than 50% of goat milk cheese
consumed in US is imported, mostly from
France.
• Most dairy goat producers rely on direct
market sales.
• Dairy regulations, including raw milk
regulations vary by state.
• Dairy usually requires a significant
investment.
FIBER
• The Angora industry has been in a
state of decline since subsidies ended
in 1995.
• Currently 152,000 Angora goats in US
5.7 lb. clip x $4.65 =$26.51 per head
• Largely a niche market.
• Other fibers (cashmere, cashgora,
pygora) are also very specialized
markets.

19. L E A R N H O W TO F E E D G O AT S

20. FEED COSTS ARE THE SINGLE LARGEST
COST ASSOCIATED WITH RAISING GOATS.
NUTRITION IS THE CORNERSTONE OF GOOD PRODUCTION.
• What it costs to maintain a doe and grow out kids varies by farm and geographic area.
• There is no “one size fits all” feeding or grazing program for goats.
• Pasture, browse, and range are often the most economical source of nutrients for goat, but not
always.
• Farms and geographic areas vary in the type and cost of feed they have available to them.
• The most economical feeding program will be the one that maximizes your resources, meets the
nutritional needs of your goats, and delivers nutrients at the most economical cost.

21. TIPS FOR FEEDING GOATS
• Do a feed budget.
• Maximize your forage (pasture,
browse, range) resource.
• If necessary, supplement forage diet to
meet nutritional requirements and/or
production goals; supplement most
limiting nutrient.
• Price feedstuffs by weight.
• Learn what feedstuffs are available in
your area and learn how to compare
costs of feedstuffs based on nutrient
costs.
• Feed by weight.

22. TIPS FOR FEEDING GOATS
• Learn to balance simple rations: various
tools available.
• Have forages analyzed for nutritive
value.
• Can have feces analyzed to determine
quality of diet being consumed by goats.
• Regularly body condition score goats to
assess nutrition (and health) of goats.
• Can do liver biopsies to determine
mineral status of animals.

23. E N R O L L I N T H E M A N D ATO R Y
S C R A P I E E R A D I C AT I O N P R O G R A M

24. SCRAPIE
• Scrapie is a degenerative disease
that affects the central nervous
system of sheep and goats.
• It is among a family of diseases
classified as transmissible
spongiform encephalopathies
(TSEs); same family as mad cow
disease and chronic wasting
disease (in deer and elk).
• There is no treatment or cure;
scrapie is always fatal.

25. SCRAPIE
• Scrapie is transmitted primarily at
birth, through birth fluids,
colostrum, and milk.
• Signs of the disease usually appear
until 2-5 years after infection (or
later).
• Genetics determines susceptibility
to scrapie (if exposed to infective
agent, believed to be a prion).
– 30% of US sheep are believed susceptible
– 100% of US goats (still doing research to
identify resistant genotypes)

26. SCRAPIE WAS INTRODUCED TO US IN 1947 VIA SHEEP FROM CANADA.
SCRAPIE ERADICATION
• In 2001, USDA initiated an accelerated
program to eradicate scrapie from USA
(primarily mandatory ID, slaughter
surveillance)
• The goal is to eradicate “classical” scrapie
from US and meet the World Organization for
Animal Health (OIE) criteria for disease
freedom.
• Since 2003, there has been a 99% decrease in
scrapie incidence in sheep and goats.
As of June 1, 2016
0.001% prevalence in cull sheep
0.002% prevalence in cull goats

27. MANDATORY SCRAPIE IDENTIFICATION
• All goats are required to be identified
when they move into commerce: change
ownership, or leave farm of birth.
• Exceptions: low risk goats, goats in
slaughter channels, and castrated goats.
• Exceptions vary by state.
• Can check your state’s requirements at
http://www.eradicatescrapie.org/ [click on State ID
requirements]

28. OFFICIAL IDENTIFICATION DEVICES
1. Ear tags
2. Transponders (electronic ID)
3. Tattoos
• ALL ID MUST BE APPROVED BY USDA APHIS.
• USDA provides official tags FREE of charge.
Call 1-866-USDA-TAG (1-866-873-2824)
Call to be connected to your USDA Veterinary Services Office or state
veterinarian and request a premise ID number. Request free tags (enough for
one year) or contact an approved tag company to purchase the tags or
devices of your preference.

29. IDENTIFYING GOATS AND KEEPING RECORDS
• Goats don’t need to be identified until
they leave premises
• Do not buy goats that do not carry
official ID.
• Do not remove scrapie tags.
• Do not sell or give tags to another
person.
• Unused tags should be destroyed or
returned to USDA APHIS
• Keep records for 5 years: ID, breed, sex,
dates, and ownership.

30. THE LAST CASES OF SCRAPIE WILL BE THE HARDEST TO FIND.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?
• Report scrapie-suspect animals to your
veterinarian and/or animal health authority.
• Submit heads for testing (from animals over
18 months of age), particularly if you market
animals through non-traditional channels
(non USDA inspected plants).
• There is also a voluntary certification program
that qualifies “scrapie-free” flocks and herds
for export.

31. E S TA B L I S H A V E T E R I N A R I A N - C L I E N T R E L AT I O N S H I P

32. WHY DO YOU NEED A VETERINARIAN?
BECAUSE OF EXTRA LABEL DRUG USE
• Few drugs and dewormers are FDA-approved
for goats.
• Extra-label drug use is usually required to
keep goats healthy and productive.
• Use of any drug that is not consistent with its
labeled use requires extra label drug use
(ELDU).
– Only licensed veterinarians can use or
prescribe drugs in an extra-label manner.
– Some drugs can only be obtained from a vet,
including water soluble antibiotics such as Di-
Methox®) which recently transitioned from
OTC to Rx (2017 VFD). None of these commonly-used products is labeled for goats.

33. WHY ELSE DO YOU NEED A VETERINARIAN?
BECAUSE THEY KNOW STUFF YOU DON’T
AND CAN DO STUFF YOU CAN’T
• Access to their knowledge and skills.
– Comprehensive veterinary education
– Knowledge of pharmacology (drugs),
including proper dosages and withdrawal
periods.
– Some treatments, obstetrics, post-mortem
• Diagnostic testing
• Better access to other veterinary experts

34. HOW DO YOU FIND A VETERINARIAN
• Ask other goat and livestock producers
in your area.
• Visit large animal clinics in your area.
• Search American Association for Small
Ruminant Practitioners web site at to
find a member in your area.
– www.aasrp.org
• Remember: neither Dr. Google or your
friends on Facebook are veterinarians;
they do not replace sound veterinary
advice.

35. DEVELOP A VETERINARY-CLIENT-
PATIENT RELATIONSHIP (VCPR)
• The VCPR Is the basis for interaction among veterinarians, their
clients, and their patients.
• A VCPR is present when the following requirements are met:
1. The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making clinical judgments
regarding the health of the patient and the client has agreed to follow the
veterinarians' instructions.
2. The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the patient to initiate at least a
general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the patient. This
means that the veterinarian is personally acquainted with the keeping and care
of the patient by virtue of a timely examination of the patient by the
veterinarian, or medically appropriate and timely visits by the veterinarian to
the operation where the patient is managed.
3. The veterinarian is readily available for follow-up evaluation or has arranged for
the following: veterinary emergency coverage, and continuing care and
treatment.
4. The veterinarian provides oversight of treatment, compliance, and outcome.
5. Patient records are maintained.
Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

36. TIPS FOR WORKING WITH A
VETERINARIAN
• Set up appointment for an initial visit.
Share particulars of your operation.
• “Educate” your veterinarian if he/she is
inexperienced with small ruminants.
• Call your veterinarian in a timely fashion,
not when it’s too late to save an animal.
• Follow your veterinarian’s instructions. Let
him/her know about results of treatment.
• Form a animal health “partnership.”
• Read https://attra.ncat.org/attra-
pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=497

37. H A V E A B I O S E C U R I T Y P L A N

38. HAVE A BIOSECURITY PLAN
• Biosecurity is a series of management practices designed to prevent the introduction,
delivery, and spread of disease pathogens that can harm or adversely affect livestock,
crops, environments, and people. These practices may also help eliminate or control
diseases already existing on the premises. It is recommended that you have a written
biosecurity plan.

39. ONE WAY TO REDUCE BIOSECURITY RISK
IS TO MAINTAIN A CLOSED HERD.
0
20
40
60
last 12 months 1-2 years 3-9 years
22
41
55
% Goat Farms That Introduced New Animals
• Adding new animals from outside of the
herd is one of the best ways to improve
stock and bring in new bloodlines.
• Limiting introductions to new bucks, as
most genetic improvement comes though
the males.
• Use artificial insemination (AI) to reduce
disease risk.
• Showing and/or exhibition is a biosecurity
risk.Source: NAHMS, 2010

40. GOATS PURCHASED AT SALE BARNS ARE A
HIGH RISK FOR DISEASE TRANSMISSION.
• 23.5% of goat farms that added adult goats to their herds purchased them at an auction markets.
Source: NAHMS, 2010

41. REDUCE DISEASE RISK BY
QUARANTINING NEW ANIMALS.
Always
quarantine
d
49%
Did not
quarantine
51%
• A minimum of 30 days is
recommended.
• Average was 21 days.
• Quarantined animals
should not have fence
line contact with other
animals.
• They should be fed last.
Source: NAHMS, 2010

42. VARIOUS HEALTH MANAGEMENT PRACTICES CAN
MINIMIZE RISK OF DISEASE TRANSMISSION.
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
Any practice
Inspect for abscesses
Internal parasite Tx
Any vaccinations
Foot trimming
External parasite Tx
Disease testing
Require vet inspection
Medicated foot bath
Other
82%
66%
66%
45%
45%
31%
12%
9%
9%
8% % farms implementing health
practices on new animals
Source: NAHMS, 2010

43. K E E P G O O D R E C O R D S

44. WHY KEEP RECORDS?
• Improve herd performance by identifying
superior producers.
• To help you price your products.
• Use as a forward planning tool.
• Taxes
• Insurance
• Requirement for mandatory scrapie program.
• Required for organic and other certifications.
• To apply for a loan
• To apply for government
programs/assistance

45. WHAT RECORDS SHOULD YOU KEEP
PRODUCTION FINANCIAL

46. E D U C A T E Y O U R S E L F

47. LEARN AS MUCH ABOUT GOATS AND
RELATED TOPICS AS YOU CAN.

48. VISIT YOUR LOCAL COUNTY
EXTENSION OFFICE
• Cooperative Extension is unbiased and research-based.
• There are Cooperative Extension offices in most counties and
cities in the US.
• Some extension programs are cluster (multi-county) based.
• There may be a livestock educator that covers multiple counties.
• There may be a livestock or small ruminant team that covers the
state.
• 4-H extension educators can also be good sources of information
and support.
• Some states have state goat (and sheep) specialists.
• If your local extension office does not have small ruminant
expertise (or interest), he/she should be able to refer you to
someone who does.

49. VISIT OTHER GOAT FARMS
• Get a “feel” for raising
goats
• See how other farms do
things
• Ask where they get things
• Ask if they have a good
veterinarian (who?)
• Ask them what they would
do differently

50. TAKE A TRAINING
1. Master Goat and Sheep Program
Florida A&M University
2. Master Meat Goat Producers Program
Tennessee State University
Tuskegee University (Alabama)
3. Web-based Training and Certification
Program
for Meat Goat Producers
Langston University (Oklahoma)
http://www2.luresext.edu/goats/training/qa.
html
4. Meat Goat Home Study Course
Pennsylvania State University
5. Online FAMACHA© certification
University of Rhode Island
http://web.uri.edu/sheepngoat/famacha/

51. FIND INFORMATION ON THE WEB
1. Oklahoma Basic Meat Goat Manual
http://agecon.okstate.edu/meatgoat/manual.asp
2. American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (ACSRPC)
www.wormx.info – www.acsrpc.org
3. Goats @ eXtension
http://articles.extension.org/goat
4. American Goat Federation (AGF)
www.americangoatfederation.org
5. International Goat Association (IGA)
http://www.iga-goatworld.com/
6. Maryland Small Ruminant Page
www.sheepandgoat.com

52. HAVE SOME GOOD REFERENCES ON HAND
• Goat Medicine 2nd Edition (2009)
Mary Smith and David Sherman
• Goat Science and Production (2010)
Sandra G. Solaiman
http://anatomiayplastinacion.wikispaces.com/file/view/Goat+and+science....pdf
• Meat Goat and Dairy Goat Production Handbooks
Langston University
• Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants (2007)
National Academies Press
• Goat Resource Handbook (2008)
Ohio State University (4-H)
• Raising Goats for Meat and Milk (2008)
Heifer Project International
https://meatgoats.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Rosalee-
Sinn.pdf?fwd=no

53. BEWARE OF SOCIAL MEDIA/INTERNET
• Social media is being used increasingly
as an information source.
• There are many Facebook groups and
blogs dedicated to goat production.
• Social media can be a great place to
buy/sell animals, equipment, feed etc.
• Facebook is a great place to share ideas
and interact with other goat
enthusiasts.
• Facebook is not always the best place
to get information about raising goats.
– Misinformation spreads rapidly.
– Always consider source and bias of all
information on internet. https://www.facebook.com/agfgoat/

54. J O I N A G O A T A S S O C I A T I O N

55. GET INVOLVED: JOIN YOUR LOCAL, COUNTY,
STATE OR REGIONAL ASSOCIATION
• Network with other
producers.
• Learn from each other.
• Find sources for feed,
supplies, equipment, and
veterinary expertise.
• Promote goats and their
products.
• Participate in programs and
activities.
• Make friends.

56. BREED ASSOCIATIONS AND REGISTRIES
• There are many
breed
registries.
• Besides
registering
animals, breed
registries often
hold shows,
sales, and
conferences
and provide
other services
to their
members.

57. Join your national association
American Goat Federation (AGF)
• The American Goat Federation was organized in 2010 to
represent the interest of all organizations and producers
engaged in the sustainable production and marketing
of goat milk, meat, fiber, pack, and grazing services
across the United States.
• The goal of AGF if to unify, improve, and advance the
American goat industry by providing input to agencies
on public policy and research, and providing
information and education to producers to achieve
maximum success.
• Anyone who is involved with the goat industry is
encouraged to join.
• Individual memberships are $30 per year. www.americangoatfederation.o
rg

58. 10 THINGS EVERY GOAT PRODUCER
SHOULD DO
1. Establish goals and objectives
2. Build good fence
3. Have a marketing plan
4. Learn to feed goats
5. Enroll in the mandatory scrapie eradication program
6. Develop a veterinary-client-relationship
7. Have a biosecurity plan
8. Keep good records
9. Educate yourself
10. Join a goat association

59. SUSAN SCHOENIAN
Sheep & Goat Specialist
University of Maryland Extension
sschoen@umd.edu
www.sheepandgoat.com
www.wormxinf
Can view/download
PowerPoint presentation at
whttps://www.slideshare.net/s
choenian/10-things-every-
goat-producers-should-do