Introduction to Value-Added Goat Products

1. Introduction to Value-Added Goat Products Karen Jackson, UT Extension Agent

2. 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

3. Meat Products of Goats • Cabrito • Sausages • Jerky • Chevon • Specialty cuts

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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.

8. 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

9. Contracts • Contracts are promises that the law will enforce • Contracts vary from individual to individual • Contracts are pretty specific

10. 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

11. Unedible Milk Products • Soap • Lotion

12. 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

13. Hide Products • Kid Gloves • Drum tops • Coats • Boots • Belts • Art

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Questions Please • Any questions?