Raising goats for meat can provide for your family’s needs. It can also be a profitable small farm business if thought through carefully, especially where you will market it.
The goat market is increasingly popular, with rising yearly demand for goat’s milk and meat. Goat meat is an important food source globally, with high consumption rates across cultures. Goats are also valued for their skins. Millions of goat skins are used in the US and worldwide.
Before bringing home goats, determine how many you really need. One mistake new farmers make is getting too many goats.
Things to consider when determining goat farming profitability:
- Prevailing goat meat prices in your target market to gauge competitiveness and pricing
- Potential customers and their preferences to tailor offerings
- Local consumers, butcheries, restaurants, or other businesses
Goats effectively clear weeds, reducing needs for herbicides. Cities using goats for lawn clearing often grab headlines.
You can support six to eight goats per acre since they browse instead of graze. Ensure adequate preferred forage.
The initial investment for goats is generally much cheaper than for cows. Goats also eat less but produce less milk. The required land size often determines whether farmers choose goats or cows.
Goat prices range from $75-$200+ depending on breed, pedigree, location and registration. Wethers sell for less than doelings.
Meat goats can be highly profitable, more so than sheep or cattle. Goat meat prices are much higher than beef per pound.
You don’t need a specific breed for profitable meat goat farming. You can start with local breeds. Raise your own feed instead of buying expensive feed. This can ensure good returns.
How much money can you make off goats a year?
The profitability of goat farming depends on various factors including the prices of goat meat in your target market, customer preferences, local demand, and the cost efficiency of your operation. By leveraging local breeds and raising your own feed, you can enhance profitability and ensure good returns.