Meat Goat Production in North Carolina

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1 Meat Goat Production in North Carolina Industry Size, Value and Expansion Jean-Marie Luginbuhl Associate Professor and Extension Meat Goat Specialist Interest in meat goat production in North Carolina has increased during the past eight years because of the increased demand for goat meat. This increase in demand is linked to a growing segment of the population of North Carolina and the Eastern USA which represents ethnic groups who prefer goat meat in their diet. US census data indicate that more than 700,000 immigrants who prefer goat meat to other meats enter the USA each year. In North Carolina, the Hispanic population is estimated at 300,000 to 500,000, out of a countrywide population of 45 million. Significant number of people of African, Asian, Middle-Eastern and Caribbean origin also reside in North Carolina. Although the current market picture is disjointed and confusing, there is an unfilled demand for goat meat in the major cities of the United States, and especially in the population centers of the Eastern seaboard. North Carolina's geographical proximity to these large urban markets is a real advantage. Since 1991, the United States is a net importer of goat meat. In 2005, 19 million pounds of goat meat were imported for a total value of $33.7 million, compared to 6.7 million pounds in 1999 for a total value of $7.9 million. In 1991, 25,040 goats were sold for meat in North Carolina weekly auction markets. This number increased to 27,874 heads in 1995, an upward trend of 11.3%, and to 31,503 in 1996, a further 13% increase. By the end of 1997 and 1998, 34,160 and 35,116 goats had been sold through NC weekly auction markets, respectively, additional increases of 8.4 and 3%. Many more goats are sold through other marketing channels not controlled by the NC Department of Agriculture, as indicated by the declining rate of goats sold through weekly auction markets between 1999 and One

2 marketing channel through which the sale of meat goats is increasing rapidly is private treaty; however, no statistic exists concerning goats sold through that or other channels. About 10 years ago, Powell Livestock in Smithfield sold 15 to 50 goats a week. Now, that number ranges from 200 to 300. To handle this increase, Powell has started a weekly auction exclusively for goats and sheep. The increased interest in meat goat production and goat meat consumption is also represented by the number of goats harvested in NCDA- and USDA-inspected plants (see graph below). Interestingly, 76 to 90% of the total number of goats harvested between 1999 and 2005 were processed through Chaudhry Halal Meats, a USDA-inspected plant located in Siler City, but dropped to 64% in The number of goats harvested in NC has been increasing at an exponential rate since 2002, culminating at 15,328 animals in According to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture marketing specialist, a total of over 232,000 goats were sold for meat in NC in 2005, representing receipts of over 9.7 million dollars. In addition, it is estimated that the NC meat goat breeding stock inventory totals 158,000 animals for a total of 3,200 farms, or an average of 49 goats per farm. It is anticipated that the meat goat inventory will grow by an average of 5% in The above breeding stock inventory represents a capital of over 15.5 million dollars. Another indicator of the expansion of the meat goat industry is the fact that goat shows were successfully implemented at the Mountain and North Carolina State Fairs in Interest is growing rapidly: 52 goats were entered in the Goat Show at the NC State Fair in 1996 versus 121 in 1997, a 133% increase, 196 in 1998, an additional 62% increase, and finally 330 in 1999, a 68% increase from the previous year (see graph below). The number of goats entered in the Junior Market Goat Show totaled 46 animals in 1997 vs 117 in 1998, a 154% increase, and 170 in 1999, a 45% increase from the previous year. In addition, the number of exhibitors in the Junior Market Goat Show jumped from 31 in 1997 to 53 in 1998 and finally to 60 in More recently, the number of exhibitors in the Junior Market Meat Goat Show increased to 164, 135, 210 and 318 in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. These statistics clearly indicate the increased interest in meat goats by young people. The lower number of exhibitors in the Junior Market Goat Show

3 (27) and the lower number of goats entered in the NC State Fair in 2000 was due to the unawareness of many producers and exhibitors of new Fair regulations concerning tuberculosis and brucellosis. Non-compliance with these new regulations resulted in the withdrawal of many goats from the Show. The 2001 statistics indicate that the interest in showing goats at the NC State Fair remains steady. The number of goats entered totaled 302, with 45 exhibitors showing 223 goats in the Junior Market Goat Show. A record 317 goats were shown in the Junior Market Goat Show in 2002 for a total of 423 goats shown. Goat numbers further increased in 2003, with 331 goats being exhibited in the Junior Market Goat Show and 250 in the Open Goat Show for a total of 581 goats shown. A very large increase occurred in 2004, with 464 goats exhibited in the Junior Market Goat Show and 401 in the Open Goat show, for a total of 865 goats shown. Finally, numbers fluctuated downward (-100 goats) in 2005, with 413 goats showed at the Junior show and 315 at the Open show, although an additional 86 animals were showed by 72 exhibitors at the breeder show. In collaboration with the NCSU Meat Goat program and the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Service, the NC Meat Goat Producers Inc. was created in June 2001 to direct market high quality live goats or goat meat directly to consumers and area retail stores and restaurants, thus bypassing middlemen and establishing a direct link from producers to consumers, or from pasture to plate. Interested producers have to attend a quality Assurance Certification Program to become members. Over 15 Quality Assurance Certification courses were delivered from 2001 through Thanks to grants from the Goldenleaf Foundation, the has made great strides, and elicited much interest from NC meat goat producers. The Coop, initially composed of a membership of approximately 40 members, now totals over 720 certified farm families from 65 counties and 4 states. Goat pick-up stations are presently located in Louisburg (Franklin Cty), Lumberton (Robeson Cty), Shelby (Cleveland Cty), Snow Camp (alamance Cty), West Jefferson (Ashe Cty) and Yadkinville (Yadkin Cty), thanks to Tobacco Trust Fund grants awarded through RAFI International located in Pittsboro, NC, and other funds.

4 Goats Harvested in North Carolina USDA NCDA '94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '

5 Goats sold at NC Weekly Auction Sales '94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 Junior Goat Show Exhibitors NC State Fair '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06

6 Goats Entered at NC State Fair Junior Show Open Show '96 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 As mentioned, the demand for goat meat is ethnic based. However, there is an emerging demand for goat meat as a gourmet item. In addition, health concerns regarding red meat do not apply to goat meat, which compares favorably with chicken in terms of calories and protein, but is lower in total and saturated fat (see table below).

7 Goat Meat Comparative Chart USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Release 14 (July 2001) Item Goat a Chicken b Beef c Pork d Lamb e Calories, kcal Total fat, g Saturated Fat, g Protein, g Cholesterol, mg a Game meat, goat, cooked roasted; b Chicken, broilers or fryers, meat only, trimmed; c Beef, composite of trimmed retail cuts, separable lean only, trimmed to 0 fat, all grades, cooked; d Pork, fresh, composite of trimmed retail cuts (leg, loin and shoulder), separable lean only, cooked; e Lamb, domestic, composite of trimmed retail cuts, separable lean only, trimmed to ¼ fat, choice, cooked. The foundation of a meat goat industry in North Carolina depends on the existing natural resource base. North Carolina possesses the land, water, and the forage and shrub base to play a pivotal role in the expansion of the national meat goat herd. Twenty-five million acres, divided into grassland pasture, cropland used only for pasture, idle cropland, cropland used for crops, and forest land, are available. In addition, it is estimated that most beef cattle farmers would have enough "excess" feed in cattle pastures to feed 1-2 goats per cow at no additional cost. There are more than 500,000 beef cows in North Carolina, suggesting that beef pastures could support between a half and one million goats. The complementary effects of grazing cattle and goats on the same farm provide an opportunity to enhance and augment North Carolina existing beef cattle industry by improving pasture condition and feed quality. North Carolina farmers are searching for new sources of farm income and for ways to diversify their operations, and develop sound and cost effective environmental practices to stay competitive in a global economy. Goat farming seems to be

8 independent of scale. Small, part-time farmers with only a few acres can raise enough animals to provide an income supplement. On the other hand very large farms can efficiently integrate a meat goat enterprise to aid in diversification of the farm. Historic Development The South African Boer goat has provided great incentive to the development of the NC meat goat industry, resulting in the founding of the North Carolina Meat Goat Association in November Since then, membership has been steadily increasing to approximately 500 members. The Boer goat represents the only goat breed in the world that is routinely involved in performance and progeny tests for meat production. As such, Boer goat genetics are playing a significant role in improving the quality of the NC goat flock. In April of 1993, Boer genetics were released from quarantine in New Zealand and were offered for sale in North America (mainly as frozen embryos). Fortunately, NC State University and a few key producers were able to obtain some of these embryos to form the core for a research flock and to provide a sound genetic base for the improvement of meat goat genetics in the state. Following several years of speculative prices, Boer goat breeding stock prices are now affordable to smaller producers. Crossbred animals having Boer genetics are now being sold for meat at auction markets or under private sales and buyers and consumers already have recognized the superior carcasses of those animals. The NCSU Meat Goat Educational and Research Program North Carolina State University, following an appropriation from the North Carolina General Assembly, established in 1995 a faculty position with technical support staff and an operating budget in support of this fledgling industry. Since then, North Carolina State University has become a leader in the development of meat goat educational and research programs in the southeastern United States. To support this emerging industry, work began to evaluate the potential of cool-season and warm-season perennial and annual forages to meet the nutritional requirements of productive does throughout the different stages of their production cycle and of growing kids and replacement does. The potential of woody trees and shrub species adapted to our environmental conditions and suitable for meat goats as protein and/or energy banks during the summer are also being evaluated. Byproduct feeds, such as cottonseed, wheat-middling, corn-

9 gluten feed and soybean hulls are being tested with goats fed forage-based diets. The effect of gossypol, a yellow pigment found in whole cottonseed that may affect male reproductive function, is being examined in collaboration with Virginia State University. The tolerance of meat goats to copper, a micro-mineral affecting growth and the immune system, is also being investigated. Additional research conducted in collaboration with scientists from the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine and Virginia Tech is exploring non-pharmaceutical approaches to treating goats against gastrointestinal parasites using herbal dewormers, plant-containing tannins, and copper oxide needle boluses. The role of goats as biological control agents is becoming increasingly important due to environmental concerns and elevated costs of other control methods such as mechanical cutting and herbicide application. Research conducted at the NCDA Mountain Research Station in Waynesville has demonstrated that goats have significant economic value in biological control of weeds and brush in land reclamation projects. Therefore, the foraging habits of goats has important environmental implications by ultimately increasing the sustainability of production systems. In addition, a two-year study conducted on the grounds of the NCSU Centennial Campus demonstrated that goats not only thrive on kudzu but, most importantly, can be used to eliminate kudzu entirely by putting into practice our present knowledge of the browsing behavior of these animals. In cooperation with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture marketing specialist, graded goat sales have been implemented in certain areas of the state to supplement weekly auction market sales, and meat goat shows are now an integral part of the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh and the Mountain State Fair in Asheville. In addition, educational programs targeting cooperative extension service agents, commodity associations and other agricultural professionals have been implemented with the objective that meat goat producers will select, adopt and successfully implement best management practices that will achieve business, individual, and family goals related to profitability and quality of life.

10 Presently, the NCSU meat goat educational, research and breeding herd is comprised of 97 adult breeding does and 200 kids born in late winter early spring 2007, 57 replacement doelings and 5 bucks, over 35% of the herd being purebred Boer goats. Another crossbred Boer research herd of over 50 adult females and 60 kids born in spring 2005 is located at the NCDA Mountain Research Station in Waynesville. In addition, a herd 63 crossbred Boer doe kids are located at the NCDA Upper Mountain Research Station in Laurel Springs. Finally, 8 replacement does are located at the Center for Environmental Farming systems (CEFS) in Goldsboro. These does and their 17 kids born spring 2007 form the nucleus of the CEFS organic herd and are used for educational and demonstration purposes at the Organic Unit, to control brush growing on drainage ditches through the Station, and for agroforestry research. NCSU websites. Prepared by: Jean-Marie Luginbuhl Associate Professor Meat Goats & Forage Systems Campus Box 7620 North Carolina State University Raleigh NC Tel: Fax: jean-marie_luginbuhl@ncsu.edu Updated August 28, 2007