Production and Management

Starting a goat farm can be a profitable and rewarding experience. As with any other livestock, raising goats takes time and work.

On this page, learn all there is to know about getting started in the goat production business. Topics discussed include goat meat and milk production, raising goats on pastures, and goat pasture management.

Getting Started With Goats

Before you get started with raising goats for profit you’ll need to decide on the type of operation you want to run (i.e. meat or dairy) and consider any available resources such as land, facilities, and feed.

Another factor to keep in mind before buying goats is that they are herd animals. Whether you want to raise them for yourself or to sell milk or meat, you will need to keep at least two. In addition, consider the type of goat breed you wish to raise. In general, livestock is initially selected based on performance factors such as birth weight, weaning weight, and milk yield.

If you are interested in raising homestead goats, join the Living on a Few Acres – Goats, Sheep, and Beef webinar led by Penn State Extension Specialists and Educators. During the webinar, participants can learn more about breed selection, feeding, reproduction, marketing, and pasture management.

How to Raise Goats

Goats are very versatile animals. In the United States, they are primarily used to produce meat and dairy products such as milk and cheese (chevre).

To use goats for dairy production, producers need to allow them to kid every year. In order to increase efficiency, it’s advised to have does ready for breeding at 7 months of age. This way, the total lifetime herd production of milk is increased, reducing the number of non-producing animals at any one time.

When raising goats for meat, multiple births, rapid growth, and good confirmation are important. Meat goats are generally considered highly fertile with 98% of does bred under good management. Planned breeding seasons should be considered, as well. This benefits the marketing by allowing kids to be more uniform in weaning weight.

Knowing how to sustainably manage your goat herd on pasture is essential. Producers should remember that forage quality is the basis of animal health in a grazing system. Discover more about building a successful grazing enterprise with the Grazing 101: Suitable Pasture Management online course.

Goat Nutrition and Health

All animals require adequate nutrition in order to maintain good health. It is important that they get enough water, protein, vitamins, and minerals on a daily basis. Nutrient requirements, however, often vary depending on the goat’s lifetime (e.g. pregnancy, breeding, or lactation). Learn how to meet your animals’ nutritional requirements on Penn State Extension’s Goat Nutrition and Feeding page.

Goat Farm Management

A successful goat enterprise requires careful planning. Before you start with goat farming, it is sensible to know that goats need strong fencing. A solid perimeter fence is not only good for containing livestock inside, but also for keeping predators out.

In terms of living facilities, goats need dry and well-ventilated shelter. Remember that good air quality in livestock housing is crucial for optimal animal health and productive facilities.

As goats spend the majority of their time in barn areas and pastures, concentrated areas of manure can quickly add up. This is why writing and implementing a manure management plan is critical.

Developing a Business Plan

In the goat production industry, having good business management skills is vital. Start by creating a business plan that includes expenses such as the purchase of animals, feed, and equipment.

Access more information on buying and raising meat and dairy goats – as well as pricing meat cuts – in Penn State Extension’s Business Management section.