Business Management

Goat production can be an exciting and profitable enterprise for many small-scale operations. On this page, discover valuable resources on raising meat and dairy goats, including pricing meat cuts, taking advantage of existing markets, and buying livestock.

Raising Goats for Profit

With emerging demand for goat meat and dairy products in the US, producers are becoming increasingly aware of the profitability of raising goats.

To successfully raise goats for profit, prospective farmers need to pay special attention to providing the herd with enough nutrients and ensuring a stress-free environment. In addition, it is sensible to select and maintain animals that can, ideally, kid twice a year.

Whether raising meat or dairy goats, keeping good records and knowing the costs of production is key to determining the price of your end products. When pricing goat meat cuts, the costs – as well as the carcass weight – can vary depending on the breed and production method.

To learn more about the importance of estimating production costs, join Penn State Extension’s Marketing Meat Goats Through Contracts workshop. During the meeting, participants can meet potential buyers and discover more about how contracts benefit producers and how prices are set.

Goat Farm Business and Management

To run a thriving goat farming operation, producers need to have a solid business plan. The document should outline your goals, startup and ongoing costs, emergency response plan, and marketing strategy. A sample budget worksheet can help you ensure all expenses and receipts are included in the cost estimates.

Along with farm budgeting, the business plan should address goat management practices in regard to health and nutrition, fencing, shelter, feed, and veterinary care. A goat kid marketing strategy should be considered, as well. Both meat and dairy producers can benefit from kid goat crop income. Kid goats can be raised to different market weights and for different market seasons.

Goat Products Marketing

Finding a buyer for your goat products is critical to the enterprise’s success in making a profit. Therefore, it’s essential to research available markets and plan accordingly.

Marketing options for goat products include direct marketing off the farm, producing kids for commercial marketing firms, and supplying products for specialty markets.

When setting up a marketing strategy, prospective dairy goat farmers should focus on finding commercial processors of raw milk. Alternative solutions may be investing in pasteurizing equipment and using goat milk as an on-farm substitute.

In this section, find further information on goat farm business management, including budgeting, marketing, and management practices.