Source: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to
MEAT GOAT PRODUCTION FEASIBILITY IN SOUTH DAKOTA: EVALUTAION OF CURRENT PRODUCTION AND MARKETING AND DEVELOPMENT OF GRAZING GUIDELINES
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0218637
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
SD00H247-07IHG
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jul 1, 2008
Project End Date
Jun 30, 2010
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Gates, R. N.
Recipient Organization
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
PO BOX 2275A
BROOKINGS,SD 57007
Performing Department
Natural Resources
Non Technical Summary
Of the red meat consumed worldwide, 63% is goat meat (Bowman, 1999). Several ethnic populations with a preference for goat meat are rapidly expanding in the US, notably Central American, Mexican and Caribbean Hispanic, and Middle Eastern and South Asian Muslims (U.S. Census Bureau, 2005). The demand for goat meat from these populations is also rapidly increasing, outpacing existing domestic supply. The US is currently a net importer of goat meat (9550 metric tons in 2005), coming primarily as frozen product from Australia and New Zealand (FAOSTAT, 2005). Until recently these populations have been more concentrated in the southern US and along both coasts. However, urban ethnic populations are increasing in the upper Midwest, expanding the regional demand for goat meat. Meat goat production in the US has historically been concentrated in the South, particularly in Texas and is developing in the Southeast. Interest in meat goat production is accelerating in the north central and northern plains regions of the US. Grazing by goats offers an alternative vegetation control procedure for a number of hard to control plants which may infest pastures. Noxious and invasive plants for which goat grazing may offer a control mechanism in South Dakota include: absinth wormwood, leafy spurge, Canada thistle, eastern red cedar and saltcedar.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
50%
Developmental
50%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
3073820310025%
3083820310025%
4013820310050%
Knowledge Area
308 - Improved Animal Products (Before Harvest); 307 - Animal Management Systems; 401 - Structures, Facilities, and General Purpose Farm Supplies;

Subject Of Investigation
3820 - Goats, meat, and mohair;

Field Of Science
3100 - Management;
Goals / Objectives
1. Initiate grazing experiments to begin development of production guidelines appropriate to South Dakota. Evaluation will include co-species grazing 2. Gather information about existing goat production, slaughter and marketing in South Dakota. 3. Assemble and evaluate existing production and marketing information available. Develop SD website which provides easy access to reliable information. Provide printed editions of "SD Goat Production Handbook." 4. Identify critical areas where available information is inappropriate of unavailable for South Dakota. 5. Demonstrate effectiveness of fencing alternatives for goat production 6. Refine budget guidelines for producers 7. Facilitate development of local/regional goat producer organization(s). 8. Provide research experience for county educators.
Project Methods
Initial data collection will be conducted from participants at the First North Central Meat Goat Conference scheduled for Aberdeen in October, 2007. Participant questionnaires will be used to guide additional mail surveys and follow-up on farm interviews directed by Extension educators. Existing meat goat production information will be identified and evaluated by project team members. Two online courses will serve as starting points. During the second year of the project, project collaborators Steve Hart and Will Getz will attend a working session with SD project team members to finalize evaluation of available production guidelines and resources. Materials appropriate for inclusion in a "SD meat goat production handbook" will be identified. These materials will be identified on a SD Meat Goat web page and an initial printing of hard copies will be made for distribution. This will primarily involve assembly of reliable goat production information developed elsewhere and adapted for SD. Some information (forage production/utilization) could be SD information developed for other species. This component of the project will be particularly useful in identifying areas where non-local information is not appropriate and/or where no reliable information exists.Existing goat producers and potential new producers would benefit substantially from a producer organization which represented industry needs for information and infrastructure development. While such organization cannot be dictated, the project team will attempt to facilitate such a process, assuming an intentional advisory role. The October conference in Aberdeen will provide a unique opportunity to initiate this facilitation. On farm grazing experiments will be restricted to two treatments, a) conventional grazing species (cattle or horses) alone or (b) grazing of conventional species with meat goats. Pastures of equal area will be allocated to the two treatments. Replication for such on-farm experiments is difficult. Therefore, simple, paired comparisions will be used, accumulating replication from multiple production operations (Anderson et al., 2004; Exner and Thompson, 2005). The two-year interval planned is insufficient to adequately evaluate vegetation change (species composition) resulting from differential grazing. However, because this variable is of great interest, treatments will be repeated on pastures in the second year. Time series approaches to analysis will need to be employed to account for expected carry-over effects (Marten, 1989). Attracting additional extramural funding will allow this variable to be evaluated over a longer time period. Information about existing meat goat production in South Dakota will be gathered using mail surveys and interviews conducted by county educators. Guidance from participating Economics Department faculty will ensure that appropriate methods for data collection and evaluation are employed (NRC, 2007).

Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: In Feb. 2009, 2 day Meat Goat Handbook review sessions were held at Oacoma, and Rapid City, SD. These sessions were initiated to modify a handbook for goat producers in the Northern Great Plains (NGP), based on a similar handbook in the Southern states. Invited authors from Langston Univ. and Georgia attended these review sessions. Ag educators initiated the development of a fencing project along with goat producers, to determine the most feasible types of fencing. Members of the project team attended the 3rd North Central Meat Goat Conference in Fargo, ND in September 2009. The 4th North Central Meat Goat Conference was held in Brookings in 2010. Negotiations continue with authors and editors from Langston University to collaborate in revision of the meat goat handbook so that it includes guidance and information appropriate to the North Central region. Data collection has been completed on projects reporting producer's experiences with fence construction and multi-species grazing,both with goats. Extension publications are being prepared. A survey of 66 meat goat producers was compiled, reviewing production and marketing priorities. PARTICIPANTS: Roger Gates and Julie Walker led the project through SDSU. Participants included Bob Drown, Robin Salverson, Rebecca Schaffer, Dwayne Marxen, Penny Nester, Mindy Hubert, Marty Beutler, Dusty Jager, Clint Clark and Maurice Lemke (SDSU CES). These participants assisted in location producers, purchasing and implementing various goat fencing techniques, and reviewing chapters of the exisiting Meat Goat Handbook (MGH), to make suggestions for the Northern Great Plains (NGP) handbook. Will Getz, Steve Hart, Terry Gipson and Roger Merkel were all invited collaborators to assist in the development of the NGP MGH. TARGET AUDIENCES: Meat Goat producers in the Northern Great Plains, and those seeking more info about beginning meat goat production. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
In 2009, 2 west river and 2 east river meat goat producers became aware of the benefits and downfalls of various types of fencing strategies. In 2010, both a North Central and Black Hills meat goat producer organizations are in formation. Meat goat classes are now being included at both county fairs and the South Dakota State Fair.

Publications

  • Beutler M. 2010. Tri-State Meat Goat Survey Summary. Economics Commentator 517 Econ. Dept., S. Dak. St. Univ. Apr. 30.
  • Production of the Meat Goat Production Handbook for the Northern Great Plains began in 2009 and continued throughout 2010.


Progress 07/01/08 to 06/30/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: This integrated research, demonstration and outreach effort resulted in a number of activities aimed at supporting the development of the meat goat industry in South Dakota. Extension educators initiated the development of demonstration/research experiments to evaluate multi-species grazing among cattle and/or horses and goats, and to evaluate various types of fencing systems available to producers. Team members gathered information about existing goat production, slaughter, and marketing through the development of an internet-based survey targeting meat goat producers across South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Existing production and marketing information was reviewed and assembled with the goal of producing a Meat Goat handbook for producers in the Northern Great Plains, based on a similar resource for producers in the southern states. High printing and distribution costs prevented the publication of this resource; however, Extension educators are able to disseminate available information through other means to interested producers. Extension educators also worked with producers to assist in the facilitation of a producer organization to increase networking, educational opportunities, marketing, and sales of goat meat. Members of the project team attended the 3rd North Central Meat Goat Conference in Fargo, ND in September 2009, and assisted with hosting the 4th North Central Meat Goat Conference in Brookings, SD in 2010. PARTICIPANTS: SDSU personnel involved in the project included Roger Gates, Julie Walker, Jeff Held, Russ Daly, Ken Olson, Patricia Johnson, Mindy Hubert, Irene Graves, John Keimig, Lanette Butler, Bob Drown, Robin Salverson, Rebecca Schaffer, Dwayne Marxen, Penny Nester, Marty Beutler, Dusty Jager, Clint Clark and Maurice Lemke. These participants assisted in locating cooperating producers, purchasing and implementing various goat fencing techniques, and reviewing chapters of the exisiting Meat Goat Handbook (MGH), to make suggestions for the Northern Great Plains (NGP) handbook. Will Getz, Steve Hart, Terry Gipson and Roger Merkel were all invited collaborators to assist in the development of the NGP MGH. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audience included meat goat producers in the Northern Great Plains, and those seeking more info about beginning meat goat production. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
As a result of this project, a Black Hills Area Meat Goat Producers group was formed, and they continue to meet approximately 6 times a year. Information shared among producers includes veterinary recommendations, nutritional management, sales and marketing, breed information, and fitting and showing. The producer group has organized and hosted a fitting clinic, and was instrumental in the development of three regional goat shows, including the Ram Show & Sale in Newell, SD, the ABGA Show at the Central States Fair in Huron, SD, and the Dakota Meat Goat and Dairy Goat Show in Nisland, SD. Extension educators were also actively involved in the development and submission of a successful North Central SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) Farmer/Rancher grant proposal for two South Dakota meat goat producers in the amount of $15,000. The goals of the project, currently in its second year, are to evaluate meat goat consumer preferences, evaluate regional market potential, and provide education and information to the general public about nutritional benefits of goat meat to enhance market share. An internet-based survey of meat goat producers in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota was conducted to obtain information on the background of producers, production & marketing practices, and the interest in establishing a tri-state meat goat association and/or marketing cooperative. Survey participants were solicited from subscribers of the University of Minnesota Meat Goat Listserv and attendance records of two Tri-State Meat Goat Producer Workshops. A total of 66 survey responses were collected. Significant survey results include the following: Most meat goat producers raise purebred goats (70%).Almost half of meat goat producers surveyed keep financial records solely on paper (47%). Computerized financial records are kept by 42% and 11% responded that they do not keep records. Sixty five percent would like additional training on record keeping. Almost all would attend educational meetings on meat goat production (96%). Bi-annually is the most preferred (35%) schedule to hold these workshops, field days, etc. Quarterly and annual meetings both have a 20% preference. Producers also feel that these events should be face to face (87%) verses some other means such as teleconferences. When marketing meat goats, 4% have 8 buyers or more, 31% of producers have 6 or more buyers available at the time of sale, and 61% have 4 buyers or less. Almost all meat goat producers would attend training meetings on meat goat marketing (87%). Efforts to organize a meat goat production association in the South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota region would be of interest to 58% of producers surveyed. Of those who would attend producer association meetings, 79% do not want to serve as an officer however 61% would serve on committees such as membership, shows, field days, etc.

Publications

  • Beutler M. 2010. Tri-State Meat Goat Survey Summary. Economics Commentator 517 Econ. Dept., S. Dak. St. Univ. Apr. 30.
  • Production of the Meat Goat Production Handbook for the Northern Great Plains began in 2009 and continued throughout 2010.


Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities included a 2 day Meat Goat Handbook review session held at Oacoma, SD in February 2009 and at Rapid City, SD in December 2009. These sessions were initiated to modify a handbook for goat producers in the Northern Great Plains, based on a similiar handbook in the Southern states. Invited authors from Langston and Georgia attended these review sessions. As of December, 2009, the NGP handbook (a product) is being layed out in the Ag Bio Communications unit at SDSU. Services included numerous meat goat producers throughout SD initiating various types of fencing strategies with the help of ag educators involved in this project. Supplies were purchased through this program up to $2000 per producer. PARTICIPANTS: Roger Gates and Julie Walker led the project through SDSU. Participants included: Bob Drown, Robin Salverson, Rebecca Schaffer, Dwayne Marxen, Penny Nester, Mindy Hubert, Marty Beutler, Dusty Jager, Clint Clark, Maurice Lemke (all SDSU CES staff). These people assisted producers in purchasing and implementing various fencing techniques, and others reviewed chapters of the existing Meat Goat Handbook to make suggestions for the NGP handbook. Invited Speakers from other institutions: Will Getz (Georgia); Steve Hart, Terry Gipson and Roger Merkel (Lansgton University). TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences were meat goat producers in the Northern Great Plains. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
2 west river and 2 east river meat goat producers became aware of the benefits and downfalls of various types of fencing strategies.

Publications

  • Meat Goat Production Handbook for the NGP (in process 2009)