| Marketing Meat Goats
You will always find a direct buyer for your market goats (slaughter goats) but there are many directions for goat meat producers; goats can be raised for showing, breeding, and working. As goat popularity rises, markets for meat and breeding will continue to expand.
Show stock
The most profitable facet of meat goat industry is the production of high dollar show goats. It's also the hardest to enter. It's almost impossible to "breed up" to show-quality boers, so you will have to invest in expensive bloodstock from the the start. Buying a few nice percentage does with show points may be less of a finacial burden to start out.
To make a name as a producer of quality show goats, you must show. You will need show-world exposure to demand top dollar for your goats. Also take into account the expense of showing. You will need show equipment, stock trailor, and other numerous items; the most important will be a trusted individual that will take care of your herd at home while you are gone.
Production Sales
These sales are usually well publicized with printed catalogs which often include registration information, pictures, and descriptions. These sales are a good way to generate interest in your quality bucks and does; including fullbloods and percentages. Most sales host an animal preview the day or evening before the event. Take advantage of the catalog and post your website address; on your website have pictures, descriptions of animals, pedigrees and pictures of sire and dam if possible.
Most events will serve lunch or dinner. This is a good time to promote the goat. What better place then to sell goat sloppy joes, goat curry, goat meatloaf, goat milk fudge or goat shaped cookies. Make this an "event" with a few teaching seminars and bring in goat vendors: show equipment, livestock equipment, ect. Again what a great place to promote the goat.
Breeding Stock
Producers will have a strong market for healthy foundation animals, replacement does and bucks. These goats should be meaty, low maintance and very healthy; they can include fullblood, percentages or commercial. Many producers offer crossbred dairy and spanish kids. These kids tend to be hardy, more parasite resistant with good udders and grow out quickly. There is a high demand for older, healthy crossbred dairy does as many producers use them in their flushes. Take advantage of your website, update those for sale pictures and prices. Buyers will be at your farm to look at your stock, so take some time and clean it up.
4-H and FFA Wethers and Doelings
You will have a hard time filling orders for your January-March wethers and doelings as they are quite popular for goat projects. If you attend a few of these shows you will get a feel of what type of goats they are looking for.
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