Tips for Successful Meat Goat/Sheep Marketing

I love my dairy goats.  Yes I am pretty bias, but I thoroughly enjoy bragging on my dairy goats.  However, after listening to Tess Caudill, Goat/Sheep Marketing Specialist with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture speak, I kind of want to get back into the meat goat business.  And my husband just loves it when I come home talking about buying more animals….not really.

Five things that successful meat goat/sheep marketers need to understand are:

1) Prices are seasonal

2) There is a correct weight to market kids/lambs

3) How long does it take to raise kids/lambs to desired market weight

4) Quality does matter

5) Keeping accurate records can affect herd profitability

Prices are typically highest in the coldest months from December to May.  The warmer it is, the lower the price.  This pattern is mainly due to supply.  Most meat goat/sheep producers breed their animals to kid/lamb during the months of December through March, therefore flooding the market during the summer months.  Over the past four years, market trends have shown that market prices are at their peak in February, March and April.  This leads me to believe that meat goat/sheep producers should be weaning kids/lambs and getting them ready for market by January 20^th. 

In order for producers to have kids/lambs ready to hit the market at optimal time, we have to start preparing now.  If you have not already, make sure you have a buck/ram in line within the next week or two.  April 25^th-30^th, we need to synchronize our does/ewes so that they all come into heat at the same time.  By mid-May, we need to flush and deworm females and put the buck/ram on them May 31^st.  Your herd sire needs to be removed from the dams by July 15^th. 

Make sure throughout this entire you are keeping a close eye on your herd health, managing parasites and providing them with proper nutrition.  30 days before kidding/lambing, be sure to vaccinate all your does/ewes, which should fall close to September 25^th.  By October 10^th, you should begin to prepare for kidding/lambing, making sure you have all the supplies you need and does/ewes are getting proper nutrition. 

If all goes well, your herd should start kidding/lambing by October 25^th.  Fall kidding/lambing seasons should allow you to wean by mid-January and give you the option to take kids/lambs to market in February.  Ideally when kids go to market, 45-80lbs is the most desirable weight.   A set of uniform goats has the potential to bring top dollar at the market.

Accurate recording keeping can be the difference in profit or loss.  It is estimated that one does cost approximately $216 to maintain a year, including feed, hay, medicine, dewormer, housing, bedding, labor and management.  Therefore, a doe must produce 2 marketable 60lb kids per year to “earn her keep”.  If you are keeping accurate records, then after two seasons, you should be able to make the decision to keep or cull does/ewes.  Other production factors that you should be keeping records of are pounds of kids/lambs at weaning, input cost, market price, dates of vaccinations/dewormers and dates of grazing rotations. 

Raising goats and sheep is hard work.  High input costs are squeezing profit margins, just like every other agricultural commodity.  Profitability comes from good management, accurate record keeping and maintaining herd health.  You can be successful at meat goat/sheep production if you are willing to put in the time, effort and work.

If you would like more information on meat goat/sheep production, contact the McLean County Cooperative Extension Office at (270)273-3690.  Educational programs of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.