By Malinda Geisler, content specialist, AgMRC, Iowa State University, malindag@iastate.edu.

Profile revised December 2011.
 

Overview
Meat goats are regarded as an affordable livestock enterprise and are in demand. According to the USDA, meat goats totaled 2.5 million head in January 2011. Texas leads the nation in meat goat production with more than half of all meat goat inventory, followed by Tennessee.

USDA does not track U.S. goat consumption. Domestic consumption is centered in areas where goat meat is a traditional staple. Goat meat (chevon and cabrito) is rarely seen in mainstream grocery stores because of limited, variable and inconsistent supplies. It is also more expensive than poultry and other red meats.

Growth in U.S. ethnic populations and the desire for healthy diets are driving the demand for goat meat. Goat meat is low in fat and cholesterol, is leaner than poultry and offers a source of conjucated linoleic acid.

Most of the recent growth in the goat industry has occurred in Texas near high market demand areas. In 1993, the South African Boer goat was introduced in Texas. The Boer is regarded as a premier meat-producing goat. Boer goats were crossbred with the native Spanish goats to increase meat production.

According to Langston University Goat and Research Extension, the United States is importing the equivalent of more than 700,000 meat goats per year. Until 1991, the United States was a net exporter. In 2010, the United States imported a total of 13,450 metric tons of goat meat valued at $58.4 million, most of which came from Australia. New Zealand also exports a small portion of goat meat to the United States.

The U.S. Census indicates an increase in the number of foreign-born people. The largest and fastest-growing consumer segment of the U.S. population is the 45.5 million Latino population. The U.S. Census Bureau reports Latinos compose 15 percent of the U.S. population. California had the largest Latino population with 13.2 million, followed by Texas with 8.6 million. Other states with Latino populations of 1 million or more include New York, Florida, Illinois, Arizona and New Jersey.

Asian Americans accounted for the second-fastest growth segment with 15.2 million people. California has the largest Asian-American population with 5 million people.

Cultural Group Slaughter Requirements
Certain holidays, such as Easter, Christmas and New Years, increase demand for goat meat. The weight and sometimes gender of the goat is determined by the holiday. It ranges from a milk-fed kid weighing 20 pounds to a weaned kid weighing up to 120 pounds.

For those celebrating Western or Roman Easter, the ideal goat is a milk-fed kid weighing 30 pounds. The desirable goat for the Eastern or Greek Easter is a slightly larger, milk-fed kid weighing about 35 pounds.

Muslim holidays are based on a lunar calendar. Ramadan is a Muslim, month-long holiday. Families typically gather for celebrations at the beginning and end of Ramadan. Festive meals take place each night of Ramadan since no food is consumed between sunrise and sunset during this holiday. Male or female kids less than one year old weighing 60 pounds are desired. Depending on the buyer, weaned kids ranging from 45 to 120 pounds are accepted.

The Festival of Sacrifice known as Eid al Adha is a market for yearlings. Some Muslim customers select large kids weighing 60 to 100 pounds. The animal must be blemish free. Some customers prefer a goat that is not castrated.

Caribbean holidays create a market for 60- to 80-pound bucks. Older goats, male or female, may be selected instead of bucks. Goats in good health weighing 60 to 80 pounds are preferred for the Chinese market.

The Latino market desires a suckling kid (cabrito) weighing 20 to 35 pounds. Larger animals are preferred for barbecuing whole over a pit. Goat stew, called Seco de Chivo, is a popular dish for holidays.

Hindus celebrate a holiday known as Dassai. Customers prefer market wether kids since female goats are typically not acceptable. The carcass size varies, depending on the number of people being served.

Muslims celebrate Ramadan and the Festival of the Sacrifice. Some Mexican-American families also desire goat for Cinco de Mayo (May 5). According to the Central Intelligence Agency, the United States has a Jewish population of 1.7 percent of the total U.S. population. Americans of the Muslim/Islam faith are estimated to be 0.6 percent of the U.S. population.

Serving specific goat meat market segments requires an understanding of meat-handling procedures. Muslim consumers want meat that is "halal" (lawful) to their religious scriptures. Many require or prefer the animal be humanely slaughtered using "zabiha" methods. This includes a quick cut across the goat's throat so the blood may drain. A blessing is pronounced in the name of God during this process. An adult Muslim performs Zabiha. In some cases, Muslims will accept meat killed by Christians or Jews (Kosher). Muslim consumers also desire reassurance that the goat was not fed any animal byproducts and was not adulterated with pork.

Kosher slaughter requires a specially trained religious Orthodox Jew known as a shochet to use a knife. For Kosher consumption, the sciatic nerve, various veins, fats and blood must be removed. Since the sciatic nerve is difficult to remove from the hindquarter, just the forequarter is sold as Kosher.

Halal and Kosher slaughter is conducted in federally inspected plants that have applied for a religious exemption from stunning. No mandatory labeling and certification program currently exists for Halal or Kosher meats.

Marketing Channels
Live market auctions sell the goats by the pound or sometimes by the head. Live animal markets, which differ from auctions, allow consumers to view and purchase live animals and have them slaughtered at an on-site slaughter facility. Livestock dealers, brokers and meat packers are other marketing avenues.

For a higher price and more responsibility, producers can sell directly to wholesale and retail outlets. This will require access to a USDA federally inspected slaughter facility.

Direct marketing from the farm allows goat producers a chance to interact with consumers. One method of direct marketing is having consumers visit the farm, selecting and purchasing a live animal and having it slaughtered on the premises or at a processing facility. Freezer trade, another marketing option, allows consumers to purchase a live animal and have it delivered to a slaughter facility to be processed into retail cuts.

Marketing pools allow producers to assemble similar goats and negotiate with a volume buyer. The animals are weighed at a central pick-up point. This can also be done by a producer-owned cooperative.
 

Sources
Ethnic Foods Market Profile, Ag Marketing Resource Center.

Sheep and Goats, National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

U.S. Census Bureau

Global Agricultural Trade System, Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA.

Web-based Training and Certification Program for Meat Goat Producers, Langston University, Oklahoma.

World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency.