Goat Production Entrepreneurship and Placement Ideas

Goats are clever, curious and good at finding the weak spot in any fence. They are also an accessible livestock species for members with modest land. In an entrepreneurship project you own and operate a goat enterprise; in a placement project you work on someone else's herd. Either way, you learn practical business skills.

Pick a lane

Goat enterprises fall into a few lanes: meat goats for market, dairy goats for milk and cheese, fiber goats such as mohair or cashmere producers, and land-clearing herds. Each has distinct regulations and markets. Milk and cheese sales in particular are tightly regulated, so talk to your state agriculture department before selling anything.

Entrepreneurship ideas

1. Meat goat kid crop: Keep a few does, plan kidding, and market kids to buyers or program sales.
2. Dairy doe enterprise: Manage milking does and use milk for household food, soap or, where legal, licensed sales.
3. Brush and vegetation service: Contract with landowners to graze weedy areas, with fencing and water plans in writing.
4. Breeding stock business: Raise quality wethers or doelings and keep careful pedigree records for buyers.

Placement ideas

1. Kidding season hand: Learn to watch for labor trouble and help kids nurse.
2. Dairy goat farm assistant: Learn milking routines, sanitation and hoof trimming.
3. Rangeland herd helper: Work with a larger meat herd on pasture rotation and health checks.

Fencing, parasites and feed

Goats are browsers, so they need different feed and pasture management than cattle. They are also highly susceptible to internal parasites, particularly barber pole worm, and a veterinarian can help you build a testing plan. The American Dairy Goat Association has breed and registration information, and Extension publishes goat-focused guidance. Strong fencing and clean shelters prevent most headaches.

Time and cost

Expect spending on animals, fence, feed, minerals, hoof care, health supplies and shelter. Time is steady rather than overwhelming, but kidding and milking seasons are busy. Draft a budget and calendar before buying your first doe.

Records and recognition

Log kidding dates, weights, health treatments, feed and sales. Dairy members add milk production. These records support FFA supervised experiences, and ffa.org lists the award categories. Show your records to a mentor each month and ask for critique.

Handling and safety

Bucks can be rough and smelly, so use experienced adults for handling. Wash after contact with animals, keep children and visitors from unsupervised contact with kids and does, and follow your veterinarian's advice on medication.

Where to go next

You might continue to milking does, goat breeding or sheep enterprises. Careers include herd manager, cheesemaker, extension agent or vet. Look for neighbors and suppliers at agriculture.directory, and read more at farm.fm's 4-H and FFA section. The best 4-H and FFA project ideas with goats start small.