Why Goats?

Excerpts in part from The Whole Goat Catalog - by Linda S. Campbell ©1981.

Goats are rightfully coming into recognition as being a truly versatile animal and an important member of the world livestock industry.   Sources indicate that the goat population is on the increase.  If you already own goats, then you probably don't have to be told why this is happening.  For those of you new to the world of goats, let me offer some background information.

Historians tell us that the goat may very well have been one of the first animals ever to be domesticated, even before the dog, according to some historians.  The goat is extremely social and responds well to human attention.  Unfortunately, many misconceptions exist concerning the goat.  Some have heard that all goats have an offensive odor.  This misconception stems from the "musky" odor of the buck during breeding season (much like a buck deer).   The doe certainly has no offensive odor.  The doe is a very clean animal, and like the buck, she is quite fastidious in her eating habits. Dirty food is readily rejected, unless the goat is near starvation.  The goat's curiosity may entice it to sample the paper from a can (the source of yet another misconception), but surely will not EAT the CAN!  After all, paper is nothing more than processed wood fiber, which is often a natural portion of the goat's diet in the form of browse from trees and shrubs.

The goat has always been a reliable source of protein for many cultures and notably for rural populations around the world.  The efficiency of a goat is an important key to its ability to thrive.  A doe can convert a wide range of vegetation into a delicious and nutritious milk.  She can utilize a wider variety of plants than either a sheep or cow.  The goat can survive in many climates where larger domestic animals cannot.  Although the old saying that "goats will eat anything" is far from true, the large variety of vegetation consumed and the resultant conversion to milk is amazing.  Given a diet of good hay or adequate pasture, supplemented with grain and water, the dairy goat can provide her owner with a tenth of her body weight (or even more) in milk EACH day!  Although not all goats produce this volume, many do, and the average production will continue to increase as breeders continue to practice selective breeding and culling.

Not only can a goat produce substantial quantities of milk (which in itself offers a tremendously varied list of products), but it can offer so much more.  Goats are an excellent source of meat (chevon).  The protein is higher than most other meats, and the fat content is lower than beef or pork.  It is lean and tasty and may be prepared in numerous ways.  Many persons, who for religious or other reasons restrain from consuming other meats, depend heavily on goat meat.  The milk-fed kids bring premium prices at Easter and other special markets.  Although at present, chevon appears only on menus of select eating establishments, the potential for a larger commercial usage is being explored.  On a worldwide basis, goat meat is considered an important food source, with high consumption rates for many cultures.

Goats are also valued for their excellent skins.  For instance, millions of dry goat skins are used in the United States and around the world. 

Fiber has also been of importance.  The Angora and breeds selected for cashmere production have been bred for their coats, which provide the mohair/cashmere for use in a wide range of products worldwide.  The current trend toward usage of natural fibers has stimulated an renewed interest especially in the hand spinning market.

Another important aspect of goatkeeping is the production of manure, which can be very beneficial to the gardener or farmer.  An average animal can produce over a ton within a year's time.  As the feces are in pellet form, they can be easily collected and distributed.  As a fertilizer, goat manure is a good source of nitrogen, phosphate, potash, and other minerals depending upon the diet fed.  In some countries, goats used for commercial dairies also provide substantial income in sale of composted manure products.

Not only are goats valued for what they produce, they can also be used for clearing brush,  when properly managed.   Large counties and cities are finding that "hiring" a herd of goats to clear unwanted vegetation can be both cost effective as well as environmentally much more acceptable.    A reduction in the use of herbicides has  an economic as well as health-concern benefit. State and National Parks are using goats to clear hiking paths.   They can quickly eliminate undergrowth and can reach head high to create an ideal walkway for hikers.

Also, goats can even offer a source of transportation!  Wethers (castrated males) are sometimes taught to pull carts, and thereby assist with farm chores.   Years ago, young children and goat carts were a fairly common sight.   We're seeing that return today.

The pack goat industry is also growing steadily.  Goats are ideal for carrying supplies, and can handle any terrain with great agility.  They also offer a much less invasive impact on the environment than horses or mules.    .

Although it is difficult to determine the actual number of goats around the world, here is a statistic from 1977 (we're attempting to gather more current information).  The world population of goats was estimated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to be around 410 million.   They also projected the number to reach over 920 million by now.  This compares to 205 million dairy cows in the same year.  On a worldwide basis, statistics report that more of the "milk drinking population" drink goat milk than cow milk.    

As more people are realizing the benefits of owning goats, we shall continue to see a rise in numbers.  We feel there will continue to be increases in small backyard herds, as well as commercial dairies.  The small farmstead owners realize the  economics of having a dairy goat  for home milk and meat supply (with the side dividend of fertilizer). The commercial dairies are striving to meet the continuing demand for goat milk products. The commercial meat operations are increasing quickly.

The U.S. goat genetics are in demand worldwide.   Export sales continue to grow, as other countries seek to develop the goat industry.  The U.S. provides high quality dairy goats to buyers around the world.    The American Dairy Goat Association has some 12,000 members, and has averaged registering 30,000-40,000 goats a year the past 10 years.  It has been estimated that this is a fraction of the total goats born each year in the U.S. alone.

In summary, the goat is unique, fascinating, resourceful, hardy, intelligent, inquisitive, entertaining, sociable and extremely useful!  In view of the current state of the world economy and concern for healthy foods, it seems that the small ruminants, sheep and goats, have a great deal to offer mankind in the years ahead.  We must, however, plan now and more completely research the nutritional needs of goats and also the nutrition of the food products they offer.  We must interest researchers and technologists in studying the goat and its products.  Goats also must be properly managed so there must continue to be research into diseases and related health care.  We believe that the goat will offer a valuable contribution to mankind in the years to come.  The general public must be educated, and goat owners must accept this challenge.

So, a goat can offer all of these things in addition to being a good companion and family pet.  These are some of the reasons why I feel so strongly about promoting that delightful creature, the goat!

Linda S. Campbell