| If one has no experience raising meat goats and would | | | | Genetic differences for important economic traits |
| like to get started, the first step is to learn from others' | | | | within these breeds are far greater than the |
| experiences. One can learn from producers who are | | | | differences between the breeds. One will usually do |
| raising meat goats. Visit their farms and visit with them | | | | best with the breeds that that appeal to one most. |
| at shows, seminar and other events. On our website | | | | The last thing to do before purchasing any goats is to |
| we have recorded detailed information about what we | | | | inventory resources available to determine how many |
| have learned from our experience with goats and we | | | | goats one can start with. These resources include |
| have included links to the best meat goat information | | | | pastures, fences, and shelters. Good information on |
| available on the internet. | | | | these items along with links to more information on the |
| The second step is to decide what type and what | | | | internet can also be found on the Critter Ridge |
| breeds one would like to raise. One would need to | | | | website. |
| decide whether to raise registered breeding stock or | | | | How many goats can one keep per acre? This is a |
| nonregistered commercial meat goats. If we were | | | | question that can only be answered after one has |
| younger, just staring out, and had adequate resources | | | | tried raising some on a given acre of ground. The |
| we would raise both. Next one would need to decide | | | | answer depends on climate, type of soil, the fertility of |
| which breeds and/or crossbreeds one would like to | | | | the soil, the steepness of the ground (steep ground |
| raise. Descriptions and histories of all of the breeds of | | | | doesn't hold moisture as well as flat ground,) and the |
| meat goats, available in the United States, can be | | | | type of vegetation on that ground. It is always best to |
| found on the Critter Ridge website. In cattle and sheep, | | | | be under stocked so one doesn't have to purchase |
| producers have been able to achieve hybrid vigor by | | | | much feed. So, it is better to start with just a few |
| crossing different breeds. All of the breeds of meat | | | | goats and gradually increase the size of the herd as |
| goats available in the United States (except for the | | | | the pasture is improved. An area of trees and brush |
| Arapawa and San Clemente Island breeds) are | | | | that has recently been cut will put out a lot of sprouts |
| composite breeds of very recent origins. They have | | | | for a few years utilizing energy stored in the roots, but |
| very diverse genetics and do not breed true for most | | | | sprouts have a very short growing season, late spring |
| important economic traits. Composite breeds are | | | | to early fall in northern Arkansas. While spouts make |
| breeds developed by crossing several diverse types | | | | good summer pasture for goats, one needs to have |
| of goats. Very little line breeding has been done within | | | | cool season grasses and legumes to get through late |
| any of these breeds. I seriously doubt whether much | | | | fall, winter, and early spring. See the Critter Ridge web |
| hybrid vigor could be achieved by crossing them. | | | | site for more information on pastures. |