NC State University Meat Goat Research Farm

On a recent field with my class we visited NCSU’s Meat Goat Research Farm in Raleigh. Lucky for us they were in the middle of kidding, so there lots of baby goats to entertain us. They actually time their goat pregnancies so that all the kids are born within the same few weeks, so by the end of this month they could have upwards of 150 kids! But before I get ahead of myself, here (according to NCSU) is what their facility is all about:

Interest in meat goat production in North Carolina has increased steadily during the past ten years because of the increased demand for goat meat by ethnic groups who prefer goat meat in their diet. USDA statistics indicate that 3,363 metric tons of goat meat were imported in the USA in 1999, for a total value of $7.85 million. In the year 2000, It is estimated that a total of over 180,000 goats were sold for meat in NC, representing receipts of over $7.5 million. In addition, it is estimated that the NC meat goat breeding stock inventory totals 122,000 animals for a total of 3,000 farms, or an average of 39 goats per farm. The above breeding stock inventory represents a capital of over $12 million.

The South African Boer goat has provided great incentive to the development of the NC meat goat industry, resulting in the founding of the North Carolina Meat Goat Association in November 1993. Since then, membership has been steadily increasing to approximately 575 members. In addition, the successful establishment of meat goat shows at the Mountain and the NC State Fairs in 1996, the implementation of graded goat sales in certain areas of the state to supplement weekly auction market sales, and the opening in 2001 of a meat goat farmers’ cooperative for direct sale of fresh goat meat to restaurants and retail stores all attest to the rapid growth of the industry. (Source)

Two Boer kids, born that morning.

We helped tagged and castrate (with a band, nothing bloody!) some of the kids before heading across the street to vaccinate a herd of wethers (castrated males) and trim their hooves. As we were on the way we were fortunate enough to actually witness a birth.

Newborn kid, only minutes old

When we arrived at the pen holding the wethers they seemed especially excited to greet us – the NCSU researchers had spent a lot of time with this herd and they were incredibly friendly. I got down low and started snapping pictures as we vaccinated the goats and trimmed their hooves.

Vaccinating one of the wethers

I’ve always enjoyed goats – they are friendly yet stubborn, sort of like me. It was great to learn about all the different research North Carolina State University is doing with this emerging food field. This visit only reinforced my desire to one day own a few goats!

For more information visit NCSU’s Meat Goat Research Website.