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Goat meat palatable to area farmers
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By WENDY MITCHELL
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BROOKSVILLE -- They take the "got your goat" jokes in stride. After all, when production statistics and prices for your product are good, you can brag about your accomplishments.
Meat goat production in the United States is booming.
According to the Kentucky Goat Producers Association, Kentucky ranks fifth as a meat goat producer. Demand for the product has increased more than 660 percent in the last 10 years, in part due to ethnic demand, officials said.
Goat production in our area led to the creation of the Buffalo Trace Goat Association in 2006. BTGA is holding a hands-on field day today that is open to the public, to introduce and inform visitors about the animals, their care and uses.
The day long event, scheduled for 8 a.m., to about 3 p.m., at the farm of Daryl and Michelle Emery on Hamilton Road, includes informational sessions with Kentucky State University Goat Specialist Dr. Ken Andres and Bracken County Extension Agent David Appelman. Visitors will be able to learn about disease control, goat grading, nutrition, pasture, hoof trimming and giving inoculations to goats. Items donated by local business' will also be raffled, officials said.
The Emerys have about 60 Boer goats, a fast growing breed.
Because goats have a friendly disposition and are easy for young children to handle in a show ring, Emery hopes interest in raising meat goats will increase and help the Bracken County 4-H Goat Club grow.
It doesn't take a large herd to make goat farming a viable income, said Appleman.
"Prices have been strong this year; in the $1.25-$1.40 per pound range at auctions," said Appelman.
In a comparison, with recent Kentucky cattle prices posted on Internet sites, goats are bringing better prices per pound, on the hoof.
Goat sales have been held in Maysville, Richmond and Paris, said Appelman.
The Emerys have about 60 goats in their herd. Other local goat operations also concentrate on raising goats for meat production and selling breeding stock, including the Tucker family meat goat operation in Foster, known as Whispering Dove Ranch, which has about 70 goats and more due to be born.
Demand still exceeds domestic supplies, said Appelman.
"The United States only raises about 50 percent of the goat meat it consumes. We import the other half from several countries, including New Zealand and Australia," said Appelman.
For information on goats go to http://www.rockingeranch.net, or http://www.whisoperingdovefarm.com.
For marketing information go to http://www.goatconnection.com.
For more area news, go to http://www.bracken-online.com.
Contact Wendy Mitchell at wendy.mitchell@lee.net or call 564-9091, ext. 276. |
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Reader Comments
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.
bm wrote on Jul 8, 2007 10:42 PM: " What an informational story.I ate goat meat as a child.It was on the menu several times,as roast steak,burgers. It is very good. "
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