Introduction

Goat is commonly known as ‘Poor man’s cow’ in India and is a very important occupation in
dry land farming system. Suitable for small and marginal and landless laborers. It needs less
grazing lands and initial investment is low. Risk of goat farming is less compared to other
livestock species. It is a economically viable sector to the rural people. They are resistant to
diseases. In a short period we can get more revenue.

Why Start a Goat Farming Business?

If you are looking to start a goat farm, then you may want to consider it because of the
following reasons. Are you considering going into goat farming business? You really
should because of the following facts;
Goat meat is in high demand. People love goat meat especially in Africa. So, you won’t
have a hard time selling your goats. Goats also have other uses apart from consumption
of the meat. The skin of goats is a very good source of leather which can be used to
make bags, shoes and other leather materials. Goat milk is also very nutritious and good
for consumption. It is also used in the cosmetic industry to make body creams. Goat offal
is also used in the pharmaceutical industry.
Goats are cheaper and easier to feed, making you spend very little on feeding them.
Goats can feed on grass and other cheap food items. You could also manage them
quite easily as they require very minimal supervision. Goat droppings are also a very
good source of manure for people interested in buying organic manure.
Lastly, you can raise goats on very little capital compared to chicken or poultry farming.
Goat farming is very easy and also very profitable but it is important to get enough
information before you delve into this business to avoid mistakes and losses. This is a
very quick guide on how to start goat farming.

Advantages Of Goat Farming

 Starting a goat farming business requires low initial investment or capital.
 Goats don’t require huge area for housing because their body size is comparatively
smaller than other livestock animals.
 Usually goats are very friendly in nature and very lovable.
 Goats are good breeders and they reach sexual maturity within their 7-12 months of age
and give birth of kids within a short time. And some goat breed produce numerous kids
per kidding.
 Risks are less for goat farming (even in drought prone areas) than any other livestock
farming business.
 Both male and female goats have almost equal value/price in the market.
 No religious taboo against goat farming and meat consumption.
 Goat meat and milk are cholesterol free and easily digestible.
 Goat milk is used for making various types of foods and it’s very easy to digest than milk
of cows.
 Commercial goat farming business has created a potential way of employment for
unemployed people.
 Goats are multi purpose animal. They can produce milk, meat, skin, fiber and manure at
the same time.
 There is no need of a high end housing system for goats. Even they can easily share their
living place with their owners or his/her other livestock animals.
 Goats are very suitable for mixed farming with other domestic animals.
 Diseases are less in goats than other domestic animals.
 Goats are easily available, comparatively cheaper in price, easy to maintain and always
have a friendly disposition.
 They are capable of adopting themselves with almost all types of agro climatic
environments or conditions. They can tolerate high and low temperature throughout the
world and live happily. They also can tolerate hot climate more than other animals.
According to the investment per unit they produce more than other domestic animals. And
the ROI (return of investment) ratio is very good.

Goats are generally smaller in size but reach slaughter age faster.

Goats are called the “foster mother of human”. Because their milk is considered as the best
milk for human consumption than any other species of livestock animal’s milk. And their
milk is low cost, nutritious, wholesome and easily digestible. All aged people from child to
old one can easily digest goat’s milk. Goat milk also has lesser allergic problems. And used
as an Ayurvedic medicine for the people who are ailing with diabetes, asthma, cough etc.

Goat milk is suitable for preparing various types of milk products. And goat meat has a huge
demand and high price in the local and international markets. Even you can consider
exporting your products to the foreign countries for more profits

Goats can be milked as often as required. This also prevent refrigeration costs and milk
storage problems.

You can use the goat’s manure as a high quality natural fertilizer in crop field. This will
directly help to maximize crop production.

As goat farming business is very profitable, so many govt. and non govt. banks are providing
loans for starting this business.

This business require less labor and you can easily use your family labor for raising goats.
Commercial goat farming business is a great source of employment and income. So
unemployed educated people can easily create a great employment and income source
through raising goats commercially.

Along with the above advantages, there are also many advantages of raising goats
commercially.

Goat Breeding.
For a profitable goat farming there should be 3 kidding for 2 years.

Goats with faster growth rate and larger size should be used for breeding.

Does of one year of age should be used for breeding

Does should bred after 3 months of kidding then only there will be 3 kidding for 2 years.

Goat Shed/Housing& Construction.

It can be raised either intensive or semi intensive methods. In intensive method goats can be
raised in sheds or raised platforms with deep bedding materials. No grazing for goats in this
method. In semi intensive method they can be grown in ordinary sheds with light litter
materials. They can go for the grazing lands also. A small shed with good cross ventilation is
enough to keep a small herd. Litter height should be around 6cms. Litter material may be
paddy straw, husk, groundnut shell. It should be changed every 6 months interval.
Periodically we have to turn the bedding materials for avoiding bad odor. Care should be
need for reducing parasitical infections. Each goat requires around 15 sq.ft area. If we use
raised platform system means, we can reduce infection level. Around the shed should be
wooden plates or wire meshed.

Goat Feeding/Grazing habits.

Goats consumes wide varieties of feeds and vegetation than either sheep or cattle. Goats are
fond of leguminous fodders. They do not take fodders like sorghum and maize, silage or
straw. They like to eat hay prepared from forest grasses, if cut in early stages, but very much
fond with hay prepared from leguminous crops. They also need grains like wheat, maize
corns and some pulses. Apart from they need high mineral compositions. So we can prepare
the mineral mixture in the following propositions.

Composition of Mineral Mixture Added at a 2% for Goats

1. Sterilized bone meal 35 Parts

2. Finely ground high grade limestone 45 Parts
3. Iodized salt 20 Parts
4. Copper sulphate 22 gms/ton mineral mixture
5. Zinc Oxide 11 gms/ton”
6. Ferrous Carbonate 11 gms/ton ”

e-Worming And Vaccinations.

They need to be vaccinated against foot and mouth disease, rinder pest and tetanus regularly.
The animals need to be dewormed at least twice a year to keep in good health. Before
breeding the goat should be dewormed. Kids should be dewormed every month interval.

Returns On Goat Farming.

It is a economical and viable enterprise for farmers. Capital Investment of purchase of Goats
is very low. For a price of 1 cross-bred Cow, one can purchase 10 quality goats. Goats kids
can be sold and encashed anytime. Goat has shorter Gestation period (150 days). Their
population in the country is continuously increasing, though 60% of the goats are slaughtered
every year. Products available from Goats are mutton, milk, manure, skin and fine hair.

Total life of Goats = 15 years.

Productive 7 years.

Pregnancy Period =150 days.

Manure available from 1 adult goat in 24 hours is 1 kg

Loans for Goat Farming

NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
Is arranging loans for goat growers in a large scale. The loans will be repaid in suitable half
yearly/annual installments usually within a period of about 5-6 years with a grace period of
one year. The minimum down payment collected from small farmers are only 5% of the total
investment. Marginal and large farmers 10, 15% respectively.

If you follow some basics of goat farming, it would be beneficial for returns on your
investment.

A Sample Goat Farming Business Plan Template for Beginners

 Business Overview
The agricultural industry of which livestock farming or better still goat farming is a subset
of is no doubt among the leading industry in most countries of the world; it is the industry
that produces food for the populace and raw materials for industries. Because of the
significant role the agriculture sector plays, the government of most countries ensures
that they go all the way to subsidize seedlings, fertilizers, and farming implements and
machinery for farmers and also encourage entrepreneurs to go into various kind of
farming including goat farming.
There are several business opportunities available in the agricultural industry and one
good thing about the industry is that there is market for all the produce from the industry.
Goat farming is of course a thriving and profitable business because usefulness of goat
meat and other by products from goats.
People eat goat meat, drink their milk, and use their fur and skin. With goat milk, cheese
can be made, along with other dairy products. Some farmers use goats for weeding
farmland. Other times, the goats are used to keep grasses and other plants from getting
too tall. The diet of the domestic goat includes eating grass, leaves, shrubs, root
vegetables, and other kinds of plants.
Goats come in different breeds with each breed having its own unique specifications and
uses. Some goat breeds known as ‘dairy goats’ are raised mainly for the milk that they
produce while some other breeds can grow very big and fat, hence, they are raised for
meat purposes. You must first decide on why you want to raise goats and then select a
breed that is most suitable for that purpose. You could also raise both dairy goats and
regular goats if you can afford to feed and care for them.
The livestock production industry includes companies that mainly provide support
services for raising livestock. Livestock is a term used to describe domestic animals,
such as cattle, goats, hogs, horses, poultry and sheep, which have been domestically
raised for meat, milk, wool and work. Other services in the livestock production industry
include breeding services, pedigree record services and vaccination et al.
The Livestock Farming (Goat Farming) industry is indeed a large industry and pretty
much active in countries such as United States of America, Israel, Egypt, China,
Germany, Turkey and Nigeria et al. There is no single livestock farming company that
has dominate market share in the industry hence smaller goat farming business can
successfully make profits.
Statistics has it that in the United States of America alone, there are about 51,712
registered and licensed livestock farming business responsible for employing about
67,814 and the industry rakes in a whooping sum of $5 billion annually. The industry is
projected to enjoy 1.4 percent annual growth.
If you are looking towards leveraging on the agriculture industry to generate huge
income, then one of your best bet is to start goat farming business. Goat farming
business is all about mass – breeding of goats for the sole aim of making profits. In most
cases it is referred to as livestock farming business.
One thing is certain about goat farming business, if you are able to conduct your market
research and feasibility studies, you are more likely not going to struggle to sell your
goats because there are loads of people out there we eat goat meat, drink goat milk and
industries that make use of byproducts from goats in manufacturing their products.
Over and above there are few barriers to entry into the livestock production industry.
Usually, all inputs are readily available. In the nearest future, players in this industry may
face the highest costs associated with accessing technology, especially in relation to
genetic modification engineering in livestock breeding.
So also, intellectual property rights protecting new inventions and technology may mean
that new entrepreneurs coming into the industry will need to pay license fees and this of
course will cause increase in the start – up fee for starting a livestock breeding business.

Goat Farming Business Plan – Executive Summary

Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd is a registered and licensed livestock farming
company that will be based in the outskirt of Dallas, Texas – United States. We have
done our detailed market research and feasibility studies and we were able to secure a
hundred hectares of land to start our livestock breeding business.
Our livestock breeding business is a going to be standard one hence will be involved in
commercial breeding of goats and other livestock. We will be involved in boarding
services, breeding services, dairy support services, livestock health services, farrier
services, and shearing services et al.
In the nearest future, hopefully within the first five years of officially running Jonah
Livingston and Family Farms Ltd, we will start our meat processing plant and also start
exporting our products to other parts of the world. Which is why aside from the fact that
we’ve secured the required farming land for breeding goats in commercial level, we have
also hired some key employees who are currently undergoing training so as to be able
to fit into the ideal picture of the 21st century livestock breeding workforce that we want to
build.
We are in the goat farming business because we want to leverage on the vast
opportunities available in the livestock farming industry, to contribute our quota in
growing the U.S. economy, in national food (meat) production, raw materials production
for industries, to export agriculture produce from the United States to other countries and
over and above to make profit.
Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd is well positioned to become one of the leading
goat farming business in the United States of America, which is why we have been able
to source for the best hands and equipment to run the business. We have put process
and strategies in place that will help us employ best practices when it comes to livestock
breeding / goat farming processes and meat processing and packaging as required by
the regulating bodies in the United States of America.
Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd is a private registered livestock farming
company that is owned by Jonah Livingston and family. The company will be fully and
single handedly financed by the owner – Jonah Livingston and his immediate family
members at least for a period of time.
Before starting Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd, Jonah Livingstone has worked
with some of the leading livestock farms in the United States of America. He has worked
in the industry for well over 10 years before resigning to start his own goat farming
business.

 Our Product Offerings

Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd is a licensed livestock farming business that is
committed to goat farming and meat processing and packaging for both the United
States’ market and the global market. We will also produce related raw materials for
industries in commercial quantities. We will also ensure that we operate a standard food
processing plant as part of our complimentary business offering.
These are the areas we will concentrate on in our livestock farming business. If need
arises we will definitely add more related animal breeding services to our list;

 Boarding services
 Breeding services
 Dairy support services
 Livestock health services
 Farrier services
 Sale and export of cotton wool and other dairy products
 Sale of Cattle and milk (Including goats, sheep, grass – cutters, pigs and rabbits
et al)
 Sale of processed meat (beef) / can – beef (Processed Diary foods, and can beef
et al)
 Shearing services
 Livestock farming related consultancy and advisory services

Our Vision Statement

Our Vision is to become one of the leading livestock farming brands not just in Dallas –
Texas, but also in the United States of America.

 Our Mission Statement

Our mission is to sell our produce (goats), byproducts and processed meat in
commercial quantities both locally, nationally and internationally. We want to build a
livestock farming business that can favorably compete with other leading livestock
farming brands in the United States of America.

 Our Business Structure

Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd is a livestock farming company that intend
starting small in Dallas – Texas, but hope to grow big in order to compete favorably with
leading livestock farms in the industry both in the United States and on a global stage.
We are aware of the importance of building a solid business structure that can support
the picture of the kind of world class business we want to own. This is why we are
committed to only hire the best hands in and around Dallas.
At Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd, we will ensure that we hire people that are
qualified, hardworking, dedicated, customer centric and are ready to work to help us
build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stake holders (the owners, workforce,
and customers).
As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior
management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or
more as agreed by the management of the farm. In view of the above, we have decided
to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;
Below is the business structure of Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd;

 Chief Operating Officer

  General Farm Manager
 Administrator / Accountant
 Cattle Ranch Manager / Supervisor
 Sales and Marketing Executive
 Field Employees
 Front Desk Officer

Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Operating Officer:

 Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training,

coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values,
strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and
appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering
information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
 Responsible for providing direction for the business
 Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission,
and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the
overall organization’s strategy.
 Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
 Evaluates the success of the organization

General Farm Manager

 Responsible for the planning, management and coordinating all farm activities
across the various sections on behalf of the organization
 Supervise other section manager
 Ensure compliance during project executions
 Providing advice on the management of farming activities across all section
 Responsible for carrying out risk assessment
 Using IT systems and software to keep track of people and progress of the
growth of crops, fishes, birds and animals
 Responsible for overseeing the accounting, costing and sale of farm produce
after harvest
 Represent the organization’s interest at various stakeholders meetings
 Ensures that farming goals desired result are achieved, the most efficient
resources (manpower, equipment, tools and chemicals et al) are utilized and
different interests involved are satisfied. Responsible for preparing financial
reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
 Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks
for the organization
 Defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
 Carrying out staff induction for new team members
 Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
 Oversee the smooth running of the daily farming activities across the various
farming sections.

Administrator / Accountant

 Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks

for the organization
  Defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
 Carrying out staff induction for new team members
 Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
 Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for
the organization
 Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
 Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
 Responsible for administering payrolls
 Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
 Handles all financial transactions for the company
 Serves as internal auditor for the company

Cattle Ranch and Animal Manager / Supervisor

 Responsible for managing the commercial breeding of goats and other livestock.
 Responsible for managing boarding services, breeding services, dairy support
services, livestock health services, farrier services, and shearing services et al.
 Work closely with the General Manager to achieve the organizations’ goals and
objectives

Sales and Marketing Officer

 Identify, prioritize, and reach out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
 Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and
contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of new business
 Writing winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with
company policy
 Responsible for handling business research, marker surveys and feasibility
studies for clients
 Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs,
and communicate with clients
 Develop, execute and evaluate new plans for expanding increase sales
 Document all customer contact and information
 Represent the company in strategic meetings
 Help increase sales and growth for the company

Field Workers / Contract Staff

 Responsible for feeding goats and other livestock as instructed by the supervisor
 Responsible for cleaning the cattle ranch
 Change the water in fish ponds as instructed by the supervisor on a regular basis
 Handles farm implements and machines as instructed by the section manager /
supervisor
 Assist in handling the breeding of goats
 Carries out task in line with the stated job description
 Assist in transport working tools and equipment from the farm and back to the
designated store room
 Handles any other duties as assigned my the line manager

Client Service Executive / Front Desk Officer

  Welcomes guests and clients by greeting them in person or on the telephone;
answering or directing inquiries.
 Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone)
provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the
highest level
 Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build
client’s interest in the company’s products and services
 Manages administrative duties assigned by the manager in an effective and
timely manner
 Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the company’s products,
promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is
supplied to clients
 Receives parcels / documents for the company
 Distribute mails in the organization
 Handles any other duties as assigned my the line manager

Goat Farming Business Plan – SWOT Analysis

Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd do not intend to launch out with trial and error
hence the need to conduct a proper SWOT analysis. We know that if we get it right from
the onset, we would have succeeded in creating the foundation that will help us build a
standard goat farming business that will favorably compete with leading livestock farms
in the United States of America and in the rest part of the world.
As a goat farming business, we look forward to maximizing our strength and
opportunities and also to work around our weaknesses and threats. Here is a summary
from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Jonah Livingston
and Family Farms Ltd;

 Strength:

Our strength as a livestock farming business is the fact that we have healthy
relationships with loads of major players (agriculture merchants) in the livestock farming
industry; both suppliers and buyers within and outside of the United States.
We have some of the latest livestock farming machines, tools and equipment that will
help us breed goats and other livestock in commercial quantities with less stress. Aside
from our relationship (network) and equipment, we can confidently boast that we have
some the most experienced hands in livestock farming industry in our payroll.

 Weakness:

Our weakness could be that we are a new livestock farms in the United States and we
may not have the required cash to pump into the publicity of our business. We are aware
of this and from our projection will overcome this weakness with time and turn it to a
major advantage for the business.

 Opportunities:

The opportunities that are available to us cannot be quantified, we know that there are
loads of homeowners, and industries that will source for goats, goat meat, and milk and
also industries that will source for the raw materials from our livestock farms both in the
United States of America and other parts of the world.
  Threat:

Some of the threats and challenges that you are likely going to face when you start your
own livestock farm are global economic downturn that can impact negatively on
household spending, bad weather cum natural disasters (draughts, epidemics),
unfavorable government policies and the arrival of a competitor (a commercial farm that
rear same animals) as our livestock farms within same location. There is hardly anything
you can do as regards this threats and challenges other than to be optimistic that things
will continue to work for your good.

Goat Farming Business Plan – MARKET ANALYSIS

 Market Trends

One of the common trends in the commercial livestock farming line of business is that
most players in the industry are no longer concentrating only on farming a particular
species of livestock or just livestock / goat farming alone. They now find it easier to run
both livestock farming and crop cultivation. Some even go ahead to include meat
processing and packaging business alongside their product offerings; it helps them
maximize profits in the agriculture industry.
Despite the fact that commercial goat farming / livestock farming has been in existence
since time immemorial, that does not in any way make the industry to be over saturated;
commercial goat farmers are exploring new technology to continue to improve goat
farming processes and also meat preservation and packaging process. The fact that
there is always a ready market for commercial goat farming makes the business ever
green.
As a matter of fact, one of the new trends in livestock farming industry is that with the
recent advancement in technology livestock farmers can now improve the various
breeds of the animals they are breeding. As a matter of fact, it is now easier for livestock
farmers to comfortably import the kind of breed of domestic animal they want to breed
from any country of their choice and also advancement in technology has made it easier
to cross – breed different animal.

 Our Target Market

Naturally, the target market of those who are the end consumer of livestock farm
produce and also those who benefits from the business value chain of the agriculture
industry is all encompassing; it is far – reaching.
Every household consumes produce from livestock farms be it goat meat, goat milk, and
the skin (leather) used for bags, belts and shoes production et al. So also a large chunk
of manufacturing companies depends on livestock farms for some of their raw materials.
In essence a goat farmer should be able to sell his or her farm produce to as many
people as possible.
We will ensure that we position our business to attract consumers of agriculture produce
not just in the United States of America alone but also other parts of the world which is
why we will be exporting some of our farm produce either in raw form or processed form
to other countries of the world.

 Our Competitive Advantage

It is easier to find entrepreneur flocking towards an industry that is known to generate
consistent income which is why there are more commercial farmers in the United States
of America and of course in most parts of the world.
For example, Statistics has it that there were 2.2 million farms in the United States of
America, covering an area of 922 million acres. These goes to show that there are
appreciable numbers of farmers in the United States of America but that does not mean
that there is stiffer competition in the industry.
As a matter of fact, entrepreneurs are encouraged by the government to embrace
commercial farming / livestock farming. This is so because part of the success of any
nation is her ability to cultivate her own food and also export foods to other nations of the
world.
Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd is fully aware that there are competitions when it
comes to selling livestock and meats all over the globe, which is why we decided to carry
out thorough research so as to know how to take advantage of the available market in
the United States and in other parts of the world.
We have done our homework and we have been able to highlight some factors that will
give us competitive advantage in the marketplace; some of the factors are effective and
reliable livestock farming processes that can help us sell our livestock and processed
meat at competitive prices, good network and excellent relationship management.
Another competitive advantage that we are bringing to the industry is the fact that we
have designed our business in such a way that we will operate an all – round standard
commercial livestock farms that will be involved in diverse areas such as animal rearing
and meat processing and packaging plant. With this, we will be able to take advantage
of all the available opportunities within the industry.
Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be
amongst the best in the industry meaning that they will be more than willing to build the
business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our objectives as a
standard commercial livestock farms with a meat processing and packaging plant.
Goat Farming Business Plan – SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY
We are quite aware that the reason why some commercial livestock farms hardly make
good profits is their inability to sell off their livestock to a larger market. In view of that,
we decided to set up a standard meat processing and packing plant to help us maximize
profits.
Over and above, we have perfected our sale and marketing strategies first by networking
with agriculture merchants and companies that rely on raw materials from the livestock
farming industry who are likely to refer become our customers.
In summary, Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd will adopt the following strategies in
marketing our commercial farm produce;

 Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to

stake holders in the agriculture industry, companies that rely on the livestock
farming industry for their raw materials, hotels and restaurants and agriculture
produce merchant et al.
 Advertise our business and livestock farms in agro – allied and food related
magazines and websites
 List our commercial livestock farms on yellow pages ads (local directories)
 Attend related agriculture and food expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
  Leverage on the internet to promote our business
 Engage in direct marketing
 Encourage the use of word of mouth marketing (referrals)

Sources of Income
Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd is in the livestock breeding industry for the
purpose of maximizing profits hence we have decided to explore all the available
opportunities within the industry to achieve our corporate goals and objectives. In
essence we are not going to rely only on the sale of our livestock to generate income for
the business.
Below are the sources we intend exploring to generate income for Jonah Livingston and
Family Farms Ltd;

 Sale and export of cotton wool and other dairy products

 Sale of Cattle and milk (Including goats, sheep, grass – cutters, pigs and rabbits
et al)
 Sale of processed meat (beef) / can – beef (Processed Diary foods, and can beef
et al)
 Boarding services
 Breeding services
 Dairy support services
 Livestock health services
 Farrier services
 Shearing services
 Livestock farming related consultancy and advisory services

Sales Forecast
From the survey conducted, we were able to discover that the sales generated by a
commercial livestock farm depends on the size of the farm, the network of the farm.
We have perfected or sales and marketing strategies and we are set to hit the ground
running and we are quite optimistic that we will meet or even surpass our set sales
target of generating enough income / profits from the year of operations and build the
business from survival to sustainability.
We have been able to critically examine the agriculture industry cum commercial
livestock farm business and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have
been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projection is based on
information gathered on the field and some workable assumptions as well with respect to
the nature of commercial livestock farm that we run.
Below are the projections that we were able to come up with for the first three years of
running Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd;

 First Year-: $200,000

 Second Year-: $450,000
 Third Year-: $700,000

N.B: This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the
assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown that can impact negatively
on household spending, bad weather cum natural disasters (draughts, epidemics), and
unfavorable government policies.
  Our Pricing Strategy

Some of the factors that will help you sell your farm produce at the right price that will
guarantee that you make profits is dependent on your strategy while some of the factors
are beyond your control.
For example, if the climatic condition is unfavorable and if there are natural disasters in
the location where you have your commercial livestock farm, then it will directly affect the
prices of your livestock.
Over and above, if you want to get the right pricing for your livestock, then you should
ensure that you choose a good location for your commercial livestock farm, choose a
good breed that will guarantee steady and multiple breeding (prolific breeds), cut the
cost of running your farm to the barest minimum and of course try as much as possible
to attract buyers to your farm as against taking your livestock or even your produce to
the market to source for buyers; with this, you would have successfully eliminate the cost
of transporting the goods to the market and other logistics.
We are quite aware that one of the easiest means of penetrating the market and
acquiring loads of customers for all our agriculture produce is to sell them at competitive
prices hence we will do all we can to ensure that the prices of our livestock and
processed and packaged beef are going to be what other commercial livestock farmers
would look towards beating.
One thing is certain; the nature of commercial livestock farming we are involved in
makes it possible for farmers to place prices for their livestock / farm products based on
their discretion without following the benchmark in the industry. The truth is that it is one
of the means of avoiding running into loss. The easier you sell off your livestock when
they are mature the better for your business.

 Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd is all inclusive
because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as
it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and
regulation of the United States of America.
Here are the payment options that Nicolas Zebedee and Farms Limited will make
available to her clients;

 Payment via bank transfer

 Payment with cash
 Payment via online bank transfer
 Payment via check
 Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make
payment for farm produces purchase without any stress on their part.
Goat Farming Business Plan – Publicity and Advertising Strategy
Any business that wants to grow beyond the corner of the street or the city they are
operating from must be ready and willing to utilize every available means (both
conventional and non – conventional means) to advertise and promote the business. We
intend growing our business which is why we have perfected plans to build our brand via
every available means.
We know that it is important to create strategies that will help us boost our brand
awareness and to create a corporate identity for our commercial livestock farming
business. Below are the platforms we want to leverage on to boost our commercial
livestock farm brand and to promote and advertise our business;

 Place adverts on both print (newspapers and magazines) and electronic media
platforms
 Sponsor relevant community based events / programs
 Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook ,
twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our business
 Install our Bill Boards on strategic locations all around Dallas – Texas
 Engage in road show from time to time in targeted neighborhoods
 Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
 Contact corporate organizations and residence in our target areas by calling them
up and informing them of Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd and the farm
produce we sell
 List our commercial livestock farms in local directories / yellow pages
 Advertise our commercial livestock farms in our official website and employ
strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site.
 Ensure that all our staff members wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles
and trucks are well branded with our company logo et al.

Goat Farming Business Plan – Financial Projections and Costing

When it comes to calculating the cost of starting a commercial livestock farm, there are
some key factors that should serve as a guide. The most important expense is the
construction of the cattle ranch / cages / fencing as the case may be.
For example, the start – up cost for a fish farm is different from the start – up cost for
mechanized crop farming, so also the start – up cost for poultry farming is different from
the start – up cost of cattle ranch (dairy farm) et al. As a matter of fact, if you choose to
start a mechanized crop farming, then you should be willing to raise huge capital base to
start the business. This is so because some cultivation machines / equipment can be
pretty expensive.
Below are some of the basic areas we will spend our start – up capital in setting up our
commercial livestock farm;

 The Total Fee for incorporating the Business (aquaponics commercial farm) in
United States of America – $750.
 The budget for key insurance policies, permits and business license – $2,500
 The amount needed to acquire / lease a farm land – $50,000
 The amount required for preparing the farm land (for construction of cattle ranch
and cages / fencing et al et al) – $70,000
 The cost for acquiring the required working tools and equipment / machines /
fencing et al– $50,000
 The amount required for purchase of the first set of goats and other livestock –
$50,000
 The Cost of Launching an official Website – $600
 The amount required for payment of workers for a period of 3 months – $100,000
  Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al)
– $2,000

Going by the report from detailed research and feasibility studies conducted, we will
need an average of $350,000 to start a standard commercial livestock farming business
in the United States of America.
Generating Funding / Startup Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd
No matter how fantastic your business idea might be, if you don’t have the required
money to finance the business, the business might not become a reality. Finance is a
very important factor when it comes to starting a business such as greenhouse
commercial farming. No doubt raising start – up capital for a business might not come
cheap, but it is a task that an entrepreneur must go through.
Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd is a family owned business and it will be
financed by the owners of the company – Jonah Livingston and family. These are the
areas where we intend sourcing for fund for Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd;

 Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings and sale of his
stocks
 Generate part of the start – up capital from friends and other extended family
members
 Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank (loan facility).

N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 (Personal savings $80,000 and
soft loan from family members $20,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a
loan facility of $250,000 from our bank. All the papers and document has been duly
signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our
account will be credited.
GOAT FARMING BUSINESS GROWTH: Sustainability and Expansion Strategy
The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the
capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business
structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be
too long before the business close shop.
One of our major goals of starting Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd is to build a
business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from
external sources once the business is officially running. We know that one of the ways of
gaining approval and winning customers over is to sell our farm produce (livestock and
processed beef) a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are well
prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.
Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd will make sure that the right foundation,
structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken
of. Our organization’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater
heights and training and re – training of our workforce is at the top burner of our
business strategy.
As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our
management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or
more as determined by the management of the organization. We know that if that is put
in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the
industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.
Check List / Milestone

 Business Name Availability Check: Completed

 Business Incorporation: Completed
 Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks in the United
States: Completed
 Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
 Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
 Application for business license and permit: Completed
 Purchase of All form of Insurance for the Business: Completed
 Leasing of farm land in Dallas – Texas: Completed
 Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
 Start – up Capital Generation: Completed
 Writing of Business Plan: Completed
 Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
 Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
 Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional
Materials: Completed
 Recruitment of employees: In Progress
 Building /construction of cages and fence et al: In Progress
 Purchase of the needed working tools, machines and equipment: Completed
 Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
 Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
 Farm land Treatment, Health and Safety Arrangement: In Progress
 Establishing business relationship with key players in the industry (agriculture
farm produce merchants and transporter / haulage): Completed

FOR THE NEWBIE GOAT FARMER

October 5, 2008

As demand for goat meat continues to expand around the world, many people with no
experience with livestock are getting into the goat business. Sometimes the idea of raising
goats is attractive because it can be done either on a small scale or in a very large
enterprise. But best of all, you can make money raising goats only if you do it wisely.

Caring for a herd of goats does not have to really be a full time job. Many people like us
have other jobs and take care of their goats in the evenings and on the weekends. Those
goats that are good foragers can “take care of itself” for much of the time.

Keep in mind that raising goats, as with any livestock, is not completely risk free. Disease
needs to be prevented and treatment needs to be accurately and swiftly administered. A
cost-effective feeding plan needs to be established and maintained. Also, a sound business
 management plan is required if you wish to make a reasonably decent profit from your goat
herd.

What follows below is intended to help the inexperienced goat farmers begin to think and
learn about the goat business. It contains a summary of information on a variety of topics
that have been shown to be important in running a successful and profitable business. It is,
however, not a comprehensive list of detailed recipes for success. It is a basic collection of
ideas for you to consider. Each farm setting is unique and your business plan must carefully
address your particular situation. You should use the following information as a starting point
in your learning efforts.

Read and Study BEFORE you Start

Like most endeavors, you will benefit from learning about the meat goat (or diary goat)
business before you make an investment in not only money but more of your time and
sanity. There are lots of formal and informal ways to learn about goats. We share a few here
to get you started. There are, however, many many other sources of sound information for
you to choose from. One last piece of advice regarding how to study and learn about goats –
don’t believe everything you see, read, or hear. Be sure to double check key points using
multiple sources of information before making major investments or decisions.

Useful Books

 “Raising Meat Goats for Profit” by Gail Bowman

 “Meat Goats (their history, management and diseases)” by Stephanie Mitcham and Allison Mitcham.
 “The Goatkeeper’s Veterinary Book” by Peter Dunn
 “Goat Medicine” by Mary C. Smith and David M. Sherman

Don’t overlook the easiest way to learn quickly about raising goats. You will most likely find
goat farmers in your local area. Most goat farmers are friendly and will gladly show you
around their farm if you call ahead to set up an appointment. By visiting a commercial goat
farm, you will get a sense if breeding goats as a business is right for you. For example: How
much work is it? How much money do you need to invest? What are the best kinds of goats
for your particular situation? Where would you find sources of feed? Can you make money
doing this? Will you end up bonkers? Seeing for yourself is an excellent way to begin.

Participating in the activities of goat associations is an extremely effective way to learn.

Associations have a concentration of people who are very interested in all aspects of raising
goats. You will have ready access to years and years of experience that would be
impossible to obtain in any other way. Most associations are inexpensive to join and offer
many services and events from which you would benefit. Admittedly there are very few if any
goat farmer associations that are withing our state Sarawak .
 Fencing

There is no more important item than fences when getting your farm ready for goats. Goats
are smart and curious. They are known for their ability as escape artists. Whether you plan
to fix up old fences, or build new ones, be careful to verify that you have indeed made your
fence goat-proof. When refitting an older fence you will want to check for stumps or rocks
that may be close to the fence line. Predators can climb on a stump or rock and jump in and
conversely goats can jump out. Many types of fencing can be successfully used for goats,
but it must be installed and maintained correctly. Woven wire and/or high-tensile electric
fencing, with spacing suitable for goats, usually work well. There are also sources of fencing
information on the internet. The careful planning and the time spent on your fences will be
among the best investments you make.

Housing and Shelters

Goats can be managed with only a minimum of shelter from the rain, wind and snow, the
latter of which we do not have here in the tropics. A three-sided shed works well. The open
side should face toward the south to take advantage of maximum sunlight and the prevailing
winds in many areas. Make sure there is adequate, dry floor space for the goats to lie down
during long bouts of lousy weather.

Existing sheds can be modified to work well with goats also. Allow an open area for the
goats to gather since they are herd animals. Other types of areas may include a private
place for kidding, storage for feed, and a secure storage space for your supplies and special
equipment. Adequate ventilation should always be a consideration. Water condensation on
the ceiling or walls of the housing after the goats have spent a night in the barn may indicate
there is insufficient ventilation in the building. These conditions can contribute to poor
respiratory health in goats. Housing and shelters should be cleaned periodically to reduce
the build up of ammonia (from urine) and to help control parasites and insect populations.
The frequency of cleaning will vary based on ventilation, the type of flooring, and the degree
to which surface water can and does enter your building. For new housing, place them to
avoid any excess water.

Feeding Systems and Strategies

Typically a goat business will be profitable or not based on how many dollars are spent on
feeding the herd. If you buy large quantities of commercial feed and specialty supplements,
you will likely compromise your ability to make a profit. If, on the other hand, you strive to
have your goats forage for the bulk of their food (and you manage your other expenses) a
profit may be returned for your efforts.
The key factors in choosing how to feed your goats is to make sure they get enough protein,
salt, and trace minerals at the lowest possible cost.

Forage

Goats naturally browse for their food when given the opportunity. This is by far the most
economical form of goat feeding. Goats are cautious in what they eat, but vines, brush,
weeds, young trees, and grass are all typically fine for goats. A few things are poisonous to
goats, so some care is required when adding goats to a new area of forage. Ask your local
farmers about what plants are dangerous in your area. Using forested lands for forage is
often ideal, especially when they contain large amounts of dense undergrowth for browse.

Grass Pasture

Grass fields are satisfactory for goats but it is best if the grass is high with lots of weeds.
This allows the goats to truly browse instead of graze. Parasites live near the ground so
short grass and plant growth is to be avoided as much as possible.

Hay

Free-choice hay (oat hay, grassy alfalfa, or first cut hay with lots of weeds are good choices)
is often made available to goats as supplemental feed in the winter and just before and after
kidding. Hay feeders can be purchased or homemade. Feeders should be sturdy and
designed to discourage the goats from standing on the hay. Goats will not eat “dirty” hay.
However in tropical countries like here in Sarawak you will need a dryer, an expensive
expense. With our tropical weather all year around most times it is not difficult to access
fresh grass/forage everyday.

Commercial Feed

Commercially available feed mixes are readily available for goats. This can be a very big
expense if you are not prudent. If feed is used, it is often only used in the winter months (in
temperate area’s) and just before and after kidding in small amounts. 2% body weight feed
per day per adult goat is frequently recommended as a supplement if your goats is already
fed with grass/forage/hay. Some farmers feed a tiny amount of feed as a treat even in the
summer months when forage is readily available just to keep the goats coming to the farmer.

If feed is used, select it carefully. A key variable is the percentage of protein. Often 12% –
17% protein is chosen. It is also important to check for other supplements placed in the feed.
Several feeds on the market today have useful additives especially selected to improve or
maintain goat health.

Supplements
 Supplements are typically not used extensively, but they may prove useful in selected
situations. Depending upon where you are at, selenium may be a necessary additive.
Selenium is important to muscle development and metabolism in goats. Selenium is found
naturally in growing plants if there are adequate levels in the soil for the plants to absorb.
Some areas of the world have adequate levels of selenium and some do not. Check with
your local Agriculture department. (Note: Goats require vitamin E to metabolize selenium
correctly, make sure it is also present in the supplement you use.) Protein blocks and tubs
formulated specifically for goats are frequently used to supplement protein when goats are
on browse with no grain being fed. These blocks and tubs may also contain the proper
amounts of salt and minerals for goats negating the need for loose or block mineral. Read
the label or check with the manufacturer.

Minerals

Goats require a free-choice supply of proper amounts of salt and minerals. Goats have
requirements that are quite different from sheep and cattle. For example, goats particularly
need higher amounts of copper. Loose or block minerals that are not specifically designed
for goats should not be used unless the missing minerals are provided in some other form.
Homemade mineral dispensers have been made in many designs from PVC pipe, wood, or
metal.

Watering Systems

Like all animals, goats need easy access to clean drinking water. They don’t like
contaminated water (and neither do you). We dechlorinate our water and clean the water
troughs daily.

You will have to make many decisions about “how” to raise your goats. Collectively the
answers you choose will comprise your “management system.” You will have to decide what
type of goats to raise, where to purchase your foundation stock, what you will feed them, and
what preventive measures you will take for their health and well being. The choices you
make will greatly influence whether you make money or lose money and whether you have
chosen a full or a part-time job. Don’t haphazardly make these decisions. Most importantly,
try to make sure you will enjoy what you’re about to do! Here are some of the key elements
of a management system for raising goats.

Setting Goals

The old saying “if you don’t know where you are going, any road will do” is certainly true in
the raising of goats. Are you trying to make money or just have some fun? Is your business
selling breeding stock, selling goats for the commercial meat market, or some combination of
both? How much time and money do you want to invest? Take a few minutes to write down
what you believe your goals are. It is recommended that you start out with a small number of
goats while you’re learning about the goat business and actually experience goat farming.
You can add additional stock and modify your goals as needed to suit your situation. It will
help if you set goals that are measurable otherwise you will not be able to chart your
progress.

Identifying Obstacles

Understanding what is standing in the way of achieving your goals will be very helpful in
planning for success. Typical obstacles might include limited amounts of money to invest,
poor fencing, not enough land, or a lack of knowledge. By identifying obstacles, you have
automatically determined the areas where your energy needs to be focused.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations can be given for a variety of diseases. Local conditions and your individual
preference will play a big role in your decision on what to give on a regular basis. There are
not many vaccines that have been specifically approved for use in goats. Some companies,
however, are starting to realize that there are market opportunities with goat vaccines.
Expect to see more product offerings in the future. Some vaccines (and other medications)
are given “off label” which means they have been approved for use in other livestock
(perhaps cattle), but studies have not been done to show effectiveness in goats. Learn what
other successful goat breeders are doing. Remember any “off-label” use is at your own risk.

A typical vaccination program for a goat farmer will likely include CD/T (Clostridium
perfringens Type C&D and Tetanus Toxoid). This goat vaccine can be purchased over-the-
counter to provide long-term protection against overeating disease and tetanus. Here in
Sarawak we vaccinate for C. pseudotuberculosis, CI. Perfringes type D, CI Tetani, CI Novyi
type B, CI Septicum & CI. Chavei

Parasite Control

The biggest health problem you will face raising goats is control of parasites, especially
stomach worms. Some goats have been selected and bred to be parasite resistant, but that
does not mean parasite free. Parasites can debilitate and even kill a goat quickly. Regular
worming is used by most goat farmers (perhaps in the spring and the fall). Additional
worming of any particular goat is best done on an “as needed’ basis. The overuse of
worming medications can promote the development of resistant parasites on your farm – a
severe management situation you definitely want to avoid!

You can test for the presence of parasites by doing fecal smears and examining the feces
for the presence of worm eggs under a microscope. This test can indicate the relative
 quantity and type of parasites present (worm load). Another easy test you can do on your
own is the FAMACHA test that requires looking at the membranes under the eyelids of
goats. The degree of anemia is estimated by observing the degree of redness in the
membranes. Please remember, no “test” is foolproof. Careful judgment is also required.
Seeking professional training for performing the above tests is strongly recommended.

A primary preventive measure against worms (other than genetic selection) is rotating
pastures so goats are always eating in a significantly worm-free environment. A rotational
strategy may range from daily to 3-4 week intervals depending upon the size of the
paddocks. Browsed paddocks should stand dormant for 12 days to 6 weeks or more before
the goats are rotated through again. Appropriate dormancy periods depend upon the size of
the paddocks and the frequency of rotation. Your county extension agent may be a good
source of information regarding rotational grazing strategies for your area.

Worming medication can be given orally or by injection. Most breeders periodically rotate
wormers to decrease the chances of developing resistant strains of parasites. Talk to, or
access information, from other successful breeders regarding the various types of wormers
used and the appropriate dosages. Not many worming medications are formally approved
for use in goats, so several “off label” uses have been developed. Your local vet may also be
helpful regarding parasite control. Be sure, however, to ask about his or her level of
experience with goats. Many vets have not worked much with goats, but this is slowly
changing as the interest in goat farming increases.

Other parasite problems are skin related. Some conditions to look out for in your herd are
lice, mange mites, and ringworm.

Observation

Probably the most effective and efficient method of identifying a goat that is sick or in need
of medical treatment is the human eye. If your goat is acting differently than it typically does
(not eating well, standing off by itself, etc.) then something is probably wrong. If you notice
this, then act quickly to identify the problem. Goats are sturdy, but not indestructible. They
frequently don’t show many signs or symptoms at the early stages of illness, so by the time
you see something is wrong, the situation has already progressed significantly.

Signs of a Healthy Goat

 Attitude – Alert and Curious

 Appetite – Shows Interest in Food. Chews Cud after Feeding

 Breathing – Regular and Unlabored

 Coat/Skin – Clean, Glossy and no Lumps

 Droppings – Pellets are Firm

 Eyes – Bright, Clear and not Running

 Gait – Steady with No Limping

 Nose – Cool and Dry

 Weight – Average Weight and Gain

Livestock Guardians

Goats are very susceptible to attacks from predators such as a pack of local dogs out on the
loose. A good fence will help keep predators away from the goats (especially an electric
fence), but many goat farmers in many countries choose to also have some form of livestock
guardian animal. Livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) live full time with the goats and usually do
an excellent job of protecting their herd from intruders. There are many types of dogs used
for this purpose including Great Pyrenees , Anatolians , and others. Most professional
farmers try not to turn their livestock guard dogs into pets, as this is a distraction from the
dog’s “work.” In Australia Llamas have also been used successfully in certain settings as
guard animals. At our farm we use SSPCA rescued dogs like Ayu to keep an eye on
intruders.

Kidding

One of the most exciting times of the year is when your does are kidding. This miracle is a
wonder to see and typically you need do nothing (or very little) to help the process. Does
have a reputation as excellent mothers requiring very little attention. Kids are often up and
about in a matter of seconds. Standing, walking, and suckling within a few minutes is not
unusual.

Although birthing problems are infrequent, you need to decide how much intervention you’re
willing to do if problems do arise. Some things you may want to learn how to do are tube
feeding a weak newborn kid and raising a kid on a bottle if the mother cannot provide
enough milk or has rejected the kid. If a doe in labor has been pushing very hard for thirty
minutes and has produced nothing, it may necessary to go in and move or reposition a kid
so the birth can proceed normally. This is a specialized skill requiring additional learning on
your part. Work with someone who already knows how to do this or in many cases, your
veterinarian will be glad to teach you these skills. Before your goats have kids you should do
some reading in more detail about pregnancy and kidding. The more prepared you are, the
better things will go if intervention is needed. See the referenced web sites and books for
more information.
Choose your breeding time so you are having kids when you want to have them. The length
of gestation for a goat is about 150 days. Many breeders deliberately schedule their
breeding program to avoid kidding during months of extreme cold or extreme heat. Of
course, if you choose to have your buck run with the does all year round, then scheduling is
not an issue.

Record Keeping

If you plan to make money in your goat business, you will need to have a basic plan
including estimated costs and projected income. As in any business, failure to pay attention
to financial details can be troublesome, if not fatal. Several web sites and other publications
have examples of business plans that are helpful in understanding what to plan for and what
variables are most important.

A typical goat farm will have many expenses. Some of these will be obvious such as the
purchase price of stock, feed, and other supplies, but some will not be obvious. These can
include medications, marketing costs, transportation expense, or even the cost of
specialized equipment such as ear tags.

If you intend to turn a profit, you should determine during the start-up of your operation the
cost of raising a doe for one year. Successful meat goat farmers manage every possible
penny out of this number.

Income can come from different sources. A prime source of revenue is the sale of goats for
slaughter. Often a secondary (or even primary for some) source of income is selling quality
breeding stock to other goat farmers. Raising good breeding stock requires additional skill
and knowledge. Only a disciplined, selective breeding program with rigorous culling will
guarantee long-term success. Other sources of income may include the sale of goats for
pets, renting goats as studs, selling goat poo as part of organic manure, or even creating
your own value-added goat meat products. Non-meat sources of income can include goat
milk, cheese, soap, and other products (a better option with dairy breeds).

Successful meat goat farmers have a target price in mind for the annual sales that result
from breeding a doe. A revenue target of twice your actual expense will typically result in a
sustainable goat business. It is important that you understand the inputs and outputs of your
business

Goat meat is in high demand around the world. Malaysia imports thousands and thousands
of live goats and untold kilo’s goat meat each year to meet a growing demand. Various
ethnic groups use goat meat in their diet and everyone can appreciate goat meat’s low level
of fat and delicious taste. Near any large city there will be demand for goat meat especially
 around certain religious holidays. Ask around to make sure you know at least one place you
will be able to sell your goats when the time comes.

Broad trends in the goat meat industry are generally positive, but there are always new
developments that may affect your business. Government regulations covering your goat
operation and/or goat-related products should be clearly understood. Serious efforts should
always be made to be in compliance with federal, state, and local law.

Work with a Proven Breeder

Why it is important? There is no substitute for quality, experience, and integrity. The
guidance of an experienced breeder can easily make the difference in whether the start-up
of your goat business is a success or failure. Learning by trial and error when buying goats
can be expensive and even fatal when resources are limited. After you learn the basics of
breed conformation and production traits, you will feel more confident about buying goats
from sources that may be more “risky,” such as a local sale/auction. By then you will be able
to determine if the animal for sale “looks” right, appears to be disease free, and is worth the
asking price. Many people buy goats only from proven breeders since it dramatically lowers
their investment risk.

Breeder lists are available on association web pages, trade publications, and other sites on
the internet.

Keep Good Records

Obviously you need good financial records for tax purposes, but that is only the beginning of
the information that will be useful to record and organize. Good records will allow you to
make informed decisions about which animals should be culled and which animals are
producing well. Good records to keep include:

 Expense and income for taxes

 Goat weights (birth, 30/60/90/180 days, for calculating average daily gain over time)

 Doe productivity data (number kids born & weaned, data about mothering skills (maternals), etc.

 Health data (wormings, vaccinations, specialized treatments for illness, etc.)

Go Slow

The easiest and most common mistake to make when entering the goat farming business is
to ramp up too quickly. This can be frustrating to the inexperienced goat farmer, because the
natural tendency is to want to grow a herd as rapidly as possible. However, a lack of
experience in daily care of the herd and in evaluating signs of poor health is a recipe for
 disaster. Nothing is more discouraging than to have your goats start dying and not
understand why. You can add more goats as you learn and gain more confidence as a
breeder.

Start with a small number (less than 10 goats is typical)

Learn through personal experience what works and what doesn’t work on YOUR farm

Reduce Stress

Raising goats should be very rewarding. You can make money and have a lot of fun at the
same time. One important, but little talked about, key to success is practicing stress
reduction in your herd. The goats will be healthier, more productive, and more profitable.

Isolate new goats coming to your farm (for a minimum of two weeks) to check for disease
and let them adjust to your management practices

Don’t consistently “startle” your goats by making loud noises, moving too quickly, letting
children or dogs chase them, or making changes in their daily routine unless absolutely
necessary. Change things a little at a time, allowing time for each change to become routine.
Always make dietary changes gradually.

Remember that sometimes you will lose an animal. This is part of the natural process of life.
You should expect some animals to die because of old age, undetected disease, or even
accident. Some degree of loss is unavoidable in any livestock operation, so be prepared to
learn from these situations and continue to move forward.

Be particularly careful when transporting goats to keep them dry, out of the wind, and “on the
road” only the minimum amount of time.

Remember that goats do not come with a guarantee. You will make mistakes like everyone
else. That’s how you gain experience. No business plan ever written has precisely described
what a business is doing several years down the road.

Have Fun!

Goats are entertaining and very interesting. Make sure you have a camera handy, especially
when your new kid crop is romping around the field. Goat watching can be a ready source of
entertainment for you and for your guests.

Remember the Bottom Line

1. Goats and goat meat are in high demand around the world
 2. Keep expenses low

3. Know your local markets and how to access them

The ideas suggested here are for educational purposes only and provide no guarantee of
success in a goat farming business. Specifically The Kebun does not in any way guarantee
or endorse these steps. Every agricultural situation is unique. The information provided here
is offered as points to consider when developing your own plan.