McMillin Consumers Preference For Goat Meat

The numbers of meat goats in the U.S. have slightly declined in recent years while the tonnages of imported frozen goat meat from Australian and New Zealand have increased (Pinkerton and McMillin, 2012a, b). Previous survey research of Muslim goat meat consumers (Fisher et al., 2009; Ibrahim et al., 2008; and Worley et al., 2004) indicated preference for Halal meat, particularly during religious holidays, with some consumers preferring fresh goat meat and to slaughter goats themselves.
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LSU Meat Guide

This manual has been developed as a guide to the meat goat industry in evaluating live meat goats, measuring important carcass traits and standardizing cutting procedures for goat carcasses. The terminology in this manual has been adapted from USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications (IMPS) selection criteria for live goats and goat carcasses in Series 11 Fresh Goat. Traits that influence meat yield are conformation, relative proportion of muscle to fat and bone, and the relative body size weight or the heart girth/barrel circumference measurement.
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Pinkerton Accelerated Breeding Program

In the Meat Goat Industry Update, Part I, March 2014 issue of Goat Rancher, we documented the continuing decline of our industry numbers and noted that we are producing only half or so of domestic consumption of goat meat. This drop in market share will continue unless we increase production (or imports unexpectedly decline with time). Simply put, we need more slaughter goats; however, there are only a few ways to get them. We could increase number of goat enterprises or their sizes, or we could increase output by marketing larger kids. Or, we could get more kids/doe sold/farm through a modification in reproductive management.
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Sponenberg Meat Goats, Breeds and Genetic Conservation

The meat goat industry in the United States is currently expanding. With expansion comes a number of opportunities. Some of these opportunities have two sides.
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Sponenberg Which Goat Breed Is Best?

Which meat goat breed is best? Sounds like an innocent question, doesn't it? Turns out that no single breed is best for all situations, and this fact is going to be very important for the American meat goat industry. Understanding breeds and how they work can help put the meat goat industry ona sound genetic basis.
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Sponenberg Fostering the Development of Master Breeders

Knowledgeable, committed breeders are essential if breeds are to survive. Continuity of breeds is important and is one of the main reasons behind the founding and continuation of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. As the number of breed stewards declines, a breed loses its security as an agricultural resource.
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Easy Keeper Herd Manager

Easily manage:
  • Milk, meat and fiber production
  • Health and wellness
  • Pedigrees and progeny
  • Buy, sell, lease, and board
  • Reproduction
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