No Kidding. . .Meat Goats Make Money

Nutrition and fencing products from Southern States help enhance goat producers’ profits.

Stephen Terhune is one of a growing number of producers who are sold on raising goats. Terhune and business partner Gary Bunch operate Locust Hill Farm and raise a 100-head Boer goat herd outside of Harrodsburg, Ky.

The partners also are sold on Southern States and the products the co-op sells for goat producers. “We buy many of our inputs from Central Kentucky Service, our Southern States retailer in Harrodsburg,” Terhune says. They
have been pleased with the store’s service and with the line of Billy Goat Gruff® goat-management equipment available there.

Demand for goat meat is at an all-time high, thanks to the business of ethnic groups immigrating into the U.S. And because goat meat is lower in cholesterol and fat than almost any other type of red meat, it’s gaining popularity among a variety of other consumers.

Meat goats are also desirable from a producer’s perspective. “Boer goats are more than larger livestock like cattle,” Terhune notes. “A Boer goat will gain an average of 0.94 pounds per day in a feedlot.”

And with a gestation period of just five months for does, you can raise three crops in two years.

“With goat-meat prices at more than $1 a pound, raising goats is a nice fit for us,” Terhune says.

Favorable prices dictate that you get the most out of your goat herd, says Bob Mosley, manager of feed sales for Southern States.

Too many producers think they can just buy corn or corn mixed with gluten. “They may think the goats are doing great until health
problems arise,” Mosley notes.

Stephen Terhune (above) depends on products from Southern States for the goat operation he and business partner Gary Bunch run.

Southern States has developed a 15% protein feed with Rumensin, which helps control coccidiosis. And for large operators, it’s sold by the ton at a substantial savings.

Locust Hill’s Boer goats are raised for the growing meat market in the U.S. “Efficient goat-meat production involves intensive management,” Terhune notes. “These aren’t animals you can just turn out and expect to flourish.”

Like in any other livestock enterprise, proper nutrition and health programs are essential. And goats require constant hoof care, including regular hoof trimming.

Tarter Gate’s Billy Goat Gruff brand offers a complete line of equipment required for raising and managing goats. Terhune and Bunch use Billy Goat Gruff gates and pens, as well as the Goat Worker.

“Tarter’s Goat Worker is the best investment you can make,” Terhune says. “Working goats in the proper position saves so much time and energy, with less stress on the animal.

“We like Tarter’s Goat Gofer for moving goats and other small animals into a pickup,” he adds.

The partners depend on Southern States for many of their other inputs. “Southern States has products and a great lineup of feeds and supplements designed just for meat goats,” Terhune says.

“It’s this kind of service and product lineup that makes Southern States and Billy Goat Gruff a great combination for our business,” he concludes.