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Value-Added Goats |
Robert Spencer
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Urban Regional Extension
Specialist
Alabama Cooperation Extension System |
| After being an observer of and participant in the
goat “business” for seven years now, I have
continued to notice some goats are worth more than others.
While pondering that observation I reflected back upon
the economics and marketing classes from my earlier
years. In marketing there is perceived value (worth)
of a product. The buyer is always tying to buy an item
at it’s best possible value (cheapest), and the
seller is always trying to maximize potential profit
(highest price possible . Opinions between buyer and
seller often differ over the value (price) of a product.
The same applies to goats, although you might think
a goat is a goat that is not true. There are different
categories of goats and their value (price) will vary
accordingly. |
| A few years ago in my infinite wisdom I decided to
learn the difference in value of these goats, which
is code for “trying to buy goats I cannot afford”.
While having my learning experience, I became curious
why one persons goats may be worth more than someone
else’s goats. It was then I began to learn about
meat goats, breeding stock, and show goats, and how
they differ in value. Let me illustrate it this way:
Lay out a fifty dollar bill (what it takes to fill-up
your car’s gas tank), a two hundred dollar bill
(I know they don’t exist, this is hypothetical
(pretend)), and a five hundred dollar bill (never seen
one but I know they exist). The fifty dollar bill would
represent the value of a meat goat, the two hundred
dollar bill (made on a computer) would represent a breed-stock
goat, and the five hundred dollars would be the worth
of a show goat. That is the best way I know to easily
illustrate the differing value of goats. |
| My luck being what it is when trying to buy goats
I never met someone that sold good goats at meat goat
prices (range of $40 - $75). I could hardly afford a
goat of breed-stock value ($150 - $400), and could only
buy one at a time; and they already had to be bred.
Buying bred does is another value-added story. As my
adventures continued I finally began to meet farmers
that had show quality goats, and they were way out of
my price range ($500 – several thousand dollars).
Those of us in the goat business have heard the stories
about bucks selling for fifteen thousand dollars and
much, much more; and they are true. However, if I were
ever fortunate enough (in my dreams) to buy a buck worth
that much; with my luck he would die within sixty days
of being on my farm. |
| Over the years I have developed an appreciation for
the difference in quality of goats and the difference
in the value of goats. Sometimes I see it and sometimes
I don’t. However, I continue to urge people to
consider showing their goats in competitive shows. Your
animal does not have to win, nor even place, it just
allows you to say you have show goats, and that seems
to automatically justify an increase in the value of
a goat or goat herd. |
| Participating in show events with your goats and children
can be fun. Encourage your children to show your/their
goats, it is a good way to get them involved in agriculture.
Just remember, it is the competitive spirit and camaraderie
that makes showing goats fun. Don’t get concerned
with the fact a judge may be biased in favor of established
producers, chooses goats based upon the registry they
are associated with, or chooses over-fed/obese goats
over healthy/quality stock. |
| And by the way, if the Treasury Department ever decides
to make a two hundred dollar bill I hope they do put
my picture on it. After all, in a few years, at the
rate gas prices have been increasing it may take a two
hundred dollar bill to fill the gas tank on your car.
Then you can say “it took Robert Spencer to fill
my tank”.
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