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MEAT GOAT PRODUCTION HANDBOOK
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Sharon Valentine |
When asked about future economic
development in the state, a sage woman administrator
remarked, "the sun rises in eastern North Carolina".
In a state known for "high-tech", "bio-tech",
and "tech-prep", the North Carolina farmer,
with feet planted firmly in the soil, raises eyes
to the horizon for future trends, and then puts calloused
hands to the task of "making it happen".
The innovative nature of these individuals, coupled
with "horse-sense savvy", has historically
founded the first state university, pioneered integrated
poultry and pork production and developed value-added
food products of international reputation. The results
of these ventures catapulted North Carolina from simple
"farming" to agri-business leadership.
And so it goes as attention is now turned to the meat
goat. Is it any wonder then that a "grass-roots"
movement to develop meat goat enterprises has taken
off? After all a great deal more goat meat would be
consumed if it were available, albeit at prices affordable
to ethnic consumers. The problem is not in matching
supply with demand. The problem lies with inefficient
production and an inept marketing system.
Farmers and ranchers in the southeastern U.S. are
searching for new sources of farm income and ways
to diversify their operations, develop sound and cost
effective environmental practices, and enable survival
in a global economy. They are uniquely equipped to
meet the short falls of the meat goat industry by
nearness to markets and an abundance of feed supplies.
This handbook on meat goat production and marketing
emanates from a grant from the North Carolina Development
Center to the Mid-Carolina Council of Governments,
Fayetteville, Roger Sheats, Executive Director. The
grant provided monies for a Feasibility Study on Goat
Meat Production in North Carolina under the leadership
of Ms. Sharon Valentine.
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The major objectives of this
study were:
1. Characterization of the current meat goat industry
in North Carolina and assessment of potential for
expansion.
2. Characterization of the North Carolina and United
States markets for slaughter goats.
3. Examination of the possibility of establishing
a state or regional meat goat producers association.
4. Planning and implementation of statewide conferences
to provide participants information on prospective
returns from meat goat enterprises.
5. Development and publication of a Handbook to provide
technical information on goat production and marketing
and guidelines for enterprise budgeting and planning.
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No single Handbook on meat goat production and marketing
is ever fully comprehensive nor does it remain current
very long. However, within the limitations of budgetary,
time, and data constraints, we feel this Handbook will
be of much value to present and prospective producers
and marketers of meat goats.
This Handbook could not have been written without generous
contributions from a number of experts, with whom it
has been my very special privilege to come to know and
appreciate. Of special note is Dr. Frank Pinkerton,
a.k.a. "the goat man" and long time observer
of the meat goat industry. He is the editor-in-chief
of this effort and has freely shared his expertise,
his time and his humor as he compiled this Handbook.
Special thanks also to Dr. Lynn Harwell, (Clemson University
Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist); Dr. Jim Green,
Dr. Paul Mueller, and Dr. Matt Poore, (N.C. State University's
Forage and Small Ruminants professors), who knew what
was happening "out there", enthusiastically
responded with countless hours of unsung, unpaid, extra
work, and hundreds of phone calls. Their sustained and
cheerful assistance has literally put the meat goat
industry "on the ground" in North Carolina.
I would be remiss if I did not also acknowledge our
"entrepreneurial bureaucrats": Rural Economic
Development's Billy Ray Hall and Dr. Ed Bishop as well
as Mid-Carolina Council of Governments' Roger Sheats.
Neither have let "red tape" choke entrepreneurial
dreams and creative rural ventures.
Last, but not least, a special thank you to my husband,
Steve Quinn, who is my technical advisor and who, frequently
(but usually gently) reminds me of the one who does
the "real work" around here. |
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