Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Running a goat milking stand is one small business option for those accustomed to dealing with docile livestock such as goats. If you have the space and an easily found location you can service the needs of consumers seeking fresh goat milk, which is considered a delicacy and a preferred dairy beverage by some. The supply list for operating a goat stand ranges from items useful in the milking process to suiting the needs of customers.
The Texas Longhorns are the athletics teams for the University of Texas at Austin. Whether you are a student at the University of Texas at Austin, an alumnus or simply a fan of the teams, decorating a door is a way to show your pride in the teams. One of several methods can be used to make such a door. Select the one that best suits the look you want.
Computers don't look like they have any place in a cattle drive or a slaughterhouse. Like other businesses, however, livestock owners have embraced computers as tools for everything from bookkeeping to cattle breeding. Ranchers with herds of 10,000 use computers in their work, and so do farmers with only 10 cows, according to Cattlesoft Inc.
With a portable goat milking shed, you can milk the animals wherever you want. Instead of herding your goats into the barn, you can take your portable shed to the pasture and milk them there. You can either carry it with another person to a nearby milking location or load it onto a trailer or pickup truck, if the herd is farther away. With the help of a friend, you can build a portable goat milking shed in about an afternoon.
One of the primary ways that cattle herders control their grazing land is by using herbicides to kill off undesirable weeds and brush that their cattle cannot or should not eat. Ranchers may also employ personnel or purchase equipment to control the buildup of brush on their land. However, another effective and natural way to clear land of brush buildup is by owning a herd of goats to take care of the brush for you. These “brush” goats are an effective means of clearing grazing land for cattle.
Each state sets the rules and regulations for milk production. The federal government provides guidelines in the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, a publication from several government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration. Most states follow or exceed these guidelines. The rules and regulations differ for Grade A and Grade B milk. Grade A milk is primarily used for fluid consumption and has higher quality and sanitation requirements than Grade B milk. Grade B milk is used for manufacturing and made into cheese, butter or other products. Rules also differ according to…
Goats require proper care and nutrition year round. However, because grazing might not be a possibility in the winter months, and because added supplements lead to a healthier goat, planned strategies for feeding goats in winter are essential. The goat's feeding plan will depend on the current health of your goats or goats, as well as the goat sex and age. Yet, some elements of your plan should remain consistent throughout the winter.
A horse is a herbivorous animal member of the scientific family Equidae, genus Equus. Horses have been kept as pets and as a crucial means of transportation throughout the centuries, and also have been used for various purposes such as for industrial work and sports. Goats are members of the cattle family Bovidae, genus Capra, and are akin to sheep. Also herbivorous and versatile, goats were among the earliest domesticated animals. While horses and goats have a myriad of comparable and contrasting attributes, both require proper care in order to thrive.
Goats are popularly kept by small farm holders in America and the goat population, according to the USDA-NASS data of 2006, is estimated at around 3 million.Most of these goats are kept in the South and southeastern states.Texas is the highest producer, while Missourim at number six, has an estimated goat population of 81,000, according to the USDA data of 2006. Missouri farms are small, as around 85 percent of farms are less than 500 Acres, as reported by 1992 USDA data, These small farms are suitable for rearing some goat breeds that do quite well.
Proud owners of breeding female goats groom them carefully prior to each show to exhibit the animal’s beauty. Although these females should be groomed just prior to the show date, it is important to brush the animal’s coat on a regular basis to make sure the skin and hair remains in optimal condition. When grooming breeding female goats, you need to complete a number of tasks if the goat is to look her best on the day of the show.
Baby goats, better known as kids, require shelter that is dry and away from wind or drafts. Goats are very sensitive to extremes in temperature and will not go out in the rain. Goats that get wet are more susceptible to getting sick and developing pneumonia. Kids require the same types of shelter as adult goats, but a stall for a kid should protect it from the elements as well as provide a comfortable place for sleeping and feeding. Stalls for kids can be within an existing goat shelter.
Showing your goat at a competition is a fun way to showcase your livestock against other people's. Competitors will be judged on their ability to control their goat, the look of their goat and their knowledge of the goat industry. With appearance being important, competitors must learn to bring out the best characteristics of their goat, learn how to hide a goat's faults and learn how to make their goat look its best. Proper grooming techniques will help competitors achieve the best possible look for their goats.
Grooming your goat is essential whether you use it as a show animal or for its milk and flesh. Whatever breed of goat you own, you should maintain its well-being by bathing it and keeping its coat trimmed every spring. Regular grooming keeps the coat clean and healthy, and prevents the hair from getting tangled and attracting dust. By using the appropriate grooming accessories, you can easily groom your goat on your own.
Goats are ideal pets for families who have an enclosed outdoor area -- that way the goats can roam freely. Nubian goats have a mild temperament and mesh well with other pets such as dogs and cats. Nubian goats are readily identified by their long floppy ears and can provide your family with a supply of milk.
Cattle breeding is a labor-intensive endeavor that requires heavy time and asset commitments from the cattle owner. The IRS understands that cattle breeders operate on a slim profit margin, and need every break they can get when it comes to paying taxes. Subsequently, breeders can find a range of deductions, from travel expenses to cattle feed.
A Pygmy goat's hooves grow continuously and need to be trimmed several times a year, depending on how fast they grow. Pygmy's that live on hard, rocky ground or spend a lot of time on cement or stone surfaces will see more wear in their hooves and will need them trimmed less. Those that live on softer ground will not have this advantage and may need their hooves trimmed up to once every six weeks. It is important that a regular schedule of trimming is adhered to, as excessive and untended hoof growth can lead to issues such as laminitis…
Farmers breed goats for their milk, meat and fiber. Successful breeding depends on the use of quality does and bucks and mating them at the right time. Before you begin breeding goats, it is important to determine your purpose in breeding goats: for milk, meat or hair. Begin with a dairy breed such as Alpine, Nubian, Sannen or LaMancha if you want goats for household milk. If you intend selling or using the goats for their meat, start with breeds such as Pygmy or Spanish goats.
The Angora goat is a mountain goat originally from Ankara, Turkey, the region from which this goat derives its name. This long-haired goat produces a wool called mohair, which is not related to angora fur. Confusion sometimes results because of this. Angora rabbits produce angora, which is rabbit fur and not a wool. Mohair is a breathable and luxuriously soft fiber that can be knit or crocheted into sweaters, socks or other garments or woven into blankets or rugs. The soft texture of mohair is retained by proper care of the mohair item. The hairs can be brushed and fluffed…
The showing of animals at livestock shows has a number of benefits both to the person showing the animals and the industry surrounding the shows. The shows encourage breeders to present high-quality animals, allowing them to potentially make big profits from the sale of their show animals and giving the livestock industry a boost by putting it in the public eye. Goats are shown primarily in three breed sections: meat, dairy and fiber, and judges look for different characteristics about the goats in each category. Raising a show goat requires taking care of all the animal's needs, such as shelter,…
Goats are very adaptable creatures, and although they can thrive in large, open spaces, they can also do well in smaller areas. However, you must consider certain things when you raise a meat goat in a smaller area, such as protecting them from predators; keeping them healthy; and making sure they get the proper nutrients, since they won't be exposed to the same amount of pasture as goats in larger areas. Other than those considerations though, raising meat goats on a small acreage is very similar to raising them on a large pasture.
Goats were one of the first animals domesticated by mankind. They can provide high-quality milk, lean meat and mohair, cashmere and other fleeces. More importantly, while many species of goats are headstrong and irritable, there are several breeds which can be extremely friendly and make great pets. For residents of Colorado looking to provide their own organic milk, start a goat-related business or increase the production of their farm, several hardy goat species can make excellent additions to a family farm.
Mohair-producing goats are called Angora goats, and the hair they grow over most of their bodies is sheared and used for items such as clothing. Angoras originated in Turkey, but were exported to other countries beginning in the 19th century. They are considered a delicate breed of goat because of the energy they expend on fiber production. If Angoras are cared for well, they produce 8 to 16 lbs of mohair a year.
Proper hoof care is an essential part of raising healthy goats, and hoof care regimens should include regular trimming and examinations. Domesticated goats have hoof care needs that differ greatly from those of their wild counterparts, whose hooves become naturally worn from travel over long distances and varied surfaces. Goats kept in confined spaces and exposed to high moisture levels or manure content sometimes develop foot rot or scald, hoof diseases common in sheep and goats. Foot rot is a bacterial infection caused by the microorganism Dichelobacter nodosus, whereas foot scald refers to toe inflammation caused by the Fusobacterium necrophorum…
Goats are quickly becoming the livestock of choice for people who have small acreage. You can reasonably place seven or eight goats on an area that would only sustain one cow. Start small with just a few goats and buy more -- if after careful observation of the land, it reveals that vegetation is still available and you are not having to supplement with hay or grain.
Pygmy goats can begin to breed as early as one year after they are born and deliver kids every nine months after that. The animals are native to West Africa but they thrive in most climates. They are often raised commercially as dairy goats but many people keep them as pets and because they are small, about the same size as a large dog, they can seem frailer than they actually are. But, all goats should have shelter. The National Pygmy Goat Association recommends a draft-free 8-by-10-foot shed "furnished with elevated sleeping and feeding places."
The Texas longhorn breed of cattle, sidelined as a primary beef source throughout the 20th century, may be on the verge of a comeback. After having replaced the bison as the dominant Great Plains ruminant, the longhorn was the preferred breed among cattle ranchers for the latter decades of the 1800s. However, importing and crossbreeding cattle left the longhorn behind, and the longhorn disappeared from the Plains. Still, the genetic uniformity of the imported breeds has left them less able to withstand the economic, environmental and social pressures buffeting animal agriculture. Consequently, producers are now reviewing the sturdy and durable…
Fainting goats are a type of goat that are known for a physical reaction to sudden aural and visual stimuli. When surprised, these domesticated animals' muscles will freeze for up to 10 seconds. This usually causes them to fall over. Because they appear to pass out, they are called "fainting goats." Despite this abnormal behavior, these animals require the same feeding, housing and medical care as other goats.
Goats have the reputation of being the ultimate omnivores, cheerfully willing and able to eat anything from the toughest weeds to laundry from the line. In truth, like cattle, sheep and other ruminants, they require a varied diet to stay healthy. Grass, hay and commercial feeds are the primary foods for most domestic goats, but they appreciate other tastes in their diet.
Humans have traditionally categorized goats into two main types: meat goats and dairy goats. While these categories have been criticized for classifying them in terms of their use to humans, they represent the prevailing method by which goats are studied and understood. By examining these two types, the differences and similarities between particular goat breeds can be easily observed.
Few people realize how fragile goats are when it comes to their care. Small, penned-up areas cause stress for these animals, which are instinctive roamers, and this can actually result in an early death. Goats can be raised healthy and happy by expanding their boundaries to your property limits, which encourages free roaming.
Pygmy goats can bear one to four babies every 9 to 12 months, and sometimes mother goats abandon their babies because of illness or exhaustion. Abandoned babies can still become strong, healthy adults, but they require special care, especially in the first few days of life. It's important to keep the newborn warm and get it the nutrients and antibodies it needs. The first few days will be exhausting for you, so get some help while you take care of the abandoned newborn.
Kid goats should feed on their mother's nipples shortly after birth. At first, the doe will give a yellow type of milk called colostrum. Colostrum provides essential nutrients and antibodies, since goats are born without immunity to diseases. If your kid goat is an orphan, the doe has no milk or the baby is unable to feed on its mother, you must feed it by hand. After the first feedings of colostrum, switch to regular goat's milk or a milk replacer.
The African Pygmy goat, which is smaller than the standard goat (as its name implies) is primarily raised for show or for petting zoos. They are friendly and good-natured, making them particularly good pets. They are meat goats, although they do produce milk commensurate with their size and feed. With an average gestation of 145 to 155 days, they can give birth to as many as four calves every 9 to 12 months.
Pygmy goats are miniature relatives of dairy and meat goats. They are domesticated and usually only grow to a maximum height of 2 feet. Pygmy goats produce a large amount of milk for their size, but are not typically raised for that reason. The good-natured, gregarious pygmy is instead more often raised as a household pet.
Trimming your Nubian goat's hooves is a necessary task that you should do regularly. Nubians whose hooves are left neglected can develop such ailments as hoof scald or hoof rot. Prevention is the key to ensuring your Nubian remains healthy.
There are many opportunities to make money by raising goats. You can raise goats for meat, breeding stock, showing, or even for pets. Since there are many paths to take, you need to decide what aspect most appeals to you and make a plan. Researching the market in your area will help you make the right decision on which path to follow in the goat industry.
Like other mammal species, young goats are similar to adults, and feed primarily on the mother's milk. Wild goats were domesticated about 9,000 years ago. Since then, natural and selective crossbreeding has resulted in more than 90 different goat breeds. While size and appearance of goat babies can vary widely according to their breed, most goat babies share common development and diet.
Oklahoma State University's Department of Animal Science states that the first Corriente cattle were brought to North America in 1493 by the Spanish. Corriente cattle, called Criollo, almost disappeared in the 1900s, but still survived in Central and South America and parts of the southern U.S. They are small --- bulls weigh 1,000 pounds and heifers weigh 750 pounds --- but hardy cattle that were bred for meat and milk, and they can withstand both cold and heat and require less feed than beef cattle. These lean, agile cattle are commonly used in roping events in the rodeo. Corriente cattle…
Boer goats feature a red head and a wide body with white colorings. Depending on the lineage, the goat may also have white markings on the face. The goats came from parts of South Africa and several cultures now use the meat of the goat as a food source. Whether you keep the goats for butchering or raise the goats as pets, you need some basic care tips. Caring for Boer goats properly ensures the survival of the animals.
Small land holders and home owners with larger yards are taking an increasing interest in producing more of their own food at home. Enter the goat. An excellent producer of milk and meat, goats can be raised on a smaller pasture, such as a backyard. They are fairly quiet animals (certainly no louder than neighborhood dogs), produce pelleted manure that's excellent for the garden, and are as friendly as any other pet in the area. Goats need companions to keep them happy, so be sure to make space for at least two goats in your plan.
Goats have a very specific breeding cycle, which begins at puberty and continues as the does -- female goats -- go into heat, mate with bucks -- male goats -- and reproduce. The breeding cycle culminates in a kid -- a baby goat. Goat breeding cycles follow a regular, careful schedule.
Pasture used for grazing cattle will need to be restored every three to six years, depending how heavily it was grazed. Not only will the grass get "tired," slowly giving way to weeds and non-planted species, but cattle hooves slowly damage seeding, especially during wet weather. In order for a pasture to supply its full-forage potential it must be reseeded, since simply resting it will not increase the percentage of planted grass species in comparison to weeds.
Goats have been domesticated by humans longer than cattle or sheep, and gain in popularity among all types of farmers, from the backyard hobbyist to large-scale commercial goat farmers. Goats require less space, feed and care than cattle, and goat milk is well known for its health benefits. Before taking on goat rearing and production, consider how much time you have for milking, to help you select which goat is best.
Pygmy goats are a small type of goat weighing between 40 and 60 pounds. They are often kept to provide milk, as pets or to graze the brush that grows in cattle pastures. Like all goats, pygmy goats are very hardy animals, and it is sometimes assumed that they can eat anything. However, pygmy goats need to be given a proper diet and habitat to be healthy and live long lives.
A grinder mixer serves as a mill to refine and combine the various feed grains that compose a farm animal's diet. For beef cattle, grains are the primary form of sustenance during the finishing stage, when rapid weight gain is needed. To meet the requirements for optimal nutrition, grains must be crushed, mixed and, in some cases, medicinally supplemented for livestock to reach the desired weight while retaining good health. Central to this task are the machine's hammers and screw auger, which pulverize and mix, respectively. The capacity and horsepower of the grinder mixer must be relative to a farmer's…
Outside of a petting zoo, most goats in the United States are bred either for milk production or for their meat. A large number of goat breeds exist worldwide, but only a few are commonly bred in the U.S. for agricultural purposes. Generally, to get goats to produce milk the females have to give birth. The resulting offspring tend to be sold for food, meaning dairy and meat breeds tend to be the same.
When selecting a beef calf, you want to look at its conformation to determine the animal's quality. If the calf is from purebred registered parents then also look at its genetic records. To judge a calf's conformation, walk into the pen and carefully look at it from all four sides. Observe the shapes of the animal's individual body parts and how they fit together. Compare the animal with a mental picture of how the ideal beef calf looks.
Meat goats are not overwhelmingly difficult to raise, but producing healthy, heavy goats on a small plot does present a challenge. Goats are ruminants and, in an open pasture, spend the majority of their waking hours wandering and grazing. In confinement, however, goats can become bored and turn their grazing habits into destructive pawing and chewing. Keeping your herd stimulated and busy is key to successfully raising meat goats in confinement.
Several breeds of goats have more docile and calm temperaments than other breeds, thus leading to quieter natures overall. There are no silent goat breeds, however, and even the quiet ones can become loud if they are scared or excited. The amount of bleating and noise-making overall is reduced when you keep goats happy, healthy and well tended.
All dairy and beef farms require cattle pens, which may house heifers, calving cows or sick cattle. The construction of a cattle pen is fairly simple, consisting of overlapping gates supported on hinges. The pen must be able to be easily taken apart so it can be cleaned regularly. Some farmers prefer heavy gates because they are more durable, while others choose lighter varieties because they are easier to work with. The pen also must open easily so cattle can be moved in and out of it.
