How to Rent Land to Raise Meat Goats

Raising meat goats can be a profitable niche market for small farmers.

Growing U.S. ethnic populations are increasing demand for goat meat. As of 2010, this has made raising meat goats a profitable small-farm niche market. Consider marginal farmland or grazing land for your goat operation. Very poor grazing land will support two to four goats per acre, better pastures up to eight goats per acre. You can also use goats seasonally--and profitably--in brush control programs to reduce fire danger and to clean up or improve overgrown pastures and woodlands. "Co-graze" goats with horses, cattle or sheep too, because goats prefer browsing trees, shrubs and different herbaceous plants, which results in more balanced grazing.

Things You'll Need

• Business plan
• Cooperative Extension advisers

Instructions

1. Get specific on what land and facilities you need. Base this decision on the following criteria: advice from local Cooperative Extension advisers, your detailed business plan, available property and what is most cost effective. Consider how many goats you'll be raising, and figure out the number of goat shelters, storage barns, pastures and pens required. The adage, "If it won't hold water, it won't hold goats," means that fencing may be a major investment if you can't find an adequate existing setup.

2. Explore the option of feeding your goats for free--or maybe even making money--through using them in "vegetation management" at least part of the year. Balance the likely costs of providing fencing, water and full-time supervision during brush control projects against the likely feed savings or "rent-a-goat" profits. Reduce the amount of pastureland you need to rent--or the amount of hay you plan to buy--by this "free feed" amount, if this seems like a viable part of your meat goat plan.

3. Work with your Cooperative Extension office to generate a list of leads or suggestions for finding the right land or situation. Other good resources are university agriculture programs, the local farm bureau and real estate agents located in rural or semi-rural communities or agents who specialize in agricultural or grazing land. Search Craig's List for suitable land, and post an ad in the Wanted section.

4. Follow up on every viable lead. Discuss with landowners the rental or lease agreement options you prefer, keeping in mind this represents the entire business agreement between landlord and tenant. Propose a crop-share lease. This would work if you provide the labor and essential equipment, the landowner provides the land and buildings and the two of you share livestock ownership. Then you evenly divide all costs in exchange for a 50-50-profit split. Propose a cash lease if you would prefer to pay rent for use of farm resources and otherwise operate independently.

Tips & Warnings

• Raising goats is profitable, but it's also more than a full-time job. Goats require 24-hour care every day of the year. Thus, make sure it's a commitment your family can make.

• Be realistic about finances. Your goat venture should be profitable within three to five years, but you may need off-farm income to help carry you until then.

• Make sure you have a nearby commercial market for your meat goats, whether you're raising breeding stock, purebred show goats or animals for slaughter.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Are You Thinking of Raising Meat Goats?
• North Carolina State University: Meat Goats in Land and Forage Management
• Iowa State University Extension: Improving Your Farm Lease Contract

Resources

• Maryland Cooperative Extension: Raising Goats for Meat
• USDA: Cooperative Extension System offices
• Extension.org: Goat Pastures and Forage
• Langston University: Goats for Vegetation Management