Meat Goat Blog

Fun Facts About Goats

Here are just over 100 fun facts about goats.

1. There are over 200 breeds of goats in the world.

2. There are approximately 450 million goats around the world.

3. Goats do not have teeth in their upper front jaw.

4. Goats have 24 molars and 8 incisors.

5. Goats can be born with or without horns (polled).

6. Worldwide, more people eat and drink milk from goats than any other animal.

7. Goats have a four chamber stomach that contains fermenting bacteria and protozoan that aid in breaking down their food.

8. Wattles are those little tufts of hair that covers the skin that dangles from the throat of some goats. Wattles serve no function.

9. Goats are one the cleanliest animals and is much more selective feeders than cows, sheep, pigs, swine and even dogs.

10. The top ten states with the largest population of meat goats are Texas (1,010,000), Tennessee (98,000), Georgia (77,000), Oklahoma (65,000), Kentucky (63,500), North Carolina (52,200), California (50,000), South Carolina (41,000), Alabama (37,800) and Florida (36,000;NASS, 2005). 

11. If you want to see the full 101 goat facts, go to http://www.meatgoatblog.com/meat_goat_blog/2013/08/101-fun-facts-about-goats.html

Spanish Buck Added To Herd Sires

A Spanish buck was added to our herd sires in December. Sancho is pure Spanish and was purchased from Smoke Ridge in Montana. He was immediately put to work with approximately 40 of our doelings.

The doelings were going to be bred in January so we decided to see what kind of kids Sancho will throw. He's a nice looking buck and made the 1,200 mile trip without any apparent problems. Typically we would have penned him separate from our other goats, but decided this time to see what would happen. None of them  have showed any signs of problems three weeks later.

Sancho left Montana in minus 30 degrees to arrive here at 50 degrees, quite the change. The temperature difference didn't faze him either. We are pleased with what he has done so far. Of course the real tests are yet to come, twins, hardiness, parasite resistance, and survivability.

Is a Freshened Up Web Page one of Your New Year's Resolutions?

Procrastination is a killer isn't it! How many times have we heard goat ranchers say, " I need to get the web page updated. " But, another year goes by and nothing happens. You tell yourself 'word of mouth is the best advertising anyway" !

It's true there is no better way to get new customers than word of mouth. So why do you even need a web page anyway? One reason is the questions those potential customers never ask you because they just don't call. Take me for example, when someone gives me a recommendation, do I pick up the phone to call. No! The first thing I usually do is google them to see what else I can find out. Like many people, I prefer to see a little more about the business before I wast my time on the telephone. Besides, I don't want to spend a lot of time on the phone if it doesn't look like what I need.

If a new web site or updates to your existing one is on your list of things to get done this year, do it now while it's cold outside and before kidding season starts. We suggest you talk to Harry Bryan at the Bryan Group. He specializes in agricultural web pages and " does what he says he will. " Give him a call at (865) 256-5379 unless you're like me and want to look first, then go to take a peak  what he can do for you at http://www.bryangroup.net/index.htm

Brush Clearing Company Has New Owners

Fosters Green Industries Goat Trimmers is the new owner of a goat clearing business we wrote about a few months ago. The owners, John F.Foster & Kat Foster (daughter in-law co-Owner), use primarily Savannas due to Oklahoma's worm  and parasite problem.They  have approximately 100 goats available for  large jobs and for small ones have found that 20 can easily clear up to 5 acres. In order to keep the goats from wandering away, they use electric netting around the work area. The fence holds the goats in the area and has enough power to keep wild dogs away. The Fosters charge $1.00 per day per goat on the property plus a set-up fee and a transportation fee  .75 cents per mile up to 50 miles. The guarantee they give is "We  don’t leave until the customer is satisfied."

You can reach them by e-mail at  fosters_g.i.goat_trimmers@cox.net or by telephone at (918) 340-0867