The Feasibility of Meat Goats in Minnesota
Summary Report

Background

Goats as a species have a long history as domesticated animals used for human consumption.  Today it is estimated that there are more than 460 million goats worldwide producing 4.5 million tons of milk and 1.2 million tons of meat annually (Haenlein 1994, Shelton 1992).  Historically in the United States goats have been used principally for fiber and milk production.  In the United States, it is estimated that there are two million fiber goats and one million dairy goats.  While historical emphasis has been upon fiber and milk production, recent increases in the demand for goat meat from ethnic and health conscious groups has shifted some emphasis from fiber and milk production to meat production.  It is estimated that there are one half million meat goats currently raised in the United States (Shelton 1992, USDA 1993).

In general, the meat goat industry is disorganized and not well defined.  Few official statistics on either a national or state basis are kept.  Because official records are not kept, it is difficult to estimate the total number of goats (fiber, milk, and meat) in Minnesota.  Based on membership in formal goat producer organizations, it is estimated that the number of goats in Minnesota is near five thousand.  The number of additional goats in Minnesota not accounted for in formal goat associations is nearly impossible to ascertain.  Regardless of the total number of goats produced in Minnesota, very few are produced solely for meat production, suggesting that primary data used to analyze the industry be interpreted carefully and cautiously.

Recent increases in immigration and the subsequent increase in ethnic populations that are familiar with and prefer goat meat, have created an optimistic and enthusiastic atmosphere among current and potential goat producers.  While interest and optimism have increased, a limited amount of formal work has occurred toward assessing the feasibility of raising goats within the state.  This work represents a first known attempt at determining the feasibility of raising meat goats within the state of Minnesota.  Understanding that this is a first attempt at determining the feasibility of raising meat goats in Minnesota, producers or potential producers should be aware that production costs and marketing niches in the Minnesota meat goat industry can and do differ among producers.  Differences among producers can and will affect the feasibility of producing meat goats.  Potential producers should use caution and careful analysis when deciding whether or not to enter the market.

The enterprise budget is one method commonly used to analyze the feasibility of producing livestock.  Examples of enterprise budgets used in other states are presented in the appendix of this paper.  A simple enterprise budget for Minnesota producers has been prepared using information obtained from individuals holding key positions in the Minnesota meat goat marketing chain.  The budget was developed in a Microsoft Excel format allowing producers, or potential producers, to evaluate potential returns and costs associated with their specific operations.  Regardless of the method used to analyze the feasibility of an industry, any decision to enter the meat goat market should rely on careful individual consideration of the market potential and specific production characteristics unique to the area and producer.

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