| Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation |
Welcome to the GOAT MEAT chapter of RIRDC's major new publication (contents page here) on nearly 100 new rural industries.
To speed downloading, this html page does not contain all tables,
photographs or figures. To get them download a complete pdf version of
this chapter from here.
(You'll need the free Adobe Acrobat reader from here, if you don't
have it).
Alternatively, you can buy the full, colour 570-page book from RIRDC
($40 plus $8 postage and handling) by phoning 02 6272 4819
![]()
Prime goat meat is traditionally regarded as lean, tender and juicy.
It is sold under many names but `capretto', the Italian name for tender,
milk-fed kid, is the best known in Australia. Australia is the world's
leading goat-meat exporter, with the majority of meat originating from
captured feral goats. Orders for goat meat usually exceed our capacity
to supply. Unfortunately these markets depend on the low cost and erratic
sources of feral goats from semi-arid rangelands. Expanding potential markets
in south-east Asia cannot be supplied as production of farm-reared goats
is low. Unsupplied markets exist in all capital cities in Australia. The
goat-meat industry needs greater supply of quality, market-specific goat
meat, which means more goats on well managed farms in reliable grazing
districts. Only some abattoirs slaughter goats.
Key messages |
|
Restaurants and butchers prefer young animals with carcases up to 12 kg although some wholesalers prefer heavier carcases. Religious festivals (Christmas, Easter and Ramadan) provide peak demand for quality carcases Export markets specifications range from carcases up to 12 kg, to carcases from 14 to 16 kg or over 20 kg. Prices vary with markets and season and range from $0.50 up to $5.00/kg carcase weight.
There is a need for cooperation between suppliers, wholesalers and retailers or exporters. High-value capretto markets can be further developed as seasonal markets which match the current supply situation. There are opportunities to supply specific cuts of chilled meat to the very high-value markets of the European Union.
Information packages for restaurants have been developed by the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation. These show how chefs can prepare premium dishes from various goat-meat cuts. AUSMEAT, who are responsible for the description of export carcases, have developed in conjunction with the industry a Goat Meat Language so that purchasers can specify their requirements precisely.
For the best returns sell:
• goats which are in good body condition
• goats which are at least 3 weeks off shears but not in full fleece
• goats which are outside any withholding period (i.e. have not been vaccinated or drenched within a certain period, depending on the treatment _ see instructions on the package)
• quiet animals which have been carefully handled and yarded to avoid bruising
• goats with the appropriate declaration forms correctly filled in
• goats ready on time for the livestock carrier
• the correct number of goats ready for marketing, no more and no less than has been agreed upon.
As goats grow, the proportion of the live weight which can be sold as a carcase increases. The carcase represents about 37% of young light-weight kids but increases to about 48% for good condition goats weighing 35 to 45 kg. The amount of fat in the carcase of goats increases as they become heavier. Older, heavy goat can be too fat for some markets.
New South Wales
Phone: (02) 9251 1700
Queensland
Phone: 07 4630 9122
South Australia
Phone: (08) 8764 2075
Fax: (08) 8764 2145
Tasmania
Phone: (03) 6398 5144
Victoria
Phone: (03) 5428 2357
Western Australia
Phone: (09) 309 3225
Mobile: 018 942 048
Boer Goat Breeders' Association of Australia Ltd
Phone/fax: (06)3 556 290
Davies, L. and Murray, G. 1997 The Economics of a Commercial Cashmere or Angora Goat Enterprise Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.
Browne, R. J. (Ed.) 1990 Cashmere Goats Notes 2nd Edition, Australian Cashmere Growers Association, Guildford, NSW, 350 pp.
Marketing Prime Goat Kids 1996 NSW Agriculture, Orange, 11 pp.
Industry Journals:
For the Australian Goat Report published fortnightly, which contains the latest prices for goat meat, and The Goat Farmer magazine, phone: (045) 761 218.
| Bruce McGregor is a Senior Animal Scientist whose extensive research and advisory programs in the Australian goat industries have developed scientifically based practical manage-ment and nutrition recommendations for non-tropical regions of Australia. He can be contacted on phone . |