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Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation |
The New Rural Industries
A handbook for Farmers and Investors
Welcome to the GOAT MEAT chapter of RIRDC's major new publication (contents page here) on nearly 100 new rural industries.
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Goat meat
Introduction
Production of goat meat in Australia is valued at approximately $20 million per annum. Goats used for meat production also benefit pasture and help to control many weeds. These benefits are discussed fully in the chapter on mohair.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.
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Markets and marketing issues
Goat meat is exported at commodity prices to Taiwan (35% of the market), Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, USA, the Caribbean and to high value markets in Europe. Frozen carcases comprise 77% of the meat trade, with bone-in cuts, boneless meat and live goats making up the remainder. Some markets have very specific requirements. Specified cuts have been sold to restaurants but this trade is severely limited by the shortage of quality animals. Smallgoods manufacturing depends on a supply of boneless meat, generally obtained from the slaughter of older goats. Currently, demand for this type of goat is relatively low. In past years live goats and carcases have been air-freighted to markets in the Middle East. Potential exists to develop chilled primal-cut markets in Asia but a predictable supply of high-value animals must be maintained.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.
Production requirements
General requirements are discussed in the chapter on mohair.Breeds
Meat is produced by all the fibre goats, dairy goats, feral goats and the improved boer goat. Boer goats, from southern Africa, are selected short-haired goats specifically bred for meat. Some boer goats also produce cashmere and cross-bred boer X cashmere goats are becoming more numerous. A range of pure and cross-bred boer goats is available.Animal husbandry
See chapter on mohair. For efficient meat production it is essential that predators be controlled before kidding.Disease control
The major issues are covered in the chapter on mohair. To ensure that meat products comply with food safety standards, it is essential to adhere strictly to the withholding periods for all chemicals used in the control of diseases. The withholding periods will be stated on the package in which the chemicals are sold.Harvesting, handling and marketing requirements
Market requirements can vary with seasons and between years so it is important to contact potential buyers, agents or your association in advance to ensure that you clearly understand the current market requirements. For meat markets it is essential to know which market is being targeted and plan appropriate mating and nutrition practice to suit.For the best returns sell:
- • healthy well fed clean goats
• 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.
3 to 6 mm (body condition score 2 or 3). It may be necessary to provide special nutritional management for twin-reared kids so that they reach marketable weight and condition at a suitable time. The supplementary feeding of grain to such kids or to their lactating does can improve carcase weight, fatness and condition.
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.
Economics of production
Gross margin data for capretto production with cashmere and mohair production are given in the Table 1. Quotes for adult goats sold for meat range from $0.50 per kg carcase weight to $30 per head. Meat prices can be volatile. Limited offers ranging from $30 to 40 per head for capretto kids have been reported and an indicative gross margin for such prices without fibre sales is given.Key contacts
For information about Goat Meat Producer Associations or meat marketing: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
Key references
Brydon, D. (Ed.) 1990 Goat Health and Production. Proceeding No. 134. Post-Graduate Committee in Veterinary Science, University of Sydney 500 pp.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.
*About the author
| 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 . |
