Small Farm Conference and Rural Living Expo covers Animals and Animal Products

By MANDY SPIKES | Central Texas Edition

Extension horticulturist, Dr. Frank Dainello, presents information about crop production to participants visiting this year's North Zulch Small Farm Conference and Rural Living Expo held April 26 in North Zulch. Other presenters, seen here at the speakers table, included, from left, Dr. Frank Pinkerton, Milton Woods, and Dr. L.R. Sprott. -Staff photo by Spikes

May 8, 2003 -- At the North Zulch Small Farm Conference and Rural Living Expo, which took place April 26 in North Zulch, Dr. L.R. Sprott, professor and Extension beef cattle specialist with Texas A&M University, discussed the good and bad points in raising animals and animal products. Dr. Frank Pinkerton, who raises goats, talked about goats and the goat business.

"The number one priority when you have livestock is that you must have a consistent supply of grass. Remember, livestock production is fun most of the time," said Sprott.

He stated that if someone is considering raising livestock, they must make sure their fences are secure. "Nothing is more frustrating than trying to catch an animal that is on the loose.

"Make sure that you are keeping your animal healthy. You must also make sure you have adequate transportation when you are taking animals to market.

"When you are looking for animals to raise, you must get them from a reputable rancher or a trusted neighbor. It's important to start out right. Nothing is worse than getting a bad animal from an auction barn."

He explained that, at times, Mother Nature can get ugly, so it's important to be prepared and to take responsibility for all the problems that can arise.

"I can't stress the importance of asking yourself, do you have a market for this product. You also need to look at the wildlife industry, it's huge. With wildlife, you can get involved in exotic animals such as certain deer or buffalo. A pretty significant enterprise could be combining livestock with wildlife," he concluded.

"The goat business today has never been better," stated Pinkerton. "There is more money in talking about goats, though, than there is in raising them."

He said there are four months out of the year that a person doesn't want to sell goats. "You don't want to sell them between July and October. Their price will be off by 20 to 25 percent.

"Anyone that tells you that the goat market is saturated is lying. We need more goats. An imported goat is not equal to what is raised here, but the consumer doesn't care. There's not much difference in taste once it's treated and cooked. You are always at the mercy of the market.

"You should never overpay for a goat and you can't change you mind on raising goats. If you decide not to do it anymore them and you are in the middle of raising them, you will loose money."