Goats are a popular animal to raise, nowadays, as statistics show the industry is definitely growing. One former cattle producer noted he now uses his land to raise goats at a cost of $115 per year per doe; and he runs six does an acre. -- Staff photo by Montgomery

March 9, 2006 - According to agricultural economists, the goat industry is new, viable industry that many producers can utilize.

This market was recently discussed by Eric Lum, a goat raiser for seven years, at the Four States Agricultural Expo in Texarkana.

When getting started, Lum said to ask yourself what your ultimate goal is. “Are you wanting to clean up brush, raise kids to be sold for meat, produce market show kids, or produce seed-stock for other breeders?

Once the goal is determined, the producer will know how much investment will be needed, and how much return can be expected.

Lum produces for market show kids and targets fall shows. 

A target season, which can be tough to achieve, has enabled the former registered Angus breeder to make more money with goats than his cattle. 

“It cost me $115 per year to keep a doe,” which includes worming, feeding, veterinary, etc. He runs six does to an acre. 

Lum currently has around 25 does and three bucks at his farm southwest of New Boston. This year’s kid crop totalled 47. 

“I kid out the first of January. My first kid hit the ground on Jan. 3 and the last hit (the end of January). I kid only once a year and keep a certain number of replacement females.” (When the replacement enters the herd, an older doe is sold, Lum added.)

Lum’s kids arrive in January because he turns the bucks in with the does around Aug. 15.

The goat producer has also had some triple births, but said “you can only raise two babies to their full potential.” Lum will give one of the three to an area youngster.  

To produce for the show market, Lum stated the females need to be at least three-quarter Boer. They do not have to be registered. The bucks need to be fullblood Boer. 

He suggested if a producer was mainly seeking to clean up brush around the place, then Spanish goats can be used instead of the more expensive Boer goats.

Once the producer has decided what they are going to do with their goats, where are they going to stay?

“Housing is the most critical thing,” said Lum, who is also a former Bowie County Extension agent.

At the Lum farm, 15-square-feet per adult is norm, with kidding pens 15- to 20-square feet. There are multiple sheds or areas under a barn, designed to protect goats from winds from the north, west and east. 

“Have as many pastures as you can have,” he suggested. Lum has separate pastures for first-time moms, older does, in-between goats, replacement goats, and bucks.”

Fencing is another issue when considering goats. There are many types in today’s marketplace. 

Lum stated he designed his net-type wire fences to keep out dogs and coyotes. “If I do this successfully, then I don’t have to worry about goats getting out.”

He uses six-and-a-half-foot t-posts, placed 10-feet apart, with barbed wire at the bottom. He then adds hog wire and more barbed wire, fastening everything to the posts with hog rings.

Other common fencing, beside the net-type wire, is multi-strand barb wire and electric fences. Lum said, “Don’t be afraid to use, it works,” about the electric fences.

With the housing and fencing complete, now it is time to select the herd. 

“First, look for healthy animals. If an animal has knots up around the neck (an indication of cancer), walk away from the herd. Look for females with good udders and sound feet. Look for males that are growthy, well muscled, (and have) well-developed set of testicles and good feet.”

Another priority, according to the producer, is a good guard animal. These animals can be dogs, llamas, or donkeys.

“I may go through three or four dogs before I find one I like. I raise my dogs to be people friendly. Lum noted the guard dogs should be neutered or spayed.

Another suggestion for the new herd is to have a health kit. Inside Lum’s kit is Tylan 200, Spectam, Probios, Cal-mag, Selenium, Vitamin E, Vitamin B1, Iodine, Nutri-drench, Koppertox and a wound dressing. Also handy is a wormer, which is used every 30 to 45 days. 

Nutrition was also discussed by Lum at the ag expo meeting. “If you keep a 2-to-1, Calcium to phosphorus ratio in every thing they eat, you are not going to get urinary calculi (stones) in bucks. 

“Only feed all natural protein. No urea, (because) it will kill the dogs.”

He also suggested protein supplements for creeping-age goat. Those raised to be show goats should have a protein source added to their diet.

Anyone with goat-related questions may contact Lum at 903-628-3510.