Released April 1, 2009
A new Web site designed as a comprehensive resource for science-based information about producing, handling and marketing goats and goat products launched today at http://www.extension.org.
“Goat meat is the most highly consumed meat in the world. Goats provide the principle source of animal protein in many North African and Middle Eastern cultures,” said Charlotte Clifford-Rathert, DVM, goat producer and Lincoln University of Missouri small ruminant specialist.
“The United States is experiencing an increase in these and other ethnic populations from regions of the world where goat meat comprises a significant portion of the diet. In addition, there has been increased interest in ethnic foods as consumers explore and broaden their culinary experiences. This website will provide current articles and information that can be used by anyone interested in the goat industry,” Rathert continued.
U.S. demand up
The number of meat goats in the United States increased by 57 percent from 1997 to 2002, pushed by increased consumer demand. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service January 2007 inventory reports approximately 2.4 million meat goats in the United States, up 3 percent from 2006.
“Industry growth in the U.S. meat goat sector has occurred primarily in two ways: established meat goat producers have increased herd size or shifted focus from fiber to meat production to take advantage of favorable markets. More importantly, new producers are entering the goat business,” said David Kiesling, assistant professor of animal science at Lincoln University.
Production information
“The majority of new producers entering the meat goat industry have little or no experience with goats, and other producers have entered the industry with no livestock experience. These new producers, as well as some established producers, need current, correct information on how to raise goats and produce wholesome products in demand by the public,” Kiesling said.
Experienced goat research and extension personnel in the United States contributed to the new site. The team includes state goat extension specialists, research and teaching faculty, veterinarians, regional educators and other professionals. They are based in 1890 and 1862 land-grant universities, other universities, education centers and the USDA Agricultural Research Service. It is one of many Web communities within eXtension (pronounced E-extension), www.extension.org, a national project of the U.S. Cooperative Extension System.
The goat industry Web site provides help for new and inexperienced producers, as well as those with experience but who need an answer to a specific question. The site includes answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about meat, dairy and fiber producing goats. If a question cannot be found in the FAQs, eXtension’s “Ask an Expert” feature can be used for a quick response. The site also includes in-depth, peer-reviewed articles covering all aspects of goat production.
21 eXtension resource areas
Other topic resources at http://www.eXtension.org include information on the financial crisis; organic agriculture; horses; niche meat processing; animal manure management; beef cattle; corn and soybean production; cotton production; dairy cattle; disasters; diversity across higher education; entrepreneurs and their communities; family caregiving; geospatial technology; horticulture; imported fire ants; parenting; personal finance; science, engineering and technology for youth; and wildlife damage management.
eXtension is an educational partnership of more than 70 land grant universities helping Americans improve their lives with access to timely, objective, research-based information and educational opportunities. eXtension's interactive Web site, http://www.extension.org, is customized with links to local Cooperative Extension Web sites. Land-grant universities were founded on the ideals that higher education should be accessible to all, that universities should teach liberal and practical subjects and share knowledge with people throughout their states.
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Contacts: Terry Meisenbach, 760-328-8260 (office), 760-641-9354 (cell), tmeisenbach@eXtension.org
Charlotte Clifford-Rathert, clifford-rathertc@lincolnu.edu
David Kiesling, kieslingd@lincolnu.edu
