Major concerns of new goat producers are listed below:
1. The number one cause of death in goats is the blood-sucking gastrointestinal parasite Haemonchus contortus, or barberpole worm. The reproductive capacity of this parasite and resistance to many “dewormers” make parasite control the greatest limiting factor to developing a goat industry. Following links provides information on monitoring the anemic condition of goats due to barberpole worm infestation and managing the parasite
http://www.extension.org/pages/19679/famachac-information-guide
http://www.extension.org/mediawiki/files/8/8a/purdue_parasite_control.pdf
2. Proper fencing and predator control program should be implemented.
3. Must have good pasture giving year-round, quality production for nurishing goats adequately. This will save lots of money that would otherwise be invested in buying supplementary feedstuffs. Inclusion of tall-growing forages, tannic-containing forages/browse, and browse species is beneficial for minimizing gastrointestinal parasiting problems in goats. Pasture should be established, grazing program should be on hand, pasture needs to be properly fenced to contain goats and prevent predators, water supply and shelter should be there before introducing goats in the pasture. Useful information on goat pastures is available in the following link.
http://www.extension.org/pages/19396/goat-pastures-and-forages
Information on fencing and predator control is available in the following links:
http://www.extension.org/pages/27121/goat-fencing-for-predator-control
http://www.extension.org/pages/27119/goat-predator-control
4. Goats must have access to clean drinking water and mineral mix all the times.
5. Routine health care and vaccination against the prevalent diseases are very important.
6. Take care of newborns, feed colostrum to them on time (http://www.extension.org/pages/27127/goat-colostrum ), and be attentive to does in advance pregnacy and early lactation.
7. Select the best performing goats in terms of production and disease and parasite resistance. Manage the breeding program targeting the high market demand time.
8. Identify and utilize the proper market channel.
9. Keep on updating skills and knowledge for successful goat enterprise by participating in different educational programs from cooparative Extension programs of land-grant universities and reading relevant educational materials in eXtension website (www.extension.org) as well as from other relevant sources.
