Goat farming, the 10th highest thriving industry in America

[Bruce]

10. Goat farming
> Employment growth 2006-2015: 92.2%
> Employment total: 517
> Wage growth 2006-2015: 29.0%
> Avg. annual wage: $29,422

Growth in goat farming, like in several other growing U.S. industries, is being driven by the increasing ethnic diversity within the country. Goat meat and goat milk feature prominently in many Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian, and Caribbean diets, which are growing in popularity as the share of foreign born U.S. residents reaches an historic high. The number of goat farmers has nearly doubled over the past decade, increasing from 269 in 2006 to 517 in 2015. About 30 new goat farms opened in the same period, and goat meat production has grown considerably. According to the USDA, the number of goats slaughtered has doubled every decade for the past 30 years.

http://247wallst.com/special-report/2016/12/09/americas-25-thriving-industries/5/

 

[Baymule]

Good article! Now to convince EVERYONE to like goats! and sheep too!!

 

[NH homesteader]

My husband just met a guy whose wife is Iranian I believe and he said that they would buy goat meat from us if we ever get into meat goats... There is a big market in more populated areas of the state, up here not a lot of demand. I'm looking into it... Have to try it myself first of course!

 

[Bruce]

When I buy meat at the Farmer's Market it is always frozen. No problem getting your "product" down to Manchester still in good shape.

 

[CntryBoy777]

It would be very interesting for a region or state 'Breakdown'. Here in Mississippi the numbers are Up too, but it sure doesn't 'Translate' in this locale...heck, there aren't any Goat vets at all in this area, no 'Kill Floors', or any info at the County Agent's office....everytime I go in there and ask anything about goats....they are 'Speechless' and have no Idea of even a Direction for me to 'Head' in....what few butcher shops that are still Open don't handle it, so there isn't a 'Direct Market' available locally....and probably 'State or Federal Laws' are against it, could be the reason.

 

[NH homesteader]

There are a fair amount of goat farms and goat vets in my state but few meat goat herds. And it's much easier to find a vet for a horse than for a goat. But it's getting better!

 

[OneFineAcre]

Well dam
I'm ahead of the curve on this one
Gentleman goat farmer in Zebulon

 

[Bruce]

I'm thinking that this "list" is based on percent increase. With relatively few people raising goats, it doesn't take many new ones to make it look like a rage. That said, I am kind of suspicious of the total employment number of 517. Are they talking about "big farms" as opposed to people who have a some goats and "employ" only themselves and resident family for no salary? There have to be more than 517 people in the entire USA raising a few goats.

 

[Mike CHS]

There is a fairly large market in our part of the state due a large numbers of migrant workers for both sheep and goats.