One Fine Acre - 2023 4H Steer Project Update

[Southern by choice]

We actually sell cheap at $2 a pound on the hoof. Usually I like to cut a deal, we have the same people come over and over and they are very good to the animals.
Keep in mind OFA that meat goat s go to slaughter at right at or just over 60 lbs... 80 lbs is getting too big and the price drops ( at auctions)
That is why we raise the kiko's the dams raise them to really good wean weights very little creep feed if any ( depending on time of year) at 4 months Kikos', Lamancha's and Standard breeds of sairy goat are typically 4-5 months weaned at 90-120 days and it is great. maybe 1 month of hay/feed. $3 on the hoof is not unreasonable. We do what we do because I don't have a trailer and 20-30 goats to take to auction.

 

[OneFineAcre]

It will never be as good as selling an 8 week old for $75
Not about the money any way
I would just rather make sure they are well cared for
O

 

[Goat Whisperer]

That's how we feel.

Some wethers live the life of luxury.

Others end up chained in someone's backyard.

I'd rather put a goat in the freezer than see it neglected or resold over and over.

I recently saw some wethers listed for sale.
I know what farm they came from.
They owned the goats for than less than a year.

Now they are on CL and FB trying to get rid of them.

 

[OneFineAcre]

If I ener do them for meat
I will do them myself
That would be the only way

 

[OneFineAcre]

That's how we feel.

Some wethers live the life of luxury.

Others end up chained in someone's backyard.

I'd rather put a goat in the freezer than see it neglected or resold over and over.

I recently saw some wethers listed for sale.
I know what farm they came from.
They owned the goats for than less than a year.

Now they are on CL and FB trying to get rid of them.

Bucks are the same way
Even $800 bucks

 

[Southern by choice]

A 4 month old kid at 60-70 lbs at $3 on the hoof an't bad!
Yes, I agree with you about finding great homes. Problem is, like you said some end up getting shifted around and don't end up living the life we would want for them.
At least I know what their fate is.

We ended keeping a wether from last year LOL he is Isaac's full time companion. Isaac doesn't "mate" him over and over though like what happens to most poor wethers with intact bucks.

When we have put a goat in the freezer we take it down the road (20 minutes away) they ask us how we want it packaged... we tell them... comes back in a box.
$60 for a $60 lb hanging weight goat.

 

[Southern by choice]

Oh and @frustratedearthmother is right the ribs are sooooo good! Not alot of meat but so good. We do a dry rub on them.

 

[OneFineAcre]

On a totally different note
We are going to donate some semen from some of our bucks to this ladies veterinarian mission
The Indian tribes have some small breed goats
She said she can get us some milk production data in return

 

[Hens and Roos]

due to space for us, we ended up taking ours in around 6 months of age. We had them split into halves, they ranged 12- 15 lbs.

 

[sadieml]

We haven't had to face the whole "sell of keep for meat" dilemma, yet. We are keeping both of Jaeger's issue to do herd sire duty in his stead. I love mutton (sheep or goat) but don't know how my crew will feel. DD still doesn't like the idea of eating "someone we raise", and can't seem to see my argument about knowing they were well cared for and happy right up to the moment-CHOP!!! (or bang, you know) I love my goatie babies, but I would rather eat them than see them end up mistreated and unloved. For the 1st 2 or 3 years, we'll be okay, since I do know a few people who want doelings (including us) and at least 2 great wanna-be wether daddies. After that, who knows??? May I can sell them on yummy mutton in the meantime, and then they will be easier to convince later on. Sometimes you hafta be sneaky, right?

ps--OFA, I'm lovin' your little 'Tony' Vivaldi. He looks a lot like our Jared, only white where Jared is golden. Trying to get DD to help me post pics, now.