How To Start A Goat Farming In South Africa
What is Goat Farming?
Goat farming involves the raising and breeding of domestic goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) as a branch of animal husbandry.
Goat farming is one field of endeavour that has increasingly become popular locally. Starting a goat farming business in South Africa is a very lucrative investment. For years the rearing of goats has always been there but has mainly been for subsistence purposes.
How To Start A Goat Farming In South Africa
LAND FOR GOAT FARMING BUSINESS
Land is a critical need in the commercial goat farming business and must be adequately available. The piece of land is supposed to serve a two-tier purpose at the most elementary level. The two purposes are the goat pens/housing and the grazing area. The other consideration is also safety – goats are susceptible to predatory wild animals so bear that in mind. When it comes to the actual pens and grazing areas, there’s need for robust fences or barriers that keep the goats safe. Goats are notorious for escaping pens and wondering off further away from their grazing areas, so fencing or erecting barriers is imperative.
HOUSING AND EQUIPMENT FOR GOAT PRODUCTION BUSINESS
Goats need proper and adequate housing. The are several issues to take into consideration when it comes to goat housing. Ensure the goat housing floor is dry, that there is proper ventilation and that the place is easily cleanable whenever need be. Proper ventilation ensures that fresh airs goes to all parts of the goat housing, and the right temperature & humidity is maintained. These issues are important because poor ventilation and extreme temperatures can foil optimum growth of the goats. An allowance for adequate spacing to allow free movement of the goats is essential.
BREEDING STOCK FOR GOAT PRODUCTION BUSINESS
To start your goat farming business in South Africa, you need breeding stock i.e. bucks and does (male and female goats respectively). These are the parents goats which will mate to produce the kids (goats offspring). You will then raise the kids and sell them. Keen attention should be given to the goats’ history before buying your breeding stock. One way of ensuring you get proper breeding stock is to only source from reputable South African goat farmers.
GOAT BREEDS IN SOUTH AFRICA
There are different breeds of goats which are used for commercial goat farming in South Africa. The popular ones in South Africa include the Boer goats, Kalahari Red goats, Savannah Goats and the Indigenous Veld Goats. The Boer breed is one of the most common breed in commercial goat farming businesses in South Africa. This is because of its fast growth rate, robust bone structure, substantial weight (due to its huge size) and its adaptability to wide-ranging types of pastures.
FEED FOR GOATS
Feeding costs tend to be the biggest cost in a commercial goat farming business, as you will require supplementary feed. The primary and most economical source of nutrients for goats is browse and pasture. However feed supplements will be necessary for the goats to feed in situ. Pasture and browse might not always be adequate due to changing seasons. If you’re into commercial goat production, supplementary feed is imperative. Supplementary feeds constitute grains, hay, commercial goat feeds, salts and minerals. Your goat farming business plan should take into account the feeding costs.
MARKET FOR GOATS IN SOUTH AFRICA
Goat meat is preferable due it its desirable health-related qualities. It has low fat content, high protein content, and high iron content. This makes it not only healthy but also tasty. All this presents huge prospects due to a large market that’s available. The is high demand of goat meat in South Africa, at about 11 000 tonnes per annum. Goat meat is used for consumption by households in South Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which breed of goat is most profitable in South Africa?
Because of intense breeding over the past 50 years or more by South African goat breeders, the Boer goat is considered far superior to any other breed for meat production.
How much does it cost to start goat farming?
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Goat Farm? You can expect to spend from $100 to $800 for registered breeding stock, with the registered female (doe) bringing top dollar. You may pay about $1,200 for a registered milking goat, such as a Nubian, or for a meat producer doe.
How many goats can you have per acre in South Africa?
Goats are similar to sheep in that you can support about six to eight goats on an acre of land. Because goats are browsers, not grazers, it will be important that the land you have will supply them with the sort of forage they like to eat.
How much do goats cost in South Africa?
All Goat prices vary depending on breed, location and age. For this post we will focus on Boer Goats in South Africa. The price for a single goat can vary from R2200 – R12 000.
How many goats do you need to start a goat farm?
Plan on getting at least two goats.
Goats are social animals and are more likely to be uncooperative or try to escape if kept alone. Always keep at least two goats in each enclosure. Because uncastrated males (bucks) cannot be kept with females (does), this may require purchasing more than two goats.
Is a goat farm profitable in South Africa?
Raising Goats for Profit … The fact of the matter is that raising goats can be very profitable. Most North American farmers tend to focus on cattle, pigs, and chickens. However, the goat market is becoming increasingly large and popular, with the demand of goat’s milk and goat meat rising on a yearly basis.
How many months do goats stay pregnant?
Gestation length in goats is 145–155 days (average 150 days) and can be affected by breed, litter weight, environment, and parity. Generally, first-kidding does have one or two kids, and in subsequent kiddings, triplets and quadruplets are not uncommon.
What goats make the most money in South Africa?
The most profitable dairy goat breed is the Saanen, in which you can profit up to $36 per day. So, if you’re asking how much money can you make raising goats, selling their milk can give you a good profit.