|
The animal science program focus primarily on small ruminant production, especially goats. This program includes research and extension programming in the area of goat management and breeding. Projects include grazing and forage production, breeding season differences, and meat characteristics. The Kentucky State University Land Grant Program offers two educational events each year dedicated toward goat production through the nationally recognized “Third Thursday Thing” in March and October. Kentucky State University Land Grant Program also offers programs for goat producers through local associations and field days upon request.
The animal science and goat program here at KSU is a direct result of the growth of the goat industry in Kentucky over the past five years. The USDA Ag census reported a growth of over 500% in goat numbers between the 1997 and 2002 in Kentucky, with the state currently ranking in the top 5 states for goat production. Most of this growth has been the result of small farmers transitioning from tobacco production to goats as an alternative source of income. Many of these producers have never raised goats before, so there is a need for educational programs and research into goat production and marketing.
The size of goats makes them very attractive for small farms. Stocking rates for goats are between 4 and 6 goats per acre of pasture in Kentucky, depending on the size of the goat and the productivity of the pasture. Goats are also good browsers and will clear brush from property if allowed to graze it.
As the industry has grown there has been an increased need for reliable information on production and products available to producers. Kentucky State University is working with other universities and colleges throughout the state and country to help provide educational material and research information for the goat industry. KSU is working with producers in the state to improve their records and production practices and to develop budget information for goat production; these efforts will result in improved productivity and profitability for goat producers in Kentucky.
To help producers find reliable information on goat production, please use the links below. This is not intended to be a complete list, but contains many useful links to associations, universities, government, and commercial web pages where information and products can be obtained to improve the probability of success in the goat industry.
For more information on livestock related activities at KSU, please contact Dr. Ken Andries, Animal Science Specialist, at 502-597-5094 or by e-mail at kenneth.andries@kysu.edu.
KSU Publications:
Online Resources for Goat Producers:
Producer Organizations:
American Boer Goat Association
American Dairy Goat Association
American Goat Society
American Kiko Goat Association
American Meat Goat Association
International Boer Goat Association
International Goat Association
International Kiko Goat Association
Kentucky Goat Producers Association
Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association
Western Kentucky Goat Association
United States Boer Goat Association
University Resources:
Alternative Agriculture- Penn State Extension
Clemson University Goat Information
Florida A&M Goat Program
Fort Valley State University Goat Publications
Goat Breeds - Oklahoma State Livestock Breeds library information
Langston University E(Kika) de la Graza Institute for Goat Research
Meat Goat Documents (Virginia State University)
Meat Goat Production Handbook
National Goat Database Goat Handbook - USDA Goat Information Data Base
NC State Meat Goats
Northeast Sheep and Goat Marketing Program
Purdue University Goat Information
SIPAC Project– Southern Indiana - Northern Kentucky Goat Project
Small Ruminant Page- Maryland sheep and goat production information
Southern Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite control
UK Goat Page
Government and other resources:
ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
Kentucky Department of Agriculture – Sheep and Goat Marketing
Midwest Plan Service
National Sheep and Goat Improvement Center
USDA Home Page
USDA Agriculture Marketing Service
USDA APHIS: US State and Territory Animal Import Regulations
USDA Livestock and Grain Marketing Reports
Goat Product Supply Companies
American Livestock Supply
Billy Goat Gruff
Caprine Supply
Hoegger Goat Supply Company
Nasco Supply Company
Pipestone Vet Supply
Premier Fence
Sydell
|
