Meat Goats Finding Reception
Good Among Stockmen In Texas

COLLEGE STATION —(AP) — As range conditions in Texas deteriorate due to lack of rainfall and the approaching winter, meat goats continue to do well due to their adaptive nature, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

``We're heading into winter time, but, for this time of year, things are really pretty good here in the hill country,'' said Bandera County Extension agent Warren Thigpen. ``But we are fast approaching the time when it's starting to cool off, so a lot of the grass does start to lose its nutritional value, and some supplemental feeding will have to take place this winter.''

Thigpen said many cattle producers are already having to supplement their livestock's diet, but goats are able to feed on a larger variety of plants than cattle.

``The one good thing about goats is they can really adapt to their conditions better than cattle can. If we have a wet winter, goats do better because there is moisture there for weeds and things to grow that goats can utilize, whereas cattle probably wouldn't.''

Rainfall will be the determining factor as to how well goats do during the winter. Thigpen said meat goats are currently being bred to produce kids for next year's livestock shows. Gestation is around 150 days, so the kids will be born in the spring.

Meat goats have become a growing trend in the livestock industry and are becoming even more popular among youth livestock projects.

Thigpen said Extension conducted a survey last year about trends in the steer, lamb, swine and meat goat projects for 1998, 1999 and 2000. The statewide survey showed a dramatic increase in meat goat projects during those three years.

``The market steers increased by 7.78 percent over that three-year period, the market swine increased by 2.67 percent, the market lambs decreased by 6.63 percent and the meat goats increased by 55.15 percent,'' Thigpen said.

``That kind of tells you right there that it is the fastest growing of the livestock projects, or youth programs, today by far.''

Thigpen said the increased participation is mostly due to the program still being relatively new, even though it's been around for seven or eight years. He expects the project to become even bigger soon because Texas' major livestock shows are including meat goats in their auctions for the first time this year.

``I think for the 2002 show, you're going to see even bigger increases because all of the major livestock shows, including San Antonio and Houston, are now putting meat goats in their premium sales,'' he said. ``The State Fair of Texas and the Fort Worth and San Angelo livestock shows have had meat goats in their premium sales the past few years. In the past, San Antonio and Houston paid prize money to the meat goat division in Houston, and they gave a scholarship to the grand and reserve champions in San Antonio, but they were not in the auction like the swine, lambs and steers.''

He said this year's grand champion goat is guaranteed to sell for at least $30,000 at the Houston Livestock Show's auction. Comparatively, last year's grand champion received only $1500 in prize money.

``In the past, if you went to San Antonio, unless you got a $6000 scholarship for being the grand champion or reserve champion, their premium money for a first place goat was $110,'' Thigpen said. ``You probably paid more than that for the goat when you got him, so the money was not a driving force.''

As participation has risen, so has competition in the meat goat program. Raising a meat goat used to be relatively simple, involving only feeding it and training it. However, Thigpen now compares it to raising an athlete.

``A lot more exercise and running is required to tone up the goats' muscles to make them feel better when a judge is handling them and measuring them. The goat program has become that competitive where, to be really competitive on the major show level, exercise programs are imperative now.''

Thigpen also attributes the increase in competition to the increase in quality among Boer goats, the breed most predominantly used for meat goat projects.

``Ten years ago, the number of high quality Boer-cross meat goats were rather limited. Now they're everywhere because, not only (has it grown) as a youth project, it's grown statewide as a livestock enterprise also.''

One reason it has increased in the livestock industry is because goat prices have gradually increased over the years. Although cattle prices tend to go through up and down cycles, Thigpen said meat goat prices have tended to slowly but surely go up. Land fragmentation of big ranches around the state and people owning smaller plots of land are other reasons. Their land is more conducive to meat goat production, as opposed to cattle.

``A lot of things have happened to make the meat goats grow,'' Thigpen said. ``A lot of folks thought it would be a fad, like the emus and the ostriches. I think they've been proven wrong. These things are here and they're here to stay.''

County fairs and livestock shows are occurring this fall throughout Texas. The state's major livestock shows in Houston and San Antonio will take place in February.

Randy Upshaw, district Extension director in Dallas, said the 2001 Fannin County Fair on Oct. 17-20 was the best ever, with more than 280 livestock entries this year.

He also said livestock conditions are good, but flies continue to be a problem. Horse coats are getting heavier than would be expected for moderate temperatures.

Charles Neeb, district Extension director in Fort Stockton, said pastures are in poor shape going into winter, and cattle are being given supplemental feed. Producers continue selling off cattle.

The following specific livestock, crop and weather conditions were reported by district Extension directors:

PANHANDLE: soil moisture is very short to short. Irrigated peanut yields are running more than 4000 pounds per acre. Corn and soybean harvests are almost complete. Sunflower harvest continues with some good yields reported. Wheat planting almost complete.

SOUTH PLAINS: soil moisture is short. Wheat is in fair condition. Non-irrigated fields are in need of moisture. Cotton, peanut and sorghum harvests progressing well. Cotton grades and yields are better than expected. Melon harvest is complete.

ROLLING PLAINS: soil moisture is very short to short. Peanut harvest is half complete. The dryland crop is not good, with only about 15 percent to be harvested. Wheat is planted but growth is minimal due to lack of rainfall. Supplemental feeding of livestock has begun.

NORTH TEXAS: soil moisture is short to adequate. Cooler temperatures continue to slow warm season plants and encourage cool season growth. Fall gardens look very good. Cotton harvest is underway with yields being far below average. Pecan harvest has begun.

EAST TEXAS: soil moisture is adequate. Pastures in prime condition, with last hay cuttings under way. Cattle conditions excellent, and winter pasture planting continues. All peanut crops harvested.

FAR WEST TEXAS: soil moisture is very short to short. Cotton harvest continues. Grass growth has virtually ceased due to cool nights and lack of moisture. Cattle are being shipped to wheat pastures for feeding. Apple harvest complete with good quality and quantity reported.

WEST CENTRAL TEXAS: soil moisture is very short to adequate. Wheat field preparation and planting continues. Peanut harvest is in full swing due to good weather conditions. Pastures are showing some improvement with winter grass development. Livestock conditions are fair.

CENTRAL TEXAS: soil moisture is short to adequate. Pecan crop is not looking good; most area pecan growers report low yields. Most of the wheat has been planted. Fertilizer being applied for spring crops. Adequate grazing for livestock in most areas.

SOUTHEAST TEXAS: soil moisture is short to adequate. Fall vegetable plants established. Insect activity is reduced. Preparations continue for 2002 corn and cotton planting. Oats and peanuts doing well. Rice ratoon crop to be harvested soon. Wheat has emerged and doing well.

SOUTHWEST TEXAS: soil moisture is short to adequate. Small grain fields and winter vegetables are progressing well. Fall cabbage harvest continues. Some fall cantaloupes are being harvested. Onion planting is underway. Pecan harvest in full swing.

COASTAL BEND: soil moisture is short to adequate. Oats planted for forage purposes. Pastures need rain. Grass growth has slowed due to cooler weather. Livestock in good condition. Pecan harvest continues. Some varieties are still maturing.

SOUTH TEXAS: soil moisture is short. Haying operations continuing for final cutting of year. Corn progressing well. Stalk and volunteer cotton continue to be cleaned up. Sugarcane harvest progressing well. Harvesting pickling cucumbers and watermelons.