Goats for Small
(and Large)
Livestock Operations
Doug Pavel
Butte Vista Farm
Whitewood, SD
Goat Breeds Can Generally Be
Classified As
Dairy
Fiber
Meat
Regardless of Breed Characteristics,
Goats Can Be Used For
Breeding
Showing
Diary, Fiber, Meat
Companion Animals
4-H and FFA Projects
Pets
The Goats at Butte Vista Farm
Full Blood Boer
Breeding Stock
American
Pure Bred
Stock
Boer – X
Commercial
Stock
Goats Were Added To Enhance
The Diversity Of Our Operation
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Meat Animals
Replacement Breeding
Stock
Show Animals
Weed Control
Component Of Our
Multi-Species Grazing
Program In
Accordance With Our
Small Acreage Goals
Multi-Species Grazing is
Nothing New
In the Western
United States
cattle, horses,
and sheep have
been a common
mix.
Multi-Species Grazing Has
Several Advantages
Each Animal Species Prefers Different
Plants for Their Diets
 Reduces Parasites
 Can Co-Graze or Rotation-Graze
Animals Depending on Pasture
Conditions

More Advantages to
Multi-Species Grazing
Stocking Rate of Pastures Actually
Improved with Multi-Species Grazing
 Adding Small Ruminants Does Not
Adversely Affect Stocking Rates
 Better Utilizes the Vegetation in a
Pasture
 Perfect for Small Acreage Operations

In the past few years,
another animal has entered
the grazing picture.
Goats Work Nicely Into the
Stocking Rate of Pastures
One Animal Unit is about
 One Cow/Calf Pair
 One Horse
 Six Sheep
 Six Goats
 A few goats do not increase Stocking
Rate because…

Goats Prefer Plants
Other Animals Don’t
They Are The Original
Organic “Weed & Feed”
As Earlier Mentioned –
Animal Species Don’t Eat the Same
Plants
Table Courtesy of Progressive Forage Grower, August 2010 Edition, Jodie Pennington, Small
Ruminant Educator, Lincoln University, “Multi-species grazing can improve utilization of pastures”,
Written July 22, 2010
Grasses Are Least Preferred
By Goats
Browse is Most Preferred
 Bushy Plants
 Forbs
 And Yes – Ornamental Trees,
Bushes and Shrubs
 SO BE CAUTIOUS
Goats Prefer to Eat at
Head-Height or Higher
So Standing
Weeds and
Brush Left
Behind by Other
Animals are
Ideal
Quick Example
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Before
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After
Important Considerations When
Adding Goats to Your Pasture &
Weed Management Program
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Fencing is a Major Consideration
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Smooth Horse Fence Wire Is NOT Adequate
Unless Electric Wire is Added
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Multi-Strand (5 -6 Wires) Barbed is OK
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Multi-Strand (4 Minimum) Electric is Good
Importance of Fencing
(Continued)
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2”x4” or 4”x4” No-Climb Horse fence or
Woven Wire is Best
6”x6” Woven Wire is problem because of
Goat’s Horns can become caught in the fence
Fence As If Keeping Chihuahuas In
Examples of Fencing
Other Important Considerations
When Adding Goats to Your
Program

Adequate Shelter
Is Needed
 Goats can
handle cold
weather, but
 Goats DO NOT
like to get wet
More Important Considerations
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Predator Control is Essential
Especially if Goats are going
to be located away from
Yard, House or other
Buildings
Guard Dogs, Donkeys, and
Llamas are all Options
AND a good Fence – did I
mention fencing is
important?
Goats are Social Animals – So Keep
That In Mind If Adding Them To
Your Operation
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Goats are “herd
animals” so more
than one is
recommended
Or they must be
with a “Friend” so
the Goat can be a
companion animal
They Don’t Call Them Kids For
Nothing…
Goats need to be
able to climb and
play otherwise…
They will get into
trouble
Beyond That…
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Goats are easy to
handle
Goats are generally
healthy animals
Goats do require
proper mineral
supplements
Regular grass hay is
fine unless lactating
Goats require minimal
vaccinations & deworming
AND BESIDES…
They’re Cute
Marketing Is Key Issue For
Producers In The Midwest
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Chevon is consumed primarily by ethnic
populations – Mainly on East and West Coasts
60% of the red meat consumed in the world is
Chevon
But…because Chevon is healthy, low in fat, low
in cholesterol, other segments of the American
population are buying it
Of particular interest to “Foodies”
25 Month Project Will Be Underway
Beginning This Year In The Black
Hills To Study Feasibility of
Marketing Goat Meat Locally
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1.
2.
Funded by Grant from
North Central SARE
Primary Components
Nutrition vs. Carcass
Quality Study with
Follow-up Seminar
Marketing Study and
Familiarization of
Established Trends
and Practices
East River Contact for
Potential Producers
JASON & KARLIA DAHL
Jason is President of
Heartland Meat Goat Association
(605) 880-1354
OR
(605) 880-1356
4dlivestock@itctel.com
QUESTIONS????
Feel free to contact us anytime:
Doug and Carol Pavel
Butte Vista Farm
12257 Crackerjack Road
Whitewood, SD 57793-5028
(605) 269-3901
buttevistafarm@dishmail.net
www.buttevistafarm.com