The majority of meat goat farms produce commercial meat goats mainly for domestic consumption. Most of these producers purchase their goats from other farms or at auctions and some may produce their own kid-crop. When buying your breeding stock make sure to purchase from a broker or an individual rather than a commercial auction and a stockyard. Evaluate the
farm as meticulously as you evaluate the animals. Most of the older nannies in the auctions are culled for various reasons. Sometimes buying younger kids may be acceptable but be very mindful of parasites and diseases.

If you are new to the business and do not know much about quality goats, find someone more experienced who does know, even if you have to hire that expertise. If you are interested in commercial goat production, be sure to investigate avenues to market your goats or processed products in your area or in neighboring states.

The type of goats sold, their age, weight, sex and color are important factors for different ethnic groups and therefore must be considered. Selling brood stock to other producers is another outlet to explore; however, superior stocks are required that may be more expensive than commercial goats. Most commercial farms produce crossbreeds and percentage grade animals
with no documented heritage; however, purchases of purebred nannies or bucks to improve the herd’s quality is always a good practice. This will improve the quality of your animals and prices received per animal. With any type of farm operation it is best to start small and gradually increase the herd size.

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