Contribution of different variables to the costs of meat goat
production excluding or including  labor.

The single most significant variable cost in any livestock operation is feed cost. It averages 64% of the variable cost of an operation excluding labor costs or is about 45% of the variable cost of an operation including labor (see following figure). Any management practice that can reduce feed cost will significantly improve profit. In the following section the major points in the nutrition of goats are discussed to help you understand the digestive system, feeds and feeding of goats.