The objectives of the future goat meat industry should focus on the following:

• Gradually develop a meat-focused industry producing cabrito (high quality kid meat) and chevon (high quality heavier goat meat).
• Federally inspected slaughter houses accessible to process goats readily.
• Efforts should be focused on the food service sector and retail markets.
• Increase on-farm production enterprises.
• Implement Meat Goat Quality Assurance programs to produce high quality uniform goats.
• Maximize pasture or browse use for goat production.
• Use improved imported breeds to produce crossbreeds and improve more hardy indigenous breeds adaptable to our environment. Small farm producers who want to diversify should be encouraged and educated to strongly consider goat farming to increase the goat meat supply in this country. Educational materials should be accessible and available to producers and goat farmers. Information is needed to address:
• Educating producers, processors and others in all aspects of goat production and marketing.
• Training USDA and Cooperative Extension Agents to assist in coordinating industry education.
• Developing quality assurance programs for goat meat production. The key for a stable meat goat industry is consistency and continuity of supply that meet customer satisfaction at each stage of production and marketing. Quality assurance and food safety must also be addressed at each critical point from pasture to plate.

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