A survey of the meat goat industry in Queensland and New South Wales. 1. General property information, goat and pasture management
D. M. Nogueira A B D , C. P. Gardiner B , B. Gummow B C , J. Cavalieri B , L. A. Fitzpatrick B and A. J. Parker B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Embrapa Semiárido, BR 428, Km 142, Caixa Postal 23, CEP 56302-970, Petrolina, PE, Brazil.
B School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.
C Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, 0110 Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa.
D Corresponding author. Email: daniel.nogueira@embrapa.br; daniel.maianogueira@my.jcu.edu.au
Animal Production Science 56(9) 1520-1532 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN14793
Submitted: 21 December 2013 Accepted: 13 February 2015 Published: 30 April 2015
Abstract
This study aimed to survey farmers’ knowledge and practices on the management of pastures, stocking rates and markets of meat goat-producing enterprises within New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. An interview-based questionnaire was conducted on properties that derived a significant proportion of their income from goats. The survey covered 31 landholders with a total land area of 567 177 ha and a reported total of 160 010 goats. A total of 55% (17/31) of producers were involved in both ‘opportunistic harvesting’ and commercial goat operations, and 45% (14/31) were specialised seedstock producers. Goats were the most important livestock enterprise on 55% (17/31) of surveyed properties. Stocking rate varied considerably (0.3–9.3 goats/ha) within and across surveyed properties and was found to be negatively associated with property size and positively associated with rainfall. Overall, 81% (25/31) of producers reported that the purpose of running goats on their properties was to target international markets. Producers also cited the importance of targeting markets as a way to increase profitability. Fifty-three percent of producers were located over 600 km from a processing plant and the high cost of freight can limit the continuity of goats supplied to abattoirs. Fencing was an important issue for goat farmers, with many producers acknowledging this could potentially add to capital costs associated with better goat management and production. Producers in the pastoral regions appear to have a low investment in pasture development and opportunistic goat harvesting appears to be an important source of income.
Additional keywords: feral goats, market, rangeland, seedstock producer.
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