Table of Contents
- Chapter 1, Introduction
- Chapter 2, Examination Techniques
- Chapter 3, Industry Issues
- Chapter 4, Cattle Industry
- Chapter 5, Dairy Cattle Industry
- Chapter 6, Horse Industry
- Chapter 7, Sheep And Goat Industry
- Chapter 8, Swine Industry
- Chapter 9, Ratites And Alternative Livestock Industry
- Appendix - A, Glossary-Livestock Terms
- Appendix - B, Interview Questions - By Type
- Appendix - C, Other Sources Of Information
- Appendix - D, Livestock Breed Associations
- Appendix - E, United States Department Of Agriculture
Chapter 7 - Sheep and Goat Industry Issues
Introduction
Valuable information was gained from the following works: Raising Sheep the Modern Way, Paula Simmons, 1989, Storey Communications, Inc., Pownal, VT and Raising Milk Goats the Modern Way, Jerry Belanger, 1975, Storey Communications, Inc., Pownal, VT.
Sheep
The sheep industry can be defined as either being a wool market or a lamb market. Specific aspects of an operation will be geared toward one of these areas. Sheep which produce multiple births (commonly twinning) are tremendous assets in either operation. "A 1987 University of Wisconsin analysis stated that it would require 5,721 ewes producing one lamb each to generate a $25,000 profit, and only 352 ewes producing two lambs each to equal it." (Simmons, 3) Though lambing is usually an annual event, some may push for a second lambing in a year. Availability of adequate pasture or supplemental feed will be the controlling factor in this decision.
A starter flock of sheep may be developed by purchasing older ewes culled from other flocks and investing in a quality ram. Others may invest in younger ewes at a higher cost. In most opera- tions, ewes will be considered old and likely to be replaced at the age of 7 to 8 years although they may be productive to the age of 10 to 12.
Numerous breeds of sheep are available and are chosen by farmers for the characteristics of their meat or wool. Your farmer can describe the criteria and reasoning for the breed they have chosen. In some cases grade ewes, not purebreds but exhibiting dominant characteristics of specific breeds, are bred to purebred rams.
Sheep lamb in spring and the lambs grow to market age during the available time of abundant pasture. Sales in late summer or early fall correspond to the decrease in pasture availability thus reducing the need for special feed considerations during winter months. Rotation of grazing fields is necessary to avoid denuding the land. Movement will usually take place within a 10- to 14-day period for maximum benefit especially if the pasture has been divided into smaller areas which allow a more even grazing. Inclusion of goats in the grazing flock is beneficial where brush has developed. Goats, being browsers, will clear the larger plants while the sheep graze the grasses. Sheep may be used in orchard operations among the trees to help keep the area clear.
Woven wire fencing will be common to contain the sheep and to prevent intrusion by dogs. Electric fencing may be used to cordon off small pasture sections for grazing control.
Other than pasturing, supplement grain feeding is common during reproductive periods. Whole grains, other than barley, and alfalfa hay are commonly used. Windfall apples, molasses, and discarded produce from grocery stores, such as lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, celery, and various fruits in limited quantities are good additives to the diet.
Rams are chosen for many characteristics which will be passed on genetically. Generally placed in service at 2 years, one ram for 25 to 30 ewes is a standard practice. With proper feeding and control of servicing ewes, the ram should be productive for a period of 6 years. Some operations will change rams more frequently within the business strategy. With a gestation period of 5 months (148 to 152 days) breeding in August will produce January lambs. Adjustment of the breeding date is common to control lambing.
Ewe lambs, less than 2 years of age, should have attained a weight of 85 - 100 pounds by breeding time. Earlier breeding may stunt their growth, reduce their reproductive lifetime, and create teeth problems earlier which leads to feeding and related problems. The ideal ewes for breeding are those who are a twin or triplet since this trait is passed on through the ewe.
Castration of ram lambs can take place early, as soon as the testicles have descended into the scrotum at about 10 days old. This process is not necessary if the lamb is to be marketed for meat at 5 or 6 months of age or will be used or sold as a breeding ram. In wool operations, castration and docking the tail are both recommended early on.
Sheep are susceptible to several types of diseases which will affect the acceptability as breeders and may endanger life. Medical expenses are routine to treat pneumonia, scours (diarrhea), navel ill, constipation, entropion (inverted eyelids), urinary calculi, white muscle disease, enterotoxemia (overeating disease), parasites, tetanus, coccidiosis, acidosis, and polio. There are also a number of diseases related to pregnancy.
Shearing the wool is an annual event done as early in the season as practical. Ewes may be sheared before lambing allowing for ease of assistance during the lambing process if necessary. The wool will be graded on count, blood, or micron and determine its quality in various applications. Sales of the wool will be contracted to textile manufacturers or hand spinners or may be sold to others for quilt batts, rug yarn or felting.
Lambs may be sold directly to consumers as locker lambs which are custom butchered for the buyer. The seller receives the price per pound of processed meat and pays a nominal slaughter fee per animal to the butcher. Mutton is the meat from mature animals. Ram rental may result in receipt of choice of lambs for service provided.
Guardian sheep dogs may be raised by some operations as additional sources of income as well as for use with the flock. A variety of breeds have been used for this purpose.
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Goats
In the United States there are three distinct types of goats:
- Dairy goats, raised under intensive management primarily for milk;
- Spanish or Mexican goats, produced under extensive range conditions for meat; and
- Angora goats, also managed rather extensively, primarily for fiber.
Regarding the meat of goats, called chevon, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service indicates kids (goats under a year of age) are often slaughtered when 3 to 5 months of age and weighing from 25 to 50 pounds. Kids do not store much body fat until they are about a year of age. Many goats are older and heavier when marketed, but most, except aged cull goats, are slaughtered when less than a year of age. The meat of older goats is darker and less tender, but more juicy and flavorful than kid. The meat from males is lighter in color and lower in fat. The meat from females is more desirable for steaks and chops, and is more tender. Retail cuts of goat are similar to those for lamb or mutton. Goat should have light pink to bright red, firm, fine-grained flesh with well-distributed white fat. In some breeds of goat there can be color variation between males and females in other breeds there is no difference. Excess males and cull goats are also used for meat.
Goats require mandatory USDA inspection. Goats federally inspected:
1984: 107,299
1989: 230,297
1993: 289,382
1994: 364,905
Spanish and Angora goats are increasing in numbers in the Southwestern states, primarily in Texas. On brushy ranges they improve the pasture for cattle and sheep by eating large amounts of twigs, shrubs, and brush.
Fiber emphasis herds will have many characteristics of wool operations of sheep. See the information previously presented for this information.
Dairy goats in the United States are represented by five major breeds or their crosses. Nubian, French Alpine, Toggenburg (Toggs,) Saanen, and LaMancha are the popular breeds. As with dairy cattle, the breed choice is determined by desired production of butterfat vs milk. Production levels are greatly affected by diet, nutrition, weather, and other factors. Production will generally be stated in pounds produced in a 305 day period (allowing for a 2-month dry period prior to breeding for rest and repair.) Figures from "one of the largest commercial herds in the country posted these annual averages in a recent year." (Belanger, 11)
| Goat Dairy Breed |
Butterfat Produced |
Milk Produced |
| Saanen |
55 / 305 |
1,585 / 305 |
| Toggenburg |
61 / 305 |
1,702 / 305 |
| French Alpine |
46 / 305 |
1,315 / 305 |
| Nubian |
55 / 305 |
1,086 / 305 |
| LaMancha |
63 / 305 |
1,459 / 305 |
Herd animals may be registered purebred or grade animals. Cost considerations and focus of the business will determine breed choices. Price of animals is affected by the buyer market with variations due to purebred acquisition needs or performance characteristics of sire and dam. Star milkers are rated "*," "**," or "***" depending on personal performance and performance of dam and granddam.
Seldom is a single-use agricultural building necessary for goats as long as it is dry and free of drafts. Goats are susceptible to pneumonia and shelter housing must provide adequate protection. Being herd animals, they are seldom kept in individual stalls. Additional space for milk stations and appropriate equipment as well as freedom of movement is necessary.
Being browsers, pasturing is not as practical for goats as for cattle or sheep. Trees, bushes, and shrubs are required vegetation for goats in the open. Grasses will not be touched unless other, more adequate, feed is not available. Proper feeding in the barn is the preferred method for most herds. Allowance for a sunny exercise yard is necessary for the fitness and overall health of the herd. Fencing must be very sturdy, such as chain link or stock fencing, and 4 feet high since goats will lean on, crawl under or jump over fences. Electric fencing can be used most effectively after "training" the goats about its effects.
Goat feeds will provide nutrition necessary for the lactating animal and should be fed in accordance with the production of milk in mind. The strain of milk production requires additional feed and nutrients which are not necessary when the goats are not lactating. Some operations will grow a portion of the feed required for the herd, but most feed will be brought in pre-mixed or in components custom mixed for the desired result in the herd.
Grooming needs of goats include hoof trimming, disbudding horns, tatooing, hair trimming, and castrating. Some specialized equipment may be used for these functions, but low-cost equipment is also available. Castration of buck kids is not necessary for meat animals, but is recommended if the kids are kept for over 3 months and not kept separate from does.
Health issues include abortion, abscess (neck or shoulder region,) brucellosis (bang's disease,) bloat, colds, cuts, cystic ovary, goat pox, and several others. Most are treatable but when deaths occur an autopsy is usually performed to determine the course of action for the herd.
A buck will be capable of breeding by 3 to 4 months of age, however, limited service in bucks less than a year old is recommended. Mature bucks can service more than 100 does per year in some cases. Operations with a small number of does may resort to studs for servicing breeding needs.
The gestation period for a doe is 145 to 155 days. Does generally come into heat only in the fall and early winter. This results in spring kidding. The herd will be bred over a period of time to balance the lactation curve and provide milk at all times. Births will be twins in most cases with one to five kids possible. Separate stall facilities for birthing are recommended.
Buck kids are weaned at 10 weeks with doe kids weaning at 8 weeks. Grain feeding starts after weaning and doelings are switched to a milking ration at 6 months. The first breeding will take place when the doe is 7 months old and weighs 75 - 80 pounds.
Butchering may take place at four different stages. Newborns may be butchered at birth and dressed out like rabbits. Milk fed kids weighing from 20 - 30 pounds are popular with some religious groups around Easter and provide another source of income to the farmer. Buck kids raised for meat are castrated early and fed out for 6 to 8 months. Finally, cull does and old animals may be processed into jerky, salami, or other processed meats using less desirable cuts of meat.
The milk itself will be sold to commercial processors or will be processed on site for subsequent sale. Good records should be available for the herd if the goat keeper is planning on making the most of the operation. Knowing production history, health problems, and other information on the animals is necessary to determine culling and replacement requirements.
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Industry Facts
The following is a sample of price quotes. See chapter 4, Cattle Industry, for information on historical prices.
San Angelo, TX
Tue, Mar 18, 1997
USDA-TX Dept of Ag Market News
Producers Livestock Auction Co, San Angelo, Texas
Sheep Auction Close and Weekly:
Estimated Receipts: 10,000 Last Week: 9378 Last Year: 12983
Compared with last week slaughter lambs weak to 2.00 lower; slaughter ewes 3.00-5.00 lower; feeder lambs firm. Trading active, demand good. Quality average to attractive. Supply included 30 percent slaughter ewes, 35 percent feeder lambs with numerous consignments new crop feeder lambs for special sale, 1 percent slaughter lambs, balance goats.
Slaughter Lambs:
Choice, few Prime 2-3 shorn, few wooled 100-145 lbs 97.00-101.00, set 103.00. New crop
45-85 lbs 142.50-155.00, 90-105 lbs 110.00-117.00.
Slaughter Ewes:
Good and Choice 2-4 44.00-54.50, few 55.00-57.00; Utility and Good 2-3 51.00-61.50; Utility 1-3 42.00-52.00, Cull and Utility 1-2 35.00-42.00.
Slaughter Bucks: 40.00-47.50, few 50.00.
Feeder Lambs:
Medium and Large 1-2 60-90 lbs 104.00-110.00, 90-105 lbs 100.00-105.00. New crop 40-90
lbs 130.00-149.00, 90-95 lbs 123.50-133.00.
Medium and Large 2 45-90 lbs 94.00-104.00. New crop 40-80 lbs 110.00-123.00.
Replacement Ewes:
Medium and Large 1-2 ewes and lambs 61.00-68.00 per head.
Goats:
Slaughter - Meat Goats:
Billies and Muttons: 100-150 lbs 60.00-110.00 per head; small
billies and muttons including yearlings 60-100 lbs Good and Choice
85.00-97.50 cwt; Good 70.00-85.00 cwt.
Nannies: 60-105 lbs 56.00-65.00 cwt, thin nannies 60-90 lbs 48.00-55.00 cwt.
Kids: Good and Choice 40-65 lbs 85.00-97.50 cwt, few 100.00-117.50. Good 40-65 lbs
75.00-85.00 cwt. few 20-25 lbs 16.00-24.00 per head.
Angora: kids 40-50 lbs 68.00-71.50 cwt, 50-80 lbs 40.00-50.00.
Source: USDA-Texas Dept of Ag Market News, San Angelo,TX
Rebecca Sauder, OIC Phone 915-653-1778
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Issues
IRC Section 162
Depending on the setup, there is a higher potential for personal use of sheep and goat products than with some other animals.
IRC Section 61
Potential sources of sheep related income include locker lambs, mutton, ram rental, breeding stock, pelts and pelt products, shearing for hire, cheese from sheep milk, manure for gardens, soap and candles, special uses of wool, building sheep "furniture ", locker hooking with fleece, feltmaking with fleece, special breeds and colors, selling wool to spinners, handspun yarn and products, cottage-industry processing, livestock dog breeding, incentive payments, merchandising products, and teaching. (Simmons, 228)
Goats may produce limited income from meat sources with the greatest potential from sales of animals to other herd keepers, milk and milk by-products.
IRC Section 168
Breeding stock for sheep and goats is 5-year property for depreciation purposes.
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