Statewide Survey of Goat Producers in Alabama: Industry Demographics By Maria L. Leite-Browning, PhD; James O. Buckenya, PhD; Julio Correa, PhD; Christopher Douglas Batiste, MS; & Richard Browning Jr., PhD, Researchers from Alabama A&M University and Tennessee State University

Goat farming represents a nontraditional alternative agricultural enterprise. In the United States (US), the demand for goat meat is on the rise, along with an increase in America's ethnic diversity. About half of the current US demand for goat meat is filled by New Zealand and Australian imports (4,500 metric tons or 330,000 goats). The state of Alabama has an inventory of 51,000 goats on 2,259 goat farms (USDA Census, 2002).

The US farmers have shown great interest in goat production, especially in meat goats. There has been a significant increase in the meat goat inventory and farms since the 1997 USDA Census. As a result of the changes, there is a need to develop research-based outreach programs in the state to assist the increasing number of goat producers.

In the winter of 2006, researchers at Alabama A&M University surveyed 700 goat producers by mail to assess current demographics, production practices, and producer needs. The 50-question survey was modified from a Virginian survey instrument administered by T. Gipson.

Eighty percent of the participants responded as follows: Forty-five percent completed high school, while 37 percent hold college degrees.
Fifty-three percent live in north Alabama, 24 percent in central Alabama, 4 percent in southern Alabama, 8 percent from bordering states, and 11 percent did not identify their geographic regions.
Twenty-eight percent of the producers are 56-65 years old.
Eighty-five percent are part­time farmers.
Farmers raise goats for: Commercial slaughter (28 percent) Pets or hobby (25 percent) Brush control (24 percent)
The total gross off-farm income: Twenty-four percent earn less than $10K per year Nineteen percent earn between $50K-99K Eighteen percent earn $30K-$49K For 93 percent of goat producers, the total household income derived from goat farming is 0 to 10 percent. The majority of these sales are directly off-farm at 32 percent, and public livestock sales are at 32 percent.
The average pasture size used for grazing goats: 5-10 acres for 37 percent of operations Less than 5 acres for 23 percent of operations Improved pastures represent 33 percent of grazed pastures

In addition, 70 percent of producers are crossbreeding their herds.

The survey results are being used to develop programs that will advance the goat industry in Alabama and neighboring states, such as workshops on marketing and breeding stock and managing parasites in goat and sheep herds. Visit www.aces.edu/urban or contact your local county Extension office to find out what small ruminant programs are being offered in your area.

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