Promoting Goat and Sheep Farming For Meat Production in District Muzaffargarh Women Social Organization (WSO) 1.

The Rational:
1.1 Cpntext:
Pakistan, the land of 153.45 million people kept growing with rate of 1.9 % during 2005-06. Real GDP of this agriculture based economy grew at the rate of 6.6 % during last year. Percentage of population living below the poverty line is 23.9 with its highest number living in rural areas. The poverty line in Pakistan is based on Rs. 878.64 per adult per month which is far lower than internationally accepted poverty line of dollar one per day per person, which comes to nearly Rs. 1800 per month. It is obvious that "national poverty line" has been pitched at a lower level lor obtaining better results. It is therefore safe to assume that the poverty level is much higher. However, the same estimates do admit that Gini Co-efficient a measure of inequality, has deteriorated from 0.2752 in 2000-01 to 0.2976 in 2004-05. I his means that relative fruits of growth accrued more to the rich than the poor. Over the years, successive governments have spent billion of rupees to alleviate poverty. Yet little seems to have changed on the ground. On such neglected sector with huge productivity potential in the country is livestock The sector contributes almost 50 percent value addition in the agriculture sector, and almost 11 % to Pakistan's GDI', which is higher than the contribution made by the crop sector (47.4 percent in agriculture and 10.3 percent in GDP). Foreign earning of livestock sector exceeds Rs. 35 billion annually. The rural poverty is major problem of third world. The rural economy mainly relies on agriculture sector. Agriculture continues to be the single largest sector, a dominant driving forte, for growth and the main source of livelihood for more than 66 % population of country. It accounts for 20.9 % of the GDP and employs 43.4 % of the total work force. I ivestock-is an important component of Pakistan's population since 30-35 million rura populations is involved in livestock rising. Average household holdings are 2-3 cattle/bi Haloes, 3-4 sheep/goats and 10-12 poultry per family, which contributes 35-40% of the ncome. The 70 % o he Pakistan's population is directly or indirectly related to the agriculture sector. Besi s, high level of efforts of people in this field, it is unable to produce sufficiently to meet country's food requirement. We have been facing difficulties in getting self sufficient in food. With the passage of time, food segment, which are getting | short in the country includes meat and milk. Since last two decades, the price of meat is on constant rise due to shortage of

supply. The situation has affected mainly middle and

lower class of country. Protein is important part of the food required by human being and

meat is an important source of protein. According to the Protein Committee of Pakistan, every human being need 36 gm protein, but the present sources can only provide 1 7 gm per person, which is far below than the half of the required amount. According to the recent statistics, Pakistan have 23.8 million cows, 25.6 million buffaloes, 54.7 million goats, 24.7 million sheep and 389.9 million poultry birds. The meat production of total number of given animals is 1.083 million ton beef, 0.723 million ton mutton and 0.402 million ton chicken. Besides above given statistics, meat shortage is becoming a serious problem in the country. Goat is a multi functional animal and plays a significant role in the economy and nutrition of landless, small and marginal farmers in the country. Goat rearing is an enterprise which has been practiced by a large section of population in rural areas. Goats can efficiently survive on available shrubs and trees in adverse harsh environment in low fertility lands where no other crop can be grown. In pastoral and agricultural subsistence societies in India,'goats are kept as a source of additional income and as an insurance against disaster. Goats are also used in ceremonial feastings and for the payment of social dues. Pakistan has a brief history of poverty alleviation through microcredit and entrepreneurship development. With the support of World Bank, Pakistan has achieved a good level of growth in reducing poverty. But the level of this growth is still very far from the needs of people in this area. Besides interventions of Government, NGOs and many INGOs, there are still a large number of populations under stricken poverty. Pakistan is an agriculture based economy, where about 70 percent of the total population lives in rural areas. Most of the poor people live in rural areas and are related to the farm activities. An estimate reveals that there are around 35 million poor people in rural areas, who represent about 80 % of the poor population in the country. There are two major cause of rural poveil'y including unequal distribution of land resources (feudalism) and lack of mobilized ei

P< rts of the poor people to get economic opportunities.

Following is the detailed overvie v of the both causes of rural poverty and their relation to the other factors.

Women Social.Organization (WSO)_ 1.2 The Area: District Muzaffargarh, which presents and ideal picture of feudalism is 650 KM south of Islamabad. District Muzaffargarh town was founded in 1794 after the name of first governor of Multan i.e. Muzaffar Khan. Prior to that it was known as "Musan llatti". Muzaffargarh has been made district headquarter on 1859. It is based on an old traditional rural setting situated in the southern belt of Punjab. The district lies roughly between 29 and 31 degree North and 71. 50 degree East in the shape of inverted triangle in between Indus and Chenab Rivers, with its base towards north and apex in south at the confluences of the afore-named two rivers. The Indus How along the western boundary of district throughout its length and the Chenab flows along the eastern boundary of the district for about 125 miles. The district covers 8249 sq kms. with a population of 2.63 million. It is comprised of four Tehsil namely. Muzaffargarh. Ali Pur, Kot Adu and Jatoi. 93 UCs and 984 villages. I he Tehsil wise breakdown of UCs with the population is as follows: Name of Tehsil Kot Addu Muzaffargarh Jatoi Ali Pur Dislt. M.Garh No of U/C 28 34 16 14 93 No of Population Villages 1998 346 436 97 129 1008 808.438 982,866 446,546 398,053 2,635,903 Buffalo 2007 1 131813.2 1376012.4 625164.4 557274 3,690,264 243642 165862 105546 85669 600719 360790 521455 145923 144241 1172409 095 Q9 136839 37354 72508 346300 407809 391626 114230 144413 1058078 Cow Sheep Goat

Women Social Organization (WSO) 1.3. The Problem: District MuzalTargarh is mainly a dessert area, where a big number of lands are uncultivated due to the lack of water. The MuzalTargarh is situated between two rivers. These rivers are important source of irrigation and make the adjoining land fertile. The arid and semi-arid land is left un-cultivated. This land can be used for income generation if utilized in proper manner. The weather of the area is extreme with very hot in summer season and cold in winter season. The spring comes with heavy rains, which sometimes result into the heavy flood. The 87.1 % population of the district lives in rural areas and meets their basic necessities with agricultural activities. More- than 90 % of the population in rural areas lives under stricken poverty. Only less than 10 % people are self sufficient with two percent landlords. In terms of regional inequality, the districts in south Punjab are the worst in Pakistan, except for the districts in Balochistan. The agriculture based economv of districts in southern Punjab depends upon the land holdings. Assets (Land) ownership has been established as one of'the principle variables impacting poverty, with land ownership emerging as the critical determinant of rural poverty. Land inequality level in southern Punjab is measured through Gini coefficient, which shows a higher level of land inequality persistence ia target area. The social structure, which is closely associated with level of land possessi can be defined as follows in district Muzaffargarh. The Landlords (High Class) Farmers Peasant/ Workt* rs The landlords are exploiting the other two classes in a manner that small farmers are unable to compete them in the market due to their low level of access to the water resources and other resources to make their production process efficient. The small farmers lack the knowledge of modern production techniques and also knowledge of market, where they can get competitive price of their produce. The peasant families are basically slave of landlords in the rural setup. The adults of peasant's family work for the landlord as their field labor and the younger children and some of the females work as their domestic servants. Some of the peasants, who have a little bit better status sometimes tame animals and keep livestock for their household necessities. These people have good knowledge of keeping and taking care of livestock and opportunities to get fodder for livestock from field, where they are employed. There is another class besides the peasant/workers, which we can name as farmers. These are small landholders, who have two to three acre land. These small landholders have Concept Paper 4 t,

Women Social Organization (WSO) capacity to grow large but they need directions to grow. They spend most of their energy in settling disputes with each other. The farm family works as a unit in their fields and cooperate with neighbours on demand. The social interaction is high between them but still they need integration with certain specific motives and objectives. Following factors.play role in the rural un-employment. Lack of entrepreneurs hip Absolute unemployment This situation leads to the absolute poverty in the area. The rural families do not let their children enrolled in I le schools for personal grooming due to labor opportunity available in fields. But in a ; lal these labor engagements in field do not give them sufficient income to meet thei r subsistence. The 70 percent of the rural households never applied for any loan is significant and may be mainly the result of a lack of collateral. While 75.0 percent could not provide collateral, the lack of awareness relating to the procedure of obtaining loans has been another problem. At least one quarter of the extremely poor households reported that their loan application was rejected because they did not pay any bribe. In some case, however, the loan application has been rejected because the household! has not returned the previous loan. As was noted earlier, the loans have been a high percentage of their incomes especially for the poor, Since the loans have been used to meet the consumption needs by an overwhelming proportion, there is a little likelihood that they will be repaid. Therefore, the indebtedness in both the rural and urban areas has increased sharply. The extremely poor persons on average (all Pakistan) are indebted to the extent of Ils.28.137/- and the figure rises to Rs.57.780/- in the case of non poor. Indebtedness as a proportion of income shows that acuteness of the problem. The indebtedness of the extremely poor is 276.1 percent which declines to 75.8 percent for the poor and 53.2 percent for the non poor. The high indebtedness is a major hurdle poverty alleviation programs based on credit alone.

Inadequate growth of nonfarm sector

Agriculture sector over burdened

Cyclic & Frictional , unemployment

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Women Social Organization (WSO) capacity to grow large but they need directions to grow. They spend most of their energy in settling disputes with each other. The farm family works as a unit in their fields and cooperate with neighbours on demand. The social interaction is high between them but still they need integration with certain specific motives and objectives. Following factors.play role in the rural un-employment. Lack of entrepreneurs hip Absolute unemployment This situation leads to the absolute poverty in the area. The rural families do not let their children enrolled in I le schools for personal grooming due to labor opportunity available in fields. But in a ; lal these labor engagements in field do not give them sufficient income to meet thei r subsistence. The 70 percent of the rural households never applied for any loan is significant and may be mainly the result of a lack of collateral. While 75.0 percent could not provide collateral, the lack of awareness relating to the procedure of obtaining loans has been another problem. At least one quarter of the extremely poor households reported that their loan application was rejected because they did not pay any bribe. In some case, however, the loan application has been rejected because the household! has not returned the previous loan. As was noted earlier, the loans have been a high percentage of their incomes especially for the poor, Since the loans have been used to meet the consumption needs by an overwhelming proportion, there is a little likelihood that they will be repaid. Therefore, the indebtedness in both the rural and urban areas has increased sharply. The extremely poor persons on average (all Pakistan) are indebted to the extent of Ils.28.137/- and the figure rises to Rs.57.780/- in the case of non poor. Indebtedness as a proportion of income shows that acuteness of the problem. The indebtedness of the extremely poor is 276.1 percent which declines to 75.8 percent for the poor and 53.2 percent for the non poor. The high indebtedness is a major hurdle poverty alleviation programs based on credit alone.

Inadequate growth of nonfarm sector

Agriculture sector over burdened

Cyclic & Frictional , unemployment

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Women Social Organization (WSO)_

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also facilitate in promotion and marketing of meat product of these corporations. The skin of animal will be sold in bulk to different companies using it as their raw material. The WSO will focus on women and school going girls for livestock raring. Rural women can easily keep and groom livestock and earn money out of it. They will also be encouraged to take share in CMPU. 2.2 Goal: "The goal of project is to alleviate rural poverty by developing an organized and specialized rural enterprise of Meat Production"

2.3 Objectives:
The specific objectives of the program are as follows; i. To make District Muzaffargarh a hub of livestock farming and meat production to supply all over the country as well as for'export outside the country. ii. To mobilize poor farmers (having less than 2 acre land or landless) and general rural population around the issue of poverty alleviation and sustainable development. iii. To develop capacity of rural women in special and general population in general in developing entrepreneurship skills. iv. To deve benefits. v. To capac ite poor farmers in specialized animal husl a ldry (goat & sheep farming) . id develop their credit habits. vi. To provi.!<. micro credit facility for Community Organization for goats and sheep farming and meat processing & production in their respective area. vii. To establish Meat Processing plant at Tehsil level on the basis of mutual cooperation of community members. ) integration among mobilized community to create a trust worthy relations sip for mutual

Women Social Organization (WSO)________ External Financing

Social Mobilization (Motivation and understanding) Community Organization Formation Investment in Livestock Business Livestock keeping and Grooming Selling Meat Animals at age of 6 Month Internal Saving Formation of 'Cooperative Meat Production Unit" Quality Meat Selling in Internal and External Market

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2.4 Rural Poverty Reduction Strategy:

The microcredit can work miracles, if the entrepreneurs are given some directions and mobilized to specialized joint business ventures. The rural poverty can be reduced by creating employment opportunities in the rural areas. In the rural areas of Pakistan, where people are living in feudal setup, people learn to serve the lords. They do not develop creative thinking for self development. Their vision is limited with a small level of exposure towards development and exposure. The employment opportunities can only be created with mobilization of local people towards entrepreneurship. The following model of intervention can boost up economic activity in rural area.

Women Social Organization (WSO) The one of the major reason for people being poor is "lack of participation and economic activity including investment and saving.

influence" in two levels of

The poor is involved in production and is aware of the

production process in both the agricultural and livestock activity in rural setup. But their vision is limited to only serving feudal lords and getting their appreciation. They are not even free in their thoughts and vision. Therefore, there is need of social mobilization targeting community to enrich their potential towards achievement of human capital.

2.4.1 Social Mobilization:

This basis of the proposed program is high level of community mobilization resulting into motivation and commitment of people towards sustainable poverty reduction. The human resources need to be targeted for their capacity building and support. The core theme of this model is "financing poor is not sufficient solution of poverty reduction, but there is need to direct their potential towards business development''. The base of intervention in this model is human resource development. The small farmers and peasant workers'will be sensitized and trained in livestock business. Through social mobilization process, the community will be mobilized to develop mutual cooperation environment. The community organizations will be formed on the basis of strong democratic govern <nce structure. The Community Organizations will be mobilized towards sayings. N anwhile, the capacity building efforts will also be initiated for the capacity building o community. After maturity of O at their conceptual level. WSO will finance them to initiate livestock business. fhey will grow this livestock and sell to the "Cooperative Meet Production Unit" after getting required level of animal growth.

2.4.2 Community Organizations:

As a result of social mobilization, community organizations (CO) will be formed. A CO will be consisting upon 9-12 persons. The separate male, female and mixed community organization will be formed according to the cultural environment in the area. The Women Community Organizations (VV'COs) will be preferred to be formed separately. The CO/WCO members will be office bearers and workers of organization. A system of monthly salaries will be introduced in the COs. The members will work as employees of the organization and will be eligible of Salaries. The salaries will be made according to the profit of organization and level of job of the personnel. The role of WSO will be to monitor and facilitate community organizations.

2.4.3 Capacity Building of COs:

"Training refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relates to specific useful skills." "Capacity building is essentially any activity that enables people to do something they were not able to do before. In development, it contributes to the improvement of people's lives and communities,"

Women Social Organization (WSO) These COs/WCOs will be trained in record keeping and managing CO/WCO as separate entity. The CO/WCO will work as be a working entity. The members of CO/WCO will work as office bearers.

The

elections will be conducted in the. CO/WCO for different positions. Every member would be responsible of some managerial tasks besides their job of taking care of livestock. The members will keep livestock at some mutually accessible place and formal setup of livestock farming will be formed in that area. They will make arrangements for grazing and other necessities of livestock. The WSO will be monitoring

Why Goats and $licep Only:

Female goats are called does, or sometimes doelings if they are less than a year old. Males are bucks or bucklings. Young goats are called kids. Bucks usually do not make good family pets because of their aggressive behavior. The goats are easy to be kept, handled and grown uo with low cost and less efforts for following reasons; 1. Goats adaj< well to most environments, but do especially well in hot environmen because of their small size and higher ratio of body surface area to body weig tj Also, their ability to conserve body water, their limited subcutaneoi s fat cover, and their hairy coats are good survival traits under desertlike conditions. 2. As district Muzaffargarh is a desert area with extreme hot weather and goats adapt well to most environments, but do especially well in hot environments because of their small size and higher ratio of body surface area to body weight. Also, their ability to conserve body water, their limited subcutaneous fat cover, and their hairy coats are good survival traits under desert-like conditions. Therefore, goats and sheep business is most suitable for farmers of this area. 3. The foraging preference of goats is for a broader range of plants than the preferences of other small ruminants. Goats make excellent browsers and are inclined to forage from the top of a plant downward, 'making them efficient biological controls for undesirable plants and shrubs. Goats are particularly adept at selecting the most nutritious plants or parts of plants. Because of their foraging characteristics, meat goats (it well on poor or fair grazing areas as long as adequate plant material is available to consume. This.aspect allows goats to respond very well to an improved quality forage-feeding program. Goats can efficiently convert vegetative matter into meat and milk, requiring little need for other feed sources such as corn or processed feeds. Therefore, farmers will not have to make much effort for goal's fodder. 4. Meat goat kids may breed as early as four months but typically do so at seven to 12 months. Body weight and condition are probably more'important than age in determining initial juvenile estrus. or post-partum estrus. It is not advisable to breed young females weighing less than 65 percent of their estimated mature body weight range of 90 to 120 lb.

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Women Social Organization (WSO)__J_^_

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5. The desert land can easily be utilized for the fodder of goals and sheep. These types of livestock, can graze very well in such typology. As the fodder crops do not need high scale of water resources, therefore livestock can be a suitable business for the people in this area. The basic resource of land is available, which can generate .fodder with only minor inputs. The entrepreneurs will be given instructions to keep livestock for meet production business. The goats and sheep of different bleed will be kept for the growth. After attaining a required level of growth in ai final, the animal would be sold out to the CMPU. The small animal get this age !. 'el within maximum six moths, when it can give best meet for use. Besides advantages in raising goats, there are advantages, which make goat business profitable. 1. Slaughter ard dressing operation and meal disposal can be carried without much environmental problems. 2. The goat meal is more lean (low cholesterol) and relatively good for people who prefer low energy diet especially in summer and sometimes goat meat (chevon) is preferred over mutton because of its "chew ability" 3. Goat milk is easy to digest than
cow

milk because of small fat globules and is naturally homogenized.

Goat milk is said to play a role in improving appetite and digestive efficiency. Goat milk is non allergic as compared to cow milk and it has anti-fungal and anti bacterial properties and can be used for treating urogenital diseases of fungal origin.

2.4.3 The Cooperative Meat Production Unit:

Te CMPU will be established at Tehsil level. All the Community

Organization of the respective union

council will be eligible to become shareholder of the CMPU. The loan facility to purchase ' ;hare will be given to CO members. The profit of CMPU will be distributed to the C > members according to their share.

2.4.4.1 Mechanic 1 Process:

Following is the assembly line model of CMPU. Preservation in Cooling
W

Preservation Processing
W

Packing & Packaging

Tanks Through this process, meet products will be ready to launch into the market. The market for this product is extensively present in big cities, where people are conscious about the hygiene of meet. This product has market in the neighboring countries such as Iran. Iraq and some Arabian countries. Besides the livestock, dealing with fish is also a lucrative business in this area, which can also be processed in CMPU.

2.4.4.2 Human Resource at CMPU:

There will be a full range of setup required for profit making including, production, marketing and Human Resource components. WSO will prefer to hire best qualified local staff, which University of Agriculture. Faisal Abad and Bahuddin Zakaraiya University, Multan produce. There are agriculture and livestock disciplines taught to the students, who get full insight of working in a professional environment. The WSO will recruit them for CMPU. The CMPU will be launched in every union council after live months of launching FL. It will be'ensured that community members are well mobilized and aware of the process of CMPU and management structure of it. This idea can be replicated into fish, dairy products and grains kind of food items.

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AGRICULTURAL
Meat Goat Production
Goat is the most highly consumed meat in the world; and more goat's milk is consumed worldwide than cow's milk. In the Pakistan, meat goat production is increasing because of goats' economic value as efficient converters of low-quality forages into quality meat, milk, and hide products for specialty markets. There are several reasons for goats' growing popularity in this country.' A big factor is the larger number of rural poor groups who have settled in this country and who have a preference for goat meat, milk, and cheese products. Another factor is the determination of many poorer to be self-sufficient. Where resources are limited, a small herd of goats may be the only livestock that a small, part-time farmer can raise to achieve selfsufficiency. Meat goat production, like any other animal production enterprise, requires that good husbandry practices be followed in the areas of sanitation, health, feed, water, and shelter. These are all integral parts of managing a successful goat enterprise.

General Characteristics and Information

Goats have unique beh^ interest. Coupled with curiosity, tl e r jumping and climbing ability can present ;ome real management challenges. Goats can climb through i new "goat-tight" fence, pull the wash off the line, nip the rosebuds, or bounce onto a parked vehicle. Female goats are called c ^s or sometimes doelings if they are less than a year old. Males are bucks or buckling. Young goats are'< ailed kids. Bucks usually do not mal ve good family pels because of their aggressive behavior and strong urine like odors. Buck odors are most offensive during the breeding season,- usually from September to early January. Does do not secrete strong odors from their scent glands.

rs. They are intensely curious and will investigate anything that sparks their

omen Social Organization (WSO)____ 13

Goats adapt well to hot en moments because of their small size and higher ratio of body surface area to body weight. Also, their < [ulity to conserve body water, their limited subcutaneous fat cover, and their hairy coats are good survh a traits under desert like conditions. The foraging preferences *of goats encompass a wider spectrum of plants than those of other small ruminants. Goats are inclined to forage or browse from the top of a plant downward, making them an effective biological herbicide for controlling many undesirable plants and shrubs. Goats are called

"selective browsers" because of their desire to choose from a large variety of vegetative types. This grazing behavior enables them to survive harsher semiarid conditions than either sheep or cattle.

Goat breeds
Over sixty recognized or "official" breeds of goats exist in the world. These multipurpose breeds produce milk, meat, fiber, and skins. In the Pakistan there are three primary types: the Angora or Mohair breed of approximately two million head, and the meat and dairy breeds estimated at one million head each. In the Southwest, meat goats are referred to as Spanish goats (though they are not necessarily of Mexican or Spanish ancestry). All three breed types can produce meat, but only the Spanish goat is kept exclusively for meat. In many small-herd dairy goat enterprises, not all does must be milked, so meat is often the main product. Along with meat, sale of breeding stock from small flocks of dairy goats may be an important income source. This versatility allows the producer to plan and operate a more stable economic production unit.

Meat Goat Breeds

In some(parts of the world, all breeds may be raised for fiber, meat, and milk and cheese production. Kids of all breeds can be used for meat. However, meat goat carcasses are generally leaner and more muscular than dairy goat carcasses, and have different proportions. Spanish meat goats are larger than Angora, have less hair, and come in a variety of colors. Spanish goats are very hardy and take a minimum of management and labor. Their unique feature is their reproductive physiology. Unlike dairy goats, which breed only in the fall to winter months. Spanish goats are polyestrous (they can breed throughout the year). production. Another meat breed, the Boer, was recently introduced from South Africa. Boer goats also are polyestrous. Under good management, many does are known to rebreed while still nursing. Boer goats are highly versatile in their ability to adapt to various climates and production systems. Good reproductive perfor mnee can be an indicator of a breed's compatibility with the environment. Meatgoats have a reputation ft r high fertility, averaging C>X percent of does bred under good management and nutrition. Given proper
Cc

This allows for year-round kidding and yearling meal

., the does are capable of maintaining a birth rate of 1.93 to 2.25 kids per doe.

Kids of meat goat does an early breeders, reaching puberty at six months of age. They are polyestrous. with peak sexual activity :curring during the autumn months. The apparent decline in male libido during late spring and summer c; lower reproductive rates during these times. In general, growth rates f meat goats are lower than those of sheep. Under favorable nutritional condition, meat goats may gain at a rate of more than 200 grams (0.45 pounds) per day from birth to 100 days of age. The higher collagen content and lower solubility of goat meat, compared with lower levels of the same features in lamb, does reduce goat meat's overall palatability and tenderness. Breeding and slaughtering techniques appear to be key in improving the tenderness factor of goat meat.

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Fiber Breed
Angora goats originated in Ankara, Turkey, a mountainous area with a dry elimate and extreme temperatures. Both sexes are horned and open laced, with long locks of hair over the.rest of the body. Mature bucks weight from 125 to 175 pounds, mature does 80 to 90 pounds. Angora goat hair is called mohair. The liber quality mohair from goats raised in high rain belt areas (greater than 30 inches annually) usually do not match that of mohair produced in more arid regions.

Breeding and Selection

Important considerations in a selective breeding program are multiple births, twice-a-year kidding, rapid growth, good conformation (sound feet. legs, and mouth), and attention to color standards for certain breeds. Since income is derived primarily from the sale of kids, multiple births should be a high priority in the selective breeding program. Give preference to early-born kids for replacements, and select doe kids from,does that kid twice each year. Wean doe kids when they weigh 40 to 50 pounds and are four to five months old. The weaning period is a good time to accustom future replacement stock to a supplement feed should the need arise to provide a limited amount of a concentrate feed. These replacement doe kids can return to the breeding ilock when they reach desirable size (two-thirds the mature weight) or are one year old. As mentioned, meat goats are polyestrous, and many does can be. rebred while nursing a kid. Some producers choose to let bucks run with the does throughout the year. If this is done, available feed resources, management, labor, and marketing options need to be carefully evaluated. Also, a continuous breeding season is discouraged because it subjects underdeveloped replacement doe kids to the buck. These factors can have a negative influence on overall profitability. A well-planned breeding program is highly recommended for any producer interested in expanding to a sizable commercial operation of greater than fifty head of breeding-age does. The gestation period fordoes can vary from 147 to 150 days, but five months is the average time. Provide three to four bucks per one hundred head of does. The best system for mating appears to be exposing the does during February aid March, removing them, and putting themback with the bucks in September and October. This allows for" >ood management of the doe kids.

Pasture Man a genu t

Goals, in general, shou be figured at the rate of five to six does to one animal unit equivalent. If stocked according to area recon lendations, they can be grazed along with other livestock.

In marginal grazing lar 4 ;, goats have been shown to complement both sheep and cattle. Goats consume a higher percentage of brush and other less desirable plants; thus, they help to maximize the use of marginal pastureland as well as improve forage production over time. A carefully planned rotational grazing program can enhance pasture production and help control internal parasites. Deferred pastures and small grain pastures are good for kidding since they provide excellent feed for milk production. Supplemental grazing in stubble fields, corn fodder, winter rye or wheat pastures, and brassjeas can be used either to extend the grazing season or to boost required nutrient levels for some critical phase-of production.

Fencing and facilities

Goats require tight fencing. A wooden picket (snow) fence can provide a temporary enclosure, but goats will eat through such a fence if it is used as a confinement structure. The more traditional woven wire fencing with two to three barbed wires above makes a good, tight fence (Figure 1). Likewise, the more Women Social Organisation fWSO) recent eight-strand'high-tensile fence with electrified third, fifth, and top wires has proven an effective goat-tight fence (Figure 2). Like other livestock, goats need some type of restraint facility and shelter when on pasture. Regular sheepworking pens are adequate for goats. Cattle pens can be easily adapted by making the lower section goat tight. An open shed arrangement of 10 to 12 square feet per doe can provide shelter during extremely hot or cold weather.

F"iCj|Lire 1 _ \l\f>-vfer wire plus barbed.

Figure 2. High-tensile

electric fence wire.

CD CO i

4
x
Ground

level

8"
1

barbed for kids, not e leotrif ied. Reverse polarity where predators are a problem.

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/omen Social Organization (WSO)

A preventative health program should be carefully worked out with veterinarian. Internal parasite control is probably the most important health issue for goats. Generally, what Works for sheep within a certain region of the country will work for goats? Problem diseases associated with reproduction or kidding can be managed and treated, in most instance, the same as for sheep. Consult a veterinarian when in doubt.

Marketing Meat and Milk Products

Kids are usually marketed at four to five months of age or before weaning. Options include direct marketing off the farm, supplying goat meat for specialty markets such as holiday or ethnic group uses, and producing kids for commercial marketing linns. Success is often a reflection of how well a producer tends to all aspects of breeding, health, management, and marketing. All these (actors have their respective roles in producing and marketing a quality product. Along with direct marketing to ethnic groups, there are two other potential niche markets for goat meat: (1) target markets serving health-conscious consumers wanting low-fat diets, and (2) the restaurant trade serving ethnic or gourmet foods featuring goat meat. These markets are largely untapped and can provide real opportunities especially for producers within the markets' immediate radius.

Goat Meat Characteristics

Like goat's milk and cheese, the meat is unique in flavor and palatability. It is leaner than many other red meats and usually less tender. However, its leanness has a place in today's demand for meats with less fat. Goat meat is termed either cabrito or chevon. depending on the goat's.age at slaughter. Cabrilo (Spanish for "little goat") is from kids slaughtered within the first week of birth. Its main use is for barbecue meat, and it is highly sought ler by certain ethnic groups. Chevon. on the other hand, is from older kids slaughtered close to or ait( r weaning. Of these two types, cabrito is the more tender. Older (mature) goat meat is used primarily in > ocessed foods such as goat sausage, frankluiters, bologna, and chili con carne.

Budgeting for Me : Goat Production

Attached are three samp s budgets and a table showing net returns at various kidding rates. The first budget (Table 1) include.:- one hundred does and three bucks with a normal weaning period. The second budget (Table 2) uses a production process of early weaning. The kids are weaned at 28 days of age and fed five pounds of concentrate per pound of gain, "fable 3 is sample budget for estimating costs and returns per meat-type doe, for one year. Table 4 estimates the returns to land, labor, and management at various kidding rates.
17

Health Considerations

Women Social Organization (WSO)_

INCOME AMOUNT/DOE___GENERAL ESTIMATE (S)_

150 Kids @ 70 lbs x $0.70/lb 16 cull does @ 70 lbs x $0.30/lb Cross Income/doe EXPENSES Hay(10tonsx$80/ton) Grain (300 bushels corn x S2.75/bushel) Salt and minerals, 11 lbs x 5('.12/lb Veterinary medications Buildings and fences Marketing and hauling Vehicle, fuel, utilities, other iniscellanceous

73.50 3.36 76.86

@ Rs. 60

4410 201.6
4611.6

8.00 8.25 1.32 1.75 5.00 2.50 5.00

@Rs. 60

480 495 79.2 105 300 150 300 127.2 2036.4 2575.2

Operating capital interest @200 days x 13% interest 2.12 Operating cost/doe Net receipts/doe 33.94 42.92

18
Tablel. Spring kidding program for one hundred meat-types does and three bucks.
ASSUMPTIONS

1. 170 percent kid crop raised; 20 doe kids saved as replacements. 2. Does purchase at $45 each; bucks at $100 each. 3. Limited supplemental feeding of hay to does during winter; limited grain feeding during late gestation and early lactation. Kids fed 1.0 pound per day for 100 days post weaning.

Women Social Organization (WSO)

Table 2. Growing program for fifty head of early-weaned kids. ASSUMPTIONS
1. Kids started on creep feed at birth and weaned at 28 days old weighing approximately 20 pounds. Postweaning diet a 16percent protein, high-concentrate feed on good pastures. 2. Post weaning growth rate of" 0.4 pound per day, with 5-pound concentrate feed requited per pound of grain. Post weaning death loss estimated at 4 percent. INCOME AMOUN f/DOE (IENERAL ESTIMATE ($) Rs 48 kids@60lbsx$0.70/lb EXPENSE 2.016.00 @ Rs. 60 120960

Milk @ 5 gal/kid x $ 1.04/gal x 50 kids* Feed @ 200 lbs/kid x 48 kic s < 0.75/lb Pasture costs @ $2.00/kid Veterinary and medication ( $ 1.00/kid Facilities and equipment @ :.00/kid Marketing and hauling @ $ 1. iO/kid Operating capital interest (a\ 100 days x 13% interest Net income for Total kids

260.00 720.00 96.00 ' 48.00 96.00 72.00 47.35 48 1,387.35 628.65

@ Rs.60

15600 43200 5760 2880 5760 4320 2841 83241 37719

*'fhe milk price used for this budget is a farm price of$ 1.0-1 per gallon
*'I

hese same kids could conceivably sell as 20-lb fat kids at weaning. Based on an estimated sale price of $0.85 per lb, the income
$491.60.

would be $850 for 50 kids. The estimated expenses would be

$358.40.

leaving ail estimated return to land, labor, and capital of

Table 3. Estimated costs and returns per meat doe for a year.
RETURNS_GENERAL ESTIMATE ($) Rs.

Kid: 150% kid crop x $22.00/head Aged goats: 10% @ $25.00 33.00 2.50
</Rs60

1980 150 Total Feed (0.25 lb/day.\90days) ($200/ton) Death loss (3%@ $35.00) Veterinary and medicine Salt and mineral Equipment, fuel, and miscellaneous Bulk cost Marketing Taxes Interest on does ($35.00 @ 13% interest) Replacement (13% annual rate for 7 years) 35.50 2.25 1.05 0.60 0.60 3.00 0.40 1.50 0.10 4.55 4.55 2130 135 63 36 36 180 24 90 06 273 273

Net income/doe

17.30

Rs. 1038

Women Social Organization (WSO) Table 4. Estimated returns to land, labor, and management at various kidding rates per doe. PERCENCTAGE Or KIDS MARKETED Value of kids Value of aged goats 75 $16 50 2.50 $19.00 Minus estimated costs 18.20 100 $22.00 2.50 $24.50 18 20 $6.30 Pak Rupee 75 Value of kids Value of aged goats Rs.990 150 Rs.1140 Minus estimated costs 1092 100 Rs.1320 150 Rs 1470 1092 Rs.378 125 Rs.1650 150 Rs.1800 1092 Rs.708 150 Rs 1980 150 Rs.2100 1092 Rs.1038 175 Rs 2310 150 Rs 2460 1092 . Rs.1338 200 Rs. 2640 150 Rs 2760 1092 Rs 1698 125 $27 50 2.50 $30.00 18.20 $11.80 ' 150 $33.00 2 50 $35.00 18.20 $17.30 175 $38.50 2 50 $41 00 ' 1820 $22.80 200 $44.00 2.50 $46.00 18.20 $28.30

Returns to land, labor, and $0.80 mana |e nent

Returns to land, labor, and Rs. 48 management 8