Dr. Frank Pinkerton

"SO YOU WANT TO RAISE GOATS?" -  the IKGA Kikofest, September 19, 2008

The following is taken from that talk:

Performance Goals = (animal performance) + (economic components).  You have to consider whether they are profitable and sustainable?  working spouse with unlimited income

Doe herd annual profit equation: Profit = (production X price) - costs.  Kid crop % X wean wgt X price) - doe herd expenses

Suggested goals on a whole herd basis:

1. average wean weight rate of 1.5 kids per doe exposed

2. average wean weight of 40 lbs./kid

3. maximum 10% requiring de-worming and hoof care

4. avg efficiency of 65% dam body weight weaned/litter w/o creep feed

Chart 1: 90 day adj. wean wgt chart SAMPLE below.  A chart like this can be used to compare March v. May born kids.

You should average 1.5+ kids per exposed doe to have a chance to break even.  click here for Dr. Pinkerton's chart.

____________________Annual Doe $ cost /head                                                      

% Kid Crop Weaned X Selling Weight X Sale Price

Key metrics:

• Kids per doe weight

• amount $ in a doe

• % of kid crop weaned

• # of breeding aged does exposed

Essentially, your facing a break-even scenario in goat production.  Everything you do, must be tied back the cost of maintaining your Doe on an annual basis.

What is your annual doe cost?  Know it.  It's what it's all about.

Goat Supplements (feed) should be done only right before and after kidding.  Any other time it is a waste of resources.  You cannot feed your does and expect to begin to break even.