All about goats

In recent years, raising goats has seen a noticeable rise in popularity. This trend is driven by a combination of economic opportunity, limited land availability, and a desire to raise farm animals. Goats are incredibly versatile animals. They can be raised for meat, milk, fiber, and even land management. Goat meat is lean, nutritious, and increasingly in demand, especially in ethnic and health-conscious markets emerging in and near Ohio. Goat milk is easier to digest than cow milk and can be used to make cheese, yogurt, and soap. Fiber breeds such as Angora and Cashmere offer material for clothing. Goats are efficient grazers and can thrive on marginal land where other livestock might struggle. They help control brush and invasive plants. Their small size and relatively low feed requirements make them ideal for small farms. They offer a low-barrier entry into livestock production. They require less space and infrastructure than cattle, and their products can be sold through farmer markets or directly to consumers. This makes them attractive to traditional farmers, small farm operators, and those new to farming. Goats are also popular in youth programs, such as 4-H – as seen by the increasing number of goat entries at the Hancock County and other local fairs. Since raising goats may be a new experience for people, Ohio State University Extension is offering a seven session webinar series starting Monday, September 22. The topics and dates for this series are as follows: September 22 - Goat Health and Care: OSU Extension Specialist, Brady Campbell, will review proper care for goats of all ages and explain how to keep them healthy and productive. October 6 - Farm Business and Management: OSU Extension Field Specialist, Eric Richer, and OSU Extension Educator, Pressley Buurma, will help guide participants in farm management strategies and provide options for enterprise budgeting and record keeping as it relates to goat production. October 20 - Goat Processing: OSU Extension State Specialist, Lyda Garcia, will explain the cuts of a carcass and how to process a goat at home. November 3 - Livestock Marketing: OSU Extension Specialist, Garth Ruff, discusses the ins and outs of the goat market. He will also discuss how to market goats to fill the current wants and needs of the customers. November 17 - Hay and Grain Production: OSU Extension Educator, Jordan Penrose, will present tips and tricks on hay and grain production for goats as well as what type of crops would work best for your production system. December 1 - Coyote Management: OSU Extension Wildlife Specialists will focus on how to manage interactions between coyotes and goats. They will also explain the current status of coyote research in Ohio. December 15 - Open Forum, Ask Me Anything: Have a burning question that was not answered during one of the past webinar sessions? Join Extension Educators and Specialists to get your questions answered. Each session is free and hosted via Zoom from 7-8 p.m., but registration is required and can be completed by entering the following URL: go.osu.edu/allaboutgoats25.