120902

TO: ALL

FROM: MICK DOAK

RE: GOAT NEWS WA

DATE: 12^TH SEPTEMBER 02

NATIONAL VENDOR DECLARATIONS

After much publicity and promises the National Goat Vendor Declaration forms are not available as yet. The problem has been with the printing, we are told so to all those growers who have requested them we will advise you as soon as our supplies arrive.

In the mean time we have negotiated with the Export Capretto processor to use the Sheep forms which are readily available from your Local Wesfarmers agent. If they don’t have any please contact myself and we will organize urgent copies for immediate Capretto deliveries.

KEEP THOSE GOATS CLEAN

A reminder when consigning any sort of livestock to an abattoirs or sale yard it is a must to have them delivered clean. Capretto because of their hypoactive and stressful nature when taken away from their mothers will try everything in their power to get dirty by climbing under and over each other. The biggest problem comes from transporting them in utes and trailers and does not seem to be a problem when bigger truckloads are delivered. The floors on trailers and utes do not normally have any system to get rid of the large volumes of urine, which Goats will pass when under stress. We see some excellent removable grated floors made from timber slates or steel mesh. A deep layer of hay does work but needs to be stopped from blowing out or you are back to square one.

It has cost growers money in penalties over the last few years and could end up with some one having a whole load rejected if we are not careful.

GETTING INTO GOATS NOW

Over the last few weeks we have had several enquiries from potential Goat growers. It surprises us how complicated people try to make things when it comes to Goat farming.

The simplest management and marketing methods undertaken by many long-term growers in this state are proving to be the best. If you are or want to be a commercial producer your Goats can be run in a similar way as to your sheep or cows, with mainly two exceptions. (1) A good fabricated sheep fence with an added electric wire one foot above and away from the fence will keep them all in. If you have any that get out more than once send them to the abattoirs immediately before they teach the rest what to do. (2) The other challenge is if you try to run them at heavier than the recommended Dry Sheep Equivalent on a certain paddock which has trees of most types they will help thin them out for you. There are several theories on why Goats like trees and soft bark but nothing in concrete has been brought forth as yet.

We have at present a couple of simple ways to get into a commercial Goat enterprise with not too much outlay as other forms of livestock. With reasonable management and a little bit of luck (like all other rural endeavors) you can have your initial outlay recouped from the sale of offspring within the first year, which will leave you with your original purchased Does paid for. Next week we will touch on a few ways to get started.

For further details contact Mick Doak on Mb 0428439978 or Ah Ph/Fax 93093225 or Email: doakmick@bigpond.com.au

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