Ag Opportunities Volume 19, Number 1 January 2008 Goats: Breeding and Kidding Management By Dee Cooper, Livestock Specialist Cooper County Extension Center Goats are becoming more and more popular as a livestock animal. This is partially due to the increasing demand for goat products in this country. Whether you have goats for meat, milk, or just to clean up pastures, there are some basics to be aware of regarding breeding and kidding management. Goats are seasonal breeders, meaning that they have a period of time during the year when they do not cycle and cannot be bred. The natural goat breeding season is from September through February. For this reason, goats are considered "short - day" breeders. During the breeding season, does will cycle and come into heat every 18 - 22 days. This period of heat, technically named estrus, is when the female is receptive to the male for breeding. The heat will last 18 hours on average, and ovulation occurs 12 - 36 hours after the onset of heat. Signs indicating a doe is in heat are bleating, tail wagging, reddening and swelling of the vulva, discharge from the vulva, frequent urination and feed refusal. A doe should reach 65 - 75% of her mature weight before being bred, and a properly fed doe should reach this weight at 8 - 9 months of age. Bucks reach puberty at 3 - 4 months of age but should not begin breeding until about 6 months. One buck can breed 2 - 3 times per week for the first 6 months of age and 20 times per week thereafter. It is important to maintain good herd health by administering yearly tetanus vaccinations, establishing a deworming program and maintaining hooves of all animals. Gestation length of goats is approximately 5 months. This needs to be considered for deciding when to breed does. If a doe shows heat at the beginning of the breeding season in September, is bred and conceives, then she should kid in January. Kidding at that point of winter would not usually be ideal for this part of the country. It might be more feasible to breed does in November, resulting in a kidding time of March. When kidding time is approaching, it is essential to be watchful. Keeping detailed records of heat and/or breeding dates can be very beneficial. Hand breeding can assist in more accurate record keeping, but for many producers it is more efficient to turn a buck into the pasture with the does. Common signs kidding time is approaching are the doe becomes withdrawn, bleats more frequently, eats less and has a white mucus discharge. It is very common for does to have a smooth and uneventful delivery, but in the case of difficulty, it is important for you to be ready with help. Does have 2 kids on average. It is essential for kids to receive colostrum as soon as possible. Colostrum is the doe’s first milk that provides immunity. Dairy goat producers typically wean kids from milk (either from mother or bottle) at 2 weeks of age. At this time it is advisable to tattoo for identification, clip wattles, disbud, de - scent, and castrate. Meat goat producers have more flexibility in the management of weaning and other practices. Raising goats can be exciting and challenging. Proper reproductive management is an essential key to being successful. *************************************************************************** Grow Your Farm This course will help you: *Identify and prioritize personal and family values and use them as the foundation for the farm mission statement and goals. *Learn how to "walk the farm" to assess the land and its facilities. *Learn to evaluate the feasibility of particular farm opportunities. *Understand the components of a business plan and create one of your own. *Understand financial aspects of a business plan and review popular tools to manage financial records. *Consider different types of agricultural marketing and draft a marketing plan. *Become familiar with a variety of legal issues that pertain to farming enterprises. *Network with other farmers Locations and Dates Central MO Columbia Dates: Feb. 7, 21, March 6, April 3, 17, May 1, 15, 29 Contact: Don Day, 573 - 445 - 9792, daydr@missouri.edu East Central MO Hillsboro Dates: Feb 12, 26, March 11, 25, April 8, 12, 22, May 13, 17, 27 Contact: Dean Wilson, 636 - 797 - 5057, wilsond@missouri.edu Northeast MO Macon Dates: Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26 and March 4, 11, 18, 25 Contact: Joe Koenen, 660 - 947 - 2705, koenenj@missouri.edu Northwest MO Kearney Dates: Feb. 11, 18, 25, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Contact: Tom Fowler, 816 - 279 - 1691, fowlert@missouri.edu South Central MO Lebanon Dates: Jan 24, Feb 7, 21, March 6, 20, April 3, 17, May 1, 15 Contact: Jim Thompson, 417 - 532 - 7126, thompsonjo@missouri.edu Mountain Grove Dates: Jan 22, Feb 5, 19, March 4, 18, April 1, 15, 29, May 13 Contact: Ted Probert417 - 741 - 6134ProbertT@missouri.edu Rolla Dates: Jan 21, Feb 4, Feb 18, March 3, 17, 31, April 14, 28, May 12 Contact: Mick Gilliam, 573 - 458 - 6260, gilliamm@missouri.edu Southwest MO TBA Dates: TBA Contact: Gordon Carriker, 417 - 581 - 3558, carrikerg@missouri.edu West Central MO Warrensburg Dates: Late Feb Contact: Crystal Weber, 816 - 876 - 2790, webercd@missouri.edu Nevada Dates: April 3rd through May 8th Contact: Wayne Prewitt, 417 - 448 - 2560, prewittw@missouri.edu *************************************************************************** Concerning the Ag Census... "There are people out there who think that women farmers don’t want or need agricultural programs designed with them in mind. There are people out there who don’t understand the need for funding sustainable agriculture, farmers’ markets, and research into the effects of climate change on agriculture. There are researchers who wonder if farmers really do use computers, have health insurance or ever intend to retire. Every five years, the Census of Agriculture helps shine a spotlight on emerging trends in agriculture, on who is farming and where, on the importance of small farms to our food systems, on what new technologies farmers are using and whether farmers are being paid adequately for their products. We need you to be counted." Quoted by Mary Peabody, Director of the Women’s Ag Network, University of Vermont Extension *************************************************************************** An Interview with Janie Hipp Janie Hipp is the newly appointed national Program Leader for USDA’s Risk Management Educatioin and Trade Adjustment Assistance Economic and Community Systems, Unit. ** Question: What would you say to farmers just starting out who have limited time and limited financial resources about how to be successful? ** Answer: First, they need to have a solid business plan and they need to visit it frequently to determine if it needs to be updated or adjusted in any way. Second, I would tell them they are not alone and even though they might feel isolated at times, they need to find others who they can communicate with and gain support from. Second, they need to go slow and be patient. They should never get in over their heads financially because that is the biggest killer for beginning operations - trying to do too much too fast and not having enough financial backing to get past those early years. Finally, they need to surround themselves with a strong support system of advisors - production advisors, pricing and marketing advisors, financial advisors, tax advisors and legal advisors. All these types of resources are critical and if you can find trusted folks to be with you through the good times and the bad, you will have a stronger likelihood of survival. And, then don't forget to plan for when you are gone - none of us live forever and we all have a responsibility to ensure that we don't leave a mess when we do pass on. We all need to plan for the transition of the farm and if we desire our land and farming resources to remain in farming or ranching, we need to take steps to ensure those desires are carried out. To read the entire interview, go to: http://www.uvm.edu/wagn/agencyspotlight.html *************************************************************************** IN THE NEWS USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service conducts the Census of Agriculture every five years. The Census is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. The Census looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures and many other areas. It provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every county in the nation. Census forms were mailed December 28 to collect data for the 2007 calendar year. Completed forms are due by February 4, 2008. Producers can return their forms by mail or, for the first time, they have the option of filling out the Census online. Whole Foods Market recently started a new program to provide low - interest, long - term loans to small producers around the country.  Through the Local Producer Loan Program, Whole Foods Market is making $10 million available annually for low - interest loans to small, local producers. Eligible products include agricultural crops, value - added food products and other all - natural grocery items; applications are accepted on a rolling basis.  At five to nine percent, the interest rates currently offered through the Local Producer Loan Program can be extremely attractive to small agricultural producers.  The program has other attributes geared to small producers: loan application paperwork is minimized, there are no penalties for early repayment and loan terms may be from a few months to ten years. To learn more visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/locallygrown/lplp/index.html *************************************************************************** IN PRINT/ON - LINE *How to Assess Organic Compliance: A Tool for Market Growers, Market Managers, Produce Buyers, Extension Agents, and Others* Small farmers, as well as the managers of the markets at which they sell, may find the USDA organic standards complicated and confusing. This new Kerr Center publication simplifies the process of determining whether an organic farming operation is in compliance with the USDA standards. www.kerrcenter.com/publications/Organic - certification - report/Organic - report 07.pdf *Cooking Demonstrations: Providing the Perfect Ingredients to Season Your Farmers´ Market* Kansas Rural Center partnered with USDA's Risk Management Agency to develop this 6 page publication. Kansas Rural Center says that cooking demonstrations are a sure bet to increase attendance, excitement and most importantly sales at farmers' markets. They note that cooking demonstrations attract media attention that is more effective than advertising, and offer shoppers opportunities to taste and learn to use produce that is new to them. The publication offers information on what it takes to launch a demonstration program, tips on how to keep things running smoothly on the big day, and ideas for promoting your market's new venture. http://www.kansasruralcenter.org/publications/ChefDemo.pdf *************************************************************************** ON THE CALENDAR Jan 4 - 5 - 27th Annual Horticulture Industries Show, Tulsa, OK. Call 405 - 744 - 6460. Jan 6 - 7 - Governor’s Conference on Agriculture, St Louis, MO. Jan 7 - 8 - Heart of American Grazing Conference, Columbia, MO. Jan 10 - High Tunnels Workshop, St Joseph, MO. Call 816 - 279 - 7691. Jan 10 - CSA Mini - School, St Joseph, MO. Call 816 - 279 - 7691. Jan 11 - 12 - Great Plains Vegetable Conference, St Joseph, MO. Call 816 - 279 - 7691. Jan 11 - 12 - MO Aquaculture Association Conference, Jefferson City, MO. Call 800 - Jan 12 - Grow Your Own Nitrogen, Lincoln, NE. Call 402 - 584 - 3837. Jan 19 - Missouri Christmas Tree Association Winter Meeting, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573 - 243 - 5501 Jan 19, Feb 23 and March8 - Intensive Mini - school Series for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), Tustin, Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor (consecutively to the dates), MI. Call 877 - 526 - 1441. Jan 23 - Animal Agriculture Emergency Planning & Response Meeting, Gainesville, MO. Call 800 - 897 - 1163 x 35. Jan 24 - Animal Agriculture Emergency Planning & Response Meeting, Wset Plains, MO. Call 800 - 897 - 1163 x 35. Jan 24 - Animal Agriculture Emergency Planning & Response Meeting, Mountain Grove, MO. Call 800 - 897 - 1163 x 35. Jan 26 - 27 - Beginning Beekeeping Workshop, Columbia, MO. Call 573-474-8837, walkaboutacres@agristar.net Jan 26 - From Recipe to Reality, Lincoln, NE. Call 402 - 472 - 2819. Jan 28, 29, Feb 11, Feb 25, 26, March 11, 12 - Making Beef Production Profitable and Sustainable, Locations include: Salem, Hartville, Rolla, Mineral Area MO. Call 417 - 256 - 2391. Jan 29, 31, Feb 11, 26, 29, march 10, 11 - Making Beef Production Profitable and Sustainable, West Plains, MO. Call 417 - 256 - 2391. Feb 1 - 2 - MO Nut Growers Assn Annual Nut Evaluation and Winter Meeting, Nevada, MO. Call 417 - 436 - 2351. Feb 2 - Heart of the Ozarks All - Breed Equine Health Day Workshop, Ava, MO. Call 417 - 683 - 4409. Feb 2 - 4 - Midwest Grape and Wine Conference, Tan-Tar-A. Call 1-800-392-WINE. Feb 5 - Beginning Vegetable Production Workshop, Rich Hill, Call 417 - 448 - 2560. Feb 5 - Beginning Vegetable Production Workshop, Lamar, Call 417 - 682 - 3579. Feb 8 - 10 - MO Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Conference, Tan - Tar - A. MO. Feb 14 - Invasive Woody Plants, Gray’s Summit, MO. Call 573 - 522 - 4170 Feb 15 - Organic Marketing Workshop - Missouri Organics on the Move, Jefferson City, MO. Call Feb 16 - MO Organic Assn Annual Conference and MO Farmers Market Assn Conference, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573 - 882 - 1905. Feb 18 - 20 - Small Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Springfield, MO. Call 573 - 522 - 4170 Feb 21 - 23 - Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference, LaCrosse, WI. http://www.mosesorganic.org/ Feb 20 - 22 - 2nd National Forum on Energy Efficiency in Agriculture: "Food and Energy from the Ground Up: Efficiency's Role in Sustainable Agriculture", Des Moines, IA. http://www.aceee.org/conf/08ag/index.htm Feb 22 - 23 - Grow Native! Landscape Design with Missouri in Mind, St Joseph, MO. Call 573 - 522 - 4170 Feb 22–23 - Missouri Woodland Owners’ Conference, Columbia, MO. Contact Glenda Fry at 573 - 634 - 3252 or Glenda@moforest.org. For more information go online to http://www.moforest.org or http://www.snr.missouri.edu/forestry/extension Feb 22 - 25 - Western Farm Show, Kansas City, MO. Feb 23 - Beekeeping Short Course, Clayton, MO. Call 314 - 894 - 8737. Feb 26 - Beginning Vegetable Production Workshop, Barnett, MO. Call 573 - 378 - 5358. Feb 26 - MO Farmers’ Market Workshop, St Louis, MO. Call 573 - 526 - 4984. Feb 26 - Beginning Vegetable Production Workshop, Jamesport, MO. Call 660 - 663 - 3232. Feb 27 - MO Farmers’ Market Workshop, Cape Girardeau, MO. Call 573 - 526 -4984. Feb 28 - MO Farmers’ Market Workshop, Springfield, MO. Call 573 - 526 - 4984. Feb 29 - March 2 - MO Assn of Meat Processors Convention and Trade Show, Columbia, MO. Call417 - 237 - 0410. March 3 - MO Farmers’ Market Workshop, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573 - 526 - 4984. March 4 - MO Farmers’ Market Workshop, Kirksville, MO. Call 573 - 526 - 4984. March 5 - MO Farmers’ Market Workshop, Kansas City, MO. Call 573 - 526 - 4984. March 7 - Grow Native! Landscape Design with Missouri in Mind, Cape Girardeau, MO. Call 573 - 522 - 4170. March 7 - 9 - Fiber Retreat, Jefferson City, MO. Email Carroll - BartlettL@missouri.edu. March 12 - Sheep Shearing School, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573 - 681 - 5540, x30. March 14 - 15 - MO State Beekeepers Assn Spring Meeting, Springfield, MO. Call 636 - 394 - 5395, www.mostatebeekeepers.org March 25 - 27 - SARE’s 20th Anniversary Conference: The New American Farm: Advancing the frontier of sustainable agriculture, Kansas City, MO. Contact outreach@sare.org March 28 - 29 - Goat Conference for Goat Producers & Youth and AI Clinic for Sheep & Goats, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573 - 681 - 5540, x 30. April 1 - 3 - National Extension Women in Agriculture Education Conference, Oklahoma City, OK. Call Lgw@udel.edu or 302 - 831 - 2538. May 17 - 19 - Conference Celebrating 30 Years of Missouri Fiber Artists, Fayette, MO. Call 573 - 443 - 1731. Aug 3 - 5 - MO Young Farmers/Young Farm Wives Summer Tour, Kirksville, MO. Call 660 - 626 - 1476. Aug 7 - 17 - 2008 Missouri State Fair, Sedalia, MO.