goat farming info. help please - FarmingForumSite.com

jonrho911 · #1 01-05-2010, 07:28 PM

hi, im new to the forum and posting. i am trying to find info on dairy goat farming in NH. im a home owner and have limited space. i would welcome any suggestions on how to go about breaking in to the farming business in general. i have been raising chickens in my backyard for 4 years. (unfortunately coyotes took all 9 hens for a midnight snack a couple weeks back). It might be a pipe dream but I would love to farm for a living rather than working for someone else.

EditorBob · #2 01-06-2010, 08:38 AM

Hi, welcome to the forum!

We've had several stories on goats, both dairy and meat.

Here are a couple links that might be of interest:

http://farmingmagazine.com/article.php?id=4502

http://farmingmagazine.com/article.php?id=3469

And you can always search our archives for other stories at http://farmingmagazine.com/search.php?word=goat

Also, check with your local cooperative extension office. They have extensive resources available and connections to other information.

mommagoose · #3 01-07-2010, 01:37 AM

The first thing you need to do is figure out how to keep coyotes and foxes off your property. Both preditors can harm or kill your goats. Second you need to decide how you will feed your goats. Goats will eat all kinds of woody plants and bushes. That can be a plus unless your property is too small. If you have to buy all your feed , you most likely won't make much of a profit. Thirdly , where will your market be for your goats and goat products? You are going to have to breed your goats yearly and about half of the kids will be male. About the only market for males is the meat market. Who will you sell them to? I do not want to discourage you but I do want you to see the big picture. There will be vet fees and feed costs and sudden deaths to contend with. You may need special set up to sell milk products. Licenses and of course you need to purchase the goats. Will you keep a Billy for breeding or pay someone for stud fees. How much land do you have? Are there local laws pertaining to livestock. You need to do a lot of research. It takes a lot of work to be a full time farmer. Good Luck to you.
Linda

EditorBob · #4 01-07-2010, 08:40 AM

Great points, Linda! All really important considerations there.

jonrho911 · #5 01-07-2010, 08:47 PM

Thank you Bob and Linda for your responses. I'm not discouraged at all and do appreciate your points about predators,costs,and market research. I have been sifting through a lot of info on the web including the NH coop ext. This is how I actually came across these forums. I have been wondering if anyone can share any experiences about going from hobby to actual farming for profit. Also farm land just seems pretty hard to come by and quite pricey at least in NH. Thanks again for your points, they are well taken.

prmsdlndfrm · #6 01-19-2010, 08:25 PM

I started out as a hobby farmer 10 years ago on 10 acres of land that I cleared by hand. I was a lot younger then, nowdays Id hire a dozer LOL. But unimproved land has a lower intial cost, though as you build the cost will catch up. But I do suggest you start out as a hobby , as beggining mistakes are a lot cheaper as a hobby.
Farming usaly will not pay as much as you can earn off farm, it also seldom lends itself to benifits and paid 2 week vacations, it is more about a way of life, it becomes your life and who you are. The crops and livestock demand your full attention, the better you care for them the better they care for you.
I now have grown from those 10 acres to a full time farmer on 160 owned and 176 leased acres. I love it and wouldnt change, but its not always sunny.
josh

Ken in Maine · #7 01-20-2010, 02:19 PM

Read your post and thought I might steer you toward our web site. www.mainegoats.com We offer a program twice a year called Goat School. Farming magazine did an article on it several years ago and Hobby Farms magazine recently did a big article in the Nov/Dec 2009 issue. We are not that far away and can offer you quite a bit of help!

mommagoose · #8 01-23-2010, 02:53 PM

Goat school sounds like a great idea. The more places I visit , the more I learn. Around here , I have seen several people post on Craig's List wanting to help with kidding or lambing in the Spring. That also sounds like a good way to learn about taking care of your flock. I am great with veggies but I am kind of scared about anything bigger than a Spaniel thats why I have my tiny piggy (pigmy) goat Matilda. She is only 21 inches tall at the shoulder.
Linda