What to consider when thinking of venturing into Goat farming. You must consider the below to be a successful Goat farmer. These tips on goat farming in South Africa business will guide you to understand the basics of keeping a goat.
Tips for Goat Farming In South Africa
Know the Right Location
Goats are generally known to do well in warm areas that are well-drained. Besides temperature, space is also vital. Since Goats live in groups, individual pens are not effective. Consider having a bit larger area to allow your animals to roam freely.
Far away from the urban areas are suitable for goats since urban pollution can be detrimental to the animal’s health. Goats feed on grasses and so, make sure their food source is highly accessible and not too far from the rearing area.
The Land Requirement
Goats have smaller sizes compared to their bigger counterparts. Hence, on an acre of land with their supply of grass growing at the same time, 2 to 10 goats per acre to raised as a rough guide. Depending on the land available, other resources, and the system of goat farming, the goats reared could be more. Goats can also be reared intensively on small acreage by using supplemental feed.
The particular Goat Breed to use;
Various breeds produce more milk while others grow quickly. Hence, depending on your purpose, choose the type of breed you want to rear. You can also farm both types of breeds and you will be harvesting both meat and milk.
However, you must note that different breeds need different levels of care. So, do research and consult an expert so he/she can guide you to decide what will be best for your goat farm.
Get a Veterinarian
When you decide to start a goat farm, your animals are likely to contract diseases. Thus, having a veterinarian can help in disease control and management to avoid losses. Many types of viral diseases like goat pox, foot and mouth diseases, and bacterial diseases like anthrax, brucellosis, etc. are very dangerous for goats.
Thus, being in touch with a veterinarian can help prevent these types of diseases as they vaccinate the animals for protection. Veterinarians help you recommend vitamins and supplements to keep your animals in good health, especially during stressful situations like the weaning period.
Proper Food and Housing
When it comes to food, goats are very choosy. They don’t eat dried or soiled grass. So, you have to make sure to have enough clean, fresh grass for them so they don’t go hungry. Goats are not carnivorous animals. They usually prefer to eat grasses, weeds, plants, shrubs, and herbs.
Goats also need energy, portions, vitamins, fiber, and water for proper growth. About the housing, a well-designed barn or shed and good management will help you to reap all the profit from goat farming. Always keep the goat house neat, dry, and clean. Arrange proper ventilation and drainage systems inside the house and ensure the availability of sufficient fresh air and light inside the house.
Good Transportation
Find a market near the goat farm to help you sell your products easily and buy the necessary commodities you need for your farming.
Don’t forget the Care and Management:
Always try to take proper care of your goats. Never feed them contaminated food or polluted water. Do clean the goat house regularly. Take extra care of the breeding bucks, kids, and pregnant does. Keep the kids with their mother for several weeks after birth.
Artificial insemination is also a good way to breed the does. Vaccinate your goats on a timely basis, to keep them free from all types of diseases and health problems.
Conclusion
Profit from goat farming in South Africa depends on the location, farming system used, breeds, feeding cost, and a few other factors. Good planning and proper management can make goat farming profitable.
Small-scale farming needs less investment and profit can contribute to your regular income. On the other hand, commercial production requires high investment and some other additional costs but has a much higher profit.
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