,,, obligatory post of an essential image/icon.
Posted on 05/23/2005 7:42:47 PM PDT by SJackson
Judy Brown Regional Editor
REEDSVILLE - Boer goats, bred for meat, hardly resemble dairy goats, says Christine Kocourek of Floppy Ear Farm.
Ms. Kocourek and her husband, Keith Schroeder, who own a 10-acre farm in Manitowoc County, are securing more land for an expanding meat goat business built around Boers.
The animals grow quickly to 80 pounds, and then are butchered at up to 10 months old. Unlike their dairy goat relatives, Boer goats are solid meat animals with bucks weighing 200 to 300 pounds.
"They gain weight real fast compared to dairy goats," Ms. Kocourek said.
She said Boers are a hardy, browsing breed that work well at clearing brush and graze with other animals such as cattle and sheep. They have brown heads or capes and white bodies.
Boer goats, native to South Africa, are desired by Indians, Greeks, Jamaicans and Hispanics.
"Eighty percent of the world's population eats goat meat," Ms. Kocourek said.
The United States annually imports millions of pounds of goat meat, mostly from Australia.
"It's not just a fad where you have to develop a market," she said. "The market is already there."
Floppy Ear Farm started with one buck and two pregnant does.
"I thought it was really neat, but at that time a percentage doe was bringing $2,000," Ms. Kocourek said.
Since then prices have decreased. Does sell for $150 to $200 and registered bucks sell for as high as $1,000.
So far this season, 30 kids have been born, with nine more does due, Ms. Kocourek said.
Old Boer does produce two crops of kids a year.
Floppy Ear Farm sells meat goats, wethers and breeding stock.
"We don't advertise our meat, but now we sell everything," she said.
All Floppy Ears Farm goats are registered, but the registry lets them register animals that are half Boer bloodline "so you can breed up," she said. "When they become fifteen-sixteenths you can register them as American purebred."
The farm's breeding stock has sold as far away as Mexico, she said. Ms. Kocourek sells full, purebred and percentage animals.
Some of her foundation animals are fifth generation. The selection of breeding animals is based on rate of gain, milking quality and birthing ease, she said.
Floppy Ear Farm will host the second annual Midsize Market 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 4 at the Manitowoc County Expo in Manitowoc.
Five Wisconsin farms have registered to take Boer goats to the sale.
"This is our farm's attempt to provide an economical and excellent facility for small breeders to showcase their animals," Ms. Kocourek said.
Is this what you were talking about a few weeks ago?
Mares eat oats and does eat oats.
~
A kid'll eat ivy too, wouldn't you?
Actually, goat meat is tougher than chicken and it takes a long time to cook. It tastes nothing like chicken.
You are really a PETA person huh? I've been following your posts.
No I'm not a member of PETA.
Where is that?
,,, wrong Bob.
Which group? The PICA spin off?
Not much different from venison.
I don't know what you're referring to. I've never been a member of any group.
,,, obligatory post of an essential image/icon.
Ok, you are an independent that aligns with their philosophy and talking points.
LOL. :)
Like venison???
I can count on one hand how many times I've had goat meat. I've never had a cut that tastes like venison.
I guess I'm really missing out.
My supermarkets don't even carry goat.
Are you kidding with this ping? It was already a feta compli when I got here.
Actually, you're wrong. You're clueless about me and assuming too much for someone that doesn't know me.
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