Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
1,000,000
900,000
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
Federal
Non-federal
Total Slaughtered
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
Figure 1.4
Goats slaughtered in
federally and state inspected plants
in the U.S.
0
1999 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Years
1,800,000
1,600,000
1,400,000
1,200,000
Goats Imported
Goats Slaughtered
Goats Consumed
1,000,000
800,000
600,000
400,000
200,000
0
Figure 1.5
Changes in number of
goats consumed in the U.S.
1999
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Ye a rs
Factors Affecting Goat Meat Consumption in the U.S.
Population demographic changes have contributed to the
increased interest in goat meat production and consump-
tion in the U.S. According to the U.S. 2000 population
census, the foreign-born population in the U.S. increased
by 57% since 1990, from 19.8 million to 31.1 million, and
continues to increase. In 2000, 51.7% of the foreign-born
population came from Latin America and 26.4% from
Asia. The Hispanic population is rising rapidly and will
reach over 100 million or 25% of the population by the
year 2050. This group of immigrants has a strong prefer-
ence for goat meat, and increased consumption of goat
meat will stimulate growth in this sector of agriculture.
The population of different cultures in the U.S. has
increased. In 2000, over 1 million Buddhists, 1 million
Muslims, over 10 million Asians, and over 35 million
Hispanics lived in the U.S. (U.S. Census, 2000). Marked
increases in these populations from 1990 to 2000 created an
opportunity for U.S. agriculture to produce new products to
meet food preferences of this ever-increasing population.
Goat cheese also has gained in popularity in recent
years. Goats provide healthy meat and milk that fi t the
designer diets of health - conscious Americans.
PRODUCTION ENTERPRISES IN THE U.S.
Three major goat enterprises exist in the U.S. today: meat
goat, dairy goat, and Angora or fi ber goat farms. Meat goat
farms predominate with purebred farms, commercial
farms, and independent dealers all contributing. These can
operate on a local or national basis. Dairy goat and Angora
goat production are more established industries than the
newly developing meat goat industry.
Purebred Production Farms
Purebred farms produce a specifi c goat breed and help to
preserve the breed quality and integrity. There are several
