A new start for the Kiwi goat industry

Federated Farmers (Mohair New Zealand), is pleased with its allocation from the former goat levy. The Federation’s Goat Industry Group, believes it is best placed to represent all aspects of the New Zealand Goat industry. The Federation wishes to make a positive difference to the farmability of goats in New Zealand, by assisting all others who received an allocation.

“This last disbursement of the former goat levy to our project and four others, represents a brand new start for the New Zealand goat industry,” says John Woodward, Chairperson of Federated Farmers Goats.

“We’ve got to stand on our own two feet but we also know goat meat is the world’s fourth most consumed meat. We believe $7 a kilogram for kid quality goat meat is now achievable.

“What’s more, goat fibres, like Mohair and Cashmere, are now in critical short supply globally. As such, they represent some of the most prized fibres on earth so we’ve got big potential to become a much larger industry.

“To build that bigger industry, Federated Farmers Goats is the only body that represents goat meat and fibre producers. The Federation also has the services of a dedicated policy advisor so we’re in a position to lead the industry forward.

“Federated Farmers own project is being run through Mohair New Zealand in partnership with AgResearch.

“We’re looking into how the CarLA (Carbohydrate Larvel Antigen) saliva test can be adapted to goats.

“If proven commercially, the farming of goats will become more productive and profitable. The goal is to grow the industry with goats that have enhanced farmability factors. We’re talking about factors such as weight gain, fleece weights and much less pasture contamination from internal parasites.

“Our initial testing showed there were goats with a positive reaction to the CarLA test. We’re now keen to prove its commercial application through buck performance schemes. This will help select better goat genetics with greater resistance to parasites.

“Going forward, we are deeply interested in how the other projects evolve.

“To that end, it’s our intention to develop relationships with others into a group that will work with farmers to take the New Zealand goat industry forward. We’re going to build Federated Farmers Goat Industry Group’s annual conference next April around forums to ensure this opportunity is not lost,” Mr Woodward concluded.