Meat Goat Home Study Course

Welcome to the Penn State Cooperative Extension Meat Goat Home Study Course information page! The next course will begin on February 4, 2009.

Who Should Sign Up?

Anyone interested in raising meat goats should sign up. Course is designed for both part-time and full-time producers.

• You will gain a better understanding of the basics of meat goat production.
  
• You will learn how to feed to meet the nutritional needs of meat goats..
  
• You will learn about the reproductive process in goats.
  
• You will learn how to keep meat goats healthy and how to correct health problems.
• You will learn effective ways to market your meat goats.
  
• You will learn how to properly handle financial issues related to meat goat production.
  

View lesson topics below

How Does The Course Work?

• Lessons are mailed weekly for six weeks.
  The first lesson will be mailed on February 4.
  
• Read weekly lesson materials and complete worksheet.
  
• Return worksheet and any questions to Greg Strait at the Fulton County Extension Office.
• Worksheets ask questions about YOUR individual operation. You will receive personalized comments and suggestions for ways to improve your operation.
  

Cost Of The Course:

• Internet/email $40.00
• Postal service $75.00

For more information: Contact Melanie Barkley at (814) 623-4800 or Linda Spahr at (717) 840-7408 or Greg Strait at (717) 485-4111

Click here to sign up

Lesson 1: Basic Production Information

• General Overview of Meat Goat Production
• Selecting Meat Goats
• Determining a Goat's Age
• Proper Tattooing

Lesson 4: Health

• The Normal Goat
• Foot Rot
• Internal Parasites
• Scrapie
• Castration
• Miscellaneous Health Issues
• Producer Responsibilities for Scrapie Eradication

Lesson 2: Reproduction

• Billy Soundness
• Flushing Nannies
• Breeding and Kidding Management
• The Process of Kidding

Lesson 5: Marketing

• What Is A Marketing Plan and How Do I Develop One?
• Marketing Meat Animals Directly to Consumers
• Goat and Lamb Holidays

Lesson 3: Nutrition

• Basic Ration Balancing
• Feeding the Pregnant Doe
• Feeding the Market Kid
• Feeding the Billy
• Grazing Alfalfa
• Strategies for Extending the Grazing Season
• Four Steps to Rotational Grazing

Lesson 6: Financial Information

• Farm Business Analysis
• Enterprise Budget Analysis
• Meat Goat Production