Central European (Northern) type of finished parchment made of goatskin stretched on a wooden frame Parchment with a quill and ink “ Organic Manures and Fertilizers for Vegetable Crops.” University of Kentucky.For other uses, see Parchment (disambiguation). “ Research Note: Manure Production by Goats Grazing Native Pasture in Nigeria.” Tropical Grasslands, vol. “ Goat Manure Application Improves Phosphate Fertilizer Effectiveness through Enhanced Biological Cycling of Phosphorus.” Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, vol. Raising Goats Naturally: The Complete Guide to Milk, Meat, and More (2nd Edition). “ 4H Packgoat Project.” Cornell University. NSW Department of Primary Industries, 2013. AgGuide: A Practical Handbook: Managing Weeds. CABI, 2011.īayley, Darren, and David Brouwer (Editors). “ Tips and Tricks to Fabulous Fiber Goats.” Oregon State University. “ Breeds of Goats.” American Goat Federation. “ Dairy Goat Milk Composition.” University of California, Davis. “ Current Status, Challenges and Prospects for Dairy Goat Production In the Americas.” Asian-Australas J Anim Sci, vol. Goat manure is a good source of potassium, potash, and nitrogen, and possibly other minerals as well. An average goat produces about 300 pounds of manure each year, and the feces are in pellet form, which makes them easy to handle. Okay, any animal does, but goat manure is great for fertilizing your fields. Milk, meat, fiber, carrying packs, and even fuel from their dung? This animal really does it all. Because they can browse and because they don't need an overly fancy shelter (just some really good fencing), goats can be a very economical animal for the small farm Goats are not only useful, but they're also thrifty. They're a good size compared to cows, and that size makes them easier to handle as well. They're easy to handle, even by children. Goats are social animals and they are easy to train. Goat hides (with hair still intact) are traditionally used in Africa to make drum heads. Goat skins can be dried and tanned like leather and used in any number of products, including goatskin gloves. This is certainly an option for those of us who are big on self-sufficiency. Plenty of people all over the world use goat dung to fuel fires. They can eat what they find as they travel by browsing along the trail, so you don't have to pack food for them. They can easily carry 20 to 30 percent of their body weight, and they have a minimal environmental impact. Goats can be trained to carry your gear on hikes, and are especially suited to steep and rocky paths. Pasture them on whatever you want to clear out and let them act as living brush hogs. Goats are great browsers and they love to eat weeds and blackberry brambles. Again, you can take raw goat fiber and spin it into yarn and knit, weave, or crochet it into any number of value-added products. Angora and Pygora goats yield mohair, while cashmere goats produce cashmere. Goats can be used for fiber as well as milk and meat. Goat milk makes a wonderful, soft and mild soap that is often used by people with sensitive skin. There is a good market for it with folks who can't tolerate cow dairy

If you are a small farmer, goats can help you achieve a goal of producing value-added products like cheese, and yogurt-or just sell fresh goat milk.

You can make goat cheese, goat yogurt, and whatever other dairy products you can dream up (goat kefir?). Dairy goats give copious amounts of milk, usually more than a family can use. Raising goats for meat can be a great thing to do for your own family, to provide for your food needs, but it can also be a profitable small farm business-if thought through carefully and with an eye to where you will market it.

Hide goat