Goat Farming in South Africa is an important economic and social livelihood. Goats produce milk, meat, skins, cashmere, mohair and play an integral part in religious and cultural ceremonies.
They are mankind’s first domesticated animal and have been farmed in conditions ranging from the harshest climates to the most modern intensive dairy farms in the world.
Goat Farming in South Africa is aimed at subsistence farmers in rural areas, stud breeders, mohair producers, dairy farms and commercial meat farmers.
With this range of goat-related topics in all 11 official South African languages, South Africa Online ® hopes to empower goat farmers to learn more about these fascinating and versatile animals.
Body Condition in Dairy Goats
‘Body Condition Scoring’ (BCS) is an important tool for goat farmers to optimize the production, feeding and welfare of their animals....moreCommon Diseases and Problems with Goats
Diseases and health problems in goats can be caused not only by various types of organisms (viruses, bacteria, protozoa or worms) but also b...moreConsumers of Goat Meat
A French study ‘Situation, changes and future of the goat industry around the world’ (October 2018) has found that most goat meat is con...moreDiseases in Goats
Good feeding and preventative healthcare such as vaccinations and parasite control form the basis of assuring healthy goats, but even so, an...moreFeeding Dairy Goats
Goats are versatile in selecting their food, and where suitable bushes and trees are available, they will prefer to browse....moreFeeding Goats on Pasture
Pasture (grazing land covered with grass) tends to be high in energy and protein when it is in a vegetative (growing) state....moreFeeding of Goats
Goats are popular farming animals because they are predominantly browsers and can be used in shrub and bushveld farming areas together with ...moreFeeding Programmes for Dairy Goats
Before buying dairy goats to start dairy goat farming, it is important to plan their feeding programme....moreGoat Breeds in South Africa
According to the Department: Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) there are only 250 goat stud breeders in South Africa....moreGoat Meat: Characteristics and Cooking
Goat farming in South Africa is focused on the production of goats for meat (indigenous and Boer goats), fibre (mohair from Angora goats), m...moreGoat Milk Products
Goat milk is very nutritious, has a protein composition similar to human breast milk and is more digestible than cow milk....moreGoats in South Africa
South Africa is a relatively minor goat producing country, possessing approximately 3% of Africa’s goats and less than 1% of the world’s...moreHandling of Goats
Smallish pens and handling facilities allow for easier handling of the goats rather than trying to work with them in a large camp....moreHow to Care for the Hooves of Goats
When goats’ hooves are overgrown, it can lead to hoof rot (on the sole and the wall of the hoof) and hoof scald, which occurs between the ...moreHow to Feed Sick Goats
Sick goats need more water, energy and protein than healthy goats but they have a lower appetite. Encourage its appetite with small meals, m...moreImports and Exports of Goat Meat
Live imports of goats into South Africa must comply with export permits for livestock from neighbouring countries and with sanitary measures...moreIndigenous Goat Breeds of South Africa
Migration nations from central Africa migrated southwards to escape tsetse fly and tick-borne diseases and brought with them a mix of long- ...moreIndigenous Goat Farming in South Africa
Indigenous goats arrived in South Africa during the later part of the Stone Age with migrating tribes and are found in the areas where the d...moreMarketing of Meat Goats in South Africa
The commercial availability of goat meat in South Africa is low compared to lamb, mutton and other red meats....moreMeat Goat Breeds in South Africa
Most of the world’s 570 goat breeds in the world were developed from three types of goats - the Bezoar, Savannah and Nubian goat types....moreMeat Goat Farming in South Africa
Goats produce fibre, skins and milk but the primary reason for keeping goats is for goat meat production....moreMedical Terms for Goats - Glossary
The following is a glossary of Medical Terms relating to Goat Farming in South Africa...moreMilk Goat Farming in South Africa
Milch goats (milk goats) have the advantage over cows, as they can be kept on poorer grazing where dairy cows cannot be kept so economically...moreMilking of Dairy Goats
Goat milk production peaks in the first month or two after kidding. Colostrum, the first milk from the udder, is vital for the baby goat’s...moreMineral Supplements for Goats
If a dairy meal for dairy goats is purchased, the feed manufacturer usually includes a list of vitamins and minerals. If a dairy meal is not...moreMohair in South Africa
Mohair from across South Africa, is brought to Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth area in the Eastern Cape province) where it is processed....moreMohair Production and Marketing in South Africa
A wide variety of mohair products are produced in South Africa including socks, blankets, duvets, scarves, as well as a range of other cloth...moreProblems with Goats on Pastures
If goats have not previously been on pasture, introduce them gradually by allowing them only 30 minutes of grazing on the first day....moreShearing of Angora Goats
When shearing Angora goats, they must be handled with patience and to allow for their natural behaviour - curious and clever....moreSupplementary Feeding for Goats
A goat gets most of the nutrients from grazing and needs to spend 6 - 8 hours a day grazing (eating grasses) and browsing (eating leaves)....moreSupply and Demand of Goat Meat in South Africa
Local cultural demand for the use of goats in South Africa is currently driving (and exceeding) the supply of live goats....moreSymptoms of Diseases in Goats
Look for animals that are depressed, lying down, scratching itself, not eating or drinking or behaving strangely like butting its head or ki...moreTerms used in Goat Farming
The following terms used in Goat Farming in South Africa are explained below...moreTraceability of Goat Meat in South Africa
Traceability is the ability to track any food or ingredient back to its origin. It will follow the path of production, processing and distri...moreTypes of Feeds for Goats
Feeds for goats are traditionally classified into three categories - Roughage, Concentrates and Supplements: Roughage - high in fibre feeds,...moreVaccination programmes for Goats
Goats can be vaccinated at various stages throughout their development to protect against diseases and infestations....moreVitamin Supplements for Goats
Goats are intelligent animals and range free to eat herbs, weeds and other deep-rooted plant material, which has a relatively high mineral c...more