Traprock Goat Committee

In recent years property owners in the Traprock have seen the introduction of goats. This has meant that there have been changes in management practices for this traditional sheep breeding area. Those graziers were attracted to this hardy ruminant because of the potential returns and the suitability for this sometimes nutritionally challenging northern tip of the New England. It has given a new perspective on handling some unappreciated woody species and some new ideas on controlling vegetation. Goats give property owners a new insight on grazing because they tend to access their feed from a totally different height to sheep, more around waist height rather than at ground level.

Most of those new to the industry have started out by purchasing rangeland nannies and crossed them with either pure bred or crossbred Boer bucks. This has come with other challenges, how best to finish these males and female goats for market. Most owners will say that it is beneficial to separate males & females as they gain weight at a better rate when apart.

One of the other major worries that owners have had to confront is the that fencing that was more than adequate for sheep is certainly not going to be goat proof. This has seen a major upgrade in the standard of fencing. Property owners have usually replaced the old sheep fencing with exclusion fencing. This comes with the added benefit of dog proofing the property as well.

Fortunately, management costs are relatively low compared to sheep because after freight the only other major expense is ear tags which are mandatory for transferring from property to property.

Traprock Group Association Goat Committee also facilitates workshops to cover Animal Nutrition and other important subjects with regard to goats.

Drafting goats for market

Exclusion fencing

Chair Goat Committee:
Pieter van Jaarsveld Jr
Phone: 0468 313616
Email: traprockgroup@gmail.com