Everyday Ag

Goat

Everyday Ag – Audio Tour

Goat

Everyday Ag – Audio Tour

Welcome to the goat barn at Wyoming State Fair!

Goats serve a wide variety of purposes. They often are used for weed and brush control, and sometimes even as pack animals or simply companions. 

On a commercial level, they are primarily raised for their meat, milk, and the fiber that they produce. Goat meat is not very popular in the US, but it is widely consumed in countries in Africa, and some countries in Europe, and is common in Australia and New Zealand. Goats milk, however, is much more common and used in a wide variety of dairy products worldwide, such as cheeses, and is often seen as a better alternative to dairy products from cows for the lactose intolerant. The two most common fibers taken from shearing goats, mohair and cashmere, are often considered luxury fibers and are used in many high-end clothing products. 

Here at State Fair, goats are typically shown for one of four purposes–market, breeding, fiber, or dairy. 

Market goats are judged based on their fat cover, muscle, and overall bone structure. Fiber goats are judged off on their hair quality, according to what is considered desirable for their breed. Breeding goats can be either market or dairy and are judged on qualities that would make them desirable herd builders, such as their conformation. Dairy goats are judged upon overall appearance and structure, as well as the quality of their mammary system. 

Herdsmanship– the proper care of show animals–is an important quality in all of these shows, and as you look around you, you will likely see exhibitors working to make their animals look their best for show day, grooming them, cleaning pens, and taking care of their other basic needs.