Research Advisor: Professor Tim Delbridge, Oregon State University, tim.delbridge@oregonstate.edu
Raising goats has been identified as a potentially profitable enterprise for small scale ranchers around the country. Proponents point out that the US is a net importer of goat meat, meaning that domestic demand for goat meat exceeds the supply that is produced in this country. Regions with high populations of immigrants or other groups that traditionally eat goat meat more frequently are particularly promising markets. However, limited processing and distribution capacity may limit the ability of goat producers to meet the demand.
This study will use existing survey data on consumer preferences and goat meat purchasing behavior, along with publicly available demographic and population data, to develop analyses of market potential for different regions of the US. The cost of production for goat meat will be identified through existing literature as well as interviews with producers and meat processors, and the student research group will develop a short publication that can be used to explain the potential benefits and pitfalls of adding goat production to farming operation.
