The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Teresa on May 09, 2011, 10:12:44 pm
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Can anyone help with a businessish plan on how breeding goats for meat, milk and kids could be profitable? I'd be looking to add value to the milk by producing cream, cheese, ice cream, soap etc Going to agri shows etc. Maybe building into a farm shop with other livestock produce. I'm looking towards anglo nubians as they are beautiful and think as an all round goat could work. What are kid and adult prices, genenral medication, feed costs. What size herd would i need? Any ideas?
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I can help you with this... or at least a large p[art of it. Give me a call one evening to discuss 01647 231456. I already do a large part.
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:D Thank you very much I'll give you a buzz later :goat:
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Can anyone help with a businessish plan on how breeding goats for meat, milk and kids could be profitable? I'd be looking to add value to the milk by producing cream, cheese, ice cream, soap etc Going to agri shows etc. Maybe building into a farm shop with other livestock produce. I'm looking towards anglo nubians as they are beautiful and think as an all round goat could work. What are kid and adult prices, genenral medication, feed costs. What size herd would i need? Any ideas?
id love to do all that, just wish i had the energy...lol...good luck, u never know til u try .. :wave:
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If this is to be YOUR business plan- surely you need to be coming up with it? I'm sorry if that comes over as abrupt or rude, but we cannot make plans for you at the end of the day it has to be what you can do, and what you can cope with. If we say it will take 30 milkers to run this business- can you manage to look after that many- do you have enough room, enough grazing, enough time to sit and milk them all (in a specialised milking parlour) and then to filter, cool, maybe pasturise the milk, and make it into all those products you mention?
You need to speak to people at every part of the industry- how much will it cost to set up your milking parlour, to develop the products you want to make, never mind the stuff at the start, like sourcing your animals and food for them.
I can tell you exactly what MY business plan would be- and I would love to do it. Unfortunately I need my monthly wage, and with working full time, I do not have the time to start the business plan- a vicious circle. I would also need more land than I have just now.
You ask about prices-where are you located because prices will vary in different parts of the country. Also, what the price is today for animal food, might not the same price that it is in 6months time. If you really what specific help aimed at you- you need to tell us more. Do you already have land, if so, how much? Is it suitable land for goats? Is there extra space so you can grow your own hay/silage which will cut your feed costs down. Are there buildings already there you can utilise to turn into that milking parlour, or a cheese making room etc. There are rules and regulations about producing the milk, the processing of cheese, cream, the packaging of it etc etc.
There is a huge, huge amount to consider.
Beth
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Are you doing any of this at the moment? I would think it a good idea to try making and marketing some of these products before even thinking of making a business out of it.
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All i'm doing is asking questions at the moment and thought of a business plan as way of laying out costs and expectations. I have no land as yet. I've been reading books, looking on websites but as yet have no practical practice. Thats why I'm here asking questions. How do other people making a living from their goats, with how many, what do they do? I want to learn more! Does anyone know who would like a willing pupil in the Buckinghamshire area? I'm happy to work hard for what I could learn.
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well I make goats milk soap and as a mum with a family, I'm totally exhausted just from doing that while looking after my smallholding and keeping my animals as well cared for as they are.
I think making cream, cheese etc as well as keeping a larger herd might be quite hard going!
On top of that you have to be 'certified' in order to sell soap and there are strict trading standards guidelines and regulations to adhere to with all produce.
They might be a good place to start with reading through their requirements?
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I only know of a couple of people who are keeping herds and making their living from them. The Randalls are one- they make Caprilatte ice-cream, and are the only commercial herd who show their goats as well. http://www.monachfarm.co.uk/ (http://www.monachfarm.co.uk/) http://www.caprilatteicecream.co.uk/index.htm (http://www.caprilatteicecream.co.uk/index.htm)
I'm not sure which location the goats are kept, but there are two farms- one just north of Cambridge, and one outside Colchester.
I guess you could try them and see if they wanted a free hand- but remember people may not be too happy with you coming in, learning their ways and then going off and taking to take over their market.
The other one is Kid me not who makes goats milk fudge, but they are in Wales.
Beth
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Good call Ballingall, Kid Me Not make fudge but also make some cheeses, which have certainly improved over the last few years since she started. As the name suggests she started up the cheese and fudge business as a way of using a dairy product that her children could literally 'stomach'.
There are a number of goats cheese producers in the south west, Somerset and Dorset, also one in Gloucestershire. My OH is the cheesemaker at one of them so can probably get you in there! But I'm good pals with one other in somerset so just let me know. Thinking out loud there is also Innes cheeses near Tamworth, a lovely chap called Joe Bennett, he has a good set up, it's well respected by other cheesemakers too.
I only really know the cheese side of things but there are very knowledgeable people on here so just see what comes up!
Feel free to contact me if I can help,
McR
07833 250 528
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There is also a Family run business, local to me in East Sussex, that produce cheese from their herd of 300 goats.
http://www.goldencrosscheese.co.uk/ (http://www.goldencrosscheese.co.uk/)
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There is an organic goat farm not far from our door and they do the most fantastic cheese. She sells it on the farm as well as delivering to the local supermarkets. Its by far superior to the goats cheese you buy off the shelf, so creamy and fresh tasting.
Note to self...must pop over and see Madame Chartier to buy some cheese for the weekend!
Its also VERY good for you.