New training program for rangeland producers
20 December 2021
Key points:
- New ‘Getting Goats to Market’ supported learning package developed for rangeland goat producers
- Designed to upskill goat producers in understanding and responding to the key profit drivers within their businesses
- Program is delivered to small groups of producers over a 12 to 18-month period
Rangeland goat producers looking to better understand and respond to the key profit drivers within their businesses are being encouraged to participate in MLA’s new supported learning package.
The ‘Getting Goats to Market’ package is being delivered through MLA’s Profitable Grazing Systems (PGS) program and has been developed by Dubbo-based Schuster Consulting.
The program is designed for rangeland goat producers who have already determined that goats are a natural fit and are compatible with other enterprises within the pastoral operation.
It is delivered to small groups of producers through group and one-on-one coaching over a 12 to 18-month period, and in a variety of formats including hands-on, demonstrations, repeated practice and group discussions.
Schuster Consulting’s Peter Schuster said the program would help goat producers understand how to apply concepts more widely used in cattle and sheep production to goat production.
“The program addresses key profit drivers of livestock enterprises,” Peter said.
“These include the prices received for livestock or livestock products; the number of livestock that can be produced, measured as the stocking rate; and the cost of producing livestock or livestock products, known as the cost of production.
“The key objectives of the program are to increase skills and confidence to develop and implement a customised production plan, select animals that are ready for turn-off, increase average carcase weight of goats that are turned-off, and increase the proportion of livestock reaching optimal market specifications.
“It introduces a wide range of aspects relating to goatmeat production but is not intended to be used as a comprehensive ‘how to’ guide.
“Producers will develop a simple, customised production plan to support improving productivity and profitability of their goatmeat enterprise.”
The Getting Goats to Market program is run as a co-funded activity with a participating fee, MLA subsidy and the opportunity to partner with other co-funders or sponsors.
