Goat Herd Management & Enterprises

This capstone unit consolidates herd health, legal responsibilities, daily management, nutrition, and small-scale enterprise opportunities for goat producers. Students will prepare for real-world decision-making by applying health protocols, regulations, recordkeeping, and basic business planning related to milk, meat, boarding, and service-based goat enterprises.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze herd-health data, diagnostic test results, and routine management practices to identify disease risks and prioritize prevention strategies for a small goat herd
• Apply North Carolina food-animal regulations and drug withdrawal timelines to develop compliant milk and meat handling plans and complete required herd medication records
• Demonstrate proper routine husbandry and clinical techniques including giving injections, preparing for kidding, constructing basic feeders/mineral holders, and maintaining accurate health records
• Evaluate small-scale enterprise options (boarding, weed control, composting, milk/meat sales, therapy/entertainment) by assessing animal welfare, nutritional needs, biosecurity, legal risks, and basic economic feasibility