Kiko Goat Herds Growing In U.S.

Kiko Goat Herds Growing In U S LIVESTOCK Miscellaneous If you ever get serious about raising goats for meat production you need to know about the Kiko breed says PJ Murphy who raises goats and is on the performance and marketing committees for the American Kiko Goat Association AKGA FARM SHOW first reported on the New Zealand breed 10 years ago Vol 30 No 6 “The breed has excelled over the last 10 years outperforming other meat breeds ” Murphy says Research at Tennessee State University as well as feedlot and forage-based testing shows Kiko goats are especially superior in two big areas - pounds of kid produced per doe and worm resistance Both are important to producers like Murphy who raises goats in Pittstown N J Hardiness and their adaptability to thrive on everything from scrub and pasture to a commercial feedlot makes them a hot commodity Some producers are breeding them with Boer goats to improve ease of kidding mothering ability and worm resistance While top-of-the line Kiko goats can auction for more than $5 000 good quality purebreds average $1 000 to $2 000 For commercial unregistered bucks the price range is $300 to $700 Mature males weigh 200 to 300 lbs and females weigh 100 to 160 lbs Murphy notes that though the breed originated in New Zealand it is becoming more American as Kikos adapt to different parts of the U S They can handle both cold and heat but like other ruminants don’t like to be cold and wet Because there is more than one Kiko association and other pedigree recording services and owners often register goats in more than one it is difficult to know the exact number of Kikos in the U S But according to the AKGA there are about 25 000 Besides increased numbers of Kiko goats in the U S marketing of all meat goats has also changed beyond the ethnic markets in the past 10 years “Goat meat has less cholesterol then chicken and is very lean There is demand for locally produced foods and more consumers are buying directly from producers ” Murphy says People interested in breeding Kiko goats in their herds should check out the AKGA website and Facebook page to review data and find animals for sale Contact: FARM SHOW Followup PJ Murphy 146 White Bridge Rd Pittstown N J 08867 ph 908 612-8860; www pjmgoats com; pjmgoats@gmail com or the American Kiko Goat Association AKGA Office 82224 Kay Rd Wakita Okla 73771 ph 254 423-5914; www kikogoats com

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