5 Things Successful Goat Producers Do Differently

Have you watched successful goat producers? Have you wondered how they continue to expand and grow while you are left in the dust?

Successful goat producers have such unique stories to tell. Finding success wasn’t easy for them either.

The difference between success and still looking for success is determination. The willingness to get up every single day and work hard. The knowledge to find the right path and reach the right people.

Many goat breeders still searching for success claim that successful goat producers bought their way to the top. It isn’t always about having lots of money to purchase the right genetics or expenses. I’ve known many goat producers who found success after starting with nothing.

After analyzing habits of several successful goat producers, I have narrowed it all down to 5 things successful goat producers do differently:

1. A set vision for their plan

All successful people have a plan and a path to reach that main goal they are striving for. Whether the goal is raising amazing market wether show goats or competitive meat goat kids for slaughter, the vision of the path is the same.

Stay on it. Don’t stray from the path.

Don’t let something more glamorous or destructive distract you from your path. Let me tell you, it can happen in the blink of an eye.

It’s so important to have one main goal for your goat operation to reach.

      2. Set a budget and stick to it

A budget is the road map you need to decide how sustainable you will be. You can’t find success without sustainability.

Preparing a budget can either be fun or it can be a daunting task. Nevertheless, it is an important strategy.

First, you need to track how much you have spent previously on goats.

Make a list of all of your operating expenses from the previous year. If you’re new to goats, make a list of expenses up till now and continue to keep track of them for the entire first year.

Expenses include anything spend on the goat operation: Fencing, feed, veterinarian, advertising, etc. You could even add in your time spent on the goats as well.

The other side of the formula is income. Did you sell any goats? Make an itemized listing of every goat or piece of equipment you sold as part of your goat operation.

Your income minus expenses should equal a profit or loss. Once you have your list made with all expenses and income, try to figure out where you could cut things. What else could you sell?

How much money will you need to make to become sustainable for the next year? 

Ok, so now you are aware of how much you made or lost last year.

Now, it’s time to plan for next year. 

At the beginning of each year, you’ll need to make a budget for the year. That itemized listing of income and expenses will need to come back out.

Go through the list and estimate how much you will be spending on these items for the year. It sounds extreme, but you will be able to know what to spend money on and what not to.

On the income side, figure out how much income you will need to bring in to make a profit. There! It’s done.

Once you have established your budget, stick to it. I know it can be difficult. That perfect goat comes up for sale and you feel like you have to have it.

If you’re budget can’t handle it, then you don’t need it. Know your budget and follow it religiously.

     3. Proactive Mindset

Successful goat producers have a positive proactive mindset when it comes to raising goats. They are experienced producers who are not afraid to keep learning all there is to learn.

They are not afraid to try new ideas. They always keep learning new things.

Another aspect to the proactive mindset is to be proactive when caring for the goats. They are able to recognize symptoms of health issues or concerns before things get messy.

Then, they are proactive to treat the problem early on. This is a huge tactic with raising goats.

Healthy goats can help producers focus on other business type items, such as advertising. Problems caught early are usually resolved with less time and input needed.

     4. Know what inputs are required

It’s simple. Know what goats need.

I know some producers who feed goats way more than they actually need. It’s not necessary or sustainable for the operation or the goats themselves.

Goats need distinct nutrient requirements, spot wormer treatments, rotational grazing and proper wellness care prior to kidding.

That’s it.

Knowing what goats need helps keep down those input costs. If you give them just what they need, they won’t need anything else from you.

     5. Remember where they Started

Successful goat producers want to mentor upcoming goat producers. They genuinely care about the success and sustainability of the industry. They see upcoming goat producers not as competition, but as assets to a growing industry.

They also reflect upon upcoming and new goat producers’ questions and remember back to when they started raising goats. Successful goat producers had to learn and experience the same issues. And now, they can help upcoming and new goat producers learn, too.

Goat producers didn’t start out successful. They had to work hard to get where they are.

They studied industry trends, stuck to their path and held true to their vision.

Successful goat producers want to help. 

They are humble people, just like you and me.

They are just doing what they love to do. Raising goats the way they want to, reaching the markets they want to reach.

Remember: It wasn’t an easy road for those successful goat producers either.

Successful goat producers stay true to their path, stick to their budgets and help others succeed.

You can find this success, too.

It takes hard work, dedication and commitment to stay true to the path towards becoming a successful goat producer.

~ Much Love ~