15 Ways to Make Money Raising Goats

New homesteaders start raising goats as they find them adorable, but it is a challenging task. The cost of feed, regular health check-ups, building shelter and other miscellaneous expenses can turn your passion into a challenge.

To sustain your passion for raising goats over the long term, you must consider turning it into a business.

Raising goats can be profitable only when you set clear goals, keep an eye on expenses and diversify income streams.

Relying only on selling meat can turn your business profits downwards.

It can be surprising, but there are various ways to earn money through goats.

For a successful goat farming business, it is essential to try different income streams. Selling goat meat, goat milk, and cheese and renting goat herds to clear lawns are common that most people are aware of.

15 Ways to Make Money Raising Goats

goat farming

Goat business is profitable only when you plan well.

Before exploring different ways to make money, it’s essential to choose the right goat breed and consider the available space to determine how many goats you can raise.

To reduce the cost of raising goats, you need to monitor feed expenses and health check-up costs carefully.

1. Clearing Brush with Goats

Goats can be a gardener’s best friend if used wisely. Allowing them to graze on grass is an economical and effective way to remove weeds from your lawn.

Renting out your goats to clear farmlands can be profitable and simultaneously reduce your feed costs.

You may need to use a portable fence to contain the goats in a specific area while they work.

To clear weeds out of one acre in a month, you would need 4 to 8 goats. In your region, you can charge from $400 to $1000 per acre.

2. Sell Goat Milk

Goat milk is a nutritious and popular alternative to cow’s milk, offering various health benefits. By selling goat milk, you can create a steady income stream from your goat farming.

You will need to ensure that your goats are healthy and well-fed to maintain a consistent and high-quality milk supply. Proper milking equipment and clean storage facilities are essential to meet health and safety standards.

You can sell goat milk directly to consumers, at local farmers’ markets, or to speciality food stores. Depending on your region, goat milk can fetch between $2.3 per gallon. (Source)

3. Make Money Selling Goat Cheese

As more and more people are turning towards a healthy alternative, the goat cheese market is likely to increase from $2.4 billion in 2023 to $3.5 billion in 2030.

Transforming goat milk into cheese can significantly increase its value and profitability.

Ensure you have the proper equipment and facilities for cheese-making, as well as knowledge of the process.

You can sell your goat cheese at local farmers’ markets, to speciality food stores, or directly to consumers. Similar to cheese, you can also sell yoghurt, which is valued at $2.3 per gallon. (Source)

4. Sell Goat Meat

Selling goat meat is one of the prominent ways to make money from goat farming.

Experts also claim that goat meat is a healthy alternative to red meat.

So, to maximize profits, choose the best goat breeds for meat. Boer, Kiko, and Spanish goats are a few popular breeds for meat. Ensure your goats are well-fed and healthy to produce high-quality meat.

You can sell goat meat directly to consumers, at local markets, or to restaurants and butcher shops. Prices can range from $5 to $15 per pound, depending on the quality and region.

5. Make Goat Milk Soap

Goat milk soap is a popular product known for its moisturizing and skin-nourishing properties. By making and selling goat milk soap, you can add value to your goat milk and create a profitable business.

Ensure you have the necessary ingredients and equipment for soap-making, as well as knowledge of the process.

You can sell goat milk soap at local farmers’ markets, online, or at speciality stores. Prices typically range from $5 to $10 per bar.

6. Raise Goat Breed for Fiber

Certain goat breeds, such as Angora and Cashmere goats, produce valuable fibres that can be harvested and sold. Raising goats for fiber can provide a lucrative income stream, as high-quality fiber is in demand.

Ensure you have the knowledge and equipment needed to care for and shear fiber-producing goats properly. You can sell raw fiber, spun yarn, or finished fiber products at local markets, online, or in speciality stores.

Prices for raw fiber range from $10 to $20 per pound, while spun yarn and finished products can fetch higher prices.

7. Goats for Agro Tourism

Agro-tourism is a growing industry, and goats can be a unique and attractive feature for visitors. By offering goat-related activities, such as petting zoos, farm tours, and milking demonstrations, you can generate additional income.

Ensure you have the necessary facilities and staff to accommodate visitors and provide a safe, enjoyable experience.

You can charge admission fees, sell products, and offer special events to increase profitability. Admission fees typically range from $5 to $20 per person, depending on the activities offered.

8. Offer Goat Care Service

With many people owning goats as pets or for small-scale farming, there is a demand for goat care services. By offering services such as grooming, hoof trimming, and health check-ups, you can create a profitable business.

Ensure you have the necessary knowledge, skills, and equipment to provide high-quality care for goats.

You can market your services locally and build a loyal customer base through word-of-mouth and online advertising. Prices for goat care services vary but typically range from $20 to $50 per session.

9. Conduct Goat Farming Training Program

There is a growing interest in goat farming, and many people are seeking knowledge and skills to start their operations. By conducting training programs, workshops, and seminars, you can share your expertise and generate income.

Ensure you have a well-structured curriculum and the necessary facilities to accommodate participants.

You can charge fees for your training programs and offer additional resources, such as manuals and online courses. Training program fees typically range from $100 to $500, depending on the duration and content.

10. Sell Goats to Make money

Selling goats can be a straightforward way to generate income from your goat farming operation. By breeding high-quality goats and maintaining a healthy herd, you can attract buyers and command higher prices.

Ensure you have the necessary knowledge and facilities to care for and raise goats properly. You can sell goats directly to consumers, at livestock auctions, or to other farmers.

Prices for goats vary depending on breed, age, and quality but typically range from $100 to $500 per goat.

11. Goats Breeding and Studding Service

Offering breeding and studding services can provide an additional income stream for your goat farming operation. By maintaining high-quality breeding stock and offering their services to other goat owners, you can generate fees.

Ensure you have the necessary knowledge and facilities to manage breeding and studding operations effectively.

You can market your services locally and build a reputation for high-quality genetics and successful breeding. Studding fees typically range from $50 to $200, depending on the quality of the breeding stock.

12. Make Money by Renting Your Goats for a Photoshoot

Goats can be an attractive and unique feature for photo shoots, weddings, and special events. By renting out your goats for these occasions, you can generate additional income.

Make sure your goats are well-trained, calm, and comfortable around people to provide a positive experience.

You can market your services locally and through online platforms to reach potential clients. Rental fees typically range from $100 to $500 per event, depending on the duration and location.

13. Herd Sharing

Herd sharing is a concept where multiple individuals share ownership and responsibilities of a goat herd. By offering herd-sharing opportunities, you can generate income and reduce your workload.

Ensure you have clear agreements and guidelines in place to manage the shared responsibilities and benefits. You can market herd-sharing opportunities to local communities and through online platforms.

Fees for herd sharing vary but typically range from $50 to $200 per month, depending on the level of involvement.

14. Sell Goat Skin and Its Products

Goat skin is a valuable byproduct that can be processed and sold as leather or made into various products. By selling goat skin and its products, you can create an additional income stream from your goat farming operation.

Ensure you have the necessary knowledge and facilities to process and store goat skins properly. You can sell raw goat skins, leather, or finished products at local markets, online, or in speciality stores.

Prices for raw goat skins range from $10 to $30, while leather and finished products can fetch higher prices.

15. Sell Goat Manure

Goat manure is an excellent fertilizer that is in demand among gardeners and farmers. By collecting and selling goat manure, you can create a profitable business from a waste product.

Ensure you have the necessary facilities to collect properly, store properly, and package goat manure.

You can sell goat manure directly to consumers, at local markets, or to garden centres and nurseries. Prices for goat manure vary but typically range from $5 to $20 per bag, depending on the size and quality.

Conclusion

You can certainly make money by raising goats, but you should plan well to execute a goat-farming business.

It can be challenging to combine your passion and business. So, let your love overcome on making profits.

And never stick to one income stream when raising goats.

Try different income streams and keep the feeding cost low.

Regular health check-ups are something that shouldn’t be ignored. Otherwise, the herd can turn into a big loss.