Teacher Page

Information:  The Meat Goat industry is a new, yet exciting field of agriculture that aims at a popular niche market here in the United States.  In this WebQuest, your students  will visit the world of goats as a source of meat, farm  income,  and fun as related to prospective 4-H/FFA projects. This WebQuest is designed to further enhance both your and your students' understanding of this alternative livestock industry. 

 Terms as seen on the Student Activities Page.  This page also provides Definitions.

Anemia:  Deficiency of red blood cells and /or a quantity of pigment known as hemoglobin.

Anthelmintic:  Commonly referred to as a dewormer-compound that kills or expels internal parasites.

Antibiotic:  A substance produced by a microorganism which has the capacity to inhibit the growth or to kill other microorganisms.

Bleat:  A goat's vocal expression, talking.

Bloat::  Too much accumulation of gas in the stomach can be fatal.

Brood Doe:  A doe kept for the purpose of continuing a desirable bloodline and genetics in her offspring.

Buck:  A male goat, referred to as a Billy, typically refers to a breeding age male.

Buckling:  Young intact male goat, a year old or less.

Cabrito:  Literally "little goat".  The Spanish term referring to goat meat.

Caprine:  Pertaining to goats.

Chevon:  Goat Meat as referred to by the French.

Colostrum:  First Milk consumed -thick yellowish milk that provides all the antibodies a baby kid needs-high in protein and vitamins. 

Crossbreed:  The offspring resulting from mating a buck and doe of different breeds.

Dam:  Female parent.

Doe:  Female goat a year or less in age.

Doeling:  Female goat a year or less in age.

Entropin:  An inherited trait in which the lower eyelashes are inverted, causing the eyelashes of the lower lid to irritate the eye.

Foot Rot::  Bacterial infection that can cause lameness.

Gestation:  Period of pregnancy beginning at conception and ending at birth, 146-156 days, approximately 5 months.

Grade:  A goat of mixed or unknown ancestry.

Hypothermia (Birth Chill):  Inability to keep warm often caused by cold or wet weather.

Kid(s):  Baby goats, either sex.

Kidding:  The process of having goat babies.

Lactating:  Giving milk or in-milk.

Nanny:  An old fashion term referring to a doe, not appreciated by most of the goat associations now.

Open Doe:  A doe who is not yet bred.

Parturition:  Giving birth, also known as kidding.

Parasite:  An organism that lives off of a host animal, can be internal or external.

Rumen:  First and largest chamber of a ruminant's stomach: found on the left side of the goat.

Scours:  Diarrhea. Severe forms can be fatal to kids.

Trace Minerals:  Minerals that are available in very small amounts.

Urinary Calculi:  Metabolic disease of male goats or lambs caused by the formation of urinary stones that are unable to pass through the urethra.  Thought to be caused by imbalance of dietary calcium and phosphors.

Wether:  Castrated male goat.

Yearling:  A baby goat between 6 and 12 months of age.

Zoonosis:  Diseases of animals that can be transmitted to humans.

Process for steps 2 through 6:  Students have been provided with several WebQuest links to aid them in their research and planning of their essays, world map and bar graph.  They are to complete each step of the WebQuest projects as outlined per your instructions.  Answers will vary based upon students and their skills and aptitude. The papers should include the origin of the breed and then track the breed's importation into other counties.  Students should realize that the numbers of meat goats in the U.S. have increased greatly over the past few years. Students should demonstrate their understanding of the growing demand brought on by different ethnic groups and religious holidays.  Students will also learn that goat meat is relatively lean (low in fat) in comparison to other meat choice.

Evaluation

Rubric For  Projects

Other Resources:

Comprehensive goat information

Go Back.

This page was developed by Ramona Andrus, reviewed by Lyndon and Barbara Irwin and is maintained by Missouri Farm Bureau.

Please address questions to Diane Olson at Missouri Farm Bureau or Dr. Lyndon Irwin at Missouri State University. 

©2006 Missouri Farm Bureau, All Rights Reserved!

Last revised on June 23, 2006