Meaty questions on goats

That will be one of the questions addressed at the inaugural NZGoats Conference in Queenstown, on May 23-25.

The conference will hear from speakers on a range of topics including growing the goat meat and mohair industries, says Geoff Muggeridge, chairman of the Boer Goat New Zealand Breeders Association.

Federated Farmers says the conference will focus on adding sustainable value to the industry.

"Right now the goat industry has a lot to offer with goat meat leading global red meat consumption and Mohair becoming a popular niche fibre so this conference is at a pivotal time for the industry," said John Woodward, Federated Farmers Mohair New Zealand chairperson.

Chairperson of Federated Farmers NZGoats, Dawn Sangster, says the event is a collaboration between Mohair New Zealand, Meat Goat New Zealand and NZ Goats, under the Federated Farmers Goats industry umbrella, and the New Zealand Boer Goat Breeders Association.

"It is aimed at both experienced goat farmers and those interested in the potential of goat farming as a way to diversify their farm business".

Muggeridge says there will also be an opportunity to visit one of the country's most extensive high country Boer Goat farming operations in the Gibbston Valley, and an Angora goat farm in Roxborough.

Meat Goat New Zealand chairman, Doug Lineham says the goat industry has a bright and promising future, which we must navigate carefully, continued.

"This conference is an opportunity to have a say in how we go forward as an industry together and be a part of New Zealand's trade success," he says.