Lexi Webster
Australia has a significant population of feral goats, which have been present in the country since early European settlement. These feral goats are considered pests due to their impact on vegetation, competition with native fauna for resources, and potential to carry exotic diseases. While there were about 2.6 million feral goats in Australia in 1993, the number has fluctuated due to factors such as food availability, water access, natural predation, and human activities. The presence of feral goats in Australia has led to economic losses and efforts to manage their population. Meanwhile, the country also has a growing industry centered around goat meat and milk, with Australia being the world's largest exporter of goat meat. In 2022, the country had a population of approximately 1.7 million live goats, with Victoria processing 56% of them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of feral goats in Australia in 1993 | 2.6 million |
| Goat population growth rate without human intervention | Doubles every 1.6 years |
| Number of distinct goat breeds globally | 300 |
| Goat weight (adults) | 40-60 kg |
| Goat weight (kids) | 2.6 kg at birth |
| Goat milk production per doe per day | 2-3 litres |
| Goat meat export value to China in the first four months of 2023 | A$67.2 million |
| Goat meat export value to the US in the first four months of 2023 | A$117.6 million (35% of exports) |
| Goat meat export value to the Republic of Korea in the first four months of 2023 | A$43.2 million (25% of exports) |
| Goat meat export value to Malaysia in 2022 | A$4.8 million |
| Goat meat export value to Malaysia pre-2017 | A$14.4-16.2 million (85-90% of exports) |
| States that processed goat meat in 2022 and their percentage of total | Victoria (56%), Queensland (27%), South Australia (14%), New South Wales (2%), Western Australia (1%) |
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What You'll Learn
Feral goats in Australia: history, impact, and eradication efforts
Feral goats were first introduced to Australia in 1788 when they arrived with the first fleet of European settlers. Some of the earliest goats brought to the country included cashmere goats, which were brought to South Australia in 1837, and angora goats, which were imported from Asia in the 1860s to start a goat fibre industry. When this industry collapsed in the 1920s, some herds were set free, and goats were subsequently taken around the country by settlers, railway construction groups, and miners. Today, feral goats are found across Australia and are particularly prevalent in western New South Wales, which had an estimated population of 4.9 million feral goats in 2020.
Feral goats have had a significant negative impact on the environment and economy of Australia. They contribute to overgrazing, compete with livestock and native marsupials for food, water, and shelter, and harm native fauna by reducing the biodiversity of the ecosystem. Feral goats are implicated in the decline of the brush-tailed rock-wallaby in South Australia and are a threat to yellow-footed rock-wallaby populations due to dietary and habitat overlap. They are also a potential reservoir for exotic diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, and their dung can eutrophicate water bodies, impacting freshwater biota. The economic losses associated with feral goats are estimated at $25 million per year, including reduced stock production, the threat of exotic diseases, and government spending on goat control operations.
In response to the negative impacts of feral goats, various eradication and control efforts have been implemented across Australia. Several islands, including Faure Island, Bernier Island, Woody Island, and Townshend Island, have successfully eradicated feral goats. The establishment of new island populations is now less likely, especially in South Australia, where legislation prohibits the keeping and release of goats on most islands. In Queensland, feral goats are declared pests, and the state's Department of Environment and Heritage has a policy to eradicate them from national parks and offshore islands. Western Australia has a feral goat management program that combines mustering goats for commercial sale with aerial and ground shooting to reduce numbers.
The commercial exploitation of feral goats has also emerged as a valuable industry, with many pastoralists considering their capture and sale essential to their business. Goat meat, live goats, and goatskin are among the products derived from feral goats, and Australia is the world's largest exporter of goat meat. However, the benefits of this industry must be weighed against the environmental and economic costs of feral goat populations.
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Goat meat exports from Australia
Australia is a small producer of goat meat, also known as chevon, but it is the world's largest exporter of the meat. Goat meat exports from Australia go to several key markets, including the United States, the Republic of Korea, and China. In 2023, Australia exported US$166 million worth of goat meat, making up 43.7% of total global goat meat exports. This makes Australia the top exporter by net exports, which is the value of a country's total exports minus its total imports.
The majority of Australia's goat meat exports come from feral goat herds, which have been present in Australia since early European settlement. These feral goats are considered an invasive species as they degrade the Australian countryside and compete with many animals for resources. They were initially introduced to Australia for meat and milk, and later for the fibre industry in the mid-1800s. When this industry collapsed in the 1920s, many goats were abandoned, adding to the feral population. Feral goats have a higher proportion of females than males, so their population can grow quickly. They can breed all year round, but breeding tends to peak during autumn.
In 2022, Victoria processed 56% of Australia's 1.7 million live goats. Queensland (27%), South Australia (14%), New South Wales (2%), and Western Australia (1%) were the other states that processed goat meat that year. Western Australia has a feral goat management program covering most feral herds, which involves mustering goats for commercial sale and then killing the remaining animals through aerial and ground shooting.
The global demand for goat meat has the potential to increase Australian goat meat exports and support the long-term growth of the domestic goat industry. Goat meat is becoming increasingly popular as a source of lean red meat, and goats are a profitable enterprise in Australia's northern semi-arid rangelands.
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Goat milk products and their health benefits
Australia has a large population of feral goats, which have been present in the country since early European settlement. These goats are regarded as pests in several parts of the country, causing economic losses and threatening native fauna. While there are no exact figures, it is estimated that there were around 2.6 million feral goats in Australia in 1993.
Now, let's discuss the health benefits of goat milk products:
Goat milk is a nutritious food, rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. It has a higher protein content than cow's milk, and this protein is more easily digestible. Goat milk also contains more protein per serving than soy, almond, or rice milk. The presence of "prebiotic" carbohydrates, called oligosaccharides, in goat's milk helps nourish the beneficial bacteria in the human gut, similar to the effect of oligosaccharides in human breast milk on a baby's digestive tract.
Goat milk is also an excellent source of vitamin A, which is associated with a reduced risk of cataracts and certain forms of cancer, and it may help children fight off measles. Additionally, studies suggest that goat milk may help lower cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol, reducing cholesterol in the arteries and gallbladder.
However, it's important to note that goat milk is not suitable for everyone. While some people with cow milk allergies or lactose intolerance may find goat milk easier to digest, it still contains lactose and is not a guaranteed alternative. Goat milk also has more calories per serving than other types of milk, and it contains primarily saturated fat.
Goat milk products, such as cheese, yoghurt, and butter, can also provide similar nutritional benefits. These products offer a delicious and healthy option for those who enjoy the taste of goat milk or are seeking alternatives to cow's milk products.
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Goat breeds in Australia
Australia has a wide variety of goat breeds, with the industry seeing significant growth in recent years. While goat farming is a relatively small industry in Australia compared to cattle and sheep, goats have several advantages as a livestock option. They are well-suited to smaller rural holdings, can be run on land unsuitable for other animals, and have no cultural or religious taboos associated with their meat.
There are six main breeds of goats used in Australia for dairy farming. Three of these are of Swiss origin: Saanen, Toggenburg, and British Alpine. Saanens were originally imported from France and Switzerland and were improved upon by the Department of Agriculture in New South Wales. Toggenburg goats, known for being clever and alert, were officially introduced to Australia in the 1940s. British Alpines, on the other hand, were developed in Great Britain and were imported into Australia in 1958.
Two of the main dairy breeds have been recently bred in Australia: Australian Melaan and Australian Brown. The Australian Melaan takes its name from its colour and its origin from a Saanen buck imported in 1943. The Australian Brown goat was established in the 1990s and is known for its solid brown coat.
The sixth dairy breed used in Australia is the Anglo Nubian, which originated in the Middle East. Additionally, the Dairy Goat Society of Australia (DGSA) also recognises the Nigerian Dwarf goat breed, which originated in West Africa.
Beyond dairy farming, Australia also has meat goat breeds such as Rangeland goats and Boer goats, which were developed in South Africa for meat production.
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Goat population trends in Australia
Feral goats have been present in Australia since the early 18th century when they first arrived with European settlers. They are now found across Australia and are considered an invasive species. Feral goat populations in Australia are a mix of Angora, Cashmere, Anglo-Nubian, British Alpine, Saanen, and Toggenburg breeds.
Feral goats are a major agricultural pest throughout Australia, causing economic losses of around $25 million per year. They compete with livestock and native marsupials for resources, and their overgrazing leads to land degradation and reduced vegetation regeneration. Goats are also capable of climbing trees and can graze higher than kangaroos or sheep, impacting the survival of plant communities. Their presence also affects water quality due to their dung and carcasses near waterways.
The goat population in Australia has fluctuated over time, with about 2.6 million feral goats recorded in 1993. In 2020, the feral goat population in western New South Wales alone was estimated at 4.9 million. The number of feral goats depends on various factors, including food and water availability, natural predation, hunting, and diseases.
Goats are widely distributed in Western Australia, where they are considered pests on rangelands. The state has implemented a feral goat management program that involves mustering goats for commercial sale, followed by aerial and ground shooting to reduce the population. Similar control measures have been implemented in other states, and eradication efforts have successfully removed feral goats from several islands.
While feral goats pose environmental and economic challenges, they also have commercial value. The capture and sale of feral goats have become an essential part of some pastoralists' businesses, contributing to an industry worth about $29 million per year. Additionally, Australia is the world's largest exporter of goat meat, supplying key markets such as the US, the Republic of Korea, Canada, and Taiwan.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there are not more goats than people in Australia. In 1993, there were about 2.6 million feral goats in Australia, a number that has fluctuated widely. As of 2022, Australia's population is over 26 million.
Yes, goats are considered a serious threat to yellow-footed rock-wallaby populations and have been implicated in their decline. They are also a major agricultural pest throughout Australia, causing economic losses.
Various measures are being taken to control the feral goat population in Australia. Western Australia has a feral goat management program that involves mustering goats for commercial sale and aerial and ground shooting to reduce their numbers. The Animal and Plant Control Act 1986 in South Australia prohibits the keeping and release of goats on nearly all islands in the state.
