Meat and Livestock Australia

42 Moonavale Station CASE STUDY Producer: • Rick and Floss Howard Property: • Moonavale Station, 50 km north west of Wilcannia Area: • 40,937 ha Rainfall (avg/a): • 212 mm Enterprise: • Wild harvested and semi-managed rangeland goats, Merino sheep and cattle Key messages • Rangeland goats provide good enterprise diversification while being a stock species that complements the grazing habits of Merino’s and cattle. • Reduction in price volatility of Australian goatmeat promotes greater commitment from producers to establish goat enterprises. • There is a need to an increase managed and semi-managed goat herds in order to maintain supply volumes and consistency. Looking back Rick and Floss took over management of Moonavale in 1996. This is the family property that Floss grew up on, while Rick’s family owned Goonalga Station east of Wilcannia. Both Rick and Floss recall mustering goats on their respective properties as young kids, at which time goats were mustered and sold opportunistically. During these times, the Howard’s explain that goats were not often seen outside of hills and ranges. However over time goats have greatly expanded their range to almost all environment types within the region. They see this as a result of population expansion and the resultant resource limitations within their preferred habitats. At the time Rick and Floss took over full-time management of Moonavale, it was primarily a Merino enterprise. As had occurred in the past, they continued opportunistically harvesting goats and selling them for whatever small return was available. This was largely undertaken as a means of reducing the competition for pasture that goats were placing against domestic stock. From this point, the Howard’s have gradually transitioned into a semi-managed goat enterprise that accounts for a sizeable portion of their overall business. As their business continues to evolve alongside the Australian goatmeat industry, the Howard’s now intend for goats to become their core enterprise in the coming years.