Meat and Livestock Australia

46 Marketing Goats from Moonavale are sold through two avenues. Approximately 80 per cent are sold to the nearby depot Gates Goats and 20 per cent are sold over the hooks to an abattoir in Victoria. The key factors influencing sale decisions are price and animal welfare. Sale animals and times are dictated by animal weight, numbers and seasonal conditions. Over-the-hook sales are generally targeted to the winter months to capture any seasonal upswing in prices. It also ensures cooler conditions for the longer distance journey. Animals sold direct to abattoirs have an average dressing percentage of around 47 per cent. When comparing prices available from depots and processors, Rick has found that a live weight price approximately one third of a carcass weight price is generally pretty even on a per head basis. He is also mindful of the welfare and weight retention benefits of trucking stock a smaller distance to a depot, where they are then held in a paddock environment. Recalling the long term relationship held with Gates Goats, Rick speaks passionately about supporting local business. He has high regard for those who, at their own risk, have been pioneers in the goat industry. In this sense, Rick is very positive about the soon to open Bourke abattoirs. With such a substantial share of the national goat kill originating in western NSW, he sees this new facility as not only a logical step for the industry, but a sign of confidence in the future. It has the potential to reduce transport costs borne by producers and increase overall supply chain efficiencies. By reducing the distance stock are required to travel also benefits animal welfare. Land management Livestock on Moonavale are run separately, with fencing infrastructure dictating that goats are only able to be run in two designated paddocks. Paddocks are generally stocked year round, with numbers varied to match feed on offer. Such decisions are made by visual assessments of groundcover and stock condition. Some areas are rested for extended periods when the need and opportunity arises. For example during the wet seasons beginning in 2010, one area of the property was spelled for three years as there was ample feed elsewhere for stock. While goat paddocks are only stocked with goats, cattle and sheep are occasionally rotated. Rick points to the different grazing habits of the three livestock species as being somewhat complementary. As they largely target different aspects of the vegetation community, Rick has observed that he is able to maintain stock numbers for longer when the total DSE is spread across the three species rather than being entirely made up of Merinos. Vegetation type is also something the Howard’s consider when making stocking decisions. Areas of bluebush ( Maireana spp. ) country are generally lightly stocked as it is considered to be ‘survival paddocks’, providing feed in drier times. As Rick likes to allow rangeland goats to breed outside of captivity, he is conscious of keeping the country in good condition. This ensures rangeland goats on Moonavale stay until they are captured, rather than moving on in search of better feed. When establishing their first goat paddock, Rick and Floss chose a site that not only had topography that suited a hinge-joint fence, but was also thick with INS. They hoped by stocking it with goats they may be able to reduce the prevalence of woody species and return it to a pasture species dominant paddock. When first asked about the changes in vegetation and condition of the goat paddocks, both Rick and Floss reported minimal changes. However on further consideration they felt there had been some regeneration of grass species and increase in groundcover due to goats browsing habits. They have come to the conclusion that to have a substantial impact on INS, it needs to be the only thing left to eat and goats need to be present at a very high density. Bluebush country considered as survival paddocks with substantial stands of Leopardwood trees are present