April 2025 TRFS Update

ESCAPE TO SOMETHING NEW - OUR LATEST PROPERTIES UPDATES ARE IN...

NEW! Comanche Hay Farm is a 125± acre, family-operated, income-producing property with thoughtful improvements, meticulously maintained and ready for its next owner whether you want to produce and sell hay or run livestock.

REDUCED! Impressive improvements and quality views amongst a beautiful and scenic backdrop – Rancho Cielito Lindo is an 84± acre quintessential Hill Country ranch located 25± miles from downtown Fredericksburg. The headquarters features a beautiful two-bedroom/two-bathroom main residence as the centerpiece. The diverse terrain includes 1,160'± of the seasonal Threadgill Creek, a 10.7± acre coastal Bermuda field, and an elevated hilltop with majestic views of the Doss Valley. Escape and enjoy the peaceful park-like setting of Rancho Cielito Lindo.

JUST SOLD! Spring Branch Ranch is an exceptional 150± acre property located in a prime area close to Spring Branch, New Braunfels, San Antonio, and Canyon Lake amenities, all while enjoying the tranquility of country living. This long-time family-owned land is on the market for the first time and offers easy accessibility and stunning long-range views. With its serene hill country ambiance and numerous mature live oaks, the ranch provides an ideal setting for a permanent residence or weekend getaway.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST TEXAS DROUGHT CONDITIONS!

We're continuing to closely monitor the Texas drought conditions. Texas has seen recent rainfall which has helped the state avoid serious drought concerns. The state is showing 13.76% to have exceptional drought conditions. Extreme drought conditions have increased to 28.69% statewide. Stay informed about current water conditions.

RANCH NEWS ARTICLES!

You can see the latest ranch news articles under “Resources” then go down to the “Ranch Articles” tab. The latest article highlights a Texan's visit to Washington, D.C. to advocate for expanding U.S. beef exports by urging Congress and the Trump administration to open new markets, cut non-tariff barriers, and promote fair global trade. Read more. These articles are also featured in our bi-weekly email newsletter.

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Demand for Meat Goats Continues to Increase

Meat goat demand continues to rise, and prices are also increasing

Meat goat demand continues to rise, and prices are also increasing.

That’s been a consistent trend for the last decade, and as the U.S. population grows and more people immigrate to the U.S. from countries that regularly consume goat meat, the higher the demand for goat meat, one Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert said.

“Going back about 10 years, we can see average prices have increased from about $2 a pound to an average price now of about $3.50 a pound,” Dr. Jake Thorne, AgriLife Extension sheep and goat specialist, said.

Prices trend higher in late winter and early spring and drop in the middle of summer and early fall, Thorne said.

He noted there are indicators that consumption increases on seasonal trends, but there are no significant numbers that would help producers when marketing their product.

“The premiums that typically come with an increase in demand don’t always come to reality because of the sudden spike in supply,” he said.

Lower prices in the summer are related to the glut of 3-4-month-old goats born in the spring coupled with lower seasonal demand. But producers who raise fall-born goats can capitalize on the anticipated higher prices driven by fewer animals and increased demand in January, February and March.

Thorne said that while on the rise, meat goat market numbers are harder to track compared to other livestock.

“Meat goats do not typically follow the traditional livestock harvest pattern of other livestock. You don’t have large numbers going to a feedlot for several months, harvested at a large-scale commercial facility, and individual cuts distributed to retail grocery stores,” he said. “Some goats are fed and then processed at a heavier weight, but many are not. And it is common for whole carcasses to be sold as opposed to just individual cuts.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) doesn’t track meat goats with the same detail as cattle, hogs or even lambs, making it more difficult to measure herd numbers and economics.

There are four main auctions in Texas for small ruminants like meat goats. Those are in San Angelo, Fredericksburg, Goldthwaite and Hamilton.

“That shows you there is a significant percentage of goats that aren’t being accounted for in the USDA report,” he said. “Texas accounts for 33% of the nation’s meat goat inventory, and those four auctions make up the bulk of Texas sales. So, it gives us a rough idea about total nationwide.”

The average herd size is 20, according to a 2019 goat industry study conducted by USDA.

But total herd numbers have dropped since the coronavirus pandemic. Numbers are down to 790,000, a decrease of 52,000 from 2019.

Although total numbers are down, Thorne noted more landowners are turning to raising goats due to small acreage sizes. They are a more feasible option for a production system of five to 50 acres and are also beneficial in some regions with more brushy plants for browsing rather than grazing forages. They’re also used in targeted grazing approaches where overgrowth is more common.

“They’re an excellent biological tool to graze land that is maybe overgrown or has the potential for wildfire,” Thorne said. “I don’t foresee the demand for goat meat, goat products or goat services doing anything but growing in the next decade.”

Although 90% of the U.S. goat inventory is raised for meat, other uses include milk, hair and livestock shows.