The following books offer useful information on a wide variety of production and marketing issues. These titles may be available through your local library, or may be requested through inter-library loan. Most of these books will be worthwhile purchases for individuals new to goat production. Previewing the books at a library is the best way to select the titles that will be most useful to you.

Used copies may be available through on-line services or through other booksellers. Many suppliers of sheep and goat equipment also offer books in their catalogs, and copies are available from the publishers as well.

Meat Goats: Their History, Management, and Diseases.
Mitcham, Stephanie, and Allison Mitcham. 2000.
Crane Creek Publications, Sumner , IA.
264 p.
A well-written combination of the author’s personal experiences raising goats, veterinary knowledge (Stephanie Mitcham is a DVM), and a compilation of information from other experts in the field. Includes information about handling systems (hard to find elsewhere).

Small- Scale Livestock Farming: A Grass Based Approach for Health, Sustainability, and Profit.
Ekarius, Carol. 1999.
Storey Books, Pownal , VT.
217 p.
Not specific to any species of livestock, this book contains farmer profiles and quite a bit of holistic planning and economic information. Very complete in treatment of rotational grazing.

Storey’s Guide to Raising Dairy Goats (revised and updated; originally titled Raising Milk Goats the Modern Way)
Belanger, Jerry. 2001.
Storey Books, Pownal , VT.
288 p.
Very good general book for producers of dairy goats.

Goats and Goatkeeping
Thear, Katie. 1988. Merehurst Press, London . 176 p.
Very interesting book for goat producers, geared for the small farm. Covers milk, meat, and fiber. Practical and concise, very similar to The New Goat Handbook, but with added detail.

The New Goat Handbook
Jaudas, Ulrich. 1989.
Barrons Educational Series, Inc., Hauppauge , NY .
93 p.
A colorful book with many photographs and line drawings. Very interesting and informative.

Goat Husbandry
Mackenzie, David. 1967. Faber and Faber Ltd., London .
368 p.
An older book, it can be found in libraries and from sellers of used books. British terminology. Very good reading. A classic.

Angora Goats the Northern Way
Drummond, Susan Black. 1988. 2nd edition.
Stony Lonesome Farm, Freeport , Michigan .
203 p.
Order from: Stony Lonesome Farm
1451 Sisson Rd.
Freeport , MI 49325

Raising Goats for Milk and Meat
Sinn, Rosalee. 1995.
Raising Goats for Milk and Meat: A Heifer Project International Training Course.
Heifer Project International, Little Rock , AR.
140 p.
Written for persons with limited resources, this is a very practical book. Available through Caprine Supply (among other sources).

The Meat Goats of Caston Creek
Tomlinson, Sylvia. 1999.
Redbud Publishing Co., Victoria , TX .
181 p.
Personal experiences of the author.

Your Goats: A Kid’s Guide to Raising and Showing
Damerow, Gail. 1993.
Storey Books, Pownal , VT.
172 p.
Gail Damerow writes very good books; this one is easy to understand and very informative. Not just for kids.

Natural Goat Care
Coleby, Pat. 2001.
Acres U.S.A, Austin TX.
371 p.
Order from: Acres U.S.A.
Austin , TX 78709
800-355-5313
Fascinating book; Australian author pays much attention to nutrition and maintaining health organically.

Goat Medicine
Smith, Mary, and David M. Sherman. 1994.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore , MD.
620 p.
This book is recommended as a useful gift for a veterinarian. Very scientific, some of the terminology will only be understood by a veterinarian. Chapter 1 (Fundamentals of Goat Practice) is very helpful to producers as well as veterinarians. Chapter 20 (Herd Health Management and Preventive Medicine) is also very useful to producers.

Sheep and Goat Medicine
Pugh, D.G. 2002.
W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia , PA.
468 p.
A great gift for a veterinarian. A wealth of information for producers and for veterinarians. Knowledge of veterinary terminology will be helpful in using this book .

Goat Health Handbook: A Field Guide for Producers with Limited Veterinary Service
Thedford, T.R. 1983.
Printed in collaboration with Agricultural Experimental Station, University of Arkansas .
123 p.
Available from: International Winrock Publication Sales
P.O. Box 9363
Arlington , VA 22209-0363

Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Business
DiGiacomo, Gigi, Robert King, and Dale Nordquist. 2003. Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Saint Paul , MN , and the Sustainable Agriculture Network, Beltsville , MD. Available for $14.00 + $3.95 S/H by calling 802-656-0484 or 800-909-6472.
Publication can also be viewed at www.misa.umn.edu/vd/bizplan.html.
Business planning is an important part of owning and managing a farm. A business plan helps farmers demonstrate that they have fully researched their proposed enterprise, that they know how to produce their product, how to sell what they produce, and how to manage financial risk. This comprehensive workbook will guide farmers through every step of the process in creating a business plan. Includes many examples from existing farms. This workbook is a bargain.

May Safely Graze: Protecting Livestock Against Predators
Fytche, Eugene. 1998.
Published by the author. 103 p.
To order, write to Eugene Fytche, R.R. #1, Almonte , Ontario . K0A 1A0.
This book explores how to identify and
quantify the predator problem, and includes information on many methods to control
the problem, including guard animals, fencing, and management.

Fences for Pasture & Garden
Damerow, Gail. 1992.
Storey Communications, Inc., Pownal , VT.
160p.

Sheep Housing and Equipment Handbook
Hirning, Harvey J., Tim C. Faller, Karl J. Hoppe, Dan J. Nudell, and Gary E. Ricketts. 1994. Midwest Plan Service, Ames , IA.
90 p.
This book is useful for goats, as well. Can be ordered by visiting
www.cerc.colostate.edu/titles/MWPS3.html.

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