S.C. GOAT INVENTORIES INCREASE FOR 2005

Columbia, S. C., January 27, 2006:   Based on January 1, 2006 estimates, SOUTH CAROLINA’S milk goat inventory is estimated at 3,500 head, a 17 percent increase from the same date in 2005, announced the USDA NASS South Carolina Field Office today. Meat and all other goats totaled 44,000 head, up seven percent from a year ago.

U.S. TOTAL GOAT AND KID INVENTORY UP 4 PERCENT

All goat inventory in the UNITED STATES on January 1, 2006, totaled 2.83 million head, up 4 percent from 2005. Breeding goat inventory totaled 2.35 million head up 4 percent from 2005. All market goats and kids totaled 471,800 head, up 4 percent from a year ago. On January 1, 2006 meat and all other goats totaled 2.26 million head, up 5 percent from 2005. Milk goat inventory increased 1 percent to 288,000 head while angora goats were down 1 percent totaling 278,000 head. The 2005 kid crop totaled 1.84 million head for all goats, up 4 percent from 2004.

Mohair production in the United States during 2005 was 1.82 million pounds. Goats and kids clipped totaled 273,000 head. Average weight per clip was 6.7 pounds. Mohair price was $2.78 per pound with a value of 5.1 million dollars.

For additional information call:           

Rhonda Brandt, State Director

Steve Pavlasek, Deputy State Director

Kevin O’Farrell, Agricultural Statistician