The maturation of the Australian goat market continues to see many producers turning away from wild harvesting and towards a more managed production system, underpinned by very favourable goat prices and incomes.
This period of change and growth has been very exciting, as more producers adopt goats into their enterprise, with a stronger focus on management and production systems to rebuild numbers following high volumes of slaughter in previous dry years.
Since the inception of regular commercial goat sales on AuctionsPlus in April 2019, the goat market has gained momentum and surged to new highs, as producers place increased value in the market and focus on goat productivity and management to reap profitable returns.
Between 2020 and June 2021, AuctionsPlus c/kg liveweight prices for bucks has risen considerably, with Boer and Kalahari breeds increasing by 55% and 48%, respectively. Similarly, Boer does have increased by 27%, while Rangeland goats for both sexes have remained stable. Boer and Kalahari price increases are underpinned by increased demand for quality goat genetics, as producers seek to add value to their enterprises. In June 2021, an 11-month-old Kalahari Red Buck from Childers, Queensland, set an AuctionsPlus goat record, returning $8,345/head - more than $7,500 over the reserve price.
Online goat listings for the first six months of 2021 have already surpassed the total 2020 throughput by 22%, with 66,129 head listed. On a bi-annual basis, goat listings for the Jan-Jun 2021 period are 248% higher than the Jul-Dec period of 2020. Between 2019-2021, the breed breakdown of goat listings has remained relatively stable, with Rangeland goats accounting for 71% of the listings, while Boer and Rangeland cross goats comprise 5% and 24% of listings, respectively.
With a considerable rise in online listings, clearance rates have dropped slightly to 84% so far in 2021, down from the 92% achieved in 2020. However, demand remains robust and buck prices continue to climb as goat producers become more focused and strategic.
Goat listings between Jan-Jun 2021 saw NSW account for 56% of the total throughput, followed by Queensland with 41%. Western NSW was the highest throughput region, accounting for 42% of total online listings with 28,268 head offered. For doe listings, NSW accounted for 57% of total throughput, while Queensland listed 40%. Buck listings saw Queensland dominate however, listing 55% of bucks, with NSW listing 45%.
From a purchasing view, heat mapping data in Figure 2 shows goat purchases are flowing to the north and dominating Queensland regions, with the state accounting for 63% of all purchases. Western and southern Queensland regions accounted for 31% and 28% of listings, respectively which highlights producers rebuilding their flocks - many restocking with goats due to their resilient nature and affordability compared to the sheep and cattle markets.