Goat industry growing in west Texas

Terry Taylor of west Lubbock feeds his goats Friday morning. Taylor and his wife Sue own about 120 head of goat specialize in breeding show-quality goats which are sold to buyers throughout the country. (Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

Don Handley of Get-Ya-Goat Ranch in Crosbyton feeds his goats day-old-bread early in the morning. Handley and his wife Sharon raise goats because "it's pressure relief, it's [their] hobby, and [they] enjoy it." (Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

Watch two short videos detailing the lives of goat farmers Don Handley and Terry Taylor by clicking HERE or on the photos above.
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As the cost of feed and land escalates, a growing number of people looking to raise livestock on the South Plains are focusing on the other red meat - goat.

Just in Lubbock, there are about 2,000 head of breeding-age meat goat does, and that number is increasing according to Robert Scott, a Texas AgriLife Extension agent in Lubbock.

Many of the people raising goats in the Lubbock area are small-time operations with anywhere between 10 to 50 heads, according to Scott... (Continue reading the related article: Goat industry growing in region, says expert)