Do You Know The Worldwide Trend Of Goat Numbers?

 

 

 

Although known as The Poor Man’s Cow, the worldwide number of goats has more than doubled (+109%) during the last 30 years, attesting to the importance of that livestock species to the livelihood of million of families. Conversely, during that same period the number of sheep and cattle only increased by 20 and 4%, respectively.

 

 

 

 

Thus, due to the increased importance of goats worldwide, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is dedicated to eradicating rural poverty in developing countries, recently requested the International Goat Association (IGA) to undertake a study  to sensitize policy- and decision-makers about the impact of small ruminants in development, using rigorous case studies and economic analysis.

 

 

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.