Judge John Fasert, of Rock Rapids, judges the young breeding does at the O'Brien County Meat Goat Show, in Primghar, which took place on July 21. Exhibitors are from left: Shaina Hunt, Leah Bunkers, Paris Schnepf and Mara Rohwer.

PRIMGHAR – One of the last 4-H livestock shows to take place at the O’Brien County Fair last week was the fourth annual Meat Goat Show.

Meat goat superintendant Jared Rohrs said meat goat entries were up this year with 41 goats entered, plus 17 4-H exhibitors.

“Meat goats are a fun and easy project for kids,”?Rohrs said.”The animals are such characters. I think this show will continue to grow in coming years.”

The meat goat judge this year was John Fasert, of Rock Rapids. Fasert said he raises meat goats on his farm, as well as sheep.

“My family actually prefers the taste of goat over lamb,” he noted. “The demand for this type of meat animal is growing in our country. “I don’t see the popularity of the meat goat going away.”

Caroline Ascher, at right, holding her Boer goat "Daisy,” pose for a quick picture before the O'Brien County Meat Goat Show.

With Iowa’s ethnic population increasing, the demand for fresh goat meat is on the rise, he added. The demand for goat meat in the U.S. is so high that producers can’t keep up.

At this point, much of the goat meat sold in the U.S. is imported from New Zealand or Australia.

Contact Robyn Kruger at rangerob@hickorytech.net.