Willow City Farm

                                                                    A byproduct of our desire to eat goat cheese is that there

                                                                    are quite a few male goats that go unwanted.  In addition to

                                                                    our 100% Boer goat herd, Willow City Farm works with a

                                                                    local goat dairy operation to keep their goat cheese

                                                                    operation sustainable. Here's why:  In order for dairy does

                                                                    to have fresh milk for cheese, they must have babies!  When

                                                                    the babies are boys, they don't have a place at the dairy. 

                                                                    So, our breeder breeds her Sannan and Lamancha does

                                                                    with a large, quality Boer buck, giving us a great cross. 

                                                                    There is just enough fat on them (from the dairy side of their

                                                                    genes) to flavor the meat and keep it from being too lean.

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Our goats (both breeds) are 100% grass-fed, and butchered at about 75-100lbs between 7 and 10 months of age.  Our demand for goat meat is high, so we suggest reserving your specified cuts in advance, especially around Jewish or Islamic holidays.  (Note, our butcher is not Halal certified, but we are happy to deliver live goats to the butcher of your choice.)

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What's all the rave about goat meat?

 

Goats represent sustainability, without the curse of factory production. They are browsers, not grazers. The meat’s better for you, and the animals are easier on the land,  We can put at most, two steers on an acre, but at least 10 goats.  They take unwanted vegetation, and turn it into protein!

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While goat meat is popular worldwide, in America it has typically been limited to smaller ethnic markets and restaurants (Indian, Caribbean, Mexican). But that’s changing as some upscale restaurants, including Chicago’s Girl & the Goat, as well as Whole Foods Market and specialty butchers are adding it to their mix.

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Another important task is educating chefs and consumers about this healthy and flavorful meat.  Goat meat has about the same amount of protein as chicken breast and more iron than beef.  Goat is a good example of a meat that is ignored, based on ignorance, according to some executive chefs. It’s delicious. Sweet, mild and not gamy at all. People are pleasantly surprised when they try goat—everyone from foodie laymen to really experienced chefs.

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Remember, goat has less fat than chicken or any of the red meats commonly consumed in the US.  This is because goats tend to deposit their fat internally before they deposit it externally. When  a goat is slaughtered, this internal fat is removed along with the rest of the "innards".  A well conditioned goat does  have a tiny coating of fat over its muscles which will help keep the meat from drying out rapidly.

 

Goats cannot be "finished" with grain like other meats, and do not marble (intersperse fat within their muscles), thus, goat fat along a cut of meat is usually easily trimmed.   It has an excellent ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fats making it a healthy choice! 

 

Because of its low fat content, goat meat can lose moisture and toughen up if cooked at high temperatures and under dry conditions. Goat meat is usually cooked slowly or moderately and is often cooked in sauces or marinated first. One easy marinade is to soak the meat in beer and a 1/4 cup of lemon juice. If you eat meat and have never tried goat meat, we urge you to try it. 

How do I cook it?

We suggest you check out our Pinterest page for a compilation of many recipes and articles concerning goat meat!  ​​