Region × species fit
Goats breeds for the Upper Southeast.
Humid subtropical with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Long growing season supports double-cropping winter wheat into soybeans across most of the region. Below are goats breeds rated for fit in this region.
- 4 states
- 200-day season
- 45–55" rain/yr
Breed fit ratings
Boer Goat
good fitStrong direct-market demand across Tennessee and Kentucky for goat meat; Boer is the recognized commercial breed.
Forage: good · Climate: Heat-tolerant; humidity is workable.
direct marketing
Kiko Goat
excellent fitKiko's parasite resistance is the breed's primary value in the Southeast; Langston University and University of Tennessee research both document Kiko's edge over Boer in barber-pole-pressure regions.
Forage: excellent · Climate: Heat-tolerant, humidity-tolerant.
grass fed pasture
Nubian (Anglo-Nubian)
excellent fitNubian's heat tolerance is the breed's defining advantage in the Upper Southeast over Swiss dairy breeds.
Forage: good · Climate: Class-leading heat tolerance among dairy goat breeds.
direct marketing