August 2013 Newsletter
Hello everyone - we hope you are keeping warm during winter.
The Market
The goat meat market has at last started to improve. The slowdown in supply due to the wet winter as well as the decreasing Australian dollar is helping place upward pressure on rates and let’s hope it will keep going that way.
For up-to-date market information visit MLA’s website here.
New Technology
To follow up on our announcement at our Open Day in Cobar last year in regards to introducing the new computer tablets at our depots, we are still working on finding a suitable solution. There have been a few hick-ups such as coping with sunlight and dust, of which there is plenty at a goat depot. We are still very committed to introducing modern user friendly technologies to our depots and we will continue to work with innovative companies to develop a solution which is unique to Ausgoat. We will keep you up-to-date on this matter from time to time.
Where does the Goat Levy end up?
We all know it, we all pay it, but where does the money go?
Every time a goat changes hands a transaction levy of 37.7 cents is applied. You could call it a ‘goat dealing tax’ and as with so many other taxes you often wonder where all the money ends up. According to The Goat Industry Council of Australia (GICA) who is responsible for managing the goat levy, Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) gets 16.7 cents for marketing and 10.5 cents for research and development. Animal Health Australia (AHA) gets 4.5 cents and National Residue Survey (NRS) gets 6 cents.
So now you know ……………
And on the subject of MLA - a substantial addition to the ‘Going into to Goats’ guide has been released, 147 pages on rangeland goats which can be purchased from MLA for $40.00 (if you are a member). An Online version is available from www.rangelandgoats.com.au
New manager at Ausgoat’s depot at Fords Bridge
We would like to welcome Warren Ayre as our Fords Bridge Depot Manager at ‘Merita’.
Warren lives at ‘Merita’ and runs his drafting and stock mustering contract business from there. If you are in the Bourke area and need help mustering goats call
Warren Ayre on (02) 68 747 888.
To welcome Warren, Ausgoat is hosting a Winter Get Together on Saturday 17th August at Fords Bridge Depot at ‘Merita’.
If you would like to attend please call the office on 0267 322 144.
Fords Bridge also has a thriving cricket team, which Ausgoat will be sponsoring this year. The Fords Bridge Cricket Club will prepare a BBQ for our Winter Get Together.
Mediterranean Goat Casserole
A few of us from the office are really keen on goat meat and in particular goat meat casserole during our cold winter.
Here is a recipe from MLA’s website www.themainmeal.com.au which only takes 15 minutes to prepare – slow cook for 2 hours.
Ingredients:
600 g diced Australian Goat Meat
1 onion, roughly chopped
4 cloves garlic
1 cup beef stock
1 cup red wine
400g can diced tomatoes
4 sprigs fresh oregano
1 large zucchini, chopped
2 finger eggplants, chopped
1 red capsicum, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Salt and cracked black pepper
Method:
Heat a large saucepan over medium high heat. Brown the goat meat in batches in a little olive oil and set aside.
Add a little more oil to the pan and cook the onion and garlic until starting to soften. Return the meat to the pan, along with the stock, wine, canned tomatoes and oregano.
Bring to the boil then turn down the heat to a slow simmer and cook slowly for 1 ½ hours.
Then add the zucchini, eggplant and capsicum and continue cooking for another 30 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper and add the parsley.
Serve with crusty bread and/or rice.
Bon Appétit
Newsletter by Marianne la Cour