That is the very thing that has made goats into viable weed-control tools on American ranches.

As a result, on American ranches, goats increasingly have begun to look like weed-eaters to most American beef producers but, to many of them, the goats don’t look much like dinner.

Yet that’s exactly what goats look like in other parts of the globe and so increasingly US immigrants are seeking out goat meat.

It is in demand among immigrants from Africa and the Middle East as well as South and Central America.

As farmers recognise the market opportunities, American goat production is increasing.

The number of goats slaughtered in the US at federally inspected facilities jumped up from 595,000 in 2002 to 638,000 in 2007, according to Scott Hollis, the statistician with the National Agricultural Statistics Service who compiles data on goats.

These numbers don’t include goats that were slaughtered on farms and not reported.

At the same time, imports of goat meat jumped up from 504 metric tons in 2002 to 1,242 metric tons in 2007.

“I think the demand is there and I don’t think the US supply can fill it,” says Hollis.

Larry Smith, vice president of North Carolina Meat Goat Producers, Inc says, most goat imports come from Australia and the meat is generally frozen.

American producers, therefore, can get a competitive advantage by focusing on quality and marketing their meat fresh, Smith says.

Besides, he says, American producers can raise it cheaper and process it and bring it in cheaper.