The Boer Goat - July/August 2012

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SIRE OF MERIT AND ENNOBLEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT 4-M Mugsy’s 9082 (affectionately known as Stink), a son of the great AK-47, has earned both his Sire of Merit and his Ennoblement in 2012 from his first kid crop, which were all naturally bred kids. With very limited showing himself, almost all of his points come from his offspring, all of which were 15 months old or less when both awards were earned. This buck consistently sires kids that are very correct in addition to being stunning in appearance. With the accomplishment of these two prestigous awards from his first kid crop, we look forward with great expectations to the accomplishments of his future progeny. Stink is owned by Jennifer Keys and resides at Harmony Hill in Walnut Grove, MO.

4-M MUGSY’S 9082 - STINK

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Compared to other breeds and species of livestock in the United States, the Boer goat has not been around for very long. The first Boers came to the U.S. in 1993 – almost every other species came over as early as the Mayflower. Because of this fact our wonderful breed has no concrete guidelines about showmanship founded in decades of tradition, or a list of rules such as the Dairy Goat Showmanship Scorecard. Showing Boer goats is a brave new world requiring innovative ideas. However, there are many tips, tricks and a few general procedures that can help you succeed at showmanship. Often, being a good showman gives that little extra edge needed to pull off a big win. Showmanship is the one class at a show where you are being judged instead of your goat.

SHOW RING CONDUCT In showmanship, you are being judged on how well you present your animal. Become as smooth as you can while working with your goat and try

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to blend in. All your actions should draw the judge’s attention to your animal. There are a few basic rules that help you do this. Always keep your goat between you and the judge. This means that at some point you may need to switch to the other side of your animal. When you do this, never go behind your animal, over your animal, and never turn your back to your animal. Closely watch the judge and follow any instruction he or the ring steward gives you. Sportsmanship is a core part of being a good showman. Be courteous to everyone in the ring, leaving plenty of space between your animal and the others around you. Also, make sure that you line up with everyone else in a straight line without blocking the judges view of someone else’s goat – and make sure it does not happen to you. If possible, watch some classes before you go in to get an idea of how the judge likes to move the animals around the ring.

TRAINING Showmanship is a team effort. Properly training your goat is a key factor in doing well. One of the things judges often watch for is how well the showman works with their animal, how well the animal obeys the showman’s directions, and how calm and confident both the animal and showman appear to be. This state can usually only be obtained with a lot of practice and training on the showman’s part. Sometimes the job can be made a lot easier by an animal that is naturally inclined to be more docile. If possible, choose a tamer animal for training as your special showmanship goat. There is controversy in some circles as to the proper chain to use when training and showing your animal. However, most judges prefer that you use the dog training chain that has blunt tines along the neck. These tines do not hurt the animal while still

SHOWMANSHIP TIP: Properly training your goat is a key factor in doing well. One of the things judges often watch for is how well the showman works with their animal.

providing extra authority to the handler. Also, the possibility of accidentally choking your animal is much less with this chain than with the regular training chain without tines. Goats love their freedom, and usually object to your control both physically and audibly. Sometimes this objection can be rather passionate, but do not be afraid to stick in there and show that you are the boss. Practice general show maneuvers with your goat to get them used to showing. Sometimes you will see the most improvement in the behavior of your animal after the first few shows. If your goat is misbehaving, it is generally for one of two reasons: either stubbornness or fear. Make sure you know the difference. Be patient with your animal when it is scared and be firm when it is simply being stubborn. Perhaps the ugliest sight is when a showman is harsh with an animal that is simply scared. Being patient will also help you gain your goat’s trust. When they know they are safe with you, they act like champs.

APPAREL For some judges, what you are wearing can be a tie-breaker. Western style clothing is the accepted apparel. A bright, buttondown, long-sleeve shirt is best. A nice polo or short-sleeve buttondown may work on a hot day, but stick with your more professional long-sleeves when you can. Nice work boots or fancy cowboy boots look great in the ring. Leave tennis shoes for sports. Clothes with holes and stains, as well as faded jeans, should also be avoided. Seal the deal with a big, shiny belt buckle. Even if the buckle has a rodeo horse on it, a buckle makes you more noticeable to the judge and gives you an aura of livestock professionalism that is impossible to obtain without one.

SHOWMANSHIP TIP: Always keep your goat between you and the judge.

QUESTIONS Sometimes the most intimidating part of showmanship is the questions. Knowing your animal, what it eats, the parts of its body, Boer goat history, and general herdmanship practices help you answer the judge’s questions. Sometimes you may not know the answer to a question. What should you do? In my experience, I have tried guessing and saying I did not know. Some judges say that they prefer a frank and honest response if you do not know the answer while other judges say they prefer the deep desire to win and guess. In the end, showing your goats should be an enjoyable experience. Show as well as you can, strive to improve your own skill and the quality of your herd, but most of all have fun.

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Each year, hundreds of Boer goat breeders from across the country gather to compete, network and see the best of the best of their breed. Winning at the national show is a dream, and for these producers, it was a dream come true.

national show for several reasons. “We always try to make the National Show a fun time. We enjoy seeing all of our friends in the goat industry, and meeting new friends. Win or lose, it is always a great time,� May stated.

$ %$5 %2(5 *2$76 6+$1$ 0$< $1' $5<1 352&725 2) 61<'(5 7(;$6 ² 1$7,21$/ *5$1' &+$03,21 %8&. A Bar Boer Goats got its start over a decade ago. In 2000 when she was just 9 years old, Aryn started showing wethers, and a local breeder ask her if she would be interested in showing a doe in the breeding show. “From then on out, she loved the breeding stock and our business just took off from there,â€? said Aryn’s mother, Shana May. Today, the girls run about 30 breeding does (both percentages and fullbloods) and about 6070 head of recipient does. “We try to continue to add some different bloodlines to our herd yearly, by either buying or flushing,â€? said May. Winning the champion buck was special to the girls. “You strive everyday to make something like this happen. Through all the sleepless nights staying up with does kidding, and all the hard work, that at times you question if it is really worth it. A win like this makes it ALL worth it! We knew our bucks were good, and they have both won a lot for us, but a win at the National level, just proves we are doing something right,â€? she said. Producing a high quality buck takes time and dedication. “It takes lots of hard work, and making the right decisions on breeding what doe to what buck. Those decisions don’t always work. We make it a family thing, with all of us making the decisions. It is not only one person making the decisions but all of us. There are times, when you are worn to a frazzle, that you question, ‘Is this really what we want to do?’ When the babies hit the ground and you see those babies rise to the top in the show ring, you know your decisions have been the right ones,â€? she said. Winning the buck show was a great accomplishment for the girls, but they enjoy the

% 0$&. )$506 %5$' 0$&.(< 2) .,16721 1& ² 1$7,21$/ 5(6(59( *5$1' &+$03,21 %8&. Brad Mackey got his start in Boer goats after he purchased some to put on pasture that he owned, and it started as a hobby. “I’m in the hog business and turkey business, and just got goats as a hobby. Then we got interested in showing, and then into the genetics. It’s a good fit for our operation,â€? he said. Mackey runs a herd of 25 donor does, and has 100 recipient does. “We do a lot of AI and flushing. We have our own reproductive lab, and our own vet who does our flushing for us. We love it. It’s kind of got into our blood. It’s a family operation,â€? Mackey stated. This was Mackey’s first national show, and to win at that level was very exciting for him. “It was one of the highlights of being in the goat business. It’s really opened up a lot of doors for us. We have had a lot of recognition and a lot of calls. It’s been a real good experience,â€? he said. Mackey believes that to have a champion it takes commitment. “As soon as that kid is born, you have to take care of it. You need to exercise him, feed and have clean water. He needs a dry place to sleep. There is a lot of time and effort spent with them,â€? he said. Since this was his first show, Mackey wasn’t sure what to expect. “The show definitely exceeded my expectations. I met a lot of new people. It was fun and I enjoyed it,â€? Mackey stated.

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521 ',//(< 2) 67,//:$7(5 2. ² 1$7,21$/ *5$1' &+$03,21 )8//%/22' '2( Ron Dilley got his start in goats when he was given eight “uglyâ€? goats in 2002, if he could catch them. He did, and brought them home for weed and brush control. After some research on the internet, Dilley decided he wanted to upgrade his herd. “I determined that my goal would be to look across my pastures and see nothing but beautiful white goats with red heads. Today, that is a

reality, with approximately 50 head kept at all times,â€? he said. Winning at the national show was a lifelong dream for Dilley. “This win was a dream come true. It is everyone’s goal to win the Nationals, but none of us would ever dream it would happen to us,â€? he said. Dilley knows that to produce a champion, the animal must be cared for properly. “Champions don’t just happen by accident. First you must have a good breeding program. Second comes the hard work and determination, even when things aren’t going as planned, and third is a good feeding program. Good goats are bred, great goats are fed,â€? stated Dilley. Even though winning was an amazing part of the show, it was not the best part to Dilley. “Debbie and I enjoy our goats, each with their specific personality, but we mostly enjoy the camaraderie of the people involved in the show circuit. The most memorable moment of the 2012 National Show was the support the of crowd after the big win. It was bigger than the win itself! We will never forget that moment,â€? he said. 5(,//< %87/(5 2) %$1'(5$ 7; ² 1$7,21$/ 5(6(59( *5$1' &+$03,21 )8//%/22' '2( -$%*$ *5$1' &+$03,21 )8//%/22' '2( -$%*$ *5$1' &+$03,21 3(5&(17$*( '2( -$%*$ 5(6(59( *5$1' &+$03,21 3(5&(17$*( '2( Reilly Butler was introduced to Boer goats when he joined 4-H when he was 8-years-old. He bought his first goat in 2008 at the Elite Sale, and has continued to add to his herd since that time. “We have continued to buy or partner with 2DOX in our breeding program since that time and have been very successful,â€? he said. His family now owns 30 fullblood and percentage brood does, and has an additional 1520 does that they use for recipients. Butler knows that it takes hard work to have the success that he has. “A lot of hard work got me there. To me, winning equals a lot of hard work,â€? he said. “We spent many hours working with the does and bucks, including training them to lead and set up, which wasn’t always pleasant. We have everyday chores such as feeding, watering, cleaning pens/troughs/feeders, fixing and

repairing pens, and a entire assortment of other things that went into getting these goats ready to show. Winning equals many, many, hours of hard work along with a combination of superior genetics,â€? said Ruth Butler, Reilly’s mother. They know that the support from others can be as important as hard work, however. “Dr. Dressler with Pair-A-Docs Boer goats, Bruce Kroeker and family from Kroeker Family Farms and Rena and Cody Lynch from Bosque Valley Reproduction Center have been instrumental in my success and it could not have happened for me if not for them. They are great people and wonderful friends. They have helped me and showed us new things that we did not know. They have done a lot for us,â€? he said. The Champion Fullblood doe that Butler showed is a daughter of a doe that he showed in 2010, who was also a grand champion. “She has produced many winners for us,â€? Butler said. Butler, who is 12, enjoys being around the goats, as well as the people he meets through them. “I enjoy the personalities and showing them. I also enjoy the competition and the friends that I have made in the industry,â€? he said. Ruth Butler was very proud of her son and the success that he had at the national show. “It was such a thrill to see him do so well. I was and am so proud of him because I know how much time and work he has put into his goats. It is nice to see hard work pay off,â€? she said. -(11,)(5 .(<6 2) :$/187 *529( 02 ² 1$7,21$/ *5$1' &+$03,21 3(5&(17$*( '2( %(67 3$,5 2) 3(5&(17$*( '2(6 $1' *(7 2) 6,5( $:$5'6 5(6(59( *5$1' &+$03,21 35(0,(5 3(5&(17$*( (;+,%,725 Jennifer Keys got her start in Boer goats when she bought three goats from a local breeder. “We had recently purchased some land with a honey locust problem and it seemed that goats might be the answer. As a competitive horse person at the time, I never imagined that I would dive so deeply into goats that I would sell the horses, but it happened and I couldn’t be happier about the switch,â€? she said. Keys currently raises 50 head of brood does, 20 yearling does and a small Nubian herd. “I’m taking my time, picking and choosing specific does to add that I feel will be a real asset to the program and not just more numbers,â€? Keys said. Winning these awards at the national show was a big deal for Keys, who raised all but one of the animals herself. “It is really a dream come true. I raised all but one of the animals that I took, so that makes the placings all that much more special. I told my friends before Nationals that I would be thrilled to have just one of the seven place in the top 10. I’ve shown enough to know that there are some incredible animals out there. To have my homeraised animals place that well, in competition that tough, against all of these well known breeders is truly an honor,â€? she stated.

Keys knows that to raise a champion you must manage the animals correctly. “Genetics are certainly important, but there is no replacement for good management and nutrition. I’ve seen animals that should be great, the bloodlines are there, but whether it be lack of nutrition, lack of parasite control, so many things affect the growth of these animals. A good, consistent feed program is key, plus effective parasite control. I feel that all of these things must be in place for the span of the animal’s life in order to get maximum growth. In my opinion, good nutrition, especially during the first year to year and a half is key,â€? Keys said. Even though she came home with several award winners, her favorite part of the national show was not the ribbons. “Goat people are a special group. Many of them genuinely love their goats and it shows. I enjoy seeing people doing something that they love and it’s fun to see some of the interactions between goats and people. The pride of ownership is evident and the people are just so kind. It’s hard not to have fun at a goat show,â€? she said. She added, “I think a well-bred, well cared for Boer goat is a stunning creature. I love the beauty and nobility and with the addition of a lovable personality, what’s not to love?â€? &,1'< $1' :+,71(< %/$&. 2) 0$16),(/' $5 ² 5(6(59( *5$1' &+$03,21 3(5&(17$*( '2( 1$7,21$/ *5$1' &+$03,21 3(5&(17$*( 35(0,(5 (;+,%,725 The Blacks got their start in Boer goats when they took a load of calves to a local sale barn in 2006. They decided to go in and watch the goat sale. “When I saw those beautiful Boers selling, I knew then that I wanted to start raising them and began buying commercial Boers at that time. Whitney did not get ‘hooked’ until 2008 when I bought May, who was later named 2009 National Grand Champion Yearling Percentage Doe,â€? said Cindy Black. They now have 50 does, which includes their recipient does, which are dairy breeds including LaManchas, Alpines and Nubian crosses. The only buck they own is Nigerian Dwarf teaser buck they call Mac. All of their breeding is done through AI and embryo transfer. The win for the Blacks was special, as Madeline was a doe that they bred and raised. “Winning the Jr Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Percentage Doe with Madeline was so overwhelming,â€? she said. The doe was born to another doe they own named Aggie. Aggie had a difficult pregnancy, and the kids were born after Aggie was induced. Madeline began her show career when she was just three and a half weeks old. “Realizing what an honor and blessing it was just to be in the drive, I was reflecting back to when we showed her mom, then Madeline being born and the miles this young doe already has logged. I easily get emotional when the win means this much, not to mention the personal attachment we have with Madeline,â€? said Black.

Breeding and showing a champion isn’t easy, as the family well knows. “To produce a champion is a result of the right cross between the buck and doe, the right ‘ingredients’ have to be there to be successful. We believe in going that extra mile in their care and conditioning. Competition runs deep in our family. It does not bother us working extra hard and spending long hours at the barn to produce champions,â€? she said. Attending the national show is family affair. “Being at the national show is like one big family reunion every year. We have great friends from all across the United States, and to be able to share what you truly enjoy and to compete together at one place is what it’s all about. We share each other’s success at nationals. Later a person can look back and say ‘those were some good times, and the rewards are worth it!â€? she said. The Blacks are appreciative of the family at the show, as well as those who could not make it. “Even though my parents, who are our huge supporters, were not at Nationals, they watch every year on dvauction. My dad and brother take care of our does while we are on the road showing throughout the year, so it’s a family affair,â€? she said. 7$($+ ),6+(5 2) +20,1< 2. ² -$%*$ *5$1' &+$03,21 %8&. Taeah Fisher, better known as TK, got her start raising Boer goats after talking with her cousin five years ago, when she was 9 years old. She decided to get a goat, and still has the original doe she purchased. Now, Fisher has 75 does, and allows most of her does to breed naturally. “We bought some straws at nationals and will AI some does this fall,â€? she said. The buck that she showed she bought when he was 3 months old, from Show Me Boers in Missouri. “I’ve worked with him a lot the last six months. I have been out there with him every weekend, taking care of him. I’ve taken him to a couple of shows before, and nationals was his third show. It was awesome to win that early. I’ve never won a show that big before,â€? she said. “I love animals and I love to be around them. It’s a lot of work to put into it and I feel accomplished when I win.â€? she added. Fisher’s mother, Cassie, was incredibly proud of her daughter’s accomplishments. “I can’t even tell you how proud I am of her. You really have to sacrifice a lot to spend as much time as it takes to have one that excels like that. She does, and she puts in a lot of time and she really sacrifices a lot of things like time she could be out being a regular teenager. When we see all that come together and have a big win like that, it’s pretty amazing. We were all screaming and cheering and crying. It was amazing,â€? she said. 0$77+(: :(67)$// 2) &$%/( 2+ ² -$%*$ 5(6(59( *5$1' &+$03,21 %8&. The Westfall family got into raising goats as an extension of a 4-H project through their children, Morgan, Chance and Matthew. Today they have 120 head, and raise many of their own show goats.

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Matthew is just seven years old, and already has a knack for picking out champion goats. “Matthew claimed P.S.I from the day he was born. He visited him in the barn daily and was responsible for preparing him to show prior to the ABGA nationals,â€? said Cindy Westfall, Matthew’s mother. “Matthew spends time with us in the barn, kidding, feeding and even helps at the flushes. Matthew has gotten to travel around the country in conjunction with showing livestock. He’s made a lot of great friends, and has learned a great deal about showing and raising livestock over the past two years,â€? she said. Even though he is young, he wants to be apart of everything with the goats. “Matthew spends time with his goats daily, and is often sitting in the kidding barn waiting for the new ones to arrive. We have had a lot of help and advice from other breeders. Jeremy Gurely, from Sunshine Boer Goats, has been a specific source of encouragement to Matthew as he got started showing. Jeremy really has encouraged Matthew over the past two years,â€? Westfall said. Watching her son win was a proud moment for Westfall. “Without a doubt Matthew would say winning the trophy was the best part of the week. As his mother, watching him win was great, but seeing the support and the encouragement from friends, exhibitors and the judges was even better,â€? she stated. &+(<(11( 52%,621 2) &+(&27$+ 2. ² -$%*$ 5(6(59( *5$1' &+$03,21 )8//%/22' '2( Cheyenne Robison got her start in 2005 when World Champion Steer Wrestler Roy Duvall gave Cheyenne her first goat when she was 9 years old. She has a smaller herd, with just 10 breeding does and one buck. She also owns dairy goats that she uses for recipients. Winning the reserve champion title was a huge accomplishment. “Winning meant the world to me. I have been waiting a long time just to have something that I thought was good enough to just show at nationals. I really never expected to do so well! It was the best feeling ever. There were some really nice ones there, some that I thought were better than mine, but something about Bombshell must have stood out for the judge and I am so thankful for that,â€? she said. For her, raising a champion is a two-part system. “The first part is about choosing the ‘perfect goat’. I just try my hardest to find the goat in my opinion with the least flaws and work my hardest to hide the flaws it has in the ring. Second, you must have the right feeding program,â€? Robison said. She likes goats because of their personalities. “What I enjoy most about Boer goats is their wonderful personalities, and there is nothing more beautiful to me than a confident, well groomed Boer goat that is ready to hit the show ring,â€? she stated. Attending the national show is about more than winning to her. “My favorite part is just getting to be there, getting to meet new people from so many different states and getting the chance to present my animals to the judge and to have the opportunity to get to see some of the best Boer goats in the world all in one place,â€? she said.

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Anna Beth Mayhugh Grand Champion Goat 2012 Dixie National

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2012 North American International Livestock Exposition

B OE R G OAT SHOW

ABGA Sanctioned * Thursday, November 15

Junior Wether Goat Show

Wednesday, November 14

North American International Livestock Exposition * Expo Dates: November 3-16 * Kentucky Exposition Center PO Box 36367 l Louisville, KY 40233-6367 * Phone 502-595-3166 * Fax 502-367-5299 * www.livestockexpo.org

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The 2012 JABGA Public Speaking contest deemed to be a dual purpose event; a constructive learning experience for the junior participants, as well as an enlightening evening to their audience in Duncan, OK. Contestants focused on proper care and management practices for their goats and challenges the Boer goat industry is currently facing, proving to be very knowledgeable on their topics. 6-year-old Ryleigh Whitaker of Ranger, Texas and her family traveled to Duncan, Okla. to exhibit her goat, Minnie, and conquer her first public speaking contest, which Whitaker mentions was her favorite part of the National Show. Whitaker’s prepared speech was geared toward how to care for goats, particularly emphasizing the importance of cleanliness, exercising, a

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consistent feeding routine and vaccinating. Emily Sanchez, who is 13 years old from Pleasanton, Texas, focused her speech on the do’s and don’ts of showmanship. Sanchez has been showing Boer goats for five years and shared the knowledge she has learned throughout her showing career. Appropriate dress, good goat presentation, being aware of your goat and the judge, and having a positive attitude and respect toward the judge were all key points Sanchez hits. The major thought Sanchez left her audience with was to simply never stop showing from the time you and your animal enter the ring to the time you and your goat leave. Alex Jurica of Missouri City, Texas has a fear of public speaking and a goal to be a state FFA officer. She entered the 2012

ABGA public speaking contest to help conquer her fear. The ultimate goal of her speech was to aide in her effort to teach juniors what a huge role agriculture plays in everyone’s life and how enjoyable their involvement in agriculture can be. She touched on putting thought into why you want to be a part of the goat business, whether it be for enjoyment or monetary benefit and customizing your herd based on your goal. “The only way to make a goat operation possible is to know why you want to own an operation,” Jurica states. After listening to Ryan Sanchez’s speech about tips on how to make a goat operation feasible in a struggling economy, I thought the 16-year-old from Pleasanton, Texas has some unique points. He suggested researching the most cost effective way to

buy feed and supplies, buying in bulk, partnering on large quantities of feed and fuel and doing ordinary farm chores like building fence yourself versus outsourcing. The overall winner of the contest 17-year-old Blake Foraker of Burrton, Kan. proved to be extremely involved in the industry, aside from his interest in public speaking. Foraker is a 10-year 4-H member and vice president of his local club. In addition to showing Boer goats, he also shows sheep and is currently aspiring to be one of the youngest rabbit judges in the nation. As student body president and a member of the Halstead High School track team, Foraker stays busy. In his speech he covered the need for Boer goat producers to market their industry better. He explained that to be a successful producer in a struggling economy where the prices of feed and stock are rising and forage is becoming limited, one must adapt. He suggested rotating pastures, using forage alternatives, developing a good preventative program and selecting healthy animals from start to finish. He advised to do maintenance such as

fitting and dehorning yourself versus hiring out, and finally deciding initially what kind of operation you want to run, explaining that if small numbers are managed correctly, a smaller herd can be just as effective as a large operation. When the six-year member was asked why he was involved in public speaking, Foraker responded that he thought being comfortable with public speaking was an important life skill and the more opportunities he utilized to practice the better. I really enjoyed watching how passionate and knowledgeable these JAGBA members are about the industry they’re involved in. The combination of the information in their speeches and their overall well prepared poise is encouraging, and sheds a positive light on the future of the JABGA.

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MARK BERRY, JABGA JUDGE Glenwood, Ark. First Time National Show Judge Mr. Mark Berry and his family have been raising goats for years, however, this is their first trip to the ABGA National Show where he has had the pleasure of judging. Berry’s number one goal in judging was making sure the juniors were having fun. Berry and his family began raising Boer goats on accident. They initially raised feeder steers, and had acquired a few dairy goats for their milk. They have Keith and Lucinda Smith, of Ft. Worth, Texas to thank for getting them involved in the Boer goat industry from there. They currently manage a commercial herd and show wethers consisting of about 40 head known as Berrys GH Farm. Berry emphasizes to those who are interested in getting involved to pick a good bloodline and get your family involved. Keeping quality over quantity is important, visiting breeders and getting the know people in the industry are all key points to success in Berry’s mind. “Some go skiing, we go to a goat show. I can’t think of anything we’d rather do then hang out with our goat buddies”, Berry states as he turns to his wife and daughter. What impressed Berry most about this year’s National show was the excitement the kids showed toward the program. He continued to explain during showmanship classes the one consistent question he asks is what their purpose for showing goats is, the correct answer being, because it’s fun. CADE HALFMANN, JABGA JUDGE Garden City, Texas First Time National Show Judge Cade Halfmann resides in Garden

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City, Texas where he owns and operates Halfmann Livestock. As a first-time judge at the ABGA National Show, Halfmann compares this experience most closely to his experience in 2011 judging the National Western in Denver, CO. Interestingly enough, Halfmann’s parents were part of the syndicate that first imported the Boer goat in to the United States in 1992. He goes on to explain that he’s been a part of the Boer goat industry since its inception. “I’ve seen the industry grow by leaps and bounds,” Halfmann explains in regards to its recent evolution. Halfmann’s advice to juniors who may want to get involved is this: you can never be too involved, or know too many people in the industry. He also states his belief that growth and success are directly correlated with networking and promotion, with both yourself and the industry as a whole. As someone who raises show wethers, Halfmann is fully aware that “no one has raised the ‘perfect’ goat yet”. He explains that although the “ideal” of perfection differs from one person to the next there is always room for growth and improvement within anyone’s herdstaying trendy without losing sight of the fundamentals of a market animal is a necessity for success. LANCE WARD, ABGA JUDGE Seymour, Tenn. 2007 JABGA National Show Judge Mr. Lance Ward was raised in Soso, Miss. and now resides in Seymour, Tenn. Ward began raising goats in 1996 with what started as a hobby and quickly become much more. Ward sold his herd in March, in preparation for his endeavor to attend vet school. While at the 2012

ABGA National Show, Ward says he was most impressed with how friendly the exhibitors were, both inside and outside of the ring. This veteran judge’s biggest piece of advice for someone who wanted to become involved in showing Boer goats was to get the best goats you can afford right off the bat and do all the research you can beforehand. He continues by explaining that in his opinion, the biggest issue the industry was currently facing was structurally related, specifically that many bucks currently being used are structurally incorrect. CONI ROSS, ABGA JUDGE Blanco Co, Texas 3-Time ABGA National Show Judge Coni Ross initially became involved in the industry by including Boer goats in her Angora and Cashmere herd for diversification in 1994. She explained that their low maintenance, toughness and good maternal characteristics of the Boer goat breed was a necessary addition to

her herd. As someone whose name can be found often throughout the industry, Ross says her favorite aspect is breeding and being mindful of the true carcass on a meat goat. She emphasizes her feeling toward the importance of working to improve the breed versus striving for an abundance of ribbons. She directly relates this advice to one picking out an animal. She explains that it is beneficial long term to look for livability versus show performance. And like Berry advises, doing your research beforehand, specifically making sure they have been vaccinated. For juniors who want to get involved, she says to first set your goal - do you want to raise show goats or production goats? Answer this question and then begin your buying process, focusing on either show goat operations or a production goat herd.

Ross urges that the industry’s biggest issue is completely preventable, parasite resistance. She gives details that this can be done, as her herd of 350 head are resistant to parasites. Cleanliness and vaccination are both keys aspects to this. JULIE BROWN, ABGA JUDGE Valrico, FL 2009 ABGA National Show Judge Julie Brown has been around goats from the start, even while growing up in Montana. Later in life, she raised Boer goats for 13 years, until 1997 when she sold her herd due to losing her “labor pool” when her children moved to college. From her experience judging the 2009 ABGA National Show and this year’s show, she specifically liked how the larger classes were broken.

As an ABGA judge, Brown’s advice for a junior wanting to become involved in the Boer goat industry is to develop their own eye for goats. She goes on to clarify by stating that this will give you more control of your own destiny. Everyone will try to sell you a goat, you just have to know what you want. Brown mentions her concern with the disconnect between the show goat industry and commercial production herds. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining and bettering Boer goat breeding programs, including improving milk production, mothering ability and kidding ease.

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