May / June 2016
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN BOER GOAT ASSOCIATION
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Letter from the Editor Spring is the perfect time to slow down and take some time to smell the flowers - enjoy nature’s beautiful scenes. It is amazing how time flies. It is been almost one year since taking over as editor of your ABGA magazine. I hope you all find that it brings some value to your operation. From gestation calendars to vaccination schedules and from postmortem DNA and semen collection to birthing tips, The Boer Goat should be your go-to source for information. But, since we can’t cover everything, the ABGA directors are also working on a great educational piece that will be added to the website. Keep your eyes out for that information. There is so much to cover and so little time. If there is one email that I can request from you, the readership, it’s that you send me a suggestion or a request. For example, one reader recently noted that it would be easier to follow the events if we included the state. It seems simple, but each of you is full of great ideas that can improve the magazine one step at a time. My operation recently went through some difficult times. I’ve spent hours talking to my mentors and some pretty awesome breeders who just wanted to help. In that time, I learned a couple of things. One, there is a great wealth of knowledge and as the old saying goes, “there is more than one way to skin a cat.” From inducing a doe to saving kids, there are tips and tricks that long-time breeders have that can help young or new breeders. Two, there are so many things that go wrong on farms and ranches - especially with goats. So, if something odd comes up on your place, drop me a line. It just might be something I’ll write about in the future. As I spoke with one breeder, she mentioned that she had recently had a couple of goats bitten by snakes. Look for that topic to come up in the future! This is your magazine. I am just the editor. Please send me your pictures, your research and your story ideas. So, when you stop to smell the wildflowers this spring, drop me a line. I’d love to hear from you!
Karla Blackstock
ANNOUNCEMENTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING The next board of directors meeting will be held July 29-30 in Indianapolis. ONLINE LIVE AI/ET registrations can now be done on ABGA Online Live. The ABGA office is working on a process to start sending information electronically (i.e. statements, requests for information, work order details, etc.). Members will need to have their email addresses updated within the database.
Need to market and sell your animals, but don’t know where to start?
Look for the New ABGA Member Onine Auction. Harvey Plus and the ABGA are making it easier for you to sell animals through an online auction. To consign an animal, go to abga.org/member-auction to link over to Harvey Plus. Animals do not need to be registered. Trucking and payments are at the discretion of the seller/buyer. Consignments are $15/head with an additional $5/video and $5/”Buy it Now” option. No commission-based fees. HarveyPlus is a Ringside Sponsor at the National Show. Stop by to visit with Jill about logistics. Consignments must be submitted by June 17. June auction closes June 30.
Jill Harvey 937-244-1448 harveyplus.com The Boer Goat - 1
2015-2016 AMERICAN BOER GOAT ASSOCIATION
Board of Directors
REGION 14: CYNTHIA PRICE-WESTFALL (EC) PRESIDENT: cindy_price_westfall@yahoo.com REGION 16: SARA DAVIS (EC) VICE-PRESIDENT: csdavis@oakhollowlivestock.com REGION 10: TRACY DIFFENBACK SECRETARY: tldief@gmail.com REGION 6: PAUL GRAFE (EC) TREASURER: pgrafe@valbridge.com REGION 1: TERRY BROWN • capriole@pocketinet.com REGION 2: SCOTT PRUETT (EC) • eieiowefarms@yahoo.com REGION 3: LEE DANA • danagoats81@gmail.com REGION 4: JOEL (JR) PATTERSON • bobnjr@gmail.com REGION 5: JOE AIROSO (EC) • joeatalc@gmail.com REGION 7: DAWN STEWARD • dawnsteward25332@gmail.com REGION 8: SHON CALLAHAN • fourcranch1@gmail.com REGION 9: VICKI STICH • ladyhogger59@hotmail.com REGION 11: JANIS WESSON (EC) • dustydan1@windstream.net REGION 12: BRANT KNOTTS • brantknotts@yahoo.com REGION 13: BRAD MACKEY (EC) PAST PRESIDENT: bradmackey@bmackfarms.com REGION 15: SUSAN BURNER • wvburners@comcast.net
*EC DENOTES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
2016 AMERICAN BOER GOAT ASSOCIATION
Staff
LARY DUNCAN, Chief Executive Officer • lary@abga.org MARY ELLEN VILLARREAL, Executive Director • mary@abga.org MARIA LEAL, Registration Support • marial@abga.org SONIA CERVANTEZ, Accounts Receivable • sonia@abga.org AARON GILLESPIE, Show & Youth Coordinator • aaron@abga.org ASHLEY GUETIERREZ, Member Services • ashley@abga.org NICOLE PETRELLA, Receptionist • nicole@abga.org
ABGA OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday • 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (CST)
2 - The Boer Goat
Letter from the President It is hard to believe that the 22nd ABGA National Show is just around the corner. The 2016 ABGA National Show will provide several opportunities for all breeders. There is no better place to go and look at goats when you are beginning, given the total number of programs on display at one location. Where else can you evaluate so many breeding goats at any given time? It is amazing to sit and watch the different goats that you’ve read about on Facebook, seen pictures in the magazines, or viewed on line via a breeder’s web page. This allows you to reach your own conclusion and find the ideal Boer goat for your program. Many breeders have poured hours of work into a year’s kid crop. They have been getting them out and preparing them to compete and clipping / fluffing hair for hours. With as a little as a nod from a judge at the perfect moment, brood stock reputations are set and a program’s worth is proven in a way that may put them on the map for years to come. For others of us, it is simply a special time where friends can socialize together and evaluate breed improvement from one year to the next. If all goes well with the test show in Missouri, this year could be the year we roll out a three-man judging system. Three judges could be turning in their votes for their individual choices and the scores will be tabulated to determine the classes winners as well as the champions. There has been hours of debate on this subject. This system could allow the less dominate judges to freely place them as they see them without being pushed to do other by a dominate judge. Or, some feel that the synergy may be lost without the current debate. Newton Farms hosted our recent judge’s certification training, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Newton Farms for going out of their way to make this school a reality for the ABGA. The school had 23 individuals enrolled. The three trainer judges included Eddie Holland, Ron Dilley and Coni Ross. These three recommended that nine individuals move ahead in ABGA judges program. Congratulations to the following individuals: Corey Billups, Phillip Meyers, Caleb Westfall, Lane Reigle, Chris Fleming, Maurice Erwin, Kyle Tate, Derrick Brown and Bailey Bergherm. This class was competitive and a number of individuals were passed over for recommendation by only missing one placing. We are proud of the individuals who worked so hard to truly understand the breed standards. Cindy Price-Westfall, President ABGA™ Board of Directors © 2016 American Boer Goat Association™
In This Issue
ABOUT THE COVER OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN BOER GOAT ASSOCIATION
4 Calendar of Events 6
Message from the CEO
7 JABGA 8
Photo by Kelly Edwards
Meet the JUDGE: Rusty Lee
10 Postmortem Semen Collection 12 DNA Update Collection & Postmortem Collection
16
BAB4 EXECUTIVE DECISION, sire to the 2015 Reserve National Champion Doe, knows how to make flowers look good. Here he stops just long enough to smell the flowers.
Pennsylvania Performance Test
20 On-Farm Performance Testing 24 Breeder’s Spotlight: Blue Top
Farms - Gerald and Betty Peterson
26 Navigating Herdsire Selection 31 Classifieds 32 Photo Contest JABGA/ABGA merchandise is online for the National Show. Go to www.abga.org to purchase a shirt or cookbook.
The Boer Goat CONTACT
1207 S. BRYANT BLVD. SUITE C SAN ANGELO, TX 76903 TEL: 325.486.2242 FAX: 325.486.2637
PUBLISHER
AMERICAN BOER GOAT ASSOCIATION KARLA BLACKSTOCK, MANAGING EDITOR & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING?
The March/April issue of The Boer Goat will be our Doe and Wether issue, as well as the issue that will include all the National Show Rules. Make sure to showcase your ranch or company by advertising in the business card section or by purchasing ad space.
WANT TO SEE YOUR PHOTO IN THE MAGAZINE?
If you would like to see your photo in the The Boer Goat, please submit your picture to editor@abga. org. Please send photos in the largest size you have available and include your name for print. The Boer Goat hereby expressly limits its liability resulting from any and all misprints, errors and/or all inaccuracies whatsoever in the advertisement and editorial content published by The Boer Goat and its said liability is here by limited to the refund of the customer or its payment for the said advertisement, the running of a corrected advertisement, or editorial notice. Notification by the customer of any errors must be made within 30 days of distribution of the magazine. The opinions or views expressed in all editorials are those of the writer or persons interviewed and not The Boer Goat. The Boer Goat does, however, reserve the right to edit or refuse all material, which might be objectable in content. No material or part thereof, may be reproduced or used out of context without prior, specific approval of a proper credit to The Boer Goat.
The Boer Goat - 3
AMERICAN BOER GOAT ASSOCIATION
Calender OF EVENTS 2016 Show
Date
Location - State
April - May
Gulf Coast Spring Fling OBGA Spring Classic - Silver Series Show 1 8th Annual Arkansas Classic / JABGA Regional Show OMGP Spring Sale & Show Guernsey County Barn Blitz Wayne FFA Spring Classic Boers De Mayo John Morrow Memorial ABGA/JABGA Boer Goat Show Indiana Boer Goat Classic #1
April30-May 1 April 30-May 1
South Central Ohio Boer Goat Classic Heart of Indiana Boer Goat Show KGBA 6th Annual Spring Fling & Breeders Cup Triple Series Linn Co. Boer-nanza Wild West Boer Show SD End of School Year Blowout WV Boer Blitz CCMGA Boer Goat Show 15th Annual Spring Classic Battle of the Boers State Line ABGA Show Indiana Boer Goat Classic #2 TSGP Mid-Summer Showdown IV Empire State ABGA Boer Goat Show 8th Annual Spring Fling Knoxville FFA Boer Goat Show
Contact 713-293-2546 918-822-7271
April 30
Brazoria County Fairgrounds - Texas Garin County Fair Barns at Wacker Park Oklahoma Arkansas State Fairgrounds - Arkansas
April 30-May 1 April 30-May 1 April 30-May 1 May 7-May 8 May 7-May 8
Yamhill County Fairgrounds - Oregon Guernsey County Fairgrounds - Ohio Wayne County Fairgrounds - Iowa Payette County Fairgrounds - Indiana Muskingum County Fairgrounds - Ohio
541-228-8580 740-584-6362 641-203-3146 541-212-6610 740-826-4333
May 7
Carroll County 4-H Fairgrounds - Indiana
317-892-4761
May 14 May 14 May 14-15
Fayette County Fairgrounds - Ohio Johnson County 4-H Fairgrounds - Indiana Osage City Fairgrounds Show Pavilion Kansas Linn County Fairgrounds - Iowa Sherman County Fairgrounds - Oklahoma Tripp Fairgrounds - South Dakota Jefferson County Fairgrounds - West Virginia Clermont County Fairgrounds - Ohio North Ark District Fairgrounds - Arkansas Wilson County Show Barn - Texas Calhoun County Fairgrounds - Mississippi Wabash Valley Fairgrounds - Indiana Boyd County Fairgrounds - Kentucky NYS Fairgrounds - New York St. Francis County Fairgrounds - Missouri Marion County Fairgrounds - Iowa
740-505-6046 317-474-4403 785-806-4470
May 21-22 May 21-22 May 21 May 21-22 May 21 May 21-22 May 21-22 May 21 May 21 May 27-29 May 28-29 May 28-29 May 29
80-429-5780
319-560-0854 541-980-1095 605-661-3910 304-279-6323 513-96-2444 870-577-1759 210-723-5059 517-317-7422 317-892-4761 606-465-2471 315-729-3769 573-718-1217 641-218-4648
Be sure to add your next event to the ABGA calendar! 4 - The Boer Goat
Calendar OF EVENTS 2016 Show
Date
Location - State
Contact
June-July
Indiana Boer Goat Classic ABGA/JABGA NATIONAL SHOW Macon County Classic II Pike County Boer Goat Classic The Darke County Classic Indiana Boer Goat Classic #4 Buckeye Classic Boer Goat Show WCMGB - ABGA, JABGA & Jackpot Shows BCMGA Boer Goat Classic Keystone Classic Boer Goat Show Champaign County Classic 10,000 Lakes Boer Goat Show
June 4 June 6-10 June 12 June 18 June 18 June 18 June 20 June 24 June 24 June 25 June 25 June 25-26
Hancock County Fairgrounds - Indiana Fonner Park - Nebraska Macon County Fair - Illinois Pike County Fairgrounds - Ohio The Darke County Fairgrounds - Ohio Monroe County Fairgrounds - Indiana Ohio State Fair - Ohio Southeast Weld County Fairgrounds - Colorado Butler Co. Fairgrounds - Ohio Elizabethtown Fairgrounds - Pennsylvania Champaign County Fairgrounds - Ohio Morrison County Fairgrounds
319-892-4761 325-486-2242 217-853-4868 740-970-0180 937-459-9246 317-892-4671 740-505-3498 970-656-3557
49er Jubilee FIrecracker Classic Schuyler County Fair
July 2-3 July 2-3 July 2
Calaveras County Fairgrounds - California 916-799-5347 Jefferson County Fairgrounds - West Virginia 304-279-6323 Schuyler County Fairgrounds 217-898-9358
513-720-6050 717-776-7583 937-631*-0060 320-630-7450
$35
6 FULL ISSUES FOR ONLY
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN BOER GOAT ASSOCIATION
First Last Company Email Address City State Zip Phone Number
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Mail completed subscription card with payment or credit card information to: ABGA; 1207 S Bryant Blvd. Suite C; San Angelo, TX 76903. Once your subscription card is received, you will receive an email confirmation from ABGA to verify your method of payment and information.
The Boer Goat - 5
Message
from the CEO ...
Controlling your own marketing future in the Boer goat business. Given years of exchange with new Boer goat owners, I am always amazed by the number of people getting into the business with no real plan in place to market their end product. Many people seem to think that people are going to show up in their drive way looking to buy goats. And yes, it does happen, but I would not recommend building a marketing plan around it. Of course anyone can haul them all to the local sale barn, but this will probably not keep your feed bill payed in full. So, let’s consider some of the various options one may need to consider to keep the feed store happy if you own a herd of breeding goats. If you have a long-term plan and are serious about the Boer goat business, a web page is an excellent place to start. A website gives you worldwide exposure 24/7/365 on the web. It also gives you some place to reference paper ads, social media ads, sale catalogs and/or any other type of advertising so you can continuously update and display your current sale list. Web sites and paper media, such as The Boer Goat magazine, also work to help establish brand recognition for your farm or ranch, provide a solid reference point to list your sale or event, or feature a herd sire or a recent show ring winner. If a website is out of the current budget, the Facebook world may be your best option and can serve the same function with a little less control. The family farm has a business site on Facebook where we often feature our goats heading to various consignment sales. It also works if we are just trying to get something out fast. I have come to realize many people are using sites like Craigslist or simply
6 - The Boer Goat
listing animals on various on-line sale sites. For example, I believe there are a couple of Facebook sites that let the public post goats for sale. These become dated and move down the page very quickly, but several have reported success using these methods with little or no cost. A readable sign at your location is important as well so locals identify with who you are and can help others find you. A simple printed page advertisement hanging at local restaurants and Ag-related businesses are cheap and effective where your target is the local 4-H and FFA kid looking for a project animal. However, this advertising is more limited in geographic focus. On line or consignment sites are an affordable option for those of you looking to market small number of animals on a national level. However, there are often delivery / pickup support issues to work through to make these sales happen. The ABGA is teaming with Jill Harvey of Harvey Auction Co to bring ABGA members a low-cost, flat-rate service. There are also a few of these on line sites that will host your sale and collect your money as well, but expect to pay a fee of 8-10% of your sale price in this case. Please note it is very important that animal details and pictorial representation affects your sale price on these sites. This is what the buyer has to make his purchase choice. Showing can often lead to sales as many who attend these venues are always looking to improve their own herds and show strings. I am sure I have forgotten several others, but the point is you have a lot of choices that of
properly utilized should improve your bottom line. Some other things that will impact you long term include: • Standing behind the reproductive soundness of what you sell. • Offering free or reasonable priced breeding to beginners. • Providing support with the various health issues they may encounter. • Offering support with fitting needs to improve first-time buyer success. • Helping buyers get into established sales in your area. • Referring them buyers when you cannot fill their needs, etc. These are the things that will win you repeat business and nothing is better or easier than selling to a repeat customer. Helping everyone succeed will have a serious long-term impact on your own success as well. In short, it is paying the whole thing forward and it works. On another subject, I need to recant a prior statement where I noted the Boer Goat Youth Foundation of America would be offering scholarships this year. I jumped the gun. The minutes from the meeting where I took this information from have not been approved. As of this writing, I am still uncertain about the 2016 Foundation scholarship plan. Respectfully,
Lary Duncan American Boer Goat Association C.E.O.
The JABGA Needs Your Help!!
2016 JABGA Regional Shows
It is that time again, and the dates have been set. The 2016 ABGA/JABGA National Show will be held in Grand Island, NE. Fonner Park will host the week-long event from June 4th through 10th, 2016. The ABGA/JABGA would like to invite you to be a part of a major fund raiser for the JABGA. During the 2016 National Show week, a silent auction and live auction will be held. Proceeds from the sale will go directly to the JABGA. All donations are accepted and much appreciated. Each donor will have their name published in an issue of The Boer Goat, on the JABGA Facebook page and on the ABGA website. During the show, names of the donors will be announced over the public address system and a special thank you given. I would like to thank past donors for their support and encourage potential donors to contribute to a great cause. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Again thank you for your continued support of the ABGA/JABGA and the Boer goat industry. Please see below for examples of past items donated:
Area 1 The Big Top Boer Goat Show July 16th, 2016 in Chehalis, WA Danette Fuhrer- (360) 748-1709
Home Décor
Tack
Crosses
Show Equipment Homemade Goods Leads Gift Basket Buckets Gift Cards
Candles Paintings
Gifts
Picture Frames Feeders Jewelry Wall Hangings Fitting Equipment Apparel
Livestock Registered Goats Implanted Recips Breeding Services/ Semen Embryo/Flushes Fitting Services
Juniors! What a year it has been already! For the JABGA, Nationals is a time where junior members can interact face to face with other junior members who live thousands of miles away. It’s a time of celebration, competition, and camaraderie. Prior to National Show week, junior members have the opportunity to enter a photo or scrapbook into the annual JABGA Photo and Scrapbook contest. These will be judged prior to Nationals and the winning pieces displayed at Nationals. Winners will be recognized during the week. During the entire week of Nationals, JABGA will hold several events, contests, and fundraising opportunities. The JABGA silent auction will start on Monday and conclude at the ABGA Awards Appreciation Dinner Thursday evening. During this dinner, there will be a live auction to benefit the JABGA as well. Please stay tuned to the National Show website, ABGA and JABGA Facebook pages for updates to the schedule of events.
Aaron Gillespie
ABGA Show/Youth Coordinator
The Rolling Hills Casino Boeranza December 3rd, 2016 in Corning, CA Megan Elwood – (916) 705-1582 Area 2 IMGP JABGA Fall Classic September 3, 2016 in Paris, IL Deric Wetherell – (217) 898-9358 Tall Corn Meat Goat Wether Assoc. JABGA Regional Show August 6, 2016 in Washington, IA Ron & Chris Grier – (319) 430-4332 Area 3 West Virginia Boer Goat Blitz May 21, 2016 in Kearneysville, WV Susan Burner – (304) 279-6323 Maryland State Fair August 27, 2016 in Timonium, MD Rebecca Williams – (410) 252-0200 x 231 Area 4 8th Annual Arkansas Classic April 30th, 2016 in Little Rock, AR Anita Savage – (870) 429-5780 TBA Area 5 Jack M. Talley Memorial Goat Show April 16, 2016 in Sweetwater, TX Brad Hendrix – (325) 725-7012 Marble Falls Spooktacular November 5, 2016 in Marble Falls, TX Jeff Jeffcoat – (830) 265-4197
The Boer Goat - 7
Meet ABGA Certified Judge: Rusty Lee
by Karla Blackstock
A
BGA certified judge Rusty Lee has been raising livestock most of his life, and his goal of advancing the Boer goat industry shows when he steps into the ring. “As a judge, we take on a lot of responsibility,” Lee said. “We aren’t there to judge one show. We have to step back and realize that we have input on the entire industry.” Selecting specific types of animals can dictate where the industry goes, he said. “If you pick an extreme animals, people in that area may breed for that type of animal, and then you have impacted someone’s program,” Lee said. “It is up to us as judges to ensure the direction of Boer goat by holding fast to the standards.” It is those standards that Lee looks for when selecting his top goats. The standards are set to breed hardy animals that survive all climates. “After all, we are raising the American Boer goat,” Lee said. “My goal is to make Boer goats hardier and more sustainable by strictly adhering to the breed standards. The animals that we are breeding need to thrive in all environments of the United States.” Lee, his wife and 5 children also raise Angus/Simmental cattle and show pigs. As with any species, he wants to see meat and power. Lee worked as a certified meat cutter and at a processing plant that processed hogs, cows and deer. You might say he has seen the inside of the meat industry. Because of this experience, he is always aware of how goats on the hoof are going to dress out. Transferring the power and structure from pens to pasture, Lee admits, is an easy concept but the application is harder. He noted that performance testing, like the one in Pennsylvania, is important to advance the industry. “We have to put more incentives on performance tests. We need the same criteria at each test site,” he said. “You could theoretically have a national champion in performance testing.” Lee doesn’t dismiss that the ABGA National Show Champions are elite animals that have earned their prestige; however, he said, “image if we put the same level of prestige on performance tests.” “I use performance to purchase semen and bulls in the cattle industry. I look at average daily weight and weaning weights,” Lee said. These numbers are important to any livestock producer when looking to improve herd genetics and the bottom line. Lee serves on the breed standards and breed improvement committees for the ABGA. He believes that judges have a great amount of power while in the ring and that is to be used carefully. Judging is about being professional and courteous at all times, he said. “There is always someone that is showing for the first time in an ABGA show when I judge. A judge can make or break them,” he said. “As a judge
8 - The Boer Goat
you have to handle every show correctly to keep the exhibitors excelling.” “I have worked hard to have an honest reputation as a judge, especially when I know those involved. I tell people to hold your head up even in that 20th place because I want them to walk out saying ‘I need to buy better genetics’ not ‘I am giving up and getting out of goats.’” Lee says that his own background has fueled his passion for judging and helping all exhibitors. “Like a lot of people, we bought something and went to our first event and realized that the Boer goats were much more than Photos by Shelley Jiles Coble we anticipated. Most of us have stood at the back of the line, and we want to encourage young and old to move up in the line and advance their own herd.” Becoming a judge made Lee worked harder to grow his knowledge. “The day they made me a judge, I committed myself to work hard. I threw myself into the industry to work toward changes that I believe enhance the breed.” Lee recalls his first experience as a judge and passed on some advice from veteran Chip Kemp who said, ‘Once you are a judge, you can be called to judge Houston the very next week. You have to be ready for every situation possible.’” Lee was called within a few months and advises new judges to mentally prepare for every situation possible. “It was my first show and a man brought in a buck that had every fault in the book. I honestly looked around for the candid camera. I didn’t know exactly how to handle it. I hope that all judges going through the certification have the knowledge and confidence to know how to handle these types of scenarios.”
JUDGES’ CORNER
The Continuous Education Judges Round Table is set for the National Show on Tuesday, June 7 following the conclusion of the day’s events. Congratulations to the following individuals, who passed the judge’s certification course in March 2016. Look for these new judges next time you are hosting an ABGA sanctioned show. Corey Billups Philip Myers Caleb Westfall Lane Reigle Chris Fleming Maurice Erwin Kyle Tate Derrick Brown Bailey Bergherm
The Boer Goat - 9
When the Unthinkable Happens Postmortem Semen and DNA Collection
by Gaby Foxworth, Global Genetics College Station, Texas
As livestock producers, we are always planning for that conventional semen collection in order to preserve our superior buck’s desirable traits. Unfortunately, in our everyday farm life, we encounter unexpected situations, like the sudden death of the one of our “never collected animals” or “the best animal in our herd.” When the unthinkable occurs, we can be so overwhelmed that we cannot think of anything but the loss and possibly we try to call the vet to figure out what happened. All too often, we forget that there are options available to salvage genetics from the animals. The death of your buck is not a total loss; the semen that has been storing can be recovered and used for breeding and even more, the genetic potential stored in each cell can be recovered through cloning. Remarkably, even though the animal has died, cells in the body remain viable for several hours or days depending on the conditions to which the body has been exposed. Postmortem semen extraction can be performed, and if the cause of death is not related to a chronic and debilitating disease, it is very likely that all the semen produced and stored in the tail of the epididymis is recoverable and freezable. Likewise, if skin samples are collected soon after death, cells can be recovered and stored in liquid nitrogen for future options to reproduce these unique animals through cloning technology. Most of the semen produced in the testicles matures and is stored in the epididymal duct. The caudal part (tail) of the epididymis is the major site of sperm storage. Spermatozoa develop their ability to fertilize during their transport through the epididymis, therefore, the spermatozoa extracted from the tail of the epididymis are capable of fertilizing eggs. For better results in harvesting viable sperm and also the skin cells, follow these instructions as soon as possible after death or immediately following euthanasia: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Testicles should be left inside the scrotum (this protects the testis and the skin of the scrotum can be used to harvest cells for future cloning if desired). Collect as much of the ductus (vas) deferens and tie the ends of each with a clean string or suture material prior to cutting it from the body. The testicles should be allowed to cool slowly. The most detrimental aspect is to cool the testicles too quickly. The testicles (still in the scrotum) should be placed inside a plastic bag and sealed. The bag should be placed over layers of an insulating material (wadded newspaper, Styrofoam peanuts, bubble wrap) on top of ice packs inside a cooler. The cooling setup should be prepared immediately before placing the testicles inside the cooler. The cooler should not be cooled prior to use. This allows the testicles to be cooled slowly. If within driving distance to a facility, such as Global Genetics, call as soon as possible to arrange a delivery. Otherwise, place the cooler inside a cardboard box and ship to the facility.
Taking these steps will allow one final attempt at recovering genetic material from your valuable livestock. Remember, no matter how much we plan, unexpected losses are a part of being a livestock producer. Following these simple steps can help overcome the loss of genetically superior animals and keep your genetic improvement program on track.
10 - The Boer Goat
Kent Nutrition Group, Inc.
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1.866.647.1212
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kentshowfeeds.com
The Boer Goat - 11
T
DNA Testing Program
he DNA testing program has been in place for more than a year now and according to UC Davis, the program is heading in the right direction. The number of samples are increasing quickly and will be available for future research if needed. The program is intended to identify alleles at specific genetic markers associated with goats. The combination of alleles for any given animal is unique to that individual. The testing allows for animal identification, parent verification, and future confirmation of that goat as the parent of any kids. The DNA is not able to determine lineage or percentage of the tested goat. The ABGA and the owner of the goat receive a copy of the results to be kept with the animal. The registry receives a copy of the results to be stored in the appropriate registry herd book. The ABGA included parent verification in the price of doing the DNA test. This test will indicate if the correct parents were listed on the registration form. You can request parent verification of your goat(s) even if you don’t own one of the parents. If you verify parentage through ABGA, comparison to registered parents can be done if they have also been DNA tested through ABGA. The goat you are confirming parentage on must have some form of an ABGA registration or listing paper number. Then all you need is the goat’s parents’ registration numbers to verify the parentage of your goat. If the goat’s parents have not been DNA tested, you would need to order DNA test sample kits on the parents at the same time as the offspring. If you verify through UC Davis, and/or your goat’s parents have been DNA tested but not through the ABGA, you must get the VGL Case number from their owner (or the person that did the testing on that goat). Our goal is to double or triple the Boer Goat database in the next 3 to 5 years to have available for future research. If the ability to test for other things (diseases, traits, etc) arises, research can be done using the samples on file at the lab. Our goal is to be able to maintain an accurate Herd book with correct lineage information. This and future research will help breeders make good breeding decisions and keep better breeding records. In 2014, there were 2,022 kits ordered and 1,296 animals tested. The program showed an increase in 2015 with 2,855 kits ordered and 2,855 tests performed. From January-March 2016, there have been 773 kits ordered and 901 animals tested.
• • • •
12 - The Boer Goat
Photo by Tara Burke
How to collect DNA?
Be sure to get the roots of the hair sample by PULLING the hair. Use a clean paper envelope. Clearly write the goat’s ID information on the envelope as it appears on the kit. Send the DNA Sample and the submission form to UC Davis following the instructions in the Sample Kit and mail the confirmation to ABGA.
Can I collect DNA from a deceased animal?
Hair samples pulled from a dead animal are rarely useful for DNA testing. Typically, if an animal is recently deceased (within 12 hr), a tip of an ear (1-2”) is easy to obtain and usually gives good quality DNA. If the animal has been dead much longer than 12 hr, it is better to send samples carefully taken from internal organs, such as the liver (usually first thing to pop out when belly’s cut open -solid, smooth, dark red tissue), spleen, lung, muscle, etc. Assuming the gut has not been ripped open (from a predator attack, etc), the organs in the intact abdomen stay clean and “sterile” and are often are a great source of DNA. Gloves should always be worn when tissue samples are taken and handled. **NOTE: tissue samples (ear, muscle, organ, etc) should be stored frozen in a well labeled ziploc or plastic container (once collected, freeze ASAP). These samples must be shipped over night with an ice pack, so that they stay cold in transit. The test request paper work for these samples can be submitted the same as when sending in a hair sample. No additional fee is incurred to test tissue vs hair. If the animal has been dead a couple days or more (especially if it is warm weather), discretion is needed to determine if the tissues have begun to decay. Submitting 3 or more intact teeth, pulled from the jaw bone (or send the jaw bone with teeth still attached), is always a good option for animals dead for an unknown period of time. **NOTE: If a hoof, bones, or teeth are being submitted for testing, there is an additional “Postmortem” fee of $250.00 in additional to the genotyping/ DNA test price). If you have any questions about sending VGL samples from a dead animal, please contact our VGL’s Customer Service Dept at 530-752-2211.
How to Order DNA Tests
1. Order the Test Sample Kit online at the DNA Testing Center under the Member Services on the ABGA Website. You can also call the office for a request form, or forms can be downloaded from the ABGA website. 2. You will receive the DNA Sample Kit by email [FROM UC DAVIS] if you provided an email address. If you haven’t received a sample kit via email within two weeks of requesting it, check your junk mail box. If you didn’t provide an email address, you will receive the Sample Kit by regular US mail. 3. Review the information on both pages and verify that it is correct. Fill in the information that is requested, and sign where indicated. Put the sample in a clean, unused envelope. It is best to prelabel the envelopes with the goat’s name/ID, registration number, and Sample ID from the form. Attach the envelope to the form that goes of a to UC Davis VGL. Show Goat feed. 4. Send the sample to VGL. Send the confirmation to ABGA. 5. As soon as testing/analysis is com(No. 81072) — 18% protein, 5% fat, 15% fiber, pleted and returned to ABGA, a copy of 27-33 ppm copper the results will be sent to you along with a ® sticker containing the registration number (No. 81667) — 16% protein, 4% fat, 19% fiber, and “DNA Tested”. The sticker should be 25-35 ppm copper placed in the upper right hand corner of the registration paper. (No. 80941) — 17% protein, 3.5% NOTE: To have parent verification of the fat, 13% fiber, 20-40 ppm copper sample you are submitting, you must provide the VGL Case number for both the sire and dam that have already been tested (or the VGL Sample ID number if the parent is being submitted at the same time as the kid). If samples have not been collected and sent in on the Sire and Dam already, you can request 866-666-7626 a sample kit for each of them and have them www.admani.com/MoorMansShowTec tested at the same time as the offspring.
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Performance Evaluation Pennsylvania Livestock Evaluation Center by Karla Blackstock
Boer goats are fairly new to the United States and selecting sires has been based on strict adherence to breed standards. These visual components, or phenotypic traits, have been important to this young industry; however, like most livestock species, performance-based measures are critical for breed advancement. Performance-based data are readily available for many other production livestock, and the ABGA is working with institutions such as the Pennsylvania State Evaluation Center to provide goat producers with useful, impartial data. Gregg Hubbard, station manager at the Pennsylvania evaluation center said, “Back in 2002, the state of Pennsylvania was building a new evaluation facility for bulls, boars and rams. At that point, it was deemed that we would have space for Boer goat testing.” The Pennsylvania center recognized that the Boer goat industry was growing quickly and mirrored their testing facility after goat testing centers in Texas and Oklahoma. “These are unbiased tests set up to improve the industry. Goats are a newer species and there is a lot of potential to improve meat and meat quality. Ram testing had been successful at our center, and goats were coming on strong in our region,” Hubbard said. The purpose, Hubbard said is to identify year-over16 - The Boer Goat
year patterns and directly give back to producers on the farm. The testing program allows for a variety of producers to participate by nominating young bucks each year. ABGA Director Sara Davis said, “Animals entered in a performance test like the one in Pennsylvania are being given the opportunity to show their maximum genetic potential for growth.” She went on to say that you may not be able to directly compare data from pasture-based performance tests due to variable environment, nutrition and the influence of parasites. “Weight gain after weaning is a strongly heritable trait,” Davis said. “Animals from different farms are given a uniform ration and environment and prove their potential for gain. The top gaining bucks in these tests provide producers with a strong basis to improve the growth rate of their kid crop.” Davis said the ABGA is working with the Breed Improvement and Research committee to expand the performance-based testing programs across the country, allowing more accessible test centers in various geographic regions. For the time being, producers who would like to enter young bucks in the Pennsylvania test, can nominate kids each year from January 1 through March 15. Fullblood/Purebred and record of pedigree percentage bucks are accepted and categorized into senior and junior bucks. Senior bucks are those born between Sept 1 and Dec. 31. Junior bucks must be born in January and February. All bucks have to be weaned with a recorded birth date and their sire must be known and documented. Additional health regulations must be followed. For these additional health requirements and rules, see the ABGA website or the Pennsylvania Livestock Evaluation Center website.
When bucks are accepted, they are categorized into four groups with approximately 30-45 bucks per group. • Senior Fullbloods/Purebreds • Junior Fullbloods/Purebreds • Senior Percentages • Junior Percentages Each group of animals is penned in weight groups as uniformly as possible for the 70-day test. They are fed a 16% protein free-choice ration with free-choice grass-alfalfa hay. During the testing period, technicians from Pennsylvania State University measure the bucks’ weight gain. At the end of the test, the loin at the 13th rib is measured by ultrasound, and leg circumference is measured. Both measurements are adjusted based on the buck’s weight. “We take into account that the bucks are different ages and adjust scans and weights so you they can be compared against each other,” Hubbard said. “Otherwise, it would be an apples to oranges comparison.” “Individual measurements are calculated and weighted for an overall index score,” Hubbard said. The index is used to rank the bucks in order of their performance. The score is calculated on the following: • 40% on average daily gain • 20% on lifetime weight-per-day-of-age • 20% on longissimus muscle at the first lumbar site,
adjusted by the goat’s metabolic weight • 20% circumference around the widest part of hind leg as measured with a tailor’s tape, adjusted At the conclusion of the testing period, the bucks tested for breeding soundness and offered for sale to producers who have the opportunity to review the raw and adjusted data on each buck. Hubbard said that there is no doubt that there are spectacular animals each year; however, he said, “We’d like to see the overall muscling trend go up. Then we know where the industry is heading. For every animal put in the test, we hope these producers have four more on the farm.” “We want to improve individual herds and help producers make good, sound management decisions,” Hubbard said. “We want to bring data back to the farm, and we appreciate that the ABGA backs these tests to improve meat and meat quality for the future.” Davis said, “The ABGA is working to grow the performance testing program and is offering monetary payouts to the top-performing animals as well as support of the universities that host the tests.” If you are interested in performance testing in your local area, contact your ABGA director to find out where the nearest test facility is located.
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The Boer Goat - 17
% Bucks
Fullblood Bucks
2014 Pennsylvania Evaluation Center Results 70-Day ADG
Reg #
.77 .73
10638842 10639030
NBFX Nix Besser C347 Polar Vortex BH 94 Cocoa Paint Ball Fixtion
TW TW
.72 .71 .68 .66 .64 .62
10639029 10641209 10638840 10653769 10641215 10651163
.61 .59
10655601 10659880
BH 94 Cocoa Graffiti Fixtion LOB Cailbu NBFX Nix Besser C367 Gunner BHB1 Sittin Bull LOB Rosso Goats Galore Hot Hooves Whats Up Charlie Locustwood Jasper Losch’s R.V.F. Certified’s Dark Shadow
.72 .59 .49
10643371 10651172 Pending
PGFS Phantoms Grove Remington Goats Galore Hot Hooves Hank Pending
Buck Name
Age in Total Days @ Pts Start of Test
ADG Rank Pts
Actual ADG Pts
Nix Besser Farm/ Dr. & Mrs. Robert Herr Brock Hohman
10 5
5 4
15 9
141 121
TW TW TR TW TW TR
Brock Hohman Leaning Oak Boers/ Verl & Pam Miller Nix Besser Farm/ Dr. & Mrs. Robert Herr Bush Hollow/ Carol Hall Leaning Oak Boers/ Verl & Pam Miller Goats Galore/ William & Jody Weist
4 3 2 1 0 0
4 4 3 3 2 2
8 7 5 4 2 2
121 139 142 107 86 138
TR QT
Locustwood Farm/ Dr. Joanne Bicknese0 Losch’s Riverview Farm/ Sherrie Losch
0 0
2 1
2 1
172 112
TW TR TW
Phantoms Grove/ Nicole Mearkle Goats Galore/ William & Jody Weist Losch’s Riverview Farm/ Sherrie Losch
1 0 0
n/a n/a n/a
1 0 0
94 118 116
Total Pts
Age in Days @ Start of Test
Birth
Owner
% Bucks
Fullblood Bucks
2015 Pennsylvania Evaluation Center Results 70-Day ADG
Reg #
.81 .78
10690100 10676311
.78
Buck Name
ADG Rank Actual Pts ADG Pts
Birth
Owner
SOBG SOGGY OAKS MUCHO COLOR RHG1 GOLDIES FARMS D19
TW S
Soggy Oaks Boer Goats, Barbara Levering Goldies Farms/ Robert Goldie
10 5
7 5
17 10
116 174
10680970
GOATS GALORE HOT HOOVES SACHEX
TW
Goats Galore/ William & Jody Weist
5
5
10
135
.75 .70 .69 .68 .64
10674787 10689049 10674788 10692917 10690077
LOB FIRE STORM RED CLOUD DOUBLE G BOER GOATS MONSTER LOB SUNDANCE KOUGAF PENDING LOCUSTWOOD BLAZING SADDLES
TW S TR TW TR
Leaning Oak Boers/ Verl & Pam Miller Double G Boer Goats/ Gale Gearhart Leaning Oak Boers/ Verl & Pam Miller Soggy Oaks Boer Goats, Barbara Levering Locustwood Farm/ Dr. Joanne Bicknese0
3 2 1 0 0
5 4 3 3 2
8 6 4 3 2
142 101 141 93 115
.61 .60
10681046 10676196
PENDING NBFX TURBO NIX BESSER E523
TW TW
Watts Farm/ David & Carolyn Watts Nix Besser Farm/ Dr. & Mrs. Robert Herr
0 0
2 2
2 2
179 96
.91 .80 .61 .60
10680971 10690101 Pending Pending
GOATS GALORE HOT HOOVES TOM CAT Pending Pending Pending
TW TR TW TW
2 1 0 0
n/a n/a n/a n/a
2 1 0 0
138 115 100 94
.55
Pending
Pending
Goats Galore/ William & Jody Weist Soggy Oaks Boer Goats, Barbara Levering Pine Acre Farms/ Jason Schrader Artistic Acres/ Turbot Acres- Joel Arnold, Robert Pursel Artistic Acres/ Turbot Acres- Joel Arnold, Robert Pursel
0
n/a
0
100
18 - The Boer Goat
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Performance Testing for Sire Evaluation and Selection Dr. Frank Pinkerton, akathegoatman@icloud.com; 512.392.4123
B
oer goat owners are continually searching for herdsires that will improve overall performance of their herds. Performance testing is the key and a much more effective method for herdsire selection than appraisal of phenotypic characteristics. I excerpt passages from my book on meat goat management and marketing made by contributing author, Dr. Richard Browning, animal geneticist at Tennessee State University-Nashville. Performance testing is the comparative evaluation of goats for production traits of economic importance: reproduction, growth and carcass merit. Ancestry (pedigree) and visual appraisal for conformation (appearance) have been the primary basis of animal selection in meat goat herds. Most resource inputs (i.e., herd expenses) go into annual doe management. In return, does are expected to become pregnant, deliver newborns and raise multiple kids with good growth to weaning. Reproduction is generally viewed as the most important trait of meat animal production. Reproductive output in a meat goat herd is defined as litter weight weaned per doe exposed to the buck. On-farm performance testing includes the comparative evaluation of does for reproductive output, the evaluation of individual kids for weight gain, and, in multi-sire breeding programs, herd sire comparisons of progeny performance. Objective, accurate recording allows producers to make better selection and culling decisions and, secondly, to measure performance responses to management changes. Performance records should be easy to collect and use. They can be handwritten records in a notebook or on index cards. Each animal in the breeding herd should have a separate record. Alternatively, records can be maintained electronically on computer spreadsheets or herd management software. Electronic records allow easy handling of data for analysis or transfer to central processing centers such as industry organizations or universities, particularly for herds with large sets of data accumulated over several years. However, a hand calculator and a little time are all that may be required for processing data from smaller herds using handwritten records. Regardless, proper record keeping is essential to a successful performance testing program.
Animal identification A prerequisite to performance testing is proper identification of animals. Ear tags and tattoos are the most common forms of ID for meat goats. Assign each herd member a unique and permanent ID number. Assign ID numbers to kids at birth when collecting early data such as birth weights, litter sizes and neonatal deaths. Newborn kid data must be matched with the correct doe. In herds with many does kidding together on pasture or range, it can sometimes be challenge to tell which kids belong to which does. Rejected kids, early newborn deaths, and the occasional swapping of kids by does make it important to properly and adequately ID kids soon after birth, preferably within 12-24 hours.
Scales
Scales are another requirement for a performance testing program. Body weight is undeniably important as a measure of meat animal performance as well as for aspects of general herd management. A small hand-held scale is sufficient to records birth weights. A larger livestock scale is needed for weaning weights. Scales may be bought, bor-
20 - The Boer Goat
rowed or rented, depending on the needs and resources of individual operations. A scale should be periodically checked to ensure accuracy and precision. Contemporary groups: A contemporary group is a set of meat goat kids born and raised together under uniform conditions. Performance testing for genetic evaluation requires factors like age, nutrition and location to be equal for all kids. Kids in a contemporary group are born within a 60-day period and managed together from birth to weaning. Dams should also be managed similarly to weaning. Data from kids born outside the 60-day window or managed differently (e.g., on show circuit, bottle babies, kept in separate pastures) are excluded from the group. Contemporary groups for kids weaned at three months old are planned 8-10 months earlier at the start of breeding. Breeding seasons no longer than 6-7 weeks assure that kids will be within the 60-day age range at weaning.
Performance recording Primary traits to record in a meat goat herd are the number of kids born and weaned from each doe exposed
to bucks, kid birth and weaning weights and dam weight at weaning. Birth weight is the starting point to determine pre-weaning growth rate. Record newborn weights within 24 hours of birth. Record weaning weights at around 90 days of age. Weaning weights are usually recorded on one calendar date for a group of kids that vary in ages. The ages within a contemporary groups of kids should deviate from 90 days by no more than 28 days. It is also useful to weigh the dams when the kids are weaned. Dam weights are used to calculate the efficiency of doe production. For each doe exposed to the buck, record the number of live births and the number of kids weaned. Note stillborns in a doe’s file and use them for litter size, but they need not be weighed. Artificially-raised kids are not credited to the dam for weaning litter size or weight. In cases when a doe adopts a kid from another doe, the adopted kid can be credited to the ‘foster’ dam for weaning data. Failure to birth or wean a kid following buck exposure are recorded as zero (0) for the doe.
Animal evaluations Because ages vary in a contemporary group of kids at weaning, weight comparisons can be biased. A 79-day-old kid cannot be expected to weigh as much as a 112-day-old kid. Therefore, weaning weights are converted to a standard 90-day age basis. Two equations are used to generate 90-day weights. First, calculate average daily gain (ADG): ADG = (w.wt – birth wt) /weaning age in days After the average daily gain is determined, the second equation gives the 90-day weight: 90-Day Weight = (ADG x 90) + birth wt When birth weight is not available, ADG cannot be determined. In the absence of birth weight records, the previous equations can be replaced with the following equation based on weight per day of age: 90 Day Wt = (wwt /weaning age) x 90 Adjustments are made to 90-day weights because litter size and age of dam can affect weaning weight. On average, weaning weights decrease as litter size increases and young does wean lighter kids than mature does. Multiply 90-day weights by the appropriate correction values to get adjusted 90-day weight factors. Buck kids are typically heavier than doe kids, but sex of kid adjustments are not required because comparison are made with sing sex groups. Buck kids are compared only to other buck kids and doe kids are compared to other doe kids.
An additional step is generating weaning weight ratios. Within each sex groups, individual kid weights are compared to the group average to produce rations for relative evaluation. Ratios show the deviation of kid weaning from the contemporary group average. A ratio is calculated with the following equation: WWT Ratio = (90-day kid wt/90 day herd wt average) x 100 A ratio of 100 is equal to the group average. A kid with a weight ratio of 122 is 22% heavier than the group average. A kid with a ratio of 91% is 9% lighter than the group average.
Sire and Doe Evaluation In herds using multiple sires, kid weights and ratios can be used to compare sires for progeny performance if each kids’ sire is known. Buck and doe kid ratios may be combined for sire evaluations. Adjusting doe kids to a buck kid weight equivalent is required to combine buck and doe kid weight records for sire evaluation. For each dam, add the weights of all kids she weaned. Actual or 90-day weights can be used for doe evaluations. Actual weights are preferred because they credit the ability of does to breed early and raise kids for a longer period of time, weaning off more weight on average compared to does bred later in the season. When comparing young and mature does, correct kid weights for age. A sex-of-kid correction can also be made to put doe kids on a buck kid weight-equivalent for unbiased litter weight evaluation. Litter size corrections are not made to kid weights for doe evaluation. Zero (0) is recorded for litter weight weaning of does not weaning a kid. Litter size at birth and weaning should be assessed for each doe. After two or three production years, a certain average number of kids weaned by does should be expected, such as 1.5 kids weaned per buck exposure. Doe production efficiency can be measured by how much total litter weight a dam is able to wean relative to her own body weight. A heavier doe (e.g., 150 pounds) tends to require more management inputs than a lighter doe (e.g., 100 pounds). However, the heavier doe may or may not be able to convert the greater inputs into a correspondingly heavier litter weaning weight. The following equation provides the efficiency of doe production: Doe Production Efficiency = (litter wwt/dam wt at weaning) x 100. (FP: the calculation allows one to better compare does of different weights). Nutritional resources are used by does for self-maintenance, reproduction to produce kids, and milk production to raise kids. In young does, growth must also be supported.
Forage and feed inputs may be available in limited or unlimited supply to does and usually represent the primary expense of herd management. Doe production efficiency values vary widely, ranging from less that 50% to over 100%.
Recording other important traits Other production-related traits should be of interest to producers. Growth rates after weaning can be evaluated on farm when goats are retained to heavier market weights or when developing replacement stock. Always keep detailed health records on each animal in the herd. Evaluation of records is recommended for traits associated with internal parasitism, lameness, abortions, mortalities and other health concerns to help in making selection and culling decisions and for reviewing various herd management procedures. On-farm performance testing of the does herd is important in crossbred, commercial meat goat operations expecting good doe kid performance with minimal management inputs. On-farm performance testing is important in purebred seedstock operations that expect to provide genetics to commercial meat goat producers. Each producer will set site-specific performance levels for selection and culling decisions. Performance records, when used in conjunction with visual appraisal and pedigree, facilitate genetic improvement for economically important traits. Performance records allow for the evaluation of management procedures and how changes in herd management affect animal performance. Performance records, when coupled with financial records, provide the basis for assessing the economic status of an operation and the likelihood of making a profit or incurring a loss from year to year. Performance and financial targets usefully provide direction to breeding programs. On-farm performance testing helps owners achieve their herd goals and objectives. Correction values for 90-day kid weaning weights: Multiply value figure X litter weight to correct. Group Value Litter Size: 1 & 1 1.00 (# born & # weaned) 1 & 2 1.14 2 & 1 1.04 2 & 2 1.18 3 & 1 1.08 3 & 2 1.23 3 & 3 1.27 Age of Dam 1 1.10 (years) 2 1.09 3+ 1.00 Sex of Kid Buck 1.00 Doe 1.11 Wether 1.08 (Values courtesy of Dr. David Notter, Virginia Tech)
22 - The Boer Goat
Logistics I now describe the logistics (the how-to) of collecting, analyzing, and utilizing on-farm performance data. Put differently, how does one generate the performance figures, how does one evaluate the figures, and, most importantly, how does one put this genetic selection program into action? First, contact Dr. Ken Andries, animal geneticist at KY SU-Frankfort, atkenneth.andries@kysu.edu or c502.682.0067. If you decide to participate, Ken would enroll you in the free program and discuss initial actions on his and your part. You would provide him your contact information as well as your location and number of breeding age females and also your estimated kidding schedule(s) so that he can get the forms to you in a timely manner. Only Ken and you have access to this data; it is shared with no one. It is only for your use; it cannot be compared to other herd data because the production environments are not the same.
Data collection As kidding time approaches, Ken will send you two forms. The first is a code sheet which enables you to identify certain needed information about the does and their kids. The code categories for breed, livability, birth type, rearing type and kidding ease are crucial for analysis of doe performance. He will also send you kidding data sheets that enable you to provide specific information about each doe and her off-spring. When all the litters in a given ‘kidding group’ of does have been weighed, you return the kidding data sheets to Ken by email or mail. A ‘group of does’ is defined as those kidding within a 60-day interval of each other. A producer may have two or more such groups depending on his breeding/kidding schedules. The rationale for this evaluation-by-group is that the environment (climate and feeding program) changes over time; accordingly, it is not fair to compare litter performances from spring-kidding does to fall-kidding does to winter-kidding does. If it seems too inconvenient to get birth weights, you don’t have to provide Ken birth weights of individuals or litters in order for him to compare 90-day (adjusted) litter weaning weights. He can compare weight-per-day-of-age (weaning weight/days of age, as adjusted). There is usually a small, but positive correlation between birth weight and 90-day weight (reflecting birth weight per se and the more aggressive suckling by larger, more vigorous kids). Should early culling decisions be required, this correlation could be used to do so. Birth weights are also useful for assessing possible impacts on kidding-ease scores and livability scores. Perhaps it may be useful to remember that
final litter weight, not average daily gain, is the most useful selection criteria.
Data analysis When Ken receives your data sheets (as described above), he will transpose the raw figures to his computer program and apply adjustment factors to the data to derive ‘adjusted 90-day litter weights’ for each doe. Essentially, you give him the weight of each litter and associated info and the program will do the rest. The properly adjusted litter weight at weaning for each doe will reflect: calculated 90-day weights, age of dam at parturition, number of kids born in the litter, number of kid weaned in each litter, and sex of kids in each litter. In due time, Ken will send you a doe summary sheet showing the adjusted litter weaning weights for comparing all does in the group. All your does should be evaluated, or else you would be lying to yourself, and also to your prospective customers; why bother to partially-test at all? During analyses, the computer program first calculates the average adjusted litter weaning weight for the group and, secondly, compares each doe’s record to this average, and assigns it a ratio figure. For example, if the group’s average adjusted litter weaning figure were, say, 80 lbs, and doe A posed a 125 ratio she was 25% above (better than) her group average. If doe B posted an 80% ratio, she was 20% poorer than the group average. Comparison of doe ratios enables rational keep-or-cull decisions. Ken’s program can also provide a sire summary sheet if you have kids in a given 60-day kidding groups sired by two or more sires. This summary will show the number of kids weaned (having 90-day weights) from a given sire as compared to the number of his kids born—a most useful comparison indeed. One may calculate kid survival rates for each sire (number of kids weaned/number of kids born x 100). The crucial sire performance figures are the Average Adjusted 90-Day Weights (AAWW). The sires may be evaluated mathematically as shown below: Rank 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Sire 616 859 4006 146 5052 Average
AAWW 34.58 33.82 32.67 32.47 29.81 32.67
Ratio 105.8 103.5 100.0 99.4 91.2 100.0
As readers will perceive, this year’s kid crops suggest that bucks 612 and 859 produced kids only 3.5 to 5.8% higher
than the average weaning weight, respectively. With prior records for comparison, one could know if these ‘findings’ were consistent over 2-3 years. However, owners could also evaluate these sires by tabulating the performance Ratios of their daughters in this and prior years. Those sires having a majority of their daughters with 80-plus ratios over the years would be the keepers (and so would be the dams of saleable young buck prospects, of course).
Utilizing Performance Data If all your herd kidded within the requisite 60-day interval and all does and kids were treated alike until weaning at about 90 days of age, you could use the ratios shown to select keeper-does and to choose keeper kids from particular does. If you have two, or more, kidding periods, there is the issue of choosing between does with similar Ratios, but in different groups—a tough one that only you can decide because only you know the seasonal situations. Look first at the group averages for guidance.
Remember that economic traits are the most important to the productivity and profitability of your operation. Caveat: The degree of selection pressure you could apply across the entire herd would be dependent on your site-specific situation (herd size, expansion/contraction plans, cashflow needs, prospective sales, expected feed supply, any resource limitations, etc.). Understand that the speed of herd improvement you can achieve depends on the ‘reach’ of your prospective herd sire, i.e., his performance must be appreciably better than the performance of the does; if it is not, progress will be slow indeed. Remember also that you will have reduced rate of improvement when the heritability of the traits you are trying to improve is low. (Heritability of reproductive traits are rather low (.3 or less) while heritability of ADG is moderate (.45 or so) and heritability of carcass quality is higher (.6 or so). Also, attempting to improve multiple traits simultaneously will slow the overall rate of improvement. Remember too that economic traits are the most important to the productivity and profitability of your operation. And, a final observation for those of you engaged in show stock production and associated show activities. If you do performance testing, you well learn if your best looking goats are the most productive goats in terms of fertility, fecundity, feed conversion efficiency, gains/day etc.
The Boer Goat - 23
BREEDER’S Spotlight
A
Blue Top Farm Boer Goats .... A Family Affair
fter 43 years together, Gerald and Betty Peterson know what they want - to pass on a legacy of Boer goats to the next generation. It has taken nearly 20 years to build their current herd, but Betty and Gerald would tell you they’ve enjoyed almost every minute of it. And, they’ve tried to instill family values in their children and grandchildren along the way. “I always tell my grandkids to be cognizant of what is going on around you. If someone needs help getting a stand put up, help them.”
How did you get started in the Boer goat industry?
Like many others, Gerald & I started with 26 mixed set of brush goats in 1999 to clean up the tree canopy and underbrush. We were encouraged to buy a fullblood ABGA buck because we were told that we see our weaning weights increase dramatically. The 1st kid crop more than paid for the buck, which let me tell you the price took our breath away. We found that we enjoyed raising the goats, and we found that we could run many more compared to our cattle. So, we sold our cattle interests. That’s when we fenced the homestead with goat fencing, and the journey began.
What does your operation look like today?
We’ve gone from 26 to 275 breeding does, 75 junior does and 10-15 fullblood bucks. Our son-in-law, Wesley Gliddon, built Blue Top Farm a kidding barn, buck alley, working & sorting pens, etc. Our tree line looks like a park because however high our goats can stand that’s the height. They raise the
24 - The Boer Goat
canopy. It’s a beautiful sight to see the sunlight reflecting off the stock ponds and red-headed, white-bodied goats moving through the trees along the dam. We raise 4H, FFA wethers and jr. breeding does along with ABGA show does & bucks. Our goal is step to the next level with every kid crop with selective breeding to produce quality animals, based on the ABGA breed standards.
What do you enjoy the most about the Boer goat industry?
You just can’t help falling in love with your goats. Of course, the people we have met along this ride has been the icing on the cake. Showing has allowed us to travel across the country, and there are always friendly folks waiting to help or share their knowledge. We are fortunate that ABGA has many sanctioned shows, which has allowed us to get our blend of genetics out in front of fellow breeders. If I counted correctly, we have showed under 58 different ABGA judges with repeats in between since January 2008. We have had the opportunity to listen & learn as the judges reason the
Photos courtesy of Blue Top Farm
classes. You can then take that knowledge home and cull, sift and refine your herd in the hopes you are producing a top-notch animal. The shows have allowed us to ennoble 6 Bucks, 1 Sire of Merit and now a 7th buck all with natural breeding. We are proud of that accomplishment because is not an easy task. We thank the ABGA for making this possible for their continued support with sanctioned shows.
Who was an inspiration to you or assisted you in improving you herd? And, how did they help you?
The folks who have inspired, encouraged and helped us on this journey include Bobby & Ida Ogle, owners of the late ennobled Top Gun #2. They freely shared their knowledge in regard to breeding, culling and showing and even called Gerald to tell him about a buck or doe we needed for our program. He was always right. BBO Booty was a turning point. Then we met Janette & Ray Wood, EastWood Boer Goats, and they were looking to sell their herd. They wanted the goats to go to the same home if possible. I can remember walking into their paddock and seeing 48 awesome kids. They worked with us and we bought their herd; that’s when Coni War Eagle came into our lives. The minute they unloaded him at our home, we were so excited and told them he needs to be in the ring. It was an exciting time when we received official notification from the ABGA office that we had ennobled “WE”. Those four people had such an impact on where we are today. Of course, there are many others that have touched our lives and offered encouragement along the way, and we will always be thankful.
Our goal is to “pass it on” and try our best to share our knowledge to help others succeed.
What has been your biggest challenge as a producer?
The greatest challenge is keeping up with the trends in the industry without sacrificing the ABGA breed standards and quality. I can say the Ogle’s advised us to stay in the middle of the road to not follow the “flavor of the month.” That advice has served us well. We all should raise what we like, but keep up with what is going on in the industry. It is all about the blending of genetics, and we at Blue Top Farm have worked hard toward that goal and continue to do so.
What are you most excited about in the future?
Our grandsons, Will & Wyatt, are growing up in this industry. We have always been drawn to young people and have had the pleasure of seeing many grow and continue their interest in goats long after they are no longer juniors. The other opportunity in this industry is that there is not just one market; there is room for all of us. You can raise wethers & jr. breeding does for the 4H, FFA market, breeding stock, show does and bucks, or commercial herds. The possibilities are there, you just have to grab the ring and work your program. The youth are our future, but we must remember there is no age limit to who loves these goats and will continue to enhance the Boer goat world.
The Boer Goat - 25
Navigating Herdsire Selection
by Alyssa Rockers
R
RD Gauge P529. Eggsfile. DCW –Bo Jangle. Mojo Magic. CNR Pistolero. These names, among many others, are easily recognized by Boer goat breeders throughout the country While not all sires will become one of these easily recognizable names, a good herdsire can make a huge difference in any producer’s herd. Selecting the right sire, however, is challenging for both the new and experienced producer.
Lets Get Technical
While it is hard to describe an optimal herdsire, one can start by simply identifying breed standards. A herdsire must meet breed standards in order to produce kids that also meet standards. The classic Roman nose, even bite, dark pigment, backward curving horns and muscular build identified in the ABGA breed standards are all characteristic of the Boer breed that are crucial when selecting a sire. While breed standards are mostly associated with the show ring, the commercial producer should also adhere to them as most affect the soundness of an animal. Animals with a lighter pigment are much more susceptible to sunburn which can make them highly uncomfortable and cause health problems. One of the most common health problems associated with this condition is a cancer occurrence,
26 - The Boer Goat
which can lower both the quality of life and the life expectancy of the animal. Animals who do not have a correct, even bite will struggle to eat as they age. A correct bite is even more critical for those animals in commercial herds where they are expected to forage. An uneven bite can result lower nutritional intake if they are unable to browse effectively. This can cause below average weaning and yearling weights, which can directly impact the producers pocketbook. The wide, curved horn set allows animals to participate in normal “pecking order” type activities. It prevents potential broken legs due to animals catching their feet in each other’s horn set when fighting to determine their spot in the herd’s pecking order and other physical injuries among animals.
Producer Techniques
Randall Barker of CR Boers in Seneca, Mo., is specific when selecting a potential herdsire. While he joked that he collects Boer bucks “like baseball cards,” and picks his bucks based on which one he does not already have in his card collection, he explained that it really is more difficult and intentional.
Photos by Alyssa Rockers
“You have to be able to evaluate your does, critically evaluate them, and pick GIVE MOM AND DAD the gift of pain-free trimming and what buck is going to improve their better hoof health this season! faults…and what the buck looks like has to match his genetics,” Peterson said. One of Barker’s most influential herdsires was Show Me Boers Cannons O’ Blazin (known affectionately as COB). “It probably took me a month to pick out COB,” Barker said. “I went over to see him sometimes daily and/or weekly and watched him. Sometimes I’d show up in the pasture and just watch. I picked him out of the pasture.” His experience illustrates that sire selection should be a process that is not made in a few seconds or potentially a few hours. Barker stressed that sire selection should be based on the producer’s preference, instead of the current industry trend. He explained that just because a certain buck’s genetics is the one being used most prevalently at a certain time, it does not mean that those genetics will complement the ones already in existence in various producers’ herds. Lori Peterson of nearby Show Me Boers in Neosho, Mo., has her own strategy for selecting a potential sire to use in her herd.
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The Boer Goat - 27
“You have to be able to evaluate your does, critically evaluate them, and pick what buck is going to improve their faults…and what the buck looks like has to match his genetics,” Peterson said. Terry Brown of Capriole Boers in Touchet, Wash., chooses to look closely at the potential sire’s pedigree. “The animal has to have a pedigree that has proven itself and that has shown that it can produce animals that do what I want them to do. Then, of course, you have to look at the animal itself and make sure that it has the traits that you want,” Brown said. Brown added that while the rise in reproductive technologies such as embryo transfer and artificial insemination make introducing different sire genetics easier, not all parts of the country have easy access to these technologies. Finding trained individuals or facilities with these capabilities can be difficult without incurring travel costs.
Producer Tips
Making the purchase of a new herdsire can be intimidating for new producers, but it can grant peace of mind when
they can get the advice of already established producers. Brown advises new producers of three things, “Buy the best that you can; do your research, so that you know what that bloodline produces; and if something doesn’t work for you, cut your losses and try again.” Barker has similar advice, but also encourages new and experienced breeders to visit multiple breeders before making a selection. “Visit as many farms as you can to look at all different breeders; pick what you like as opposed to what [the breeder] thinks that you should like; and make sure that the buck meets the standards if you’re looking to produce quality animals,” he said. While Peterson’s advice echoed Barker and Brown, she also emphasized that new producers should plan out their operational goals prior to buying. It takes careful planning and consideration to select a sire to use in a Boer goat herd, and although not every sire will become as prestigious as Ward’s Cat in the Hat or another nationally recognized buck, they can become the building blocks of a phenomenal program.
We want to thank you, our customers, for your commitment, loyalty, and support. We appreciate you purchasing semen and supplies, as well as using the services we offer. Please contact us if you are interested in marketing your bucks as well. We have exposure in the domestic and international through our parent company Ag World International —
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The Boer Goat - 29
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