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Call for your FREE CATALOG today or visit us at: www.dslivestock.biz We have low freight rates or order for upcoming shows • 1-800-949-9997 • 1-301-689-1966 • Fax: 1-301-689-9727 18059 National Pike • Frostburg, Maryland 21532
2013-2014 AMERICAN BOER GOAT ASSOCIATION REGION 16 - BRAD MACKEY (EC) PRESIDENT • bradmackey@bmackfarms.com
May/June, 2014 REGION 3 - JEFF GIBBS (EC) VICE PRESIDENT • gibbsfarm@aol.com REGION 10 - TRACY DIEFENBACH (EC) SECRETARY • tldief@gmail.com REGION 6 - DR. MARK WATKINS TREASURER • mdw@beecreek.net REGION 1 - TERRY BROWN • capriole@pocketinet.com REGION 2 - SCOTT PRUETT • eieiowefarms@yahoo.com REGION 4 - CECIL SWEPSTON • cecils@brokensranch.com REGION 5 - JOHN EDWARDS • eggstx@aol.com REGION 8 - SHON CALLAHAN • sdccccranch@aol.com REGION 9 - VICKI STICH (EC) • ladyhogger59@hotmail.com REGION 11 - JESSE J. CORNELIUS • jcornelius@nettleton.k12.ms.us REGION 12 - PAUL KINSLOW (EC) • paul@muellerauctions.net REGION 13 - MARK ANDERSON • fandhranch@aol.com REGION 14 - JOHN MORROW • morrowfarm@aol.com REGION 15 - SARA DAVIS • csdavis@oakhollowlivestock.com ERVIN CHAVANA (EC) PAST PRESIDENT • mengercreek@hotmail.com *EC DENOTES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
To our Members: We’re over a third of the way into 2014 and we’ve already initiated several projects. The voluntary DNA Testing Program was implemented on April 15. There is an article in this issue of the magazine explaining the program and how to participate. While voluntary this year, DNA testing will be required on the sire of any kids who are registered after December 31, 2014. 7KH -XGJHV &HUWL¿FDWLRQ 7UDLQLQJ 3URJUDP WKDW ZDV KHOG LQ 0DUFK attracted 40 ABGA members who participated in a grueling three days of handling goats, placing goats, giving reasons and being evaluated. 7KH KDUG ZRUN RI WKH -XGJH &HUWL¿FDWLRQ &RPPLWWHH ZDV HYLGHQW LQ the smooth way the program was run, and the panel of judges did an excellent job evaluating the candidates. Ten members came away from WKH SURJUDP DV $%*$ &HUWL¿HG -XGJHV The election of new directors for several Regions has either already occurred, or will happen by the time you receive your copy of the magazine. ABGA is fortunate to have a group of dedicated members who are willing to take on the responsibility of serving on the Board of Directors. The ABGA National Show is fast approaching. 2014 is the 20th year of existence for the ABGA and we will be celebrating that at this year’s show. All members who can and who wish to support the show, even if they can’t attend, are asked to go to the website and make a donation, or sponsor a trophy, or take part in any other category of support that is being offered. Any member who wants to exhibit their Boer goats is welcome to attend the national show. There are always several additional events during the week of the show, including the annual banquet and general membership meeting. The next face-to-face meeting of the board will be held July 18 and 19 in Indianapolis, Indiana. All members who wish to attend and can make the trip are invited to come see what a board meeting is all about.
AMERICAN BOER GOAT ASSOCIATION 1207 S. BRYANT BLVD., SUITE C • SAN ANGELO, TX 76903 MARY ELLEN VILLARREAL, Executive Director • mary@abga.org LAURIE EVANS, Administrative Assistant • laurie@abga.org SONIA CERVANTEZ, Accounting • sonia@abga.org CAYLA WILDE, Registration Support Staff • cayla@abga.org GRACIE HOLGUIN, Registration Support Staff • gracie@abga.org JESSICA HERNANDEZ, Registration Support Staff • jessica@abga.org CINDY DUSEK, Youth Coordinator • cindy@abga.org MARIA LEAF, Member Leaf • marial@abga.org ABGA OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday • 8:00 AM TO 5:00 PM (CST)
4 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine
Brad Mackey, President ABGA™ Board of Directors © 2014 American Boer Goat Association™
TABLE OF IN EVERY ISSUE
11
DARLENE BAKER Meet the New ABGA Certified Judges
DR. FRANK PINKERTON Goat Breeds, From Whence Do They Come?
15
12
BREEDER'S SPOTLIGHT Chestnut Springs Farm
DR. FRED C. HOMEYER International Marketing and Wolves
08
BANG FOR YOUR BUCK Experts share recommendations on how to successfully purchase a fertile buck that will accomplish your breeding goals
READY FOR ANYTHING The importance of protecting investments with insurance
16
22 ABOUT THE COVER The J and G Ranch is a small farm located in Leonard, Texas that began raising Boer Goats in 2011. The three bucks in the photo are, from top to bottom, MTX Flash Drive Honor #10571163, JPJP High Point Josephus #10580402 and MTX Will Be King #10571161. Picture taken November, 2013
20
JABGA NEW BUZZ
WANT TO SEE YOUR PHOTO ON THE COVER?
Junior Director Profile
HOW'S, WHY'S & WHEREFORE'S OF DNA TESTING An explanation and sample kit of the ABGA buck DNA testing program
29
We are still compiling entries for our next cover photo! You still have a shot at YOUR photo being the cover of the July/August issue of The Boer Goat! Submit your pic to info@theboergoatmagazine.com!
ENCORE CONTACT KELLI CHAPMAN PO BOX 243 • HASKELL, TX 79521 • TOLL FREE 877-822-3016 FAX 806-398-9047 • info@theboergoatmagazine.com PUBLISHER JACKIE LACKEY, INC. JACKIE LACKEY, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & CREATIVE DIRECTOR • jackie@encorevisions.com CREATIVE TEAM JAMIE BEATTY • SARAH VACHLON
The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 5
AMERICAN BOER GOAT ASSOCIATION
THE ABGA AFFILIATE PROGRAM is a partnership between regional goat clubs and ABGA. With the rapid growth in the meat goat industry, the local meat goat and Boer goat clubs have an increased role of education, marketing and promotion. These local groups provide an essential role in promoting the industry and educating breeders. In 2004, ABGA began development of a program to aid, assist and work together with local clubs. The objectives of the AGBA affiliate program include: • Provide additional resources at the local clubs level • Provide networking opportunities for the local clubs • Attract and retain goat producers • Assist with educational opportunities • Provide a method for grassroots input from local clubs
Piney Woods Boer Breeders Club Calvin Taylor 969 Leon Tilman Road Lufkin, TX 75901 calvintaylor@yahoo.com Serving states: TX, AR, OK, LA
Cascade Boer Goat Association Duane Rogers 15675 Eaden Rd Oregon City, OR 97045 becki@coppercreekboers.com Serving states: OR, WA
Region 15 Boer Goat Association James Oller Harrogate, TN 37752 spearcy@netease.net Serving states: AL, FL, GA, TN
Midwest Boer Goat Breeders Club Cindy Wade 29856 E 2150 N Colfax, IL 61728 cwwade@hotmail.com Serving states: IL, open to midwest states
Alabama Meat Goat and Sheep Producers Mitt Walker P.O. Box 1100 Montgomery, AL 36191 mwalker@alfafarmers.org Serving states: AL Kansas
Junior Meat Goat Organization Jamie Garten Abilene, KS 67410 jamiegarten@hotmail.com
Empire State Meat Goat Producers Association
North Arkansas Meat Goat Association
Brett Lindsay P.O. Box 306 Watkins Glen, NY 14891 bsbblindasay@twcny.rr.com Serving states: NY, PA, MD, DE, MA, CT, NJ, VT, ME
Robert Healea 10591 Highway 7 North Harrison, AR 72601 cedarholowfarm@hotmail.com Serving states: AR
Four State Boer Goat Association
Louisiana Meat Goat Association
Scott Hawthorn 164 Hawthorn Lane Arkadelphia, AR 71923 scott@cedargrovefarms.com Serving states: AR, OK, TX, LA, TN, MO
Chris Shaffett 29100 Craig Dr. Hammond, LA 70403 neverdone@myway.com Serving states: LA
North Carolina Meat Goat Association
Snake River Meat Goat Association
Randall White 105 Five Bridge Road Clinton, NC 28328 crokedcreekgoat@aol.com Serving states: NC, VA, SC
Clara Askew 5180 SE 1st Ave. New Plymouth, ID 83655 foxtailfarms@hotmail.com Serving states: ID, WA, OR, NV, UT, WY, MT
Southern Goat Producers Association, Inc. Judy Langley P.O. Box 35 Seneca, SC 29678 judylangley@bellsouth.net
Tall Corn Meat Goat Wether Association, Inc. Vern Thorp 1959 Highway 63 New Sharon, IA 50207 neverthorp@aol.com Serving States: IA
Boer Goat Association of North Carolina Curtis J. Ring Greensboro, NC 27416 kellyclark@triad.rr.com 6 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine
Ohio Meat Goat Association Mary Morrow 13140 Stoney Point Road New Concord, OH 43762 morrowfarm@aol.com Serving states: OH, PA, NC, IN, MI, TX, KY, CT, WV
West Texas Goat Raiders Association Andrea Thompson PO Box 2614 Jacksonville, TX 75766 etgra13@gmail.com www.etgra.com
OF EVENTS 2014 MAY MAY 3 Derby Day Classic Lebanon, KY | Angie French 502-827-1501
North Missouri Meat Goat Producers Chillicothe, MO Vanessa Triplett | 660-216-0257
IBGC-1 | Danville, IN Sue Wall | 812-690-0910
MAY 3-4 OBGA Spring Classic Pauls Valley, OK | Sherry Greathouse | 918-822-7271
ABGA.OHBGS Spring Fever Boer Goat Show Zanesville, OH | Mary Morrow 740-826-4333
SRMGA-Boers De Mayo New Plymouth, ID | Marilyn O’Leary | 208-739-0102
Lookout Mountain Goat Show | Ft Pane, AL | Anita Ramsey | 256-504-7808
MAY 10 Corydon Spring Fling Corydon, IA | Jason Smith 641-344-1179
South Central Ohio Boer Goat Classic | Washington City, OH | Carole Pontious 740-505-6046
Bulldog Classic Athens, GA Ryan Winne 706-550-3277
May Classic | Brenham, TX Robin Walters 830-305-0161
MAY 10-11 KBGA 4th Annual Spring Fling | Osage City, KS Deanna Furman 785-806-4470
JABGA Region 4 - BGNANC Boer Goat Blitz
State Line ABGA Goat Show
Fletcher, NC | Kelly Clark 336-362-5780
Centerville, MO | Jessica Wood | 254-484-2952
CCMGA Boer Goat Show
JUNE 9-14 ABGA National Show
ARMGA 6th ANNUAL Arkansas Classic
Owensville, OH | Pamela Motta | 513-739-9383
Grand Island, NE
Arkadelphia, AR | Anita Savage | 870-365-6071
MAY 17 IBGC Show 2 | Boswell, IN
MAY 24-25 Goats in the Park | Cape
JUNE 21 IBGC-4 | Rensselaer, IN
Girardean, MO | Jon Cowley 573-718-1217
Sue Wall | 812-690-0910
Sue Wall | 812-690-0910
Mission Trip Fundraising Show | Sedalia, MO | Tisha
Greenville, OH | Doug Hesson | 937-459-9246
LMGA Spring Show Crowley, LA | Cliff Hebert 337-370-1673
MAY 17-18 13th Annual Spring Classic Harrison, AR | Robert McMahen | 870-577-1759
WV Boer Goat Blitz Kearnysville, WV | Susan Burner | 304-279-6323
Wild West Boer Goat Show | Moro, OR Kimberley Liefer 541-980-1095
JABGA Region 2-BoerNanza | Location TBD Cindy Dusek | 325-226-1470
MAY 18-20 Boer-nanza | Iowa | Barbie Waltz | 319-560-0854
MAY 23-25 BGANC Boer Goat Blitz Fletcher, NC | Kelly Clark 336-362-5780
Diefenbach | 816-519-1668
ESMGPA Empire State Boer Goat Show | Syracuse, NY | Kimberley Todd 315-729-3769
The Darke County Classic
JUNE 21-22 Goat Days of Summer Filer, ID | Myrna Bowman 208-358-1024
JUNE 27-29 New England Boer Bash 2
MAY 30-JUNE 1 TSGPA Mid-Summer Showdown 2
West Springfield, MA Richard Dicey | 603-313-1284
Proctorville, OH | Corey Billups | 606-465-2471
JUNE 28 Champaign County Classic
MAY 31-JUNE 1 IBGC-3 | Greenfield, IN
Urbana, OH | Karen Price 937-631-0060
Sue Wall | 812-690-0910
Butler Co. Boer Goat Classic | Hamilton, OH
JUNE
Gwena Marcum 513-720-6050
JUNE 1 Knoxville FFA Boer Goat Show | Knoxville, IA
JUNE 28-29 Henry County Fair Boer Goat Show | Cambridge, IL
Levi Collins | 641-891-8340
Burt Walker | 309-853-6988
JUNE 7 Keystone Classic Boer Goat Show | Centre Hall, PA
JUNE 29 VA is for Boer Goat Lovers Summer Jan 1 | Woodstock,
MAY 24 Heart of Indiana Open Boer Goat Show
Lois Zeigler | 717-776-7583
Franklin, IN | Hannah Goeb 317-474-4403
Ferndale, CA | Deborah Silva 707-786-4907
HumCo Goat Assoc. ABGA Spring Boer Goat Show
VA | Sheena Showman 640-325-3032
Be sure to visit www.abga.org for additional information, updates, and a complete year’s calendar of upcoming shows and events. Don’t see your event listed? Please contact the ABGA at 325.486.2242.
The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 7
FOR YOUR by Rachel Stine
SO YOU’RE LOOKING OOKING TO T INVEST IN JUST THE RIGHT BUCK FOR YOUR BREEDING PROGRAM? Aft Afterr spending hours traveling to shows and farms, perusing breeders’ websites and online sales and budgeting for an expensive, yet worthwhile investment, you’re ready to hand over the cash. But how can you be confident this buck will produce the genetics you think he’s capable of? How can you ensure you’re helping the future of your operation by putting in the money today? Dr. Michael Jacobs, DVM, former co-owner of Dry Branch Reproductive Center in Lexington, Ky., shares his insight into how to successfully purchase a fertile buck that will accomplish your breeding goals. NATURAL BREEDING Jacobs says turning a buck out with does is the easiest breeding program to manage, but that doesn’t mean it comes without preparation. One thing to take into consideration is the number of does you want to breed, he says. “A mature buck can generally handle 30 to 35 does, while a first- or second-year buck does better with 15 to 20,” he says. However, Jacobs advises against synchronizing more than five does at a time. “You can’t expect a buck to cover more than that at a time,” he says. “Otherwise, you’ll need to AI (artificially inseminate) or keep your does on random cycles, so your buck can breed them all.”
“It doesn’t matter how good he is, foot care i poor o causes a lot of stress,” he says. “If they aren’t kept, a buck can quickly become lame.” Being overweight can also contribute to feet and leg problems and cause a buck to not want to mount does, he adds. While natural breeding can be initially less costly and easier to maintain, much of the industry has gone to AI for mass production and preservation of genetics. COLLECTION There are many advantages to semen collection, but Jacobs built Dry Branch Reproductive Center to meet international standards, selling both semen and fertilized embryos overseas. “In third-world countries, goats are very important as a protein source,” he says. “But here in the U.S., goat genetics are far superior to anywhere else in the world, so there’s a definite market.” Although not in the business any more, Jacobs also serviced local clients who wanted to save their goat’s semen. He came across two common problems during this time: bucks without high reproductive quality, and incorrect collection and AI procedures.
“A MATURE BUCK CAN GENERALLY HANDLE 30 TO 35 DOES, WHILE A FIRST- OR SECONDYEAR BUCK DOES BETTER WITH 15 TO 20.”
Jacobs says a quality nutrition program with constant water access, and monitoring and treating for parasites are also critical to buck breeding success. Also – especially in a natural breeding program – it’s 8 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine
always important to maintain your buck’s health. Feet buc are especially critical.
“Many times, a customer would call to have their buck collected, assuming since they’d naturally bred him, he’s fine,” Jacobs says. “Even though the percentage of does he was impregnating, relative to how many he was breeding, was very low.”
ENSURING FERTILITY Before breeding or collecting a buck, or purchasing
a buck you plan to breed, Jacobs recommends a vet performing a breeding soundness examination (BSE). This exam consists of a physical overview, inspection of the reproductive organs and evaluation of sperm through semen collection.
He adds that selenium injections should be given several weeks before attempting to collect.
Specifically, the vet will make sure the buck doesn’t have any general health or structural problems that could affect fertility. The testicles are observed and scrotum measured – important fertility indicators, Jacobs says.
In regards to performance preparation, Jacobs recommends breeding your buck at least three times for two weeks prior to obtaining a good collection, and then letting him rest three or four days before being collected artificially.
“Selenium is very important to reproductive endocrinology,” he says. “If it’s deficient in the soil in your area, you’ll need to supply it by injection.”
“ANY STRESS – WHETHER VIRAL, BACTERIAL OR A PARASITIC – CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT SEMEN PRODUCTION AND QUALITY.”
“Normal testicles and a high scrotal circumference are directly related to the fertility of the animal,” he says. “Those above average may produce offspring with earlier sexual maturity and greater fertility.” The collected semen is evaluated for motility and concentration to determine its effectiveness, he continues. “There are a zillion factors that affect fertility in males,” Jacobs says. “The BSE tells you how those factors work together.”
According to Breeding Soundness Examinations of Rams and Bucks, an article by Purdue University Extension, 10 to 15 percent of the general buck population is of unsatisfactory breeding quality. Knowing this can ensure you only purchase breeding animals that will bring economic return to your herd, Jacobs says. After a thorough BSE, Jacobs says breeders can work at home to make sure he’ll continue to produce. Maintaining an ideal body weight and high health status are two important factors. “Any stress – whether viral, bacterial or a parasitic – can adversely affect semen production and quality,” he says.
Although many of these things can be monitored and done by breeders at home, Jacobs highlights places to turn for additional information.
OUTSIDE RESOURCES While there are many traveling technicians who will service your farm, Jacobs says if you don’t have one you trust, talk to your vet first. In addition to licensed veterinarians, he says, many agricultural universities are excellent resources. Many of them – such as Oklahoma State University and North Carolina State University offer excellent AI courses. Several in-depth, reputable articles can be found online from university Extension programs, as well. Receiving trusted advice is critical when it comes to helping establish and maintain your herd’s fertility program. Although there is a plethora of information available online, Jacobs reiterates the importance of having a relationship with a vet who will do a yearly BSE on your animals. By first confirming satisfactory buck fertility – and then by maintaining it with quality diet and health status, selenium additives and preparation to breed – you can expect a high percentage kid crop. Talk about more bang for your buck. The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 9
ANNOUNCEMENTS JUNE 11
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
The Annual General Membership Meeting of the American Boer Goat Association will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at 8:00 PM Central time at Fonner Park in Grand Island, Nebraska, during the 20th Anniversary ABGA National Show.
JUNE 18-19
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
The next Face-to-Face Meeting of the Board of Directors will be held July 18-19, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Specific information about hotel location will be posted on the ABGA website and Facebook page when available.
Signs will be posted in the cattle barn and exhibition hall giving the location of the meeting.
MINUTES POSTED
2104 ABGA/JABGA JUDGES
The minutes from the March 14-15, 2014 Face-to-Face Meeting of the Board of Directors are posted on the ABGA website.
The Judges for the 2014 ABGA National Show are:
The judge for the 2014 JABGA National Show is:
Anton Ward Scott Pruett Sherri Stephens Alternate is: Roger McSwain
Josh Taylor Alternate is: Kurt Henry
TEN CANDIDATES RECEIVE JUDGES CERTIFICATION to the ten deserving ABGA members who passed the rigorous Judges Certification Training Course and are now ABGA Certified Judges. They are available for your upcoming ABGA event immediately and you can contact any of them with confidence that you will receive a professional, knowledgeable judge to represent your show and the association. Their contact information will be available on the ABGA Website and in the Boer Goat Magazine. The new ABGA Certified Judges are: Catherine Riley, Morgan Hallock, Sammy Lerena, Mark Henry, Jason Brashea, Thomas H. Redden, Pat L. Ariaz, Josh Stephans, Nick Hammet, and Rusty Lee. Forty ABGA members representing some twenty states including Georgia, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, California, North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Minnesota attended the ABGA Judges 10 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine
Certification Program that was held at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri on March 20 to 23. A highly skilled and esteemed judge/instructor panel, consisting of David “Chip” Kemp, Kurt Henry, Ron Dilly and Shelby Armstrong evaluated the candidates. Classroom topics were covered Thursday along with a meet and greet, and a group of five wethers were evaluated later in the day. Friday began with the written test portion of the program, followed by all day live evaluation and reasons critiques. To cap off an eventful day, the group went to the meats lab and saw their five wethers on the rail with dressing numbers that showed how the carcass placed compared to the live placing the day before. Saturday was finals day and filled with tension and tabulation. Placings and reasons classes were scored, and the arrival of day’s end seemed welcomed by all. That evening’s “sensory panel” was a wonderful banquet including the goat wethers that had been
by Darlene Baker
followed from “class to consumption.” The Judges Certification Program Committee consisting of Scott Pruett, Mark Anderson, and David “Chip” Kemp spent many hours reviewing past programs, and this year’s course marked a new and challenging direction. A large portion of the objective was to be mobile, an “ABGA On The Go” concept. The success of this program was proof positive that this model could effectively and efficiently be accomplished, and a direction well worth pursuing. Other goals that met or exceeded expectations included being highly interactive, one-onone instruction opportunities, and education. Education played the highest value card. The quality and talent level of the judge applicants that chose to share their skills at the 2014 ABGA Judge Certification Course was exceptional and there were many who, although they did not become certified, were close to the cut-off.
Ŷ INTRODUCING CATHERINE RILEY, FROM EMINENCE, KENTUCKY: Catherine is a 2012 graduate of the University of Kentucky with a B.S. degree in equine business management and minor in political science. Catherine participated in 4-H/FFA from 1994 through 2011 and showed a variety of livestock including market goats, sheep and hogs, and breeding stock goats and sheep. She has been on judging teams since 2005 when she was the Kentucky State Meats Judging Individual Champion, and has competed in judging equine and livestock at NAILE and equine at Quarter Horse Congress. She has coached livestock judging teams since 2009. In addition, Catherine has judged many beef, sheep, hog, and goat shows at county fairs in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and Indiana. She managed Bellaire Club Lamb and Goat Farm, and is currently show and sales manager for Show Barn Genetics. Ŷ INTRODUCING MORGAN HALLOCK, FROM STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA: Morgan is an animal science/agricultural education major at Oklahoma State University and has an A.A. degree from Coffeyville Community College in Kansas. She participated in 4-H/ FFA from 1999 through 2013, showing horses, sheep, hogs and goats. She was on the livestock judging team at Fort Scott Community College in 2010-11, Coffeyville Community College in 2011-12, and Oklahoma State University in 2012-13. Morgan was assistance coach of the Pioneer Peppers 4-H livestock judging team, and undergraduate assistant coach at Oklahoma State University. She has judged multiple local, county and jackpot shows in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, where she has evaluated goats, sheep, hogs and cattle. Her livestock production experience includes herdsman at Gibbs Farm Boer Goats, fitter at Lamoni Farms Boer Goats, and
owner of Hallock Club Lambs and Goats. Introducing Sammy Lerena, from Marysville, California: Sammy is working on his Associates degree at Yuba Community College. He has been showing Boer goats at ABGA sanctioned shows for eight years. He judged a 4-H market/ breeding stock show in Anderson, California in 2012. He has been raising Boer goats for nine years and has shown multiple national winners along the way towards earning goats their ennoblement. Ŷ INTRODUCING MARK HENRY, FROM AMES, IOWA: Mark has a B.S. degree in animal science from Iowa State University. He showed sheep, cattle and horses in 4-H/FFA, as well as on local, regional and national levels. He participated in 4-H/FFA meat and livestock judging and placed third in the Iowa state FFA contest. He was also on the Iowa State University judging team. Mark has judged the Suffolk Sheep Association National Junior Show market lambs, and also county fair and regional and state sheep shows in the Midwest. He is president of Cup Lab, llc that does ultrasound training and interpretation for carcass traits for cattle, sheep, goats and swine. He has worked with local producers to better understand the basics of livestock production and has been involved with raising sheep for over thirty years. He has also been involved in a purebred operation for twenty years. Ŷ INTRODUCING JASON BRASHEAR, FROM CORNETTSVILLE, KENTUCKY: Jason has a B.S. degree in agriculture education, communication and leadership from the University of Kentucky. He showed market goats in 4-H/FFA and was on the Kentucky Livestock Judging team and 4th in the state. He was also on the Kentucky 4-H Poultry Judging National Team. Jason served as a 4-H Youth
Development Agent for ten years and coached several judging, poultry and show teams. He has judged many shows, including breeding and market goats at the Georgia National Fair and Delaware State Fair, market goats at the West Virginia State Fair, breeding goats at the Wyoming State Fair, breeding goats at the US Nationals Junior Show, and various other breeding goat and market goat shows nationally. He has been involved in raising Boer goats for the past fifteen years and has recently moved from a commercial operation to producing quality replacement and show stock. Ŷ INTRODUCING THOMAS H. REDDEN, FROM NORMAN, INDIANA: Thomas attended Purdue University and has shown Boer goats and Hereford cattle in local, state and national competitions. He has also shown swine and rabbits at local and state shows. He had National Grand Champion Bull in 1999 and 2003, as well as several division winning females at National Hereford show. In 2013 he had grand champion full blood doe at the North American International Livestock Expo. Thomas has participated on judging teams at the local and state level, and he was on the adult judging team at the National Hereford Show, and the high point competitor in adult swine at the 1998 Indiana State Fair. He has coached the 4-H Livestock Judging Team for Monroe County for five years. He is an Indiana Junior Hereford Association coach, and both the senior and junior teams have been grand champion. He has judged several beef and dairy beef shows at local 4-H and FFA events. He has judged local swine shows, the National Murray Gray Show in 2007 and 2009, and the National Mini Hereford Show in 2012. He has had a nationally known Registered Hereford Cattle operation for 60 years and added Boer goats nine years ago.
Continue on page 28
The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 11
GOAT BREEDS, FROM INTRODUCTION There are many different types of goats in the world, but there are perhaps 300 or so ‘recognized’ breeds of goats. Types of goats are identifiable by their physical appearance and multipurpose uses. Breeds of goats are categorized primarily by a particular productive purpose (meat, milk, fiber) and by their physical appearance. Breeds of goats come into existence through the efforts of small groups of people. Breeds of goats did not offload from the biblical Ark, two by two, not even Boers or Kikos or Spanish. Typically, a small group of folks just unilaterally decided to ‘create’ a breed of goat by selecting certain ‘foundation animals’ from an existing indigenous population of animals with similar, visually recognizable phenotypic traits (they just looked alike). LO G I S T I C S O F B R E E D C R E AT I O N (F O R M AT I O N) The folk group first decided, arbitrarily, the selection criteria to be used, and, thereafter, they identified specific animals with those criteria, gave them names and/or numbers notated in a Herd Book and presto, the breed was created. Such groups then organized themselves into a Breed Association whose primary function was, and is, to maintain control of the Herd Book and thus assure exclusivity of the breed in perpetuity. The secondary functions of a new Association are several, among them: to expand numbers of owners and numbers of animals, to assist members in merchandizing their animals, and to publicize the virtues, real or imagined, of the breed. These functions are purposefully designed to sustain the Association and to promote members’ reputations, profits, and contentment. Associations then undertake various activities in support of these functions, e.g., promotional events such as Shows and Sales, organized youth programs, and, less often, owner technical educational programs regarding health, nutrition, managed reproduction, marketing, etc. The economic returns to commercial goat production and marketing are
12 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine
seldom discussed, even though, in the final analysis, breeders of purebred stock depend on the sale of their animals into a sustainable commercial industry. In practice, purebred owners preferentially target sales to novice players because prices can be inflated beyond those an experienced commercial player can afford to pay. Such targeting is sustainable only as long as there is a continuing supply of such novices willing to pay-to-play (always in the anticipation of becoming breeders themselves who intend to sell to other novices—I sometimes refer to this as the ‘endless-fools merchandizing strategy’). CAV E AT ! ‘Improving the breed ‘is commonly said to be the premier objective of any Breed Association. Unfortunately, this objective is seldom, if ever, accomplished, largely because Association members do not elect to undertake the organized activities necessary to achieve this admirable, and economic, objective. While Association leaders may urge members to keep good records and to use them as management tools, to date no Association mandates onfarm performance testing programs, nor will they ever, because members prefer the comfort of the unknown to the discomfort of knowing non-performers (some of whom may well possess admirable, and quite saleable, phenotypic traits). P O I N T S TO P O N D E R A N D ACC E P T There is no single best breed of meat goats because there is, to date, more variation among the individuals within each of these breeds than there is between the population averages of the different breeds. Each of the five U.S. goat breeds has proponents and opponents and each breed has certain traits (either real or imagined) ‘attached’ thereto by owners and observers. Concerning breed reality, only the inexperienced or the truly stupid refuse to concede there are good and bad goats within all breeds and, furthermore, that the percentages of good and bad ones vary widely within, and between, the breeds over time and place. A good goat
by Dr. Frank Pinkerton, aka The Goat Man, 512.357.2534
or a best breed is arbitrarily, but correctly, defined as one having the largest number desirable traits and least number of undesirable traits; all else is pure hype. Do note that variability within and between goat breeds provides both the rationale and the opportunity for gene selection in crossbreeding programs. One seeks to create a better animal by ‘joining’ the most useful traits from each breed while minimizing the least useful traits in the resulting crossbred. One can in fact create new breed in this manner. E VA L UAT I O N OF I N D I V I D UA L G OAT S There are endless personal opinions concerning breed phenotypic (looks), genotypic (performance), and carcass (quality) traits. There is also much debate about the relative importance (ranking or indexing) of the traits that impact the physiological productivity of individual goats, e.g., reproductive efficiency, feed conversion efficiency, disease resistance, adaptability, longevity, etc., all of which impact economic returns to the producer as well. Phenotypic evaluation uses visual appraisal of those body traits thought to be critical to acceptable productivity of an animal: structural strengths and weaknesses, size per unit of age, evidences of femininity and masculinity, and general conformation (length, width, depth, muscularity, balance or symmetry, and, for does, udder size, shape and teat characteristics, and for bucks, scrotal circumference and cleavage). Breeders of purebred stock are always urged to closely follow Breed Standards, not excluding those that may be irrelevant to productivity. Such assessments may also reference phenotypic values for littermates and parents, as well as pedigree analysis (provided there is information other than generational tracking). Genotypic evaluation procedures use physical measurements of kid performance, among them birth weight, 90-day weaning weights (adjusted for sex, age of dam, litter size/sex). Both the dam’s reproductive performance rating
WHENCE DO THEY COME? (adjusted litter weaning weights across year) and her efficiency rating (adjusted litter wt/doe weight at weaning) are key to genetic evaluation of the kid. A sire’s assessed value is heavily dependent on the known performance of his progeny and his forebears and much less dependent on his phenotype (or so it should be). While it is perhaps obvious to most readers that phenotypic evaluation is less objective (more incorrect) than genotypic evaluation, over 99% of owners use only phenotype for making keep-or-culldecisions. This is the fundamental reason why breed, and herd, improvement in the meat goat industry is so miserably slow. Contrarily, dairy cattle, beef cattle, swine, and poultry industries have made great strides in increasing herd productivity levels in the recent past because they measure and thus know actual individual performances. Individual sheep and dairy goat enterprises are doing so in larger numbers, to good effect. Meat goat enterprises remain in last place in rate of herd, and thus breed, improvement because many owners elect to remain so uninformed. I concede that large, extensively managed herds are simply not amenable to more rational selection procedures, but few purebred breeders
DR. FRANK PINKERTON is one of America’s best known writers and speakers on meat goat nutrition, marketing a n d management. He has been involved in the goat industry for over thirty years; actively working with dairy goat, Angora goat, Cashmere goat, Boer goat and meat goat producers. In 1968 Dr. Pinkerton joined the University of Kentucky and was sent to Thailand as livestock specialist. He also served as Administrator of the nascent Northeast Agricultural Research
are too large to do on-farm testing and thus practice more rational selection of keepers with which to make more rapid progress. Accordingly, the onus is on such breeders (who, to date, rather consistently dodge this challenge). Perhaps readers and breeders should also understand that performancebased selection could possibly become useful for merchandizing one’s surplus animals as premium-priced foundation stock. However, this would occur only if prospective buyers and sellers were astute enough to distinguish between their cherished visual perceptions and the stark reality generated from a set of scales. (“My goats look really good and frequently stand high in the Ring” verses “my goats performed very well as based on actual weights and documented reproductive records”). Of course, some buyers are astute and some are not. For a given breed, unfortunately, few, if any, such selection opportunities are currently available to prospective buyers. I close by acknowledging that many of my readers and listeners feel that I give phenotypic evaluation (body type scoring) too little importance as compared to genotypic evaluation. Perhaps, but I do acknowledge that when I was selling my
and Extension Center. In 1973 he went to Tokyo as Asian Director of the U.S. Feed Grains Council where he conducted demonstrations and educational programs using American feed grains in beef, dairy, swine and poultry operations in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and the Philippines. Before moving on to Prairie View A&M U, a unit of the TAMU system in 1997, he also worked on several short-term livestock development programs in Morocco, Nigeria, Egypt, Syria, Sudan and Iran for the USFGC. In 1978 TAMU reassigned him to the task of developing the International Dairy Goat Research Center. In 1983 Dr. Pinkerton relocated to Langston University to do extension work in dairy, Angora and meat goats. In 2010, with the assistance of Terry Hankins, long time friend and publisher of the Goat Rancher magazine, Frank’s book,
own goats, I was always quick to point out that those goats with near equal known performance could, and should, be ‘selected out’ by choosing the ones with the best phenotype. Personally, I preferred ugly-but-good performers to pretty-butpoor performers; so did my banker. It is my opinion that good type scores more closely reflect longevity traits more than they do performance traits. Certainly, I can more easily see longevity and carcass potential than I can see evidences of productivity. I cannot accurately see mothering ability or milk production or fecundity or survivability or adaptability, and I don’t think you, or Ring Judges, can either. In any case, none of us shall ever know because my choices and your choices will never go head to head on the same farm, treated alike, and weighed to show proof of our contentions. Over the years, I have visually sorted breeding stock from slaughter stock many times in many places, either cold sober or moderately so, and I am confident that I can beat a 50-50 gate-cut by a decent margin. Perhaps my confidence is grounded in the realization that I can never, ever be found wrong (culled goats are mostly soon dead).
“A Compilation of the Wit and Wisdom of ‘The Goat Man’” was published. Dr. Ken McMillin is a meat scientist, specializing in meat processing, packaging and safety at Louisiana State University, who has assisted Frank with aspects of marketing goats and goat meat. Together, they worked to develop a USDA-approved Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications for institutional purchasers. That effort led to the development of the USDAApproved Grading Standards for live goats and carcasses. He has worked in the meat and poultry industries for over thirty-five years. According to his website page, “Ken’s specific expertise is in value-added processing of red meat, poultry and seafood; case-ready and modified atmosphere packaging; Cajun meat products; HACCP and food safety, and goat meat. The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 13
We represent all producers in the goat industry. We make recommendations to universities to influence research agendas. We are in regular contact with the USDA and other government agencies to ensure that our members have a voice when it comes to regulations that affect them. We provide information about the goat industry and marketing opportunities via our website www.AmericanGoatFederation.org and facebook page.
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CHESTNUT SPRINGS FARM
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and Patrick Aliff, is located in Bluefield, West Virginia. They pride themselves on excellent customer service and strive to raise only the very best Boer goats possible. Breeding hardy and gentle-natured goats that are able to maintain excellent growth rates, and does who kid with ease is their goal. They answer a few questions Overall Grand Champion about their operation. 2012 West Virginia State Fair
By Robyn Scherer, M.Agr.
1. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE BOER GOAT INDUSTRY? We started in 1996. We made the decision to raise meat goats for pasture reclamation and meat goat production. Less than two years into production, we purchased our first Boer goats. The same year, we attended our first ABGA show. The industry was very young at the time, and a local couple was importing goats from Texas. We went to their farm, and they had Boer does. I thought they were the most beautiful animals I’d ever laid my eyes on. As we researched them and discovered their popularity and demand, we decided to try our hand at it. We got into raising colored goats after I saw some reds, and thought they were gorgeous. We also felt there was a demand for color in this country. We wanted to challenge ourselves and produce a goat of color that is equal in quality to the traditional. We feel like we’ve done a pretty good job of that through selection. We’ve been around the industry a long time, and I am very happy about the moves that ABGA is making to improve the Boer goat industry. The ABGA wants to be on the forefront of research. Our association is moving in the right direction, and that is something that we support and appreciate. 2. HOW MANY GOATS DO YOU HAVE, AND WHAT DO YOU USE THEM FOR? We run 100+ head at any time of the year, and that includes breeding does and kids. Our primary focus is breeding stock and show animals, and we also raise wethers. Our wethers that have gone to the show ring are very competitive. In the past three years, we have been awarded 16 major awards from ABGA for our breeding/show stock. We sell in the True Colors Sale in State College, Pa., in May, and the Legendary Sale in Proctorville, Ohio, in September. We also market treaty off the farm. We also still utilize the pasture reclamation that goats provide. Our farm is very old. It was very overgrown, and we found that goats were the best way to maintain the property without doing a lot of damage to the land. 3. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT RAISING BOER GOATS? My favorite part honestly is making kids. It’s the breeding aspect of it. For me, when those babies are born and the results are good, all the hard work, knowledge and education that goes along with
this is valid. It works. It’s worth it. In our breeding program we want an animal that is productive and meets the ABGA standard. That’s very important to us. We also look for animals that are hardy. We want not only productive animals, but ones that will perform in the pasture and in the show ring. That’s what I expect them to do. For me, breeding stock and show stock are the same. 4. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED, AND WHAT DID YOU DO TO OVERCOME THEM? I think the challenge early on for us was just education, and having people who were willing to help and teach us. Early on, there wasn’t a lot of knowledge out there. A lot of what we have learned was hands on. Because of that, we have really taken a big role in helping new producers, people who have problems. We make ourselves available. Our customers have told us they have come back to us because we help them. It’s a big deal. When someone spends a fair amount of money, whatever that is to them, it’s important that we help them. We want them to be successful and our reputation is important to us. 5. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG PRODUCERS GETTING INTO THE BOER GOAT INDUSTRY? Today, I think it is a bit different than when we started. It’s grown to a place where there are a lot of good animals out there now. For people getting in, education is No. 1. They need to learn everything they can about a goat, how to care for that animal, and the challenges that are involved in raising goats. Secondly, they should purchase from someone who is reputable and has good stock. The industry has grown and improved so much from the beginning, so now the only way to start is with good animals. It puts you so much further ahead of the game. It’s also important to get our children involved. I’ve never found people who are more kind or harder working. I think when you raise an animal, you experience a lot of things: love, responsibility, and an education most children don’t experience. I think it’s important for children to understand the usefulness and importance of these animals. What better way to learn that than to raise it, and have it be your responsibility. To learn more about Chestnut please visit www.cspringsfarm.com.
Springs
Farm,
The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 15
READY FOR ANYTHING: INSURANCE BUYS MORE THAN PIECE OF MIND
Livestock insurance can protect your goats - and your bottom line. by Ginger Merritt
need for a specific type of insurance. Insuring against People insure their lives. People insure their property. catastrophe can be valuable, and Celebrities even insure “EXPERTS SAY THAT KEEPING HERDS insuring goats and sheep is often valuable body parts that a special case. affect their ability to earn INSURED IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT money. Livestock is no THINGS A GOAT OWNER CAN DO FOR “Every species has common exception; in fact, experts say concerns, but sheep and goats THEMSELVES AND THEIR COMPANY.” that keeping herds insured is seem to be more susceptible to one of the most important predators,” Weadock says. “Make sure to ask your things a goat owner can do for themselves and agent about predator coverage.” their company. When it comes to coverage, a goat producer has “Livestock insurance is very important because that several options to cover his or her animals. First is animal is an investment of hard-earned dollars, and individual coverage, which usually covers higherlike any investment, it is at risk,” says Ronya Weadock, value animals on an individual basis. The animals are career agent, Texas Farm Bureau Insurance. “You take listed on the policy according to identifying marks precautions to minimize those risks, and insurance is and covered for a specific dollar amount. one way to do that.” Livestock owners can also choose blanket coverage, As a goat producer, many factors can influence which insures all farm property for a predetermined profitability and the future of the operation. With value. Equipment, tools and livestock fall under this livestock insurance, one can eliminate some of the blanket. The other option is herd coverage, which is guesswork that comes with owning livestock. the simplest and most prevalent type of insurance for livestock. Under this type of policy, producers insure a Several types of livestock insurance exist to specific number of animals – i.e. 200 goats. protect the farm. Weadock, who is active in the goat industry with her family, advises goat owners to get to Within those umbrellas of coverage, even more choices know their agent to maximize protection and get the exist, depending on the chosen policy. Full mortality right insurance. insurance covers death due to accident, injury, “Ask your agent a lot of questions about coverages, and make sure they are familiar with livestock and the industry, and make sure they understand the difference between commercial, registered and show/ performance,” she says. Goats are unique animals, and with that comes the 16 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine
disease, sickness or theft, while limited mortality does not cover sickness or disease. A pasture policy covers accident or injury due to perils such as fire, lightning, hail or wind, as well as vehicle collisions. “All these coverages are subject to change at any time,” says Weadock, who shows wethers and
wether does with her family out of Wall, Texas. value of insuring not “It depends on the policy, but many do not cover “KEEP IN MIND THE VALUE OF THAT ANIMAL IF death due to birthing.”
only animals, but also the future of agriculture.
“Our family has continued to be involved in many levels of YOU WERE TO LOSE IT, AND WHAT IT WOULD Livestock policies are written agriculture, as well as taking COST TO REPLACE IT...THE HIGHER THE VALUE, on an annual basis, though leadership roles to promote THE HIGHER THE PREMIUM.” they can be terminated at agriculture,” she says. “I look any time. Weadock says one forward to seeing our children can never have too much coverage. and many others growing their legacy in agriculture.” “How much is too much? It all depends on what you are willing to pay for,” she says. “I have seen cattle and goats insured up to $250,000 plus.” Weadock, who grew up ranching and raising registered Brangus cattle, horses and Angora goats in the Hill Country and Panhandle and Texas, says insuring on purchase price or replacement value of the animal is the best value to pick, but a producer is not limited to that. “Keep in mind the value of that animal if you were to lose it, and what it would cost to replace it,” she says. “The higher the value, the higher the premium.” To start the insurance policy process, Weadock says to ask the agent what the policy will cover. She says to list out the coverage desired and discuss the costs with an agent. “Options include protection for full mortality, disease or sickness, theft, and predators, among many others,” she says. “Do you want pasture or limited coverage for accident or injury? Protection for fire and lightning, or wind and hail? Are you going to insure for a collision on a roadway if the animals were to get out?” In addition, Weadock says to ask if a health check is required by a veterinarian and if kidding or any birthing activity is covered, to make sure all bases are covered. She also says to be aware of possible scams. “Insurance fraud is committed daily,” she says. “Be careful of the agents and companies you deal with, and make sure they are credible.” She says every claim will be investigated, and producers should understand that and be ready for it. “Keep good records and remember the old saying ‘Honesty is the best policy,’” Weadock says. This Texas Farm Bureau agent understands the
insurance? E G A R E V O C R O T A D E PR
INDIVIDUAL COVERAGE BLANKET COVE RAGE
FULL MORTALITY
PASTURE POLICY The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 17
What a beginning. I would like to start by saying it is an honor to have the opportunity to work with the youth of the Junior American Boer Goat Association. I was hired as a part-time employee of the American Boer Goat Association and soon learned the only part-time thing about this job is the sleep. But I love working with the JABGA and ABGA Board of Directors to grow the Junior Association. We have so many new and exciting things happing with this association that it is hard to know where to start.
Cindy Dusek, Youth Coordinator, cindy@abga.org May/June 2014
JABGA BOARD OF DIRECTOR at the January Face to Face Meeting in Grapevine, TX
NATIONAL SHOW We would like to invite all junior members to the “Meet and Greet” Monday at 6:30. Location will be announced during the day. We are going to have a scavenger hunter, which should be lots of fun. Come join us and meet your board of directors and make new friends. TUESDAY is the JABGA Show with Josh Taylor as the judge. Pizza party at 6:00 p.m. WEDNESDAY will be the Showmanship classes starting with Peewee, Junior and finishing with the Senior division. We will conclude the JABGA show if it isn’t completed on Tuesday. The Judging contest will be at noon. Sylvester Ridings has graciously agreed to place these classes for us. JABGA annual meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. JABGA public speaking is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. but we may try to move this to earlier in the day, so it doesn’t run so late into the night. Check www.abga.org and the ABGA Facebook page for updates. THURSDAY the juniors get to 20 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine
slow down a little. The JABGA Boot Scramble and the goat costume contest will be at noon. At the ABGA appreciation dinner will be the JABGA auction and the conclusion of the JABGA silent auction. FRIDAY at noon will be the Old Timer’s Showmanship. All Old Timers that would like to be exempt from this event can buy an exempt pass from any JABGA member. Exempt passes cost $25 and will be sold on Monday and Tuesday.
May 25, 2014 | Greesboro, NC Todd Mabe – 336-362-5780 tdeanmabe@gmail.com AREA 5 Lone Start Buckle Series May 10, 2014 | Brenham, TX Robin Walters 830-305-0161 barnone@gvec.net
JABGA SANCTIONED SHOWS SCHEDULE MAY 3, 2014 OHBGA SPRING FEVER
New Concord, OH | Mary Morrow morrowfarm@aol.com | 740-826-4333
SATURDAY is conclusion of the 2014 National Show!
MAY 3, 2014 BOERS DE MAYO
JABGA REGIONAL SHOW
MAY 10, 2014 KBGA 4TH SPRING FLING
AREA 1 49R Jubilee July 5, 2014 | Angels Camp, CA Tim Mathis - 209-277-1601 boersrbest@yahoo.com AREA 2 Boer-Nanza July 19, 2014 | Central City, IA Barbie Waltz – 319-560-0854 bariewaltz@live.com AREA 3 WV Boer Goat Blitz May 18, 2014 | Inwood, WV Susan Burner – 304-279-6323 wvburners@comcast.net AREA 4 BGANC Boer Goat Blitz
Fruitland, ID | Clara Askew | foxtailfarms@hotmail.com 208-250-9518
Auburn, KS | Deanna Furman | kbga@gmail.com 785-806-4470 JULY 5, 2014 MINNE-GOAT-A
Jordan, MN | Shelly Pitlick | shellypitlick@gmail.com 612-741-3664 AUGUST 15, 2014 STATE FAIR OF WEST VIRGINIA
Lewisburg, WV | Kelly Tuckwiller kelly@statefairofwv.com | 304-645-1090 August 30, 2014 COLORADO BOER CLASSIC
Keensburg, Co | Scott Pruitt | eieowefarsm@yahoo.com
JUNIOR DIRECTOR PROFILE, MAY/JUNE 2014 Beginning with this issue, we will profile a Director of the JABGA. Stay tuned to learn who your JABGA Board of Directors are, where they come from and a peek into their lives!
NOAH & ISAAC RIDINGS The state of Georgia is home to many historic and iconic pieces of history. Fort James Jackson, Etowah Indian Mounds & Centenial Olympic Park are just a few notable places. Georgia is also the home of the original Kentucky Fried Chicken! Sylvester and Becky Ridings are the proud parents of Noah, 17, Isaac, 15, Samuel, 12 and Margie May, 9. The Ridings have been involved in the goat industry since early 2002 and Noah & Isaac are current members of JABGA and Directors for Area 4. How did you get involved with the goat industry? NOAH & ISAAC- we attended a goat field day put on by Mrs. Charlene Kent. We were hooked and our parents realized this was something we could all do as a family. What made you want to be a part of the JABGA BOD? NOAH & ISAAC- We wanted to give back to an association that has given us a lot of opportunities. Our herd numbers have reduced because of high school and our outside interests and this was a way to stay involved. Both wrestle for North Forsych High School, Isaac was 3rd in the Georgia State wrestling tournament in 2013. What is your most memorable accomplishment in the goat industry? NOAH- My first goat was a wether named Topper. I learned a lot about goats from raising and showing him. ISAAC- Winning Reserve Junior Champion Percentage Doe with Sally, she was a great doe.
What does the future hold for the Ridings brothers? NOAH- I’d like to attend North Georgia University for a degree in Criminal Justice. After school I will pursue a job in law enforcement. ISAAC- I am going to college but not sure where or what for; maybe I’ll get a wrestling scholarship somewhere. Favorite Fullblood Buck? NOAH- That would be Bo Jangles! He was great in the show ring and an even better sire. ISAAC- I like Status Quo. He really stamped his kids and fit a wide variety of does. Favorite ABGA doe? NOAH- That’s easy AABG Tyra. She’s one of the best does ever! ISAAC- I’m still looking for the perfect doe! I think she’ll need to be well balanced with a top like a wether and a big pretty roman nosed head. I’ll find her one day. Who’s ABGA’s best judge? They both laughed out loud. NOAH & ISAAC- Well, we think Sylvester Ridings is the best!! What are your thoughts on the breeding doe show proposal that was put before the ABGA board? NOAH & ISAAC- We love the idea! It should draw more JABGA members and give more opportunities to junior members. We think it could even the playing field and we love the idea of the payback and scholarship opportunities. This could be a win-win for our junior members. Do you have any advice for other JABGA members? NOAH- Give it your all and have fun doing it! ISAAC- Always try to improve yourself and your goats. Always be honest about yourself and don’t be barn blind. Recognize what the good and bad of your animals are.
Anybody you guys want to thank? NOAH- I’d like to thank the JABGA for allowing us to participate and Fanie Scheuman for early advice on Boer goats. ISAAC- I’d like to thank everyone in ABGA. We’ve learned a lot and have been helped a lot. ABGA is like one big family where everybody helps each other. The first time I saw these two young men Noah was helping Isaac show a doe that was convinced she could drag him across the ring. They were a team then and they are a team now. If you haven’t seen them in a while you might not recognize them. Both are growing up to be great men and both have bright futures. Positive attitudes, strong work ethic, family and teamwork will give the state of Georgia two more shining stars.
The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 21
INTERNATIONAL MARKETING AND by Fred C. Homeyer, South African Boer Goat Breeder and Judge
I HAVE SEEN VERY FEW if any articles written about international marketing and sales of Boer goats overseas. I have been blessed to sell quite a few goats in other countries over the past twenty years. I have learned many things about such endeavors over time. International marketing and sales is not for the weak hearted. It requires solution of difficult logistical problems rapidly on the fly as the goats leave the U.S. bound for other places. Every country that accepts the importation of goats (goats and sheep are small ruminants) from the United States has a mutually agreed upon health protocol that the goats must meet before they can be shipped. Every country’s health protocol requirements are different and some are almost impossible to satisfy. In most cases the cost on an international health paper and the shipping costs of the animal(s) may exceed the actual cost of the animal initially. It is hard to sell a goat for $1000 when it costs $2000 to get the health tests and acquire transportation. Most of the health testing involves blood tests but some of the requirements may involve quarantining the animal for up to 90 days before it leaves the States. You may also be required to treat the animals for external parasites and other things prior to shipment. Tests other than blood tests might be for example, TB or tuberculosis, which is performed by giving a shot in the tail web and then observing the tail web for a lump a few days later. Many of the blood tests are only good for a short period of time, usually 30 days, which implies that the goat must leave the U.S. and arrive in the foreign country in 30 days or less from the time the blood sample was taken. The blood is usually taken from a large vein in the goat’s neck and is normally done by a vet. Normally you will be involved in one form or another with the federal veterinarian in the foreign country. In some cases 22 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine
this is very difficult and time consuming as the health department and federal vet’s office in the other country may not be open when you can call them as many countries are six hours or more ahead of the U.S. In that case much or most of the communication with the federal veterinarian in the other country is done through email or fax. This is one of the situations that is not for the weak hearted. You have to have a great deal of determination and patience and be willing to never give up. In most cases the goats will have to be quarantined at least 24 hours in a U.S. Department of Agricultural facility prior to their shipment and must be examined by a U.S. Federal veterinarian prior to shipment. Your local veterinarian can draw blood, send the blood for testing and complete the international health paper in most instances but many veterinarians are not willing to put up with the hassle and paperwork for the small fee that they might charge.
scrapies history of your ranch and your participation in the scrapie free herd program for at least five years. I think this is about to change and bucks will come under the same requirements as does. If this requirement is adopted by Canada they will greatly limit the Boer genetics that can go to Canada as few U.S. Boer goat breeders are participating in the Five Year Scrapie Free Herd program. Check with the Department of Agriculture in Canada for the most upto-date information on their import requirements for Boer goats. Selling Boer goats to foreign countries usually involves many emails and phone calls prior to a sale. You may send a lot of photos of the goats under consideration. Normal payment for goats going internationally is by bank wire. It is customary to have the money in your bank prior to shipping the animals. A check written on a foreign bank is very difficult to cash or redeem if it turns out to be an “insufficient funds” check. If your goats are already in the other country your chance of getting your money is very remote.
One of the most frustrating things about international health papers that I have had completed is that they have to be typed on an official form using a International marketing and sales typewriter. When is the last time that involves a lot of trust and integrity on you actually used a typewriter and the part of all parties concerned. I have could you find one in a short period of found over time that advertising in time? I asked one foreign countries of the Federal vets in their If you would like to check on the in Austin a while language and health protocol requirements for back if we couldn’t communic ating exporting goats to foreign countries fill out the forms in their language on the computer means more you can access the website: as pdf files and business for www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals send them over you. Thanks the internet. His to “google response was, “We are looking into that translate” on the internet you can type possibility?” So along with everything almost anything you want in English else you may have to deal with out of and have it translated into many other date equipment and procedures. In languages instantly. You simply “cut and my observation the government is not paste” this translated text into an email known for efficiency and clarity. and Presto! You are communicating If you would like to check on the health with your potential customer in their protocol requirements for exporting language. Of course you take their goats to foreign countries you can communication and put it through google translate to get the translation access the website: in English.
www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals
You select the country you are interested in knowing about and look for “shipping small ruminants or sheep and goats”. If you check this website out you will realize that we cannot ship goats to a lot of places in the world including Europe. I get inquiries from several countries in Europe every month. In fact, exporting Boer goats to Mexico is not currently very easy unless you want to ship them as slaughter animals which may very well be slaughtered before they arrive at their intended destination. Shipping Boer goats to Canada is also pretty difficult as only bucks can be imported to Canada at this time with a voluntary scrapies ID. Shipping does cannot be accomplished without a complete
Another technique that I employ in international marketing and sales is studying the business and negotiating methods of other countries to try and make my potential customer more comfortable and relaxed. For example, most business done in Latin American countries takes considerable time. If you meet with these people in person it is an insult to them to immediately try to do business. You should spend some time with “small talk” about goats, family, and other things. They will let you know when it is “time to talk business.” You must be patient with folks from other cultures. You should also realize that in many cultures your first price quotation is the point where negotiation begins. In Mexico, Brazil and Latin America they
never accept your first price quotation. It is always, “Give me a better price.” Don’t be surprised if the final price is as much as two thirds less then the initial asking price. Of course there are pitfalls here because if you start with a price that is too high they will simply forget the deal. You have to find the price that they want to start negotiating from. Some study of the market prices of goats in the country where you are trying to do business prior to your negotiations with your potential customer will facilitate a successful deal. If you have sold livestock or anything else for that matter for any period of time you know that the price you ask for your product is critical. You must find the right price. There is a price that represents value and that which customers will accept. If the price is too high you will get sales resistance and if the price is too low your customer will want to know what is wrong with the product. Once you find the right price it is important that you give this same price to all of your customers. If you sell a product to one person at a given price and to another person at a much higher price eventually these two people may get together and talk about the prices they paid and believe me you will have a serious public relations problem. In almost all cases when I have sold goats to other countries I have used the services of a freight forwarder and export company whose business it is to facilitate international shipments. That is their business and they are professionals. Two of the companies that I have used are American Genetics International owned by Lou Rocha and Agworld owned by Bruce Cluver. If you want to have a lot of gray hair at an early age try to ship animals without the help of a freight forwarder and export company. In almost all cases where I have shipped goats to other countries there is some sort of problem and hang up that occurs along the way. Your freight forwarder or export company knows all the right people in various places and can make solution of these potentially shipment wrecking problems much easier than would otherwise be the case. In fact, my St. Croix sheep herd came from a shipment that was going from Chicago to the Philippines. The shipment encountered problems in Chicago and the sheep ended up in the hands of the freight forwarder. The freight forwarder called me and asked me if I wanted to trade Boer goats for St. Croix sheep. I did not know that St. Croix sheep are a white hair sheep that have become very desirable over time. I agreed to trade goats for the sheep and from this original herd of 13 animals I grew a herd of St. Croix sheep to over 300 head (which were sold to a rancher in Mexico several years ago). Don’t take the word of your customer
that he knows “all of the ropes” in his deal involved smuggling which is illegal. country. In one case that I know of (not Although my part on the deal would be goats that I sold) when the goats arrived carried out entirely in the United States in the destination country they were put the final transport of the straws from on a boat and dumped at sea because the U.S. to this foreign country would the customer “did not know all the right involve smuggling and I would have people”. If this sounds like a fairy tale been a party to this crime. All I had to you must remember that politics are do was take the money and make a everywhere and some folks are more phone call. It was all very easy (as many “politically connected” than others. illegal things are – robbing banks and not getting caught What I am trying would be a very to say is always “If you have a STRONG HEART profitable business use the services and a LOT OF DETERMINATION if you didn’t get of a freight caught and you forwarder and you may discover that shipping wouldn’t have to export company. goats around the world opens pay taxes to boot.) It may cost a little I thought about more but in most up boundless opportunities and the deal for a few cases the animals provides a richer life.” minutes (if you arrive where they aren’t tempted are supposed to. Usually you can include the cost of the at least a little bit you are not human) freight forwarder and export company but decided pretty quickly that this was in the sales price of your goats. In some not the proper thing to do. My business instances you may want to split this cost is worth far more than a few thousand dollars of easy money. If I had chosen with your customer. As I said in the beginning international to send the straws I might eventually sales and marketing are not for the weak receive a call from the USDA or other hearted. If you have a strong heart and governmental office and my business a lot of determination you may discover would have been ruined not to mention that shipping goats around the world that I might be in jail for a very long time. opens up boundless opportunities and provides a richer life. Good luck in this arena! I want to conclude this article with a personal experience and a story. I hope you enjoy both. How we live our lives day to day depends on a lot of things that happen around us. I have heard it said that we are a product of our environment and this may be true. The way we conduct our business whether it is selling goats, teaching people or any other endeavor is dependent upon what we truly value in our lives. The other day I received an email from a man in another country. He wanted to purchase straws of semen and have them flown to his country. This would have been a substantial deal and the value of the potential sale was significant (close to fifty thousand dollars). All I had to do was make a telephone call to the place where I have the straws stored and give them an address of where to send the shipment. They would take care of the rest. The man ordering the straws told me that I could send the straws to his “agent” in Florida and that his agent would do the rest of the work getting the straws into his country. The man ordering the straws would wire the money to my bank prior to my sending the straws to his agent. This was really an easy deal to do but there was one problem. The country where the man lived does not allow importation of some agricultural products including goat semen from the United States. In other words, this
I wrote an email back to the man in the foreign country thanking him for the order but declining to send the straws. I tried to leave him with a positive note in that I told him if the border ever opened with the United States he would be the first one on the list to receive straws. Did I do the “right” thing? YOU BET I DID! This brings me to the story about the battle between Good and Evil that constantly goes on inside each of us. I don’t know the origin of the story below so I cannot give the proper literary credit but I think the story is worth reading.
One evening an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He Said, “My son, the battle is between “two wolves” inside all of us. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which one wins?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.” I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did writing it. The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 23
PRESS RELEASE
ANNOUNCEMENT: MAY 14, 2014
FOR MORE INFORMATION: info@AmericanGoatFederation.org AGF Board of Directors Sends Delegation to Washington – Four members of the Board of Directors of the American Goat Federation (AGF) visited Washington DC on May 6th and 7th to meet with various members of congress and representatives of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), including the Under Secretary of Agriculture. Anita Dahnke, president; Tom Boyer, vice president; Linda Campbell, treasurer; and Bob Buchholz from the AGF board made up the delegation. This is an annual visit that allows the AGF representatives to present the concerns of goat producers from all segments of the industry to the appropriate people in Washington. The board of the American Goat Federation (AGF) consists of ten directors from ten different states. AGF represents the interests of more than 200 organizations and thousands of producers engaged in the sustainable production and marketing of goat milk, meat, fiber and grazing services across the United States. The goal of the association is to unify, improve and advance the American goat industry by assisting producers to achieve maximum success. ADVERTISEMENT
The association is the result of the work of many people who had the foresight to see the need for such an organization. In the early 2000’s the leaders of several organizations with a focus on goats and goat products, came together to develop a master plan for establishing AGF. Key financial support was provided by the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center, which includes in its mission the development and support of goat industry initiatives. The AGF facebook page and website contain information about what the association is doing for the goat industry and what other agencies are engaged in that affects producers. AGF also provides educational activities including scheduling speakers from APHIS, NIAA, research working groups, universities, and other agencies to provide information to the Board as well as members who attend the Annual Meeting each year. AGF sends representatives to Washington, DC each spring to present information to congress and other government agencies about concerns of goat producers across the United States. AGF supports and attends national events, such at the National Goat Expo, and events of member organizations, including the American Boer Goat Association, American Dairy Goat Association, and Texas Sheep and Goat Producers. More information is available at www.AmericanGoatFederation.org
26 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine
ABGA TOP
100Bucks
RANKING IDENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 49 50
10423489 10136756 10020970 10107345 10020156 10020971 10354302 10306381 10136730 10452729 10018711 10003320 10043943 10375287 10022259 95298000 10276652 95243129 96010029 96212013 10269132 94235039 10409694 10322488 10081495 95333133 10467657 10211111 10169063 96151003 10469838 10099249 10420080 10049167 10038430 96072027 10179494 10175367 10095469 10178152 10256558 10178155 10045756 10159180 10188991 10188991 10018698 10173994 10405280 10099246
TATTOO
DOB
NAME
PROGENY
AABG X819 RRD P529 EGGS K212 2SIS 139N DOW K195 EGGS K115 SWE V7 DCW T-53 RRD P502 WARD X111 HMR K802 NK J33 RRD L75 ANR 13W NBBG K95 TX03G017 TLB T333 OK08G052 BBGF 120E GAR 84G RRD T307 4SW 18 2DOX W786 S2 V620 DKLK L27 TX020023 2DOX Y921 RRD R898 C_B_C BBO C S B Y142 EGGS M525 B2N W28 CNR L20 EGGS K231 RCG 3048 JRA1 R20 BZ1 R202 RRD M160 KALR R10 Y97 NAM F KALR R29 XS L346 PRSR P283 FSE R083 TX631338 JLF K815 DER R20 C S B W63 EGGS M509
3/2/2008 3/19/2002 4/3/1998 2/6/2001 2/26/1998 3/25/1998 2/22/2006 12/21/2005 3/22/2002 12/11/2008 1/7/1998 3/11/1997 3/27/1999 2/27/2007 2/15/1998 5/29/1995 2/12/2005 6/1/1995 5/3/1995 4/13/1995 2/21/2005 3/19/1994 10/23/2007 3/12/2006 10/14/1999 5/12/1995 3/9/2009 12/25/2003 2/27/2002 7/11/1995 6/2/2009 12/17/2000 12/18/2007 5/8/1999 12/25/1998 3/27/1993 4/11/2003 2/24/2003 9/30/2000 2/27/2003 11/28/2003 2/28/2003 1/25/1999 4/20/2002 2/22/2003 8/23/1995 1/24/1998 2/20/2003 10/10/2007 12/13/2000
AABG STATUS QUO RRD GAUGE P529 EGGSFILE *ENNOBLED* 3/00 POWELL/HOLMAN 2SIS 139N BINGO *ENNOBLED* DOW "PIPELINE"*ENNOBLED 12/00* EGGS RYALS MAGNUM**ENNOBLED** SWE MAIN EVENT D C W -BO JANGLE RRD GUNSMOKE P502 WARD 'S CAT IN THE HAT X111 HMR SUMO *ENNOBLED 05/2001* MUFASA SA RYALS TOPBRASS *ENNOBLED 2001* ANR WIDE LOAD NBBG RENOIR *ENNOBLED 8/2003* MOJO MAGIC **ENNOBLED** 5/2000 TLB T333 "RIPPER" IAG ISHAK VORSTER ENNOBLED G52 UBORA **ENNOBLED** 8/1999 GAR ADUWA-SASQUATCH *ENNOBLED* RRD RUGER T307 RIVER RANCH SUGAR TEX 2DOX LUGER S2 CAPTAIN MARVEL DKLK JRP TY *ENNOBLED 2003* OSCAR **ENNOBLED** 3/2000 2DOX CUGER RRD R898 CANNON CBC FREIGHTRAIN TOP GUN NO 2 *ENNOBLED* 7/2000 C S B BROKEN S SMOKIN HOT RUGER EGGSPENSE ACCOUNT BACK 2 NATURE POLAR EXPRESS CNR PISTOLERO *ENNOBLED 2004* EGGSORCIST *ENNOBLED 10/2001* TEXAS TWISTER JRA1 AGNEW'S BO-HOWDY BZ1 RENOIR'S CODI RRD REMINGTON M160 KALR ALMOST PERFECT 10 NAMA BLITZ KALR SURPRISE SURPRISE XS 346 "STARBUCK"*ENNOBLED 03* PRSR TY II FSE 3083 DYNA-MO TND LEROY JLF JORDAAN DER WAR PAINT C S B RUGER RELOADED EGGS BLAKE *ENNOBLED 10/03*
711 657 637 579 537 526 522 485 477 470 468 458 451 440 437 428 425 410 408 398 395 376 366 363 347 346 346 342 337 336 332 330 324 321 308 306 304 302 298 297 292 290 287 279 275 273 269 269 267 265
RANKING IDENT 51 52 53 54 55 56
58 58 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 72 74 75 76 77 78 79 81 83 84 85 87 88 89 90 91 93
96 97 98 100
94313007 10001995 94158006 10136693 10018775 10114856 96060001 94216002 95277010 10088830 94118019 96178118 10049424 96179002 10032873 10025987 10296606 10309575 94191002 10038425 10497427 10099184 10159266 10375286 10221798 10388151 10476715 10126216 96207138 10100645 10177720 10523466 10001522 10247078 10406942 10041044 10002770 10011630 10136529 10466972 10086836 10033657 94191011 10212731 10264136 10144812 10063403 96284050 10418088 10007494 10154574
TATTOO
DOB
NAME
FJH 1B769 J055 EGGS WW138 RRD P493 JLF K888 2SIS N115 TX631180 FJH D532 TX630534 I PARM M164 606 TX631337 RUNTS GAR 78G DSM 7B28 TX02 K234 JRA1 S23 LLBG J603 1B776 H1 EGGS K229 AABG 82Y SGF M166 EDSR PB96 ANR 22W JRA1 S2 JRA1 V32 TST1 Y25 BIG T66 TX630558 I PAT N38 DOW R33 SGG Z30 XS J134 RRD S148 AABG W58 SGF L12 NK J47 TEC J25 RRD P463 RRD P463 5B M134 DSM 8B85 BC CI3 FSE R218 AABG T14 BBR P914 EGGS L375 J5 19E JFJ X176 BBGF 54F KALR P6
8/17/1991 4/5/1997 9/14/1991 2/18/2002 2/7/1998 2/6/2001 7/7/1995 8/10/1992 4/10/1994 5/6/2000 10/3/1990 8/23/1995 3/27/1997 4/12/1995 3/2/1997 3/17/1998 2/8/2004 8/2/1997 1/27/1995 12/24/1998 10/12/2009 9/9/2000 7/27/2002 2/28/2007 3/15/2004 3/26/2006 4/20/2009 10/20/1998 3/20/1992 3/22/2001 2/27/2003 12/3/2010 4/8/1997 8/9/2004 9/11/2007 2/6/1999 3/13/1997 5/21/1997 2/19/2002 2/28/2009 3/26/2000 3/12/1998 8/23/1991 12/14/2003 2/8/2005 3/9/2002 10/14/1999 5/10/1996 1/27/2008 5/4/1996 2/18/2002
EXECUTIVE EGGSTREME **ENNOBLED** 3/00 DAKOTAH RRD REMFIRE P493 JLF RAMBO **ENNOBLED 10/2002** 2SIS "FAVORITE TRICK"
PROGENY
264 262 261 258 257 255 255 STAR K532/92 251 NBBG TSJAKA *ENNOBLED 8/2001* 251 PARM STARMAN *ENNOBLED 2003* 244 BO 606 240 GLA BOSS MAN TX631337 239 RUNTS 1733 I-97-269-090SA 238 GALLUP'S BIG-O-BOY 236 DSM CLOUD DANCING I-97-163-047 234 TX02 MAGO 233 JRA1 AGNEW'S COLLATERAL DAMAGE 230 JET BLACK'S LIGNITE 227 KOOS K776/91 226 EGGSSPO 224 AABG NBD SQUARE ONE 224 SGF M166 223 EDSR GUS 223 ANR HOT COMMODITY 222 JRA1 AGNEW'S SON OF GUN 217 AJBG RUEHL BREAKER 216 TST1 WINDY ACRES STRATEGIC POWER 213 TARZAN T66 212 KAPTEIN **ENNOBLED** 8/1999 211 ASHCREEK 38 MAGNUM *ENNOBLED* 211 DOWNEN R33 "HOSS" 209 SGG NEXT DIMENSION 207 XS 134 207 RRD HAMMER TIME 206 AABG KICKIN' BRASS 205 SGF HEADLINER 205 NK TUFFY 204 CONCHO **ENNOBLED 10/2001** 203 RRD P463 202 LAZY S-T OUTBACK JACK 201 5B MAXIMUS 198 DSM BILLY BOB 198 BOER-CORP 831 197 FSE 3218 197 AABG/LOID GREAT BALLS A FIRE 197 BBR BOSS 195 EGGSTRASENSORY PERCEPTION 164 DAVID'S HURRICANE (STORM) 193 JFJ JERICO FARMS BIG JOHN 193 YABU *ENNOBLED 2001* 189 KALR STONE COLD S.A. 189
The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 27
Continued from page 11
Ŷ INTRODUCING PAT L. ARIAZ, FROM LAGRANGE, CALIFORNIA: Pat has been an ag teacher for 38 years. He has a B.S. degree from Fresno State University and has done post graduate work at the University of Nevada, Reno. He was in 4-H for five years and FFA for three years, during which time he won many showmanship and round robins in county and state shows. He had FFA champion steers at Cow Palace, Fresno Fair, California State Fair, and Churchville County Fair; and FFA champion lambs at Cow Palace, Fresno Fair, Great Western, and California State Fair. He has coached judging teams for several years and was a trainer judge for IBGA for 15 years where he put on judging schools. Pat has judged numerous county fairs in goats and sheep. He judged 15 national shows, including the first Mexican Nationals. He judged the Louisville sheep show ten times in various breeds and has judged 2 IBGA national and numerous regional shows. He has been in the livestock business all his life and raised Boer goats since 1996. They have been his full time job for three years and he currently runs a large herd of fullblood, percentage and wether does. Ŷ INTRODUCING JOSH STEPHANS, FROM ELKLAND, MISSOURI: Josh attended some college and showed dairy and Boer
ABGA
goats, and multiple breeds of chickens in both 4-H and FFA at the local, district and state levels. He received multiple champion and showmanship awards. He has judges several county livestock shows including all breeds of goats, breeding and market, and sheep, poultry and swine. Josh was raised around cattle and horses in beginning in the spring of 2003 he and his father managed a herd of 500 commercial Boer and Boer cross goats. After graduating high school in 2007, he went to work as herd manager for another farm, and in 2010 he changed jobs to work for JBI Boer Goats as their herd manager. He currently works at Harmony Hill Farms where he manages 170 head of fullblood and percentage Boer goats. Ŷ INTRODUCING NICK HAMMETT, FROM ASHLAND, MISSOURI: Nick has a B.S. degree in animal sciences from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a M.S. degree in animal sciences, beef cattle management systems from Colorado State University. His 4-H/FFA show experience includes registered Angus cattle at local, state and national level, receiving Grand Champion heifer at the 1996 National Western Junior Show, and several steers and a lamb at the county fair level. He currently exhibits Boer goats with his wife and children at open and junior shows. Nick was a member of the
1996 University of Missouri livestock judging team, placing fifth overall at the American Royal and the North American International Livestock Expo. He was also a member of the 1995 University of Missouri meats judging team. He frequently assists his wife with her FFA judging teams in multiple species and has judged numerous multi-species fairs in Missouri and Colorado. He has judged the Missouri State Fair and Junior Regional shows for beef cattle and the Canadian National Shorthorn show at the Canadian Western Agribition. Nick currently operates COLA Show Goats and will kid about thirty does this year, and have won several ABGA sanctioned shows. Ŷ INTRODUCING RUSTY LEE, FROM WINDER, GEORGIA: Rusty has an associate degree in environmental horticulture, and is an ISA certified arborist, and Georgia certified landscape professional. He and his family show cattle, both market and breeding goats, and pigs. He has judged several shows, including the 2010 International BGA National open Show, the 2011 MGR (mytonic) National Show, the 2011 Kentucky State Fair, the 2011 Goats, Music, & More show, and numerous local and regional shows from Colorado to Delaware. He and his family raise percentage and fullblood Boer goats and bred, raised and showed the 2007 overall reserve percentage national champion doe.
STAFF BIO SPOTLIGHT
CINDY DUSEK, YOUTH COORDINATOR My name is Cindy Dusek and I am the new Youth Coordinator for the ABGA. I have been a goat producer for over 20 years. My husband Randy and I had Spanish goats before the Boer goat was introduced in the states. In 2011, we decided to sell our herd and buy a lake house. We love it. I was active in the JABGA when my kids were on the board and loved working with the youth. When a couple of the ABGA board members approached me with the offer to become Youth Coordinator, they said it would be part-time. Since accepting the job, it has been a 24 hour, 7 days a week commitment. I don’t work in the office every day, as I am on the road a lot, but traveling gives me the opportunity to meet ABGA and JABGA members across country. I hope to help the ABGA and JABGA board make the JABGA one of the best youth associations in the country. We are currently working on a lot of exciting things for our youth; for example, we are in the process of creating a foundation for the JABGA; so watch for big changes happening! 28 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine
The
HOW’S, WHY’S & WHEREFORE’S
of DNA TESTING by Darlene Baker
ON APRIL 15, 2014, the American Boer Goat Association began offering voluntary DNA testing on bucks. The Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL), a selfsupporting unit of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is conducting the tests. VGL provides animal parentage verification, identification, genetic diagnostics and genetic disease research, and is internationally recognized as a pioneer and expert in DNA-based animal testing. VGL also offers an extensive animal forensic services program, diagnostic tests for genetic diseases, and support for genetic research in domestic species, primates and wildlife. You do not need to be a member of the ABGA to take advantage of this service. The price per test for members is $28.00. The price per test for nonmembers is $33.00 per test. Please note that ALL bucks being DNA tested MUST be ABGA registered, or possess an ABGA Record of Pedigree, or Listing Paper. If the buck you wish to have tested does not have one of these, you will need to obtain one before you can proceed. If he is a fullblood or purebred, he can be registered. If he is a percentage (50% to purebred), you can get a record of pedigree, or if he is a crossbred or other breed buck you can get a listing paper. Instructions are on the ABGA website. The DNA Testing Center on the ABGA website may be used to submit a Request Form. For those who do not have access to the internet, a call to the ABGA office will enable them to acquire a paper request form to fill out and mail in. There is also a downloadable form on the website, if that method is preferred. However, be advised that using the US Mail service will slow down the process. All required items must be filled-out completely and payment must be included with the submission form in order to receive a DNA Sample Kit. Sample Kits will be emailed to those who used the DNA Testing Center on the website, or mailed by USPS to those who used the US Mail, within twenty (20) business days of receipt of the DNA Testing Request at the ABGA office. The Sample Kit will contain a unique alpha/numeric identifying sequence and barcode (Sample ID) that will tie that test to the goat being tested. It will also include instructions on how to pull the hair for the test and send
it to UC Davis. When the Sample Kit arrives, check the information to make sure it is accurate. If you find a problem, call or email the ABGA office. Do not write on the form, other than to sign it and write the date the sample is collected. Fill in the Day Time Phone and Date Sample Collected on the form being sent to the ABGA Office. Sign the form as owner, and also as person collecting sample if you did that yourself. If someone else collected the sample they must sign the form. Mail that form to the ABGA office. Attach the sample in an UNUSED envelope clearly labeled with the animal ID and Registration Number to the Goat DNA Submission Form. Send the form with the sample to UC Davis. Note the different addresses to use depending on whether you are mailing the form or sending it by another shipping service. Be sure to mail the form that goes to the ABGA office immediately. The VGL lab will not start the test on your sample until they receive notice that the office has received the form. When the test has been completed, UC Davis will send the results to the ABGA office electronically. After the results are recorded, a copy along with a sticker to place on the Registration Paper, Record of Pedigree, or Listing Paper for the buck that was tested will be mailed to you. If you want to verify parentage, and both the sire’s and dam’s DNA are on file at UC Davis, fill out the parent information and be sure to include their VGL Case # as shown on their laboratory results (which identifies their DNA sample). There is no extra charge if it is done at the same time as the offspring. If the Sire and/or Dam have not been DNA tested, you can request testing on each of them at the same time as the buck. In that case, you would fill out separate requests for each, and only list their names and registration numbers on the request form for the buck where it asks for the Dam and Sire. When you receive your sample kits be very careful to attach each sample to the correct sample kit. You will not be charged for parent verification, but you would pay for each DNA test. If you want semen tested, call the ABGA office for instructions, as the procedure and recommended shipping for that type of testing are different. IN SHORT: 1. Order the test online at the DNA Testing Center at www.abga.org, or call the office, or download the form. 2. Receive the DNA Sample Kit from ABGA. 3. Send the sample to VGL and confirmation to ABGA. 4. Receive results from ABGA. This is what the Sample Kit looks like (see pages 30-31):
The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 29
SAMPLE KIT
30 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine
SAMPLE KIT
The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 31
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32 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine
IOWA
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PIT KEMMER, AUCTIONEER 931-335-4628 www.kemmerranch.com TEXAS
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The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 33
BOER BREEDERS BY STATE
GEORGIA
ABGA BOER GOAT
Clover Knoll Boer Goats
ons!! ssiion miiss okk AAtt YYoouuurr PPhhotto SSuubbm Look ke A Lo TTaakke
Ginger Slisher
Megan Leady
Wright Boers
Emily Myrick Heather Gleason
Heather Gleason
HHeather Gleason
LLeslie Bryant Wilde Plum Farm
Emily Myrick
Emily Myrick
Advance Boer Genetics Aaron & Denise Crabtree (740) 701-0364
KDCL Boer Goats Kurt, Donna, Logan, & Chelsea (859) 801-1480
Billups Farms Chestnut Springs Dennis, Shari, Emily, & Corey Billups Chad Broyles & Patrick Aliff (606) 473-0040 (304) 589-3972 Wireman Family Farm Jeff, Missi, & Ashley Wireman (606) 923-7631
Hidden Falls Ridge Boer Goats Sue Wall (812) 690-0910
Redden Brothers Livestock Tom & Jackie Redden (812) 278-4697
BAB Boer Goats Bailey Bergherm (812) 870-0924
Roeling Chance Boer Goats Lacey Roe (859)340-0188
Total Boer Concepts Adam & Lanette Keene (612) 963-3357
Goodwin Boer Goats Doug & Leigh Ann Goodwin (304) 646- 0834
Perry Farms Boer Goats Isaiah Perry (615) 888-2495
Boer Brothers Goat Farm Michael West & Cody Coffey (270) 566-4939
Dixieland Ranch Marshall & Janet Griffith (615) 444.8598
Westfall Boer Goats Cindy Westfall (937) 215- 4143
SNS Boer Goats Shelia Smith (660) 734-3115
Carolina Connection Boer Goats Robby Bell & David Eubanks (803) 924-8094
Topnotch Livestock Gary Mitchell (517) 719-5892
Knob Creek Farm Frank & Heath Hickox (706) 490-3350
Rising Sun Boer Goats Joey Clark (740) 643- 2060
Arnold’s Time Well Spent Boer Goats Dave & Kim Arnold (814) 623-1857