The Boer Goat - January/February 2014

2013-2014 AMERICAN BOER GOAT ASSOCIATION REGION 16 - BRAD MACKEY (EC) PRESIDENT • bradmackey@bmackfarms.com 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 7 - LINDA WEST • ll-west@sbcglobal.net REGION 8 - SHON CALLAHAN • sdccccranch@aol.com REGION 9 - VICKI STICH (EC) • ladyhogger59@hotmail.com REGION 11 - SCOTT HAWTHORN • scott@cedargrovefarms.com 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

AMERICAN BOER GOAT ASSOCIATION 1207 S. BRYANT BLVD., SUITE C • SAN ANGELO, TX 76903 MARY ELLEN VILLARREAL, OfďŹ ce Operations Supervisor • mary@abga.org LAURIE EVANS, Administrative Assistant • laurie@abga.org SONIA CERVANTEZ, Accounting • sonia@abga.org DEE ANN TORRES, Registration Support Staff • deeann@abga.org AARON GILLESPIE, Show Coordinator/Youth Coordinator • aaron@abga.org ABGA OFFICE HOURS MONDAY - FRIDAY • 8:00 AM TO 5:00 PM (CST) 4 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine

January/February, 2014 To our Members: Since the last issue of the Boer Goat magazine, we have FORVHG RQ WKH SXUFKDVH RI ODQG IRU WKH QHZ $%*$ÂŒ RIÂżFH building. It is four blocks from the university on Jackson Street in San Angelo. We bought it below appraised value, and being in a building we own, rather than rent, we will now be able to more fully take advantage of our tax exempt status.

The IT Committee continues to work to insure that the new database has the features we require, and that the new website is user friendly and easier for staff to update. We expect to save VLJQLÂżFDQW DPRXQWV RI PRQH\ RQFH HYHU\WKLQJ LV LQ SODFH DQG ZH are only paying one source for IT services rather than several.

The current website has been updated and reorganized by a member volunteer at no charge to the association.

New features have been added to the Boer Goat magazine. ,Q DGGLWLRQ WR WKH $%*$ ZHEVLWH LW LV QRZ WKH RIÂżFLDO communication method for the ABGA so that members without internet will receive information about events within the association.

The Board of Directors of the American Boer Goat Association™ is responsible for the operation of the association under the By-Laws and Rules and Regulations of the ABGA. This can be a daunting task, and we ask members to communicate their concerns to their director so they can be brought to the board for review. The majority of the ABGA directors are dedicated to serving the best interests of the American Boer Goat Association and all of our members, and we will do our best to insure that topics of interest are made available to members for their input.

If you have issues with what we are doing, please bring them to our attention. We cannot make all members happy, but we can promise to focus on what is good for the association and the Boer goat industry.

Our last face-to-face Board meeting of 2013 was held on December 13-14, in Nashville, Tennessee. Some members have requested that we broadcast public portions of these meetings.

The Board will explore the cost and feasibility of doing this. We expect 2014 to be a banner year for ABGA and our members DV ZH EHJLQ WR UHDS WKH EHQHÂżWV RI WKH FKDQJHV ZH KDYH EHHQ making to improve the association and its services to members.

Brad Mackey, President ABGA™ Board of Directors Š 2013 American Boer Goat Association™

TABLE OF

IN THIS ISSUE

11

DARLENE BAKER Things You’ve Wanted To Know But Never Thought To Ask

DR. FRANK PINKERTON & DR. KEN MCMILLIN U.S. Meat Goat Situation Report: Part 1

22

12

FRED C. HOMEYER Living the Dream with Boer Goats

08

HAPPY HOOVES Focusing on Health from the Ground Up

BREEDER’S SPOTLIGHT Witt’s Rio Vista

16

14

A FAMILY AFFAIR

ABOUT THE COVER This issue’s cover photo is of Jackie Redden, of Norman, Indiana as she exhibits All Squared – Up, the Grand Champion Boer Doe at the 2013 North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, KY. Read more about this year’s NAILE on page 20 of this issue.

Peek Inside B -Mack Farms

NAILE RECAP A peek on the famous green shavings from the eyes of the judges and exhibitors

20

ENCORE CONTACT KELLI CHAPMAN PO BOX 245 • 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 ROBYN AMTHAUER • JAMIE BEATTY • SARAH VACHLON

*Photo provided by Bob Bartholomew or Bart’s Livestock Photography.

WANT TO SEE YOUR PHOTO ON THE COVER? We are still compiling entries for our next cover photo! You still have a shot at YOUR photo being the cover of the March/ April issue of The Boer Goat!

Submit your pic to info@theboergoatmagazine.com!

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

6 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine

Empire State Meat Goat Producers Association

Boer Goat Association of North Carolina

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

Curtis J. Ring Greensboro, NC 27416 kellyclark@triad.rr.com

Four State Boer Goat Association Scott Hawthorn 164 Hawthorn Lane Arkadelphia, AR 71923 scott@cedargrovefarms.com Serving states: AR, OK, TX, LA, TN, MO

North Carolina Meat Goat Association Randall White 105 Five Bridge Road Clinton, NC 28328 crokedcreekgoat@aol.com Serving states: NC, VA, SC

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

North Arkansas Meat Goat Association Robert Healea 10591 Highway 7 North Harrison, AR 72601 cedarholowfarm@hotmail.com Serving states: AR

Louisiana Meat Goat Association Chris Shaffett 29100 Craig Dr. Hammond, LA 70403 neverdone@myway.com Serving states: LA

Snake River Meat Goat Association Clara Askew 5180 SE 1st Ave. New Plymouth, ID 83655 foxtailfarms@hotmail.com Serving states: ID, WA, OR, NV, UT, WY, MT

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

OF EVENTS 2014 JANUARY JANUARY 15 National Western Stockshow | Denver, CO | Erin Dorsey | 303-299-5559 JANUARY 19 American Premier Boer Goat Show | Fort Worth, TX | Stefan Marchman | 817-877-2400 JANUARY 20 Yellow Rose Classic Boer Goat Show | Fort Worth, TX | Stefan Marchman | 817-877-2400

FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 8 Dixie National Boer Goat Show | Jackson, MS | Greg Young | 601-214-1344 FEBRUARY 12-13 Florida State Fair Boer Goat Show | Tampa, FL | Johanna Davis | 386-527-0607 FEBRUARY 15 ETGRA Cream of the Crop | Henderson, TX | Andrea Thompson | 903-597-4646

MARCH MARCH 1-2 MUSD Spring Fling | Manteca, CA | Danell Ariaz | 559-779-5662 MARCH 2 Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo | Austin, TX | Segayle Foster | 512-919-3000 MARCH 6 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo | Houston, TX | Darci Owens | 832-667-1125 Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show | Mercedes, TX | Sam Magee | 956-565-2456 IMGP Spring Fling | Joilet, IL | Deric Wetherell | 217-898-9358 MARCH 29 MSU FFA Spring Classic | Morehead, KY | Paige Scheiderer | 937-707-4366 MARCH 29-30 Spring Spectacular | Greenville, TX | Anissa O’Hair | 903-456-8752 Redbud Classic – “The Finale” | Stillwater, OK | Debbie Dilley | 405-880-1641

The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 7

HAPPY HOOVES

by Ginger Merritt

Photo source: Langston’s new Meat Goat Production Handbook

GOOD

herd health happens from the ground up. As you look forward to maintaining your herd health for the year, make sure you factor herd hoof health into it.

Hoof health is critical to the herd because it is an indicator of overall care and health, says Dr. Ken Andries, assistant professor, extension specialist and researcher at Kentucky State University.

“The most important ingredient of foot trimming is elbow grease,” Hart says.

Hoof trimming is something a producer can easily learn, but professionals can also be utilized. Andries says it is a personal question that only the producer can answer based on their knowledge and comfort level with the work and the availability and cost of a professional.

“Animals that cannot walk well will not thrive in most cases,” he says. “They tend to lose weight, do not reproduce as successfully and are subject to other disease.”

“Any producer can trim the hooves of their animals with the proper tools and facilities,” he says. “Using a professional can result in more uniform results from the start. If the animals are for show, then the professional finish can be beneficial.”

Steve Hart, goat extension specialist at Langston University in Oklahoma, agrees and says hoof health is important because it affects all aspects of a goat’s life.

Hart, who has worked with goats for about 25 years, says foot trimming is not overly technical and can be learned by anyone.

“Nearly everything the goat does to be productive – grazing, breeding, moving for protection from the elements and socializing – requires the goat to move on his feet,” he says. “Feet that are sore or impair movement reduce the goat’s productivity. Hooves that are too long or that have hoof diseases cause pain to the animal.”

“There is no need to have a professional do it unless there is a special need, such as corrective trimming for a show,” he says.

To keep goat hooves healthy, experts suggest producers have a proper hoof health plan consisting of regular hoof trims, a good culling plan and keen observation. Susan Schoenian, University of Maryland Extension sheep and goat specialist, suggests a producer’s hoof care tool kit consist of hoof shears (trimmers), hoof knife, brush, tightfitting (nitrile) gloves, zinc sulfate and antibiotics.

8 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine

To learn how to trim the hoof, videos and literature are available for goat producers. (See sidebar.)

Once producers are equipped with the knowledge and experience to trim hooves, keen observation comes into play.

“The most commonly observed problems are limping, reluctance to bear weight on the foot, visually long toes or animals grazing while on their knees,” Hart says.

Hart says feet should be trimmed when they need it, rather than by a calendar.

“It may be useful to schedule times (such as every three months) to go through the herd to check for feet problems and sort animals to be trimmed,” he says. “In addition, foot trimming is an essential part of the treatment of foot rot, foot abscesses and puncture wounds.”

Even with a hoof health plan, hoof diseases may still present themselves. The major diseases include foot scald, foot rot and foot abscesses.

To prevent hoof diseases, goat experts say to practice good biosecurity and proper hoof trimming, and to keep mud to a minimum, reducing the moisture needed for bacteria to thrive.

therapeutic range for seven days,” Hart says. “Animals will have to stand in the foot bath for 30-60 minutes for the treatment to be effective.”

A foot soaking solution can be made with 8 gallons water, 10 lbs. zinc sulfate and cup dishwashing detergent. A dry bath can also be used, composed of 10 lbs. zinc sulfate and 65 lbs. lime.

Treated animals should be put on dry pastures that have not had animals on them for at least two weeks, because the foot rot organism can survive seven-14 days on damp/wet pastures.

In addition, foot trimmings from animals with foot rot are infectious and should be burned or buried to prevent infecting other animals.

FOOT SCALD is infection confined to the skin between the toes.

FOOT ROT is an infection that invades the actual hard part of the toe.

It has a characteristic foul odor.

A FOOT ABSCESS is the result of an infection deep within the hoof. This may have been caused by a puncture wound by a foreign object or tick bite.

“Use a foot bath for all animals entering or returning to the farm and be sure they soak for a minimum of three minutes in the bath,” he says.

Once a hoof disease has been found in the herd, actions must be taken to isolate the infected animal and to treat not only it, but in some cases, the entire herd.

Another tool to save time and money is culling. Schoenian says a culling program that eliminates animals prone to disease and with abnormal hoof growth is essential to maintaining herd hoof health.

“Culling is a most powerful tool,” she says. “There is a genetic component to hoof disease, and some animals are carriers.”

“Most hoof diseases are highly contagious,” Hart says. “Treat foot scald by applying foot rot treatment preparation to the affected area. In some cases, it will be necessary to use a foot bath. Often the disease will disappear with drier weather.”

As with most traits, the rate of hoof growth and hoof health are heritable. According to Andries, identifying animals that continue to have problems and culling them will reduce the problem in the herd over time.

Foot rot is much more difficult to treat because it is highly infectious, and the herd involvement is often extensive.

Therefore, the whole herd must be treated.

“If you wish to reduce any problem or improve any trait in your herd, you will need to keep records and make selection decisions based on those records,” he says. “Hoof issues are only one trait that benefits from better records and culling of problem animals.”

“Treatment involves foot trimming, treating animals with footbaths and systemic antibiotics such as long-acting tetracycline, given at intervals to keep the drug in a

HOW TO TRIM

by Steve Hart, Ph.D.

1

Once the animal is restrained, lift and position the foot so that it is comfortable for both you and the goat.

— It is best if the bottom of the hoof points to the sky or as nearly so as possible. The front leg can be easily bent at the joint.

— Rear legs are generally pulled to behind the animal and at a more slanted angle than the front leg.

2

Start from the heel end and going toward the toe, trimming off the overgrown outer wall covering the sole of the foot that is on the outside of the toe.

— It may be necessary to use the point of the trimmers to get under the overgrown hoof wall.

3

Then trim the hoof wall between the toes. This should be trimmed slightly shorter than the outside of the toe. Generally, little trimming is necessary for the heel.

4

Be careful when trimming to avoid quicking the animal, or causing it to bleed from the hoof. To avoid quicking the animal, stop trimming if you see a pink color of the hoof.

— Apply blood-stop powder to stop bleeding, if necessary.

5 6 7

It is better to trim hooves when there has been a dew or rain, as the moisture will soften the hooves and make them easier to trim.

Avoid hot weather or late gestation for trimming hooves.

Check out the foot trimming videos on YouTube.

ANNOUNCEMENTS NOTICE TO MEMBERS PLANNING TO RUN FOR ABGA DIRECTOR The deadline for submitting your information to the ABGA office to run for an open director position in your region is March 1, 2014. If you would like your biography published in the March/April issue of The Boer Goat, please submit your information to the office no later than February 1, 2014.

DUE DATES: MARCH 1, 2014 FEB. 1, 2014

TO OUR ABGA MEMBERS: There has been a lot of talk on face book and elsewhere about the lack of programs for goat producers and research on goats, particularly the Boer goat. We are the largest goat registry in the world, and I’ve been thinking the same thing many of our members have been discussing, namely that we at ABGA should look into what our association can do.

GOAT CHECK-OFF QUESTION

When I started asking questions I found out that research takes way more money than you could ever imagine, and there aren’t many dollars available anymore for research or education.

As a beef producer, I’ve seen the benefits of the beef check off, and also what check off funds have contributed to research and programs for the other meat breeds. The pork producers provide $35,000 a year to their junior association. That directly supports youth activities and scholarships which help encourage them to stay in the industry. And all those catchy slogans, like “Got Milk?” “The Other White Meat” “What’s for Dinner?” are funded by check off dollars.

Goat associations along with producers in some states have worked hard to make U.S. goat products available in retail outlets for customers to purchase in their area. If we want to compete with the other protein sources it will take a lot of consumer education (health benefits, cooking processes, etc.), research on confinement feeding and the alternatives, and dollars to help lure packers into the business to provide a steady stream of quality fresh goat to retail outlets instead of the frozen stuff from across the big pond. I have talked to a couple of the directors at American Goat Federation. They agree that this should be the next step to grow the goat industry and provide the kinds of activities necessary to increase our market and create programs for all producers, not just the show people. You might wonder why I’ve talked to the AGF. ABGA is a member of AGF and several of our directors attended the annual meeting last year. The AGF is recognized by the USDA as well as congress and universities as the official representative of all the goat industry, and the common thread in the goat world like the Cattlemen’s Association is the common thread to all the cattle registry associations. The AGF has directors who already understand how check off programs work and the AGF is willing to be a part of this effort.

So, I want to throw the question out to members to think about before I present any ideas to the Board. What do you think about instituting a federal goat check off program? What are the pros and what are the cons? What kinds of programs and research could these dollars be used for?

You’re welcome to post your ideas on the ABGA face book page. Your ideas may give someone else another idea and hopefully it will grow from there. But please share your ideas with your director, too. And directors, share your ideas here also so members can see what you are thinking.

10 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine

THINGS YOU’VE WANTED TO KNOW

by Darlene Baker AUTHOR’S NOTE: Some title, eh? Most ABGA members who visit the unofficial “ABGA” Facebook™ groups have seen posts about the ABGA and how directors make decisions. Since many of those posts show that many members have no idea of how the association is set up, or how it is governed, I was asked to research and provide some guidance. Believe me, By-laws are dry reading material.

THE

American Boer Goat Association is set up as a livestock registry, and as such applied for tax exempt status in 1994. In the year prior to filing for that status, articles of organization had to be written, the founders had to come up with a name, a mission statement, and the association had to begin operating as an association. For the next 19 years boards came and went, and some directors lasted longer than others. Ideas were proposed and programs started, some remain today and others have disappeared. This is the nature of organizations.

The purpose of the ABGA is: [quoted from the ABGA By-laws] 1.3 Purpose. The Association is organized exclusively to collect and maintain the history and pedigree of Boer Goats in the United States, to provide for their registration, to preserve the purity of the breed, and to encourage the further improvement and wider distribution of the breed through research, promotion, and education. More specifically, the Association is created solely as an organization described in section 501(c)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or corresponding provisions hereafter in effect, and exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(a) of the Code, or corresponding provisions hereinafter in effect.

Let’s take the first part: “collect and maintain the history and pedigree of Boer goats in the United States.” This is done through two separate herd books (or databases) in the ABGA, the Fullblood Registry, and the American Percentage Registry.

The next part: “to provide for their registration.” This is also done through the two separate herd books or registries and members are guaranteed that when they register a fullblood or percentage Boer goat that information is protected and kept within each herd book or database for future use and reference.

The next part: “to preserve the purity of the breed.” The breed standards along with the

two separate registries provide this. There are two separate sets of breed standards, one for fullblood Boer goats and one for the percentage Boer does.

The next part: “to encourage further improvement and wider distribution of the breed through research.” At different times during previous years research projects have been supported, and currently the ABGA is a member of the American Goat Federation. As a member, ABGA receives information about programs and research opportunities, as well as participates in various government and association surveys about the goat and/or small ruminant industry and proposed new programs.

The next part: “promotion.” The ABGA assists members in promoting their goats through sanctioning independent shows.

While the ABGA does not run these shows and receives no income from them, it provides financial assistance to the larger ones, and ribbons to the smaller ones.

To be sanctioned these shows much have a separate percentage doe show and a separate fullblood Boer goat show, as well as follow the ABGA show rules and breed standards, and use an ABGA certified judge. The ABGA holds a national show as well as several regional junior shows each year.

The ABGA also assists members in promoting their goats through the ennoblement program for the full blood registry, and the doe and sire of excellence program through the percentage registry.

In addition to allowing members to earn points at the separate fullblood and percentage shows, the ABGA allows double points to be earned at the National Show each year.

The next part: “education.” Most of the efforts in regards to education have been directed towards the JABGA. Additionally, each issue of the official ABGA publication, The Boer Goat magazine, contains various educational and informational articles.

What about the Board of Directors?

This is from the By-laws: “The direction and management of the affairs of the Association and the control and disposition of its properties and funds shall be vested in the Board.” This much means that the board runs the association. Each director represents the members in their region and the members work through their director to present issues and concerns to the Board.

directors in their region. Regular members can attend the Annual Member Meeting each year and can, if they so choose, “submit written requests for matters to be included on the agenda for the annual members meeting that require or permit action by the Regular Members.

Such written requests shall be submitted to the Executive Committee, c/o the Association’s office, and must be received at the Association’s office at least sixty (60) days before the annual members meeting. The written request may be, but is not required to be, in the form of a motion. The Executive Committee shall determine whether matters so requested shall be included on the agenda.” Regular members can also attend the open portions of face-to-face Board meetings, and suggest agenda items for those meetings to their director.

There are 4 actions that require member approval. They are: (a) approve a merger, acquisition, or consolidation of the Association; this refers to merging, acquiring or consolidating with another association. (b) approve the dissolution of the Association; or (c) approve any alteration or amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Association. (d) Alteration of or amendments to these bylaws shall be approved by the Regular Members as set forth above for alteration or amendment of the Association’s Articles of Incorporation or as set forth in Section 9.1.

Members are the backbone of any association and determine the direction of the association by who they vote in as directors. They are the individuals the association was set up to serve. The better informed members are, the stronger the association will be. In the ABGA, unlike many organizations, the directors are pulled from the membership. Members who wish to run for director throw their name into the ring when a seat on the board in their region opens up. Whoever is elected is then responsible for communicating to the members in their region, and taking members issues to the board.

And finally, we have the members. Exactly what rights do members have? Regular members have the right to vote for The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 11

U.S. MEAT GOAT SITUATION REPORT:

by Dr. Frank Pinkerton and Dr. Ken McMillin (Updated November 2013)

A recent nationwide herd health survey

by USDA/APHIS found a total of 124,000 U.S. meat goat operations averaging only 11 breeding age does per herd. The vast majority were smallholder units of less than 30 breeding age females, but there were also numerous operations with over 100 does scattered over many states. Larger herds (over 500 head), typically managed extensively, mostly in areas of low rainfall, are slowly declining in numbers and numbers/ranch.

Indeed some Texas, ranch holdings in chronic drought areas are being leased for hunting or, in some cases, simply being abandoned in the face of limited grazing, high costs of supplemental feeding, and the long-term prospect of negative cost-benefits.

Angora goat numbers dropped to a new low of 136,000, down by a third since 2008.This trend will likely continue as numbers of producers and size of enterprises decline even in the face of mohair prices considered ‘good’ by the remaining players.

Dairy goat numbers peaked in CY 2010 and have remained stable since. Industry sources cite strong demand for goat milk for commercial cheese making and also increased number of farmstead cheese makers. However, imported goat cheeses are thought to constitute over half of domestic consumption.

Table 1 shows the two-year changes in meat goat numbers by state, CY 2011-2012. Current state rankings are shown in the 2013 column. Oklahoma numbers indicate a partial recovery from its’ CY 2011 sell-off, but Texas continued to lose substantial number in CY 2012, and at this writing, the climate prognosis is pessimistic for CY 2013 in these and other states.

Concerning producer prices, we noted 12 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine

Figure 1. Trends in total goat numbers, meat goats, Angora goats, and milk goats in the U.S. 100

1,100 1,050 1,000

90

950 900

80

Slaughter

850 800

Imports (34 lb carc equiv)

750

70

% Imports of total

700

60

650 600

50

550 500 450

40

400 350

Imports, % of total

that during CY 2012 that summer prices were somewhat less than in summer CY2011. We also noted that auction prices did not rise as early, or as high, in late 2012 as in the recent past. However, prices for grade #1 slaughter goats under 60 lb rose to well over $2.00/lb by late March 2013. Price gaps, as between grades 1 and 2 and also between weight classes, narrowed as demand rose. (With the notable exception of larger, heavier over-conditioned Boer Goat Show wethers that sold, as usual, at substantial discounts due to consumer resistance).

Goat Slaughter or Imported Carcasses, 1,000 head

Meat goat inventory numbers are compiled annually by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), a unit of the USDA. From an industry high of 3,118,000 in January 1, 2008, total goat numbers fell to 2,811,000 in January 1, 2013, a decline of 9.9%. Meat goat numbers declined from 2,590,000 to 2,315,000, a decline of 10.6%. The decline in meat goat numbers from January 2012 to January 2013 in the U.S. was 1.75%, as compared to 4.4% for the previous 12 months (bad droughts in Texas and Oklahoma).

30

300 250 20

200 150

10

100 50

Goat meat supply

0 0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Year

Figure 2. Annual domestic U.S. goat slaughter in head and imports of goat meat as 34-pound carcass equivalents from 1996 through 2011 with import as a percentage as total numbers of estimated animals. Note that slaughter values before 2006 are for only federal slaughter while values after 2006 are combined state and federal inspected plant slaughter numbers.

Figure 2 shows the continuing decline, but at a reduced rate compared to the past few years, of U.S. slaughter numbers. Note also in Figure 2 the increase in imported goat meat numbers as a percentage of total domestic consumption. Readers must understand that these percentage figures are derived by comparing the weight of domestic kill (in federal plus state plants) to the weight of frozen imported carcasses (whole, 6 piece-paks, or bone-in cubes).

As always, we urge readers to remember that an unknown (and unknowable) number of domestic goats are killed every year in ‘informal circumstances’ (not in federal/state plants) and thus are not counted as domestic kill.

Accordingly, the reported percentages of imports in Figure 2 are erroneously high (industry observers suggest by 10%, or more). If so, we are meeting about half of current demand.

Put differently, our goat meat market share is perhaps 50%. In the corporate business world, market share is extremely important, but for domestic meat goat producers, not so much. Returns to producer labor, management, and capital depend on the relationship between prices received for their animals and the cost of their production inputs; neither of these seems dependent on market-share ratios.

On the other hand, a continual loss of market share over time might well narrow the current price gap between domestic goat meat and imported goat meat.

Currently, consumers say that they prefer domestic over imported goat meat, and they do in fact pay an appreciable premium for domestic product in metro ethnic marketplaces. However, they readily buy imported goat meat when domestic goat meat is inadequately supplied. A continuing scarcity of domestic product might well drive its retail prices upward, but consumer resistance would likely establish a ceiling at some price point (level). A more likely scenario is that increasing quantities of imports would lead to increasing prices for imports, thus narrowing the price gap between domestic and imported goat meat. Such competition could even lower domestic producer prices as market share declines further.

Prior LSU research has shown that ethnic taste panelists could not in fact distinguish organoleptic characteristics (flavor, tenderness, juiciness, overall satisfaction) as between imported and domestic goat meat. A second panel at TAMU (Anglos and Hispanics) also could not distinguish between such characteristics as between imported and domestic grass-fed goats, but Hispanic panelists did prefer grass-fed domestic goats over domestic goats (7/8 Boer, 1/16 Spanish and 1/16 Myotonic) fed supplement grain while on good pasture (over-conditioned, too fat, greasy).

If U.S. meat goat producers become

sufficiently concerned about the effects of losing market share, they could elect to try to increase domestic supply. There are but five ways to do so. First, they could persuade more landowners to initiate goat production. Secondly, owners could substantially expand the size of their herds. Thirdly, owners could increase the off-take from the herd via improved management, and fourthly, owners might (slowly) increase doe productivity via genetic improvement. A fifth possibility would be to increase the average size of slaughter goats going to auction.

The first four options are theoretically doable, but their likely cost-benefits ratios would require thoughtful decisionmaking; current ratios do not seem particularly encouraging.

Increasing sale weights of kids might or might not be profitable, and, in any case, would require abnormally higher prices for increased weights (readers are familiar with the historical drop in prices beyond the 80 lb sale category). But, even if such animals were made available, there would be fierce resistance to this change by consumers (and thus packers and retailers) who traditionally prefer 20-35 lb carcasses (40-70 lb live weights).

Ethnic consumers seem primarily concerned with carcass meatiness and with goat meat tenderness. The latter trait is thought to be closely associated with ‘youthfulness’, as indicated by carcass color (pale pink is preferred) and by weight of carcass (small is better).

Neither sex nor breed of goat seem of concern to buyers of market weight kids.

(Boer-cross goats have noticeably darker carcasses than Angora or dairy goats, but, given the preponderance of Boer/ Spanish and Boer/Kiko carcasses in the annual slaughter, this trait may be of diminishing concern).

In the past, consumers have preferred to take whole or half carcasses and ‘cubes’ (bone-in pieces ranging 2-6 inches in size and of variable ‘thickness’). Historically, there has been little interest in lamb-like retail cuts of goat meat and only limited interest in goat sausages and patties.

However, among the current LSU research findings about consumer preferences is preliminary evidence of emerging consumer interest in purchasing goat meat in retail cuts (similar to lamb and pork chops and roasts). We speculate that this may be a demonstrated outgrowth of ‘convenience shopping’ among (mostly younger) buyers wanting goat meat, but not wanting the hassle of more arduous preparation and storage of excess product. And, we do know from previous observations that consumers tend to shift from whole carcasses to half or quarters (or to cheaper imported cubes) when the cost of whole carcasses becomes financially burdensome (a 65

lb farm goat in Texas selling for $2.25/lb will sell as a 30 lb retail hanging carcass in New York City for about $6.00/lb; this $180 price tag is discouraging for typical ethnic buyers). In fact, they may pay such prices only at certain Muslim holidays; so also with the Latino holidays.

Readers should understand the possible significance of substantial change in this nascent pattern of goat meat consumption as cuts. Yes, price/lb for retail cuts would go up somewhat due to labor and packaging costs, but the price per purchase would go down (i.e., a three pound hind-leg roast might cost only $21/package as compared to wholeor half-carcasses. And, yes, such retail cuts might require some ‘re-education’ regarding cooking techniques, but young ethnic women are increasingly in the workforce and subject to the same time constraints of competing activities as other ‘homemakers’. This being so, convenience becomes the paramount consideration and the way-granny-did-it becomes of ever diminishing concern.

There is more, and of possibly wider industry concern. Large beef packing plants followed the feedlots that earlier moved to the grain producing areas.

Finished beef (wholesale and retail cuts) is currently shipped in refrigerated boxes to urban areas for distribution to supermarkets.

This reduces transportation costs of edible product to consumers; indeed, it ‘rationalized’ the trade.

Contrarily, there are few goat stocker operations and even fewer feedlot enterprises; accordingly, few such costefficient channels exist for goat meat.

Rank State

2011 head 2013 head %change

1

TX

950,000

2

TN

115,000

114,000

-0.9

3

OK

91,000

106,000

+16.5

4

CA

100,000

98,500

-1.5

5

MO

80,000

82,000

+2.5

6

NC

85,000

70,000

-17.7

850,000

-10.5

7

KY

72,500

69,000

-4.8

8

VA

58,000

67,000

+15.5

9

GA

71,000

64,200

-9.6

10

OH

59,000

62,000

+5.1

11

FL

55,000

54,000

-1.8

12

PA

46,000

43,000

-6.5

13

SC

42,500

43,000

+1.2

14

AL

56,500

42,000

-25.7

15

AR

48,000

42,000

-12.5

16

KS

40,000

34,000

-15.0

Table 1. Inventory changes, in number and percentage, from 2011 to 2013, in selected states.

Indeed, producers typically sell at the closest auction, and goats are then hauled to distant packers located as close as possible to urban consumers. This channel causes weight loss (shrinkage) and adds transportation cost; both costs are passed on to the consumer. It is not rational, but it is real—and will likely be for many years.

DR. FRANK PINKERTON is one of America’s best known writers and speakers on meat goat nutrition, marketing and 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 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, “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

1.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE BOER GOAT INDUSTRY?

In 2004, when our son decided to show market goats for a 4-H project, we attended our first wether sale and purchased two Boer wethers for him to show that summer. Little did we know that those two little brown headed goats would hook us for life! We continued purchasing does to build his small herd so that he could show both breeding and market goats. One thing lead to another, and soon it was a full-fledged ranch enterprise for our family.

We eventually sold our flock of sheep in order to concentrate on raising quality Boer seedstock.

2.

HOW MANY GOATS DO YOU HAVE, AND WHAT DO YOU USE THEM FOR?

We now run over 100 head of does, plus replacements, as well as a few milk goats, which mainly help raise the extra Boer babies for us, and will soon be recipient mamas as we continue to expand. We are using bucks from three different bloodlines which are making great wethers for us, and we have recently invested in a doublebred Smokin’ Hot Ruger grandson which we 14 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine

have high hopes for as a solid herdsire to move us to the next level. Our doe base contains a lot of wether lines, but is mostly fullblood, and we have been providing top end market wethers for 4-H and FFA members in the local area, as well as neighboring states. We also strive to produce breeding stock which will work on the ranch as well as in the showring, and we are working to further develop our seedstock operation.

3.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT RAISING BOER GOATS?

Randy’s favorite part is all the great people we have met along the way. Kyla says the best part is watching the success of the kids in the showring, and she especially enjoys the breeding shows. Ty manages the feed side of the business, puts up the winter’s hay, and loves the bouncy kids when they start to venture out on their own. Minda loves it all: the breeding decisions, the anticipation of even better kids each year, the preparation of our best stock for a show, traveling to all the fairs to watch the young 4-H & FFA members compete with our goats, and being part of the growing Boer goat industry.

BREEDER’S

WITT’S RIO VISTA

Witt’s Rio Vista, owned by Randy and Minda Witt, is located in Lamar, Colo. Extra time and attention devoted to youth involved with show ring projects is a part of Witt’s Rio Vista’s philosophy. The Witts are truly dedicated to young people and the success of their projects.

They work closely with 4-H and FFA market project buyers to ensure they choose the best prospect wether or doe for their project. They also take the time to make sure the exhibitor knows how to feed, fit and show their market or breeding goat to its greatest potential.

They answer a few questions about their operation below.

by Robyn Scherer, M.Agr.

4.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED, AND WHAT DID YOU DO TO OVERCOME THEM?

One of the worst challenges we have faced was the Blizzard of 2007. The storm hit on New Year’s Eve, and we had a barn full of very pregnant does. As the wind howled and blew the snow in through the air vents on the buildings, we could do nothing but worry about the girls in the barn. We were greeted the next morning by six foot drifts, and found the barn completely filled with snow. The goats had walked in circles all night, packing the snow down around them to keep from smothering in the drift which filled the barn. Ty dug a small hole through the snow in order to run a water hose to them and push in a little hay. We had to care for them that way for several days while trying to dig out the doors. We lost most of our chickens and barn cats, but those tough little goats had their babies and managed to keep them alive through it all!

A daily challenge is educating people on the value of the Boer goat, and helping to overcome the attitude that “It’s just a goat.”

The value of these animals to the world population is widely underestimated.

5.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG PRODUCERS GETTING INTO THE BOER GOAT INDUSTRY?

We would advise young producers to work with reputable breeders when purchasing their stock, and be willing to listen and learn from those who have been raising Boers for a long time. There is a wealth of knowledge to be gained from listening to experienced breeders who have been there through the growing pains of establishing the Boer goat in this country, and listening to them is an eye-opening experience. Any livestock enterprise takes a strong work ethic and a lot of desire for the pursuit of excellence to balance the ups and downs you are sure to meet. A love of the land and the livestock that make it productive are a must. Decide which side of the industry you want to work in, and set your sights high!

To learn more about Witt’s Rio Vista, please visit www.wittsriovista.com.

The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 15

A

FAMILY

by Rachel Stine

BRAD MACKEY of B-Mack Farms says getting into the Boer goat business was like Christmas morning to him.

After being exposed to it, he knew he wanted to be a part of it.

Talking with another dad at his son’s high school football game, he didn’t understand why his friend would be willing to miss the next game for a goat show.

Eventually the conversation ended with a visit to the friend’s farm.

“We got to his place and there were goats scattered grazing on the green ryegrass. It just clicked, and I thought ‘I have to get some,’” Mackey says. “Then I went to my first show, and I just enjoyed it.”

Bringing his family along for the ride that culminated in a champion ABGA Buck title in 2013 and included a stint as ABGA board of directors president has made the whole experience well worth it, Mackey says.

Like many livestock breeders, Mackey’s affinity for the show ring started young. Growing up on a farm in Oklahoma, the Mackey family ran a cow-calf operation and raised purebred Hampshire sows. Naturally, he showed in FFA and 4-H all through school.

Until his dad passed away in 1993, Mackey farmed and intended to continue plowing and running cattle on the land he was raised on. But since his boys were too young to help with daily farm work, the family decided to take a break and do something different.

A good friend in the hog industry, Dick Nash, connected him with a large hog operation, and Mackey, his wife 16 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine

Janice, and sons, Chase, Smith and Dylan, moved to their current home in Kinston, N.C. “We really just thought we’d stay a few years and then go back,” Mackey says. “But we got here and it was such a beautiful place and the people were so good. I liked my job. We never left.”

It wasn’t just the proximity to sandy beaches and snow ski resorts that kept the Mackeys in North Carolina.

Selling the Oklahoma homestead afforded Brad the opportunity to make his mark on agriculture on the east coast.

He built a swine nursery and several turkey barns at his new home. Today, he grows 40,000 pigs and 350,000 birds. Janice manages the office, and Chase is involved, too, working as the farm’s environmental specialist.

Although the Mackeys were involved in production agriculture again, Brad’s heart was still in the show industry.

“The desire to raise and show animals has been in my family’s blood for ages,” he says.

Unable to breed purebred hogs because of the commercial operation’s health precautions, he thought Boer goats would be a good fit. Within a month of the conversation with his football friend, Mackey bought 10 does and a buck in 2002.

Today, his operation consists of about 25 donor does, 125-150 recipient does and a fully functional flush facility and lab.

With more people in more areas buying Boer goats, Mackey says it’s an exciting time to be in the business.

Mackey says much of the fun of breeding goats is meeting the different personalities of the industry.

“It’s intriguing to me how people of varied backgrounds became interested in the business,” he says.

Even the goats have personality, he adds.

“I’ve been in the hog, cattle and lamb business. It’s the goats I really get attached to,” he laughs.

He believes the animals’ temperament and attitude draws young people to the show ring. He sees the demand for Boer goats surpassing all other livestock species in the coming years.

Serving as president of the ABGA board of directors has allowed him to meet many goat enthusiasts. Although the first part of his term has been filled with big events like planning a new office building and hiring a new junior ABGA director, Mackey says he also serves as a face of the industry, answering questions and talking to members.

He has been impressed by both the genetics and the people of the industry.

As for the future of B-Mack Farms, Mackey hopes it remains a family affair. In addition to Janice and Chase working on the farm, son Smith lives nearby and helps out on the weekends. Dylan recently graduated from law school. He and his wife, Paige, live in Oklahoma City.

Chase and his wife, Gina are expecting Mackey’s first grandchild in January.

“I’ll have my first little goat showman,” Mackey smiles.

Of all his recent success, he says his is most proud of his family.

“I’ve made great investments in my lifetime, starting hog, turkey and goat operations,” he says. “Janice has always stood beside me and encouraged me for the past 31 years.

Because we’ve always included our kids and done things as a family, we’re a close-knit bunch.”

At the end of the day, after checking on his own goats grazing on the green North Carolina hills, he says he still can’t wait to come home to see his wife. To Mackey, raising livestock has always been a family affair.

The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 17

Smokin Hot Ruger’s first show, 6 months old.

Overall Grand 2 of the 3 shows that weekend

by Robyn Scherer, M.Agr.

A LEGEND IN THE MAKING GOOD BUCKS can be hard to find, and great buck are a once-in-a-lifetime gift. CBS Broken S Smokin Hot Ruger is set to be one of those great bucks, even if his life was cut short. At just over four years old, this buck is already in the top five on the all time high point earning bucks in ABGA history, and his legacy is far from over.

Born on June 2, 2009, Smokin Hot Ruger was always something special, but his potential was unknown. The son of CSB Ruger Reloaded and RRD Smokin Hot, he was bred by Dr. Mark Watkins and Mr. Ervin Chavana.

Smokin Hot Ruger was put up for sale, and Cecil Swepston, owner of Broken S Ranch, Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, knew he had to have him. He came into Swepston’s life when he was six months old, and the day that Swepston met him was one he will never forget.

“When I first saw him, I knew then he was special. He was better than I thought he would be. I immediately felt like he was really extraordinary,” said Swepston.

Swepston purchased the young Smokin Hot Ruger after a conversation and a photograph, and has never regretted that decision.

“I asked Dr. Watkins a few questions and he answered them, so I went ahead and made a commitment to buying him. Dr. Watkins told me you haven’t even seen him yet.

I told him that I knew he was honest and was fine with that,” Swepston explained.

The weekend that Smokin Hot Ruger came to his new home was also his first show weekend. “The day after we brought him back to Oklahoma, we showed him at Ada, OK, and he was overall grand champion in two of

the three shows we had him in at just six months and two days old,” he said.

That was just the start of his successful show career. He was shown a total of 17 times, a 13-time overall grand champion and two-time overall reserve grand champion.

Swepston’s wife, Sharon, was his handler throughout his career. “He was one of the easiest goats to show that we have ever owned. He always had a nice disposition, and wasn’t mean. I could set him up, and he would stand there. He was such a pleasure to show,” she said She added, “He was truly an amazing animal, and I was so proud to be able to show him. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

All-in-all, Smokin Hot Ruger earned 232 individual show points. However, his legacy has not been built in himself, but through his progeny.

“Once we saw kids hit the ground we knew he was something great,” stated Cecil Swepston.

At of the end of November 2013, the buck has accumulated 3,738 ennoblement points, with an additional 1,337 unassigned points. This ranks him fifth overall, and as more progeny are shown and inspected, that number is expected to rise.

“It would move him even higher if we could get everyone to get the offspring with points to get them inspected.

The bucks that are ahead of them, you aren’t seeing very many kids from those bucks. Smokin Hot has several kids on the ground and ones that are coming that will make the show ring. I expect that he will come to the top,” said

Swepston.

Some of his most famous progeny came from Ron Dilley’s “super flush,” including the 2012 National Grand Champion, RDBG Izzy.

“All those kids that came from that flush were good ones,” he said.

He has a total of 312 registered kids as of 11/26.

Of those 312 kids, 116 have show points.

“He has been one of the best show prospect producers in all time,” said Swepston.

Part of what made him so good was his consistency, and his ability to pass those qualities on to his kids. “He was really out on the corners, and exceptionally clean fronted. He had a very pretty head, with a nice curl from nose to horn set. When you looked at him from any angle he wowed you,” Swepston explained.

He continued, “He was loaded from one end to the other with hard muscle. His chest floor – you couldn’t believe how wide he was. In his prime he always wowed.”

The clean front, clean chest floor, big hip and pretty head are traits that are easy to recognize in his progeny. “Once you have seen kids out of him you could pick them out, as he just stamped them one by one after the same pattern,” he said.

Texas. Tests after tests were run, and nothing could be found wrong. Dr. Benson suspected a blockage, and post mortem tests showed he was correct.

“He had a tumor right where the rumen funnels into the GI track, and it was just big enough to close that. It was a freak thing that happened, to be in that exact spot,” explained Swepston.

The family considered exploratory surgery, but the chances of the buck making it through that were slim. It was a heartbreaking, unfortunate set of events.

“We feel very blessed to have had him as long as we did. He propelled our program forward by leaps and bounds, and he did that for other people too,” said Swepston.

All together, Smokin Hot Ruger has sired six national champions, including one National Grand Champion Fullblood Doe, one National Reserve Champion Percentage Doe, two JABGA National Reserve Champion Fullblood Does, one National Senior Division Grand Champion Buck and one National Senior Division Reserve Champion Buck.

He was named the National Premier Sire at the 2012 and the 2013 National Shows. In order to win this award, a buck’s progeny must accumulate more show points at the National Show than another other buck in the nation.

“It was pretty emotional for us to win that award. To have a national champion is a great honor, but to have a buck that has produced national champions and has shown himself to be the best producer at the National show for two consecutive years means more than having a national champion to me. It was a great accomplishment for us and a great tribune to him,” said Swepston.

Even though Smokin Hot Ruger no longer roams the pastures at the Swepston’s, his legacy is sure to live on through his progeny and only time will tell exactly how his legend will be written. “He obviously was the most consistent buck that I’ve ever owned in terms of quality, and in my opinion, is the most consistent of all time,” he stated.

“He was probably a once in a lifetime buck, and we feel very privileged and honored to have had as much time with him as we did. You just don’t get very many like him,” Sharon Swepston added.

He continued, “I think that some of the things that he showed in his kids will be very helpful long term for the Boer goat industry. He was one of the primary ones you could depend on for clean fronts, and he was very good in producing real feminine, pretty headed doe kids and that has also continued on through his sons and daughters. His kids have consistently bigger hips than anything in the breed, and that has carried on as well.”

Good seedstock genetics are important to the advancement of the Boer goat breed, and that is exactly where Smokin Hot Ruger excelled. “One of his best traits is that he established good breeding stock.

On a whole they tend to do pretty well, are pretty worm resistant and produce those traits that he had,” stated Swepston.

Unfortunately, this fall, the Swepstons noticed a change in the buck and couldn’t stabilize him, so they brought in experts from Oklahoma State University, as well as Dr. Braden Benson, a veterinarian from The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 19

ON THE FAMOUS

FROM THE EYES OF THE JUDGES & EXHIBITORS

by Corey Billups

2008. There was more overall muscle and better bone structure in the does. I like to see big-bodied females with good length of loin and good bone structure. The bucks were very masculine and thick bodied, but still had good deďŹ nition in their chest and neck areas.

MEET THE JUDGE: A Q&A with 2013 NAILE judge Cheryl Wright from Goldthwaite, TX:

How many years have you been judging and what inspired you to become an ABGA judge?

Was there anything that concerns you from what you saw at the 2013 NAILE?

I have judged for 13 years. My family has always been involved in showing and raising livestock. I showed pigs, steers, sheep and horses during my school years. I also was very active in my FFA chapter and was on many judging teams during high school. I missed being in the show ring and I missed being at shows, so I decided to get my ABGA judging credentials. Being a judge allows me to be back in the show ring and allows me the opportunity to meet new people, and to see kids and their projects. I love seeing kids being taught that hard work pays off.

I was concerned about some of the goats being overweight and loose in their shoulders.

How do you think the quality and type of animals has changed since you judged NAILE back in 2008?

What was your favorite class to judge?

My favorite class is the old nannies. I enjoy seeing nannies that have been producing kids every year, and they still have the capability and quality to win in the show ring. These nannies are the real deal. The 9-12-month class is also fun, because there are always a lot of does in that class. This year’s class was competitive and consisted of many quality goats. I sent many goats out of the ring that would win other shows I have judged.

I thought the quality of goats had improved since

Grand Champion Percentage Doe Agnew Just Showed Up Registration Number: 10600638 Breeder: Agnew Boer Goats, Weatherford, TX Owner: Agnew Boer Goats, Weatherford, TX 20 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine

Reserve Champion Percentage Doe BIG2 Triple Crown Registration Number: 10606660 Breeder: Buckeye Illini Genetics, Washington C.H., OH Owner: Buckeye Illini Genetics, Washington C.H., OH

Grand Champion Fullblood Doe 2M Boer Goats All Squared Up Registration Number: 10524453 Breeder: 2M Boer Goats, Charlestown, IN Owner: Thomas & Jacqueline Redden (Redden Bros Livestock), Norman, IN

THE NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK EXPOSITION, NAILE, is the largest purebred all-breed livestock exposition in the world! Some of the attractions NAILE offers is the rodeo, the world’s largest purebred beef show, and close to 200 vendors in their “Giant Country Store.” It wasn’t until 2000 when the first ABGA Boer goat show was added to NAILE’s diverse lineup. The first judge of NAILE was Preston Faris from Sonora, Texas. If you really want a history lesson go to the ABGA show results and look at the winners from the show; you are going to see names like Sisters II, Dowen, Benz, and many others who helped develop the breed to what it is today.

The ABGA Show at NAILE took place on November 21, 2013. This year at NAILE there was over 400 animals pre-registered with some of the larger classes, like 6-9 and 9-12 fullblood doe having well over 35 in the class. Our judge this year for the show was Cheryl Wright from Goldthwaite, Texas, returning from her first NAILE judging experience in 2008.

MEET THE EXHIBITORS: The 2013 NAILE featured a diverse group of exhibitors from more than 12 states.

My favorite part of the NAILE is seeing friends and goats from across the country. This is the one chance, other than Nationals, that breeders in the northern U.S. can compare their animals to well-known breeders from all across the nation.

I was talking to a breeder from central Kentucky who was at NAILE for his first time. He said, “I have never seen so many good goats in one place in my life! Some of those classes were huge, and goats were dismissed that I would have taken home in a heartbeat. To be able to have an animal make the top cut is really an accomplishment. If you have not had the opportunity to attend the show, you are missing out.

I plan to come back next year as an exhibitor, not just a spectator.”

Judge Cheryl Wright said, “I always enjoy going to the NAILE. Everyone is always friendly and happy to show their animals.”

Reserve Champion Fullblood Doe LRMM Bandz A Make Her Dance Registration Number: 10566727 Breeder: Monica Bridges, Lometa, TX Owner: Agnew Boer Goats, Weatherford, TX

Grand Champion Fullblood Buck WTRL Whatever Registration Number: 10562576 Breeder: Wetherell Boer Goats, Tolono, IL Owner: Wetherell Boer Goats, Tolono, IL

Premier Exhibitor: Thomas & Jacqueline Redden (Redden Bros Livestock), Norman, IN NOT PICTURED: Premier Breeder: Able Acres, Crawfordsville, IN

Reserve Champion Fullblood Buck BAB4 Executive Decision Registration Number: 10606792 Breeder: BAB Boer Goats, Terre Haute, IN Owner: BAB Boer Goats, Terre Haute, IN The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 21

by Fred C. Homeyer

I HAVE

been in the b u sin e s s of raising South African Boer goats for almost 20 years. My first goats were a small herd of Spanish goats that my best friend, Burt Terrill, gave me when I purchased a small ranch near Robert Lee, Texas in January, 1992. The small herd consisted of a little buck and four does that were about four months old. Since they were Spanish goats they were called nannies and billies.

I kept them in a fenced area around the mobile home at my ranch. When I opened the gate one day to let them out they ran off and I did not see them for two months.

Little did I know at that time that my passion for raising goats would still be growing stronger 20 years later.

My first encounter with Boer goats was at an auction in Lampasas, Texas in 1993 where I saw 6 Boer bucks sell for a total of $277,000 and 5 Boer does sell for a total of $170,000. All of these goats were about three months old except for a two year old buck that had broken his leg in quarantine. I thought to myself, “How can a poor boy from Robert Lee, Texas play in this game with no money?” This was the time when the ostrich and emu business was at its prime and the demand was high and the supply was very low.

One of the first groups to import Boer goats was the West Texas Boer Syndicate that included Norman and Kathy Kohls, Ernie and Deborah Schwartz, Mike and Denice Botla, Donna Eggemeyer, Helen and Hugh Schafer and a few other folks. This group imported a group of Boer goats from New Zealand and my first Boer goats came from members of this group. I contacted Donna Eggemeyer and we worked out a deal where I would pick up five bucks at a time and take them to my ranch to advertise and sell them. I could sell them for as much as I could and we would split the difference between the floor price and the sales price. For example, if I sold a buck for $1500 and the floor price was $500 we split $1000 with $500 going to me and $1000 going to Donna. I continued this for some time and accumulated a significant balance which I spent on the best goats I could buy from the Eggemeyer ranch. This was the start of my Boer goat herd. I also bought Boer goats from the Kohls, the Schwartzs, the Batlas and the Schafers over time.

group of Boer goats sell from a partnership of Rocky Comfort Ranch in Missouri and Australian Breeding Management of Queensland, Australia owned by Geoff Burnett Smith. This sale was to be the dissolving of the Rocky Comfort Ranch/ ABM partnership. George Alschwede from near San Angelo, Texas took the Australian Breeding Management herd that was left after the auction to his ranch where his job was to disperse the herd.

I contacted George and worked out a deal similar to the one I had with Donna Eggemeyer. I would take five bucks home and advertise and sell them. As I accumulated commissions I would spend the sales commissions on the best goats that were left at George’s ranch. Over time I purchased several of the 1992 and 1993 born ABM bucks. I bought the last 34 doelings and the last 55 bucks from the ABM group using a bank loan from Robert Lee State Bank. This was my first dealing with Robert Lee State Bank and the beginning of an excellent business relationship. I only needed the money from the loan used to by the 34 does and 55 bucks for four days as I had tentatively sold half of these goats before I got the loan. After I sold half of the goats for a little more than the bank loan I owned the other half free and clear and I was “off to

created a marketing program that used the back cover of magazines to list the kids as I sold them under a heading “Thanks for Buying Twister’s Kids”. Each kid that was sold had a square in the ad that included the name of the kid and the buyer’s name and address. The first version of the ad listed six kids. The last time the ad ran there were 234 kids listed. I had discovered a potent advertising idea and campaign.

Texas Twister was a huge buck that put Antelope Creek Ranch on the map. Many of his kids placed high in the show ring and his genetics is still producing winning wether goats in the Midwest.

The next big event in my career with Boer goats was the acquisition of what turned out to be one of the most famous Boer goats in the world today. This buck’s name was Tarzan T66. Tarzan T66 has progeny all over the world including Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and Mexico.

When I bought Tarzan T66 in 2002 he had just won the title of Australian Reserve National Champion buck. When Tarzan T66 first came to the U.S. he was owned by a partnership of myself, Chris Glynos in Connecticut and a man in Australia. Within a short time I owned him 100%. When I judged the Queensland Royal Show in Brisbane in 2006 I discovered that over 65% of the goats in the show had Tarzan T66 genetics. When I attended the 2007 Australian National Show held in Sydney, Australia over 40% of the goats in the show had Tarzan T66 genetics.

As I later learned through my travels, Tarzan T66 was known all over the world. One of the most widely sought after wether sires today is named “900”. “900” is out of a goat named “Out of Bounds” who is out of “Cuda” who is a son of Tarzan T66. So “900” is a Tarzan T66 great grandson. I have been very blessed with progeny from Tarzan T66 and his genetics. I am a big believer in the power of prayer and I can say without a doubt that Tarzan T66 coming into my life was an answer to prayer that continues to keep on giving and giving.

“...AND I WAS ‘OFF TO THE RACES’ AND HAVE NEVER LOOKED BACK.”

A little later I went to another Boer goat auction in Lampasas, Texas to watch a 22 - The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine

the races” and have never looked back.

Included in this herd was a goat with ear tag 3048. When I went to load the goats in the trailer at George’s he was walking from his office and he said to me, “I have just gotten off the phone with Geoff Burnett Smith and he said to thank you for helping him disperse this herd. He also asked me to ask you if you would like to buy what he and I think is one of the best Boer bucks in the United States today?” George told me the buck’s tag number was 3048. I bought #3048 and I named him “Texas Twister”.

Texas Twister was my first “famous” herd sire. I advertised and promoted him and his offspring throughout the U.S. using Ranch Magazine, Meat Goat Monthly News, Goat Rancher and The Boer Goat Magazine. Over the course of a few years I sold over 240 “Twister” kids and

One of the ways that folks promoted their Boer goats in the beginning in the U.S. was to enter them in competitive shows. The first show that I entered was the 1997 ABGA National Show. I was very successful at the show winning the National Champion and Reserve National Champion Percentage Boer Bucks and the ABGA Premier Breeder Award for

Percentage Boer Goats. I thought, “There’s nothing to this show business – all you have to do is give your goats a bath and clean them up, parade them around the ring and they shower you with purple banners and silver champagne buckets.” It was five shows before I had less than at least a Reserve Champion Boer goat and reality set in. As you may know Percentage Boer Bucks were taken out of the ABGA registry in 1998 so there will be no more Premier Breeder Awards for Percentage Boer Bucks. In 2002 I entered the ABGA National Show held in Kerrville, Texas and garnered the points to win the ABGA Premier Breeder Award for Percentage Boer Goats again winning the Reserve National Champion Percentage Boer Doe and several other high placing Percentage Boer does at the show. So it turns out that Antelope Creek Ranch is the only ranch to win the Premier Breeder Award for Percentage Boer Goats with Percentage Boer Bucks in 1997 and Percentage Boer Does in 2002. Since percentage Boer bucks are no longer in the registry it is impossible to win the Premier Breeder Award for Percentage Boer Goats using percentage bucks anymore. (That’s what you call making lemonade from lemons.)

My interest turned to doing research on Boer goats reading everything I could find and doing a lot of empirical study of Boer goats in the show ring. I obtained Boer goat judging certifications from all three Boer goat associations in the United States. I began developing seminars about Boer goats and writing articles about my experiences and research on goats and goat raising. The first international show that I judged was in the Dominican Republic. I judged this show with Annette Maze (USBGA founder and Boer Goat Judge and ADGA Dairy Goat Judge). We judged 7 breeds of sheep and 5 breeds of goats including Boer goats at this show.

Lou Rocha, owner of American Genetics International that ships animals all over the world was instrumental in getting Annette and I to judge this show. That was the first international show that I judged. In November, I judged the Mexico National Show in Culiacan, Mexico. This

DR. FRED C. HOMEYER is a retired college professor of Computer Science having taught at the University of Texas at Austin and Angelo State University at San Angelo, Texas for a total of 38 years. He has been raising South African Boer goats and Dorper sheep at his Antelope Creek Ranch in Robert Lee, Texas for 20 years.

He lacked one college course attending medical school and as a result goat health and goat medicine are primary interests.

He receives emails from around the world on goat health issues every month.

National Show was the sixteenth National Show that I have judged in a foreign country and one of 30 international shows that I have judged. When I judge a show in a foreign country I always study the Boer Goat Breed Standards that they are using and use that Standard to judge their show. I try to give reasons for placing in the show ring in the language of the country.

I have memorized five pages of goat anatomy in several foreign languages along with the adjectives longer, thicker, deeper, wider, better, etc. I have found that people in other countries really appreciate your effort to communicate in their language. So far I can give reasons in English, Spanish, Portuguese and German. Having this ability has provided several opportunities to judge in other countries.

glandular function internally in the goat’s body. Professor Jan Bonsma, the famous South African Animal Scientist, has had a significant impact on me and my appreciation for livestock as I have read all of his writings that I can get on

“MY BOER GOATS HAVE SENT ME AROUND THE WORLD... ”

My Boer goats have sent me around the world several times in the past 10 years.

To date I have judged over 120 shows and presented over 140 seminars worldwide.

The countries where I have judged include the following: Mexico, Canada, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, the Phillipines, Barbados, Jamaica, Bermuda, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. Shows are currently scheduled in Trinidad and Cayman Islands. This article is number 431 and one of the first published in The Boer Goat Magazine. One of my goals is to judge Boer goats or give seminars in all 50 States in the U.S. So far I have traveled to 32 states to participate in goat related activities. Most recently I gave a seminar for the 4-H kids at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer, Alaska in August. I gave talks and judged goats at the 4S Goat Expo in North Platte, Nebraska in October and returned from Red Bluff, California in November where I gave two talks at their 2013 Goat Education Day. I am very interested at the moment in reading research on other breeds of animals and extrapolating this information into Boer goats where I can. Most recently I have been studying the hair goats on Boer goats as a manifestation of proper

He was the first American to judge Boer goats in Australia when he judged the RNA Queensland Royal Show in 2006 and again in 2008 in Brisbane, Australia. Dr. Homeyer is the only person certified as a Boer goat judge by all three Boer Goat Associations in the U.S. (ABGA, IBGA and USBGA) and also holds the designation of International Boer Goat Judge for Brazil. He has taught numerous judging schools to the Brazilian judges as well as the Mexican judges, as well as Breeders Workshops and South African Boer Goat Judging School in New South Wales, Australia with the South African who judged He is considered to be an international Boer the Australian National Show in 2010 and is goat judge having traveled around the world the only American that has taught a South nine times judging Boer goats and presenting African judging school with a South African. seminars about goats and goat raising.

hands on. Dr. Bonsma wrote a book entitled, “Livestock Production – A Global Approach – Man Must Measure”.

He measured over 50,000 animals in his lifetime for 16 measurements. His insight and conclusions have had an influence on livestock production all over the world. Using his powers of inspection and perception and armed with his vast experience of beef cattle, Bonsma could walk into a herd of cattle and tell you how many calves each cow had had and whether she was an early milker and a long milker. Professor Bonsma was a guest lecturer at Texas A & M University in 1965 and was the developer of the Bonsmara breed of cattle. The Bonsmara breed is a combination of the Africaaner breed in South Africa and British beef breeds and was created through 17 generations of breeding over almost 20 years. I continue to use Bonsma’s vast knowledge in applications for learning more about Boer goats.

I continue to receive bountiful blessings as a result of being associated with Boer goats and the Boer goat industry. None of this would have been possible without the strong support from my wife of 50 years, Linda. It would seem that a lot of the knowledge I have gained has rubbed off on her as she could probably give many of the talks that I give today. I know that she has developed a keen eye for Boer goats and is quite a good goat raiser in her own right.

His current research interests include extrapolation of physical traits from the observation of other traits and evaluation of caprine hair coats as an indication of proper glandular function to predict a strong immune system, fertility and maternal traits. Dr. Homeyer has a passion for the Boer goat and is internationally recognized for his efforts and international travels. He is truly a worldwide ambassador for the South African Boer Goat.

THE

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ANNOUNCEMENT: DECEMBER 16, 2013

FOR MORE INFORMATION: info@AmericanGoatFederation.org AGF Board of Directors Election – The American Goat Federation just concluded the 2013 election of new members to the board of directors. Two new directors will be seated on the board at the Annual Meeting in Charleston, South Carolina on January 25, 2014.

Becky Sauder, from Carlsbad, Texas will be an at large director on the board. She is employed by the USDA Livestock Market News Service in San Angelo, Texas, where she covers the market reports for the sheep and goat sale there, which is the largest sheep and goat sale in the United States. She was initially involved in the research and development of the live guidelines that USDA has used for describing goats in market reports. She also assisted in the IMPS developed for goat carcasses.

Becky has been involved in raising goats for almost thirty years, first commercial meat goats and then registered Boer goats. Along with her sister, she ran a fitting service and showed Boer goats all over the US. They currently have a small herd of dairy goats in addition to Boer goats. From 1993 to 1994 Becky served on the board of the American Meat Goat Association.

Vicki Stich, from New Albin, Iowa will be representing the American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) on the AGF Board. She has been active in the ABGA for several years and is currently in her second term as a director on the ABGA Board. During her tenure on the ABGA Board she chaired the Breed Standards Committee and also assists the ABGA staff with the National Show every year. In addition, she attended the National Goat Expo in 2012 and 2013 as a representative of the ABGA. In addition to serving on the ABGA board, Vicki raised and showed Boer goats for several years.

Returning AGF Directors are: Linda Campbell from Virginia, Anita Dahnke from Indiana, Sam Abney from Alabama, Thomas Boyer from Utah, Bob Buchholz from Texas, Jan Carlson from California, Terry Hankins from Mississippi, and Dr. An Peischel from Tennessee. The American Goat Federation is a national organization whose mission is to represent, unify, improve and advance the American goat industry and assist producers to achieve maximum success. The AGF collects and makes available news of interest to all segments of the industry. The AGF Facebook page contains up to the minute information about what the AGF is doing for the goat industry as well as what other agencies are engaged in that affect producers.

More information is available at www.AmericanGoatFederation.org.

The ABGA Boer Goat Magazine - 27

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