Only 0.02 lbs. (9 g) per day separated the top two goats. Bill Lowe (Pennsylvania) consigned the goat with the second highest rate-of-gain, a red Boer x Kiko buck (#6100) that gained 0.347 lbs. (158 g) per day.
Two bucks tied for third highest average daily gain: #W16, a 99.9% (purebred) Kiko consigned by James Barnes (Kentucky) and #1024, a 100% New Zealand Kiko consigned by Robie Robinson(Virginia). Both bucks gained 0.327 lbs. (149 g) per day.
Two goats tied for fourth highest rate of gain at 0.306 lbs. (138 g) per day: a 75% Kiko x 25% Alpine buck (#1313) consigned by Jeanne Dietz-Band (Maryland) and a 94% Kiko buck (#1080) consigned by Robie Robinson (Virginia).
While we commonly rank performance tested males by rate-of-gain, it's important to note that there are other traits that are important. The ability of a goat to resist parasitic infection (as measured by fecal egg counts/FEC) is important. So is the ability to perform despite carrying a parasite load (as measured by FAMACHA© scores and the need for deworming).
Though internal parasites (worms) were not a big problem this year, due to the drought, there are some differences in the six top gaining goats. Click on the table below to enlarge it for easier reading.
Selection of bucks for breeding should be on the basis of economically important traits. It is important to select bucks which excel in the traits which you are trying to improve in your herd.
Another selection strategy is to select bucks with a balanced trait package. Single trait selection (e.g. rate-of-gain) is generally not recommended because it may have undesired consequences in other traits.
Download Sept 26 report (ranked by ADG)
View Flickr™ pictures of meat goat test
