Performance tested bucks preferrred

According to the results of a survey, 82 percent of visitors to this blog (presumably meat goat producers) would prefer to use a performance-tested buck. Four (4) percent favored "show" bucks, while 12 percent did not have a preference. Forty-seven (47) people responded to the survey.

The purpose of the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test is to evaluate male goats for growth performance, carcass merit, and parasite resistance (and resilience) and to facilitate the marketing and use of the top performing bucks.

The test is open to male goats of any breed or breed cross, approximately 3 to 5 months of age, and weighing a minimum of 35 lbs. (as of 6/7/08). A (slaughter) carcass component is being added to this year's test.

Consigners to the test will be eligible to nominate does to sell at the 1st Western Maryland Pasture-Based Performance Tested Buck and Invitational Doe Sale on Saturday, October 4, 2008. The top 20 bucks, based on performance ratios, will also be sold at auction on this day.