Eleven bucks meet performance standards

Of the sixty goats consigned to the 2009 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test, 11 met GOLD, SILVER, OR BRONZE standards of performance and minimum standards for reproductive soundness and structural correctness. These 11 bucks will be offered for sale via silent auction on Saturday, October 3rd.

Two bucks met the GOLD standards. The top buck of the 2009 test is a purebred Kiko consigned by Craig Adams from Litchfield, Illinois. Adams is a first-time consigner to the test. Four out of five of the bucks he consigned qualified for the sale. His other buck had the largest rib eye, as determined by ultrasound.

The other buck that met the GOLD standards is a purebred Kiko (a quad) consigned by John Smith from Petersburg, Virginia. Smith has consigned goats to the test every year since the test began in 2006. Three of the five goats Smith consigned qualified for the sale, including a son of last year's top performing buck. Only 0.01 lbs. per day separated the top two bucks in the test.

Four bucks met the SILVER standards of performance. These include two purebred Kiko bucks consigned by John Smith, another buck consigned by Craig Adams, and a 75% Kiko x 25% Boer buck consigned by Kendall and Dana Barnes from Winchester, Kentucky. The Barnes's buck had a FAMACHA© score of 1.0 each time he was checked. His average FAMACHA© score of 1.0 is obviously tops in the test. The Barneses were the top consigner in last year's test.

Five bucks met the BRONZE standards of performance. These include two purebred Kikos consigned by Craig Adams and a purebred Kiko consigned by Sky and Debora Shivers from Prague, Oklahoma. Also qualifying was a commercial Kiko consigned by Merritt Burke from Nassau, Delaware, and a 75% Kiko x 25% Boer consigned by Jeanne Dietz-Band from Keedysville, Maryland.

Competition for the top consignment (best 3 bucks) is tight between Craig Adams and John Smith. Jeanne Dietz-Band has the top-performing Maryland buck.

Though only one of his bucks qualified for the sale, four out of five of Merritt Burke's bucks performed well in the test. One of Burke's bucks was the top gaining buck in the test. Another has the distinction of being the most sexually-aggressive buck in the test. His antics over the final 16 days of the test caused him to lose 10 pounds and drop out of consideration for the sale.

Though no Boer bucks qualified for the sale, five out of six of the Boer bucks in the test had fecal egg counts that averaged less than 500 epg (the gold standard). A Percentage Boer buck consigned by Aaron and Levi Lantz from Oakland, Maryland, had the lowest average fecal egg count in the test: 58 epg. Its highest egg count was only 250 epg. Sherrie Losch's Boer buck (a committee "favorite") had an average fecal egg count of only 156 epg.

Other bucks with extremely low egg counts were Kikos consigned by Warren and Liz Barnes from Missouri and Dick and Sally Rutherford from Illinois.

View pictures and data from the top 11 bucks

More data on bucks

To meet gold, silver, and bronze standards of performance for the test, bucks are required to meet minimum standards for reproductive soundness and structural correctness.

On September 10, the sixty goats were evaluated for reproductive soundness and structural correctness, and they were ultrasounded for carcass traits.

Jaw defects are inherited and males with significant abnormalities should be culled. Each goat was mouthed to determine the correctness of its bite. Over and underbites were measured. None of the bucks in the test had severe jaw abnormalities.

A buck that is not structurally sound has no place in a breeding program. The goats were evaluated, both while they were standing and while on the move, to determine structural correctness. Feet, legs, pasterns, and hooves were evaluated. Only one buck failed to meet the minimum standards for structural correctness. He had severe hoof problems.

Teats were counted. While breeders have varying opinions regarding multiple teats, a buck with two teats is usually considered most desirable. Cluster teats and fishtail teats are reasons for disqualification in most breeds. The teat structure of each goat was evaluated and abnormalities were noted. No goats were disqualified for teat number or structure.

A metal scrotal tape was used to determine the scrotal circumference (SC) of each buck. The testicles were measured at their widest part. In other species, scrotal size is related to libido (sex drive) and fertility. There is also a correlation between scrotal size and the fertility of the male's daughters.

For the sixty goats on test, scrotal circumference ranged from 15 to 27.5 centimeters (6 to 11 inches) and averaged 22.8 centimeters (9.1 inches). As would be expected, larger and older bucks tended to have larger scrotums.

Scrotal circumference (centimeters)

Scrotal circumference is a highly heritable trait (50%). Unfortunately, the goat industry has not established standards for scrotal circumference. As a result, no bucks were disqualified for having small scrotums. The goat with the largest scrotal size (27.5 cm) was a 68-lb. Kiko buck consigned by Wes Pinneo (KS).

Splits in the scrotum were measured. Unusually large splits (over 2 inches/50 mm) are considered undesirable. A buck with a scrotal split can still get does pregnant, but it is not a desirable trait to pass along to the next generation. No goats were disqualified for having unusually large splits.

Jim Pritchard from West Virginia University scanned the goats to determine their back fat thickness (BF) and rib eye area (REA). Back fat ranged from 0.03 to 0.10 inches and averaged 0.043 inches. Rib eye area ranged from 0.6 to1.7 square inches and averaged 1.1 square inches. The goat with the largest REA (1.7 sq. in.) was a 66-lb. Kiko buck consigned by Craig Adams (IL).

Rib eye data are actual and were not adjusted for anything. As with scrotal size, larger bucks tended to have larger rib eye areas. Rib eye area is a moderately heritable trait in other species (40-45%).

Rib eye area (square inches)

Download supplemental data report

Goats lose weight during rut

7:30 a.m. -- The goats were worked today, during a light rain, by Jeff Semler, Mary Beth Bennett, Shannon Uzelac, Susan Schoenian, and Pam Thomas. Jeff Semler weighed the goats. Susan Schoenian assessed FAMACHA©, body condition, and coat condition scores. Susan and Mary Beth Bennett collected individual and pooled fecal samples. Pam Thomas recorded the data.

Over the past 16 days, the goats lost an average of 3.5 lbs. (1.6 kg) or 0.22 lbs. (99 g) per day. Only one goat gained weight (1 lb.), a Kiko consigned by John Smith (VA). The weight losses were disappointing, but not totally unexpected, as the bucks are in rut. The buck observed to be the most sexually aggressive lost the most weight: 10 lbs. or 4.5 kg. Poorer FAMACHA© scores and declining forage quality may also have contributed to the weight losses.

As a result of the widespread weight losses, average daily gain for the 100-day test period declined to 0.138 lbs. (63 g) per day, compared to 0.206 lbs. (94 g) per day for the first 84 days of the test. For the 100 day test period, weight gain for the 60 goats ranged from -0.03 to +0.28 lbs. (-14 to +127 g) per day. Only one goat failed to gain weight, due to reoccuring respiratory problems.

Fecal egg counts from the September 10 collection ranged from 0 to 2,067 eggs per gram and averaged 664 epg, compared to 634 epg for the August 26 collection. The fecal egg count of the pooled August 26 collection was 1,084 epg and consisted of 91 percent Haemonchus contortus (barber pole worm) and 9 percent Trichostrongylus. The September 10 pooled sample is still being processed at the University of Georgia.

Over the past 16 days, FAMACHA© eye anemia scores dropped an average of one-half score. They ranged from 1 to 5 and averaged 2.6, compared to 2.1 on September 10. Eight goats required anthelmintic treatment. There were several very pale goats. Prohibit drench (levamisole, 3 ml/50 lbs.) was used for deworming. Not only is levamisole one of the most potent anthelmintics, but it has a short slaughter withdrawal.

Download September 26 report
Download fecal egg count report
Download FAMACHA scores

Thirty-four does consigned to sale

Thirty-four meat goat does have been consigned to the Western Maryland Goat Sale & Field Day to be held Saturday, October 3, at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center near Boonsboro, Maryland.

The thirty-four does include twenty-five fullblood, percentage and crossbred Kikos and nine fullblood and percentage Boers. There are four yearling does and 30 doe kids. Doe consigners include ALL Boer Goats (MD), Losch's Riverview Farm Boer Goats (PA), Caprine Genetics (VA), Cheyview Acres (KY), Cedar Creek Farm (DE), and Don & Jenny Smith (VA).

Pictures and data from the top-performing bucks (as of September 10) can be viewed on the web. A portion of their back was clipped in order to ultrasound them. The bucks will be worked for the last time on September 26. It's possible some of these bucks will not make the sale due to fecal egg count data or other reasons for disqualification.

In order to be eligible to sell, a buck must meet Gold, Silver, or Bronze standards of performance for growth, parasite resistance (fecal egg coungs), and parasite resilience (FAMACHA scores and anthelmintic treatments), and minimum standards for reproductive soundness and structural correctness.

All of the goats will be sold via silent auction. In a silent auction, bidding is done on paper. The goats are not paraded through a sale ring. A silent auction gives bidders more time to consider their purchases. The bidding period will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The person with the highest bid at 2 p.m. gets the goat.

View doe consignments
Download doe sale catalog
Top-performing bucks (as of 9/10)

Goats gain 0.234 lbs. per day

8 a.m. -- The goats were worked today by Jeff Semler, David Gordon, Mary Beth Bennett, Shannon Uzelac, Jeanne Dietz-Band, Pam Thomas, Cindy Mason, and Susan Schoenian.

FAMACHA© eye anemia, body condition, and coat condition scores were determined by Susan Schoenian. Data was recorded by Pam Thomas. Individual and pooled fecal samples were collected by Susan Schoenian and Mary Beth Bennett and sent via overnite mail to Delaware State University and the University of Georgia, respectively.

In addition to the normal data collection, the goats were scanned by Jim Pritchard from West Virginia University to determine back fat thickness and rib eye area. The image scans are being analysed by the Central Ultrasound Processing (CUP) Lab at Iowa State University.

The goats were also evaluated for structural correctness (feet, legs, and hooves) by David Gordon and reproductive soundness (bite, scrotal circumference, scrotal splits, and teat structure) by Shannon Uzelac and Susan Schoenian. Data was recorded by Cindy Mason and will be shared in a later blog entry.

The goats were weighed by Jeff Semler and David Gordon. For the previous 15-day period, weight gain ranged from 1 to 7 lbs. (0.45 to 3.2 kg) and averaged 3.5 lbs. (1.5 kg) or 0.234 lbs. (106 g) per day. No goats lost weight during the past 15 days.

For the period, the fastest gaining goat was a Kiko x Spanish buck consigned by Wes Pinneo (KS). It gained 7 lbs. (3.2 kg) or 0.467 lbs. (212 g) per day. Five bucks gained 6 lbs. (2.7 kg) or 0.400 lbs. (182 g) per day: three from John Smith (VA), one from Sky and Deborah Shivers (OK) and one from Ruble Conatser (TN).

For the first 84 days of the test, weight gain has ranged from 1 to 35 lbs. (0.45 to 15.9 kg) and is averaging 17.3 lbs. (7.9 kg) or 0.206 lbs. (94 g) per day.

As of today, the top gaining goat is a Kiko buck consigned by Merritt Burke (DE). It is gaining 0.417 lbs. (190 g) per day. Of the 11 top-gaining bucks, four are consigned by Craig Adams (IL), three by Merritt Burke, two by John Smith, one by Kendell and Dana Barnes (KY), and one by Sky and Deborah Shivers.

For the August 26 fecal collection, fecal egg counts ranged from 0 to 2,850 epg and averaged 634 epg. The egg count is higher than the August 13 egg count of 493 epg, but still relatively low. One goat required deworming today. FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 4 and averaged 2.1, compared to 1.8 two weeks ago.

For the past two weeks, the goats have been grazing orchardgrass and MaxQ™ tall fescue pastures. Today, they were given access to paddocks containing chicory and weeds.

The goats will be worked for the last time on Saturday, September 26. The sale and field day will be held Saturday, October 3.

Download September 10 report
Download fecal egg count data

Mid-Week Update

The 12 top-performing goats are shown in the table below. As parasites have not been an issue so far, the current rankings are based solely on rate-of-gain.

Top 12 performing goats as of 8/26

The top 12 goats include four consigned by Craig Adams (IL), three consigned by Merritt Burke (DE), two consigned by John Smith (VA), two consigned by Dana and Kendell Barnes (KY), and one consigned by Sky and Deborah Shivers (OK). All of the current top 12 goats are either purebred or crossbred Kiko. At the same time, 53 of the 60 goats on test are Kiko or crossbred Kiko.

So far, most of the goats have not required anthelmintic treatment, following the initial double deworming with moxidectin and levamisole on June 6. Fecal egg counts have been significantly lower than in previous years. Coproculture (larvae ID) results show that the barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) comprises the majority of the worm infection.

Fecal egg count and coproculture data as of 8/13