Carcass evaluation

One of the goals of the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test is to evaluate and compare carcass characteristics of meat goats consuming a pasture-only diet. This year, nine bucks were selected for harvest.

The bucks were transported from the test site to LambCo LLC for humane harvest on October 15. They were weighed immediately before harvest. Live weight (LW) ranged from 62 to 86 pounds and averaged 72 lbs. (37.7 kg).

Hot carcass weights (HCW) were determined soon after harvest and were used to calculate dressing percentages. For the nine goats, dressing percentage ranged from 38.8 percent to 49.2 percent and averaged 43.1 percent. Cold carcass weights (CCW) were used for other calculations.

Kidney and heart fat (KH) was removed from each carcass and weighed. While goats are known for depositing more internal fat than other livestock species, these goats had very minimal internal fat, less than 1% KH fat.

Rib eye area (REA) was measured between the 12th and 13th rib using a grid. Rib eye measurements ranged from 1.45 to 2.20 square inches and averaged 1.79 square inches. Actual measurements were about 0.5 square inches larger than the September 10th ultrasound measurements.

Back fat (BF) was very minimal (less than 0.05 inches) and could not be differentiated between carcasses. Body wall thickness (BWT) ranged from 0.30 to 0.55 inches and averaged 0.40 inches.

The carcasses were completely deboned. Fat and lean were separated from the bones, resulting in separate “piles” of bones, fat, and lean, which were weighed to determine carcass percentages.

The buck with the highest percentage of lean (carcass and live weight basis) was a purebred Kiko consigned by Craig Adams from Litchfield, Illinois. The other goat with outstanding carcass data was a 3/4 Kiko x 1/4 Spanish buck consigned by Wes Pinneo from Kincaid, Kansas.

Next year, we would like to harvest more goats from the test and perhaps incorporate a carcass contest into the performance testing program.

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Trends in parasite data

Two trends were apparent from this year's Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test. Worm egg counts increased as the test progressed and the percent of worm infection comprised by Haemonchus contortus (barber pole) increased as the test progressed.

On September 26, fecal egg counts ranged from 0 to 5680 and averaged 1584 epg. On September 10, the barber pole worm comprised 98% of the worm infection.

In previous years of the test, egg counts peaked earlier in the test (July or August). In addition, despite high egg counts towards the end of the test, few goats required deworming as indicated by FAMACHA© eye anemia scores. The need for deworming peaked on September 26 when 8 goats were dewormed. Of the 10 goats that await slaughter at the test site, four were dewormed on October 8.

The Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test places heavy emphasis on internal parasite resistance and resilience. Goats that gain well, but have poor resistance or resilience data do not make the sale. Furthermore, just because a goat doesn't require deworming (has good FAMACHA© scores) doesn't mean he's suitable as a breeder. A breeding buck should also have low egg count data, so he and his progeny don't continuously contaminate the pastures with infective worm larvae.

Parasite resistance was determined by fecal egg count data. Every two weeks a fecal sample was collected from the rectum of each goat. The samples were bagged, labeled, and stored on ice before being shipped overnite to Dr. Dahlia Jackson's parasitology lab at Delaware State University. Individual fecal egg counts were determined by the Modified McMaster procedure.

An additional fecal sample was collected randomly from every third goat. The additional samples were combined into a single pooled sample. Samples from goats with poor FAMACHA© scores and/or loose stools were also favored for the pooled sample, as they would be more likely to have higher fecal egg counts. Fecal coproculture could not be performed on the sample from June 18, as the egg count was insufficient (only 33 epg).

The pooled sample was not cooled. It was sent via overnite mail in a vacuum-sealed bag to the University of Georgia. Fecal coproculture (larvae ID) was done by Dr. Ray Kaplan's lab in the College of Veterinary Medicine. In addition to identifying parasite larvae, a pooled fecal egg count was determined.

Since the test ended on September 26, an additional set of individual fecal egg count data was received. Fecal coproculture data has been completed through September 10. One more set of data is expected.

Performance tested bucks sell well

The 2nd annual Western Maryland Goat Field Day & Sale was held Saturday, October 3rd at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center near Boonsboro, MD. The event was well-attended by over 100 people.

As part of the day's activities, the 11 top-performing bucks from the 2009 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test were offered for sale via silent auction. The sale also included does that had been nominated by consigners to the test.

The top-performing buck of the test (a purebred Kiko), consigned by Craig Adams from Litchfield, Illinois, was purchased for $750. The buyer was Luke Miller from Huntington, Indiana. The other buck (another purebred Kiko) that met the gold standards for performance and was consigned by John Smith from Petersburg, Virginia, sold to Craig Adams for $825.

The top-selling buck was a purebred Kiko consigned by Craig Adams. It was purchased by Wood Field Farm of Pittstown, New Jersey for $1,050. The nine performance-tested bucks sold for an average price of $514. Excluding the top-selling buck, eight bucks averaged $447.

Nineteen Kiko and Boer does sold for an average price of $269. The top-selling doe was a purebred Kiko consigned by John Smith. It sold for $575. Smith sold another purebred Kiko doe for $525. The buyer of both of the top-selling does was Wood Field Farm.

Craig Adams was presented with awards for having the top-performing buck and top consignment of bucks (best three) in the 2009 test. John Smith was in close contention for both awards. Jeanne Dietz-Band received an award for having the top-performing Maryland buck. Her buck was amongst the top 11.

During the field day portion of the day, Dr. Richard Browning, a research animal scientist from Tennessee State University gave presentations on meat goat breed comparisons and on-farm meat goat performance testing.

The field day also hosted a goat skillathon. Twenty-eight youth participated. Youth from Berkeley County, West Virginia, and Howard County did especially well. Tara Burner was the first place intermediate. Ashley Butler was the first place senior. Kameron Dorsey from Frederick County was the first place junior.

Ten bucks still remain at the test site. They will be harvested on October 16 to collected carcass data. They were checked today to determine any need for deworming.

Thanks to all the consigners and buyers and everyone who helped with the test, sale, field day, and skillathon.

Buck rankings

The following links provide a complete ranking of the bucks according to growth rate (average daily gain/ADG), parasite resistance (high and average fecal egg counts), and parasite resilience (average FAMACHA scores).

Buck rankings by ADG
Buck rankings by FEC
Buck rankings by FAM scores

It's important to remember that parasites did not pose a significant threat this year. Few goats required deworming and egg counts were not as high as other years.