78 goats nominated

Seventy-eight (78) bucklings were nominated for the 2011 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test. The nomination period is now closed. All nominations received will be accepted for the test.

Twenty-two (22) producers from 11 states consigned goats to this year's test. Half (11) of the consigners are previous consigners. Eleven (11) are new consigners. Producers (8) in Maryland and Kentucky consigned the most goats (31) to the test.

Delaware [1 consigner - 5 goats]
Illinois [1 consigner - 5 goats]
Indiana [1 consigner - 3 goats]
Kentucky (3 consigners - 15 goats]
Maryland [5 consigners - 16 goats]
New Jersey [1 consigner - 5 goats]
Pennsylvania [3 consigners - 5 goats]
Tennessee [1 consigner - 5 goats]
Vermont [1 consigner - 2 goats]
Virginia [3 consigners - 10 goats]
West Virginia [2 consigners - 7 goats]

Though Kiko-influenced (60/78) goats are the most numerous, this year's test will include a variety of breeds and breed crosses. This is the first year that there will be (full) Spanish goats in the test.

Boer [3]
Boer x Kiko [4]
Boer x Spanish [1]
Crossbred [1]
Kiko [18]
Kiko x Nubian [1]
Kiko x Spanish [3]
Myotonic [5]
New Zealand Kiko [2]
Percentage Kiko [13]
Purebred Kiko [16]
Savanna [1]
Savanna x Kiko [3]
Savanna x Spanish [1]
Spanish [6]

Nine producers have agreed to provide an additional goat for pen feeding and carcass evaluation.  One additional goat is needed for this purpose, as ten bucks will be harvested from each group, so that we may compare carcasses and meat from pasture vs. grain (and hay) fed goats.

Nomination deadline nearing

The nomination deadline for the 2011 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test is nearing. The nomination deadline is May 15.

As of today, 62 goats have been consigned by 17 consigners from 11 states. Seven of the consigners have previously consigned goats to the test. There are ten new consigners to this year's test.

Delaware [1 consigner - 5 goats]
Illinois [1 consigner - 5 goats]
Indiana [1 consigner - 3 goats]
Kentucky [2 consigners - 10 goats]
Maryland [5 consigners - 16 goats]
New Jersey [1 consigner - 5 goats]
Pennsylvania [2 consigners - 4 goats]
Tennessee [1 consigner - 5 goats]
Virginia [1 consigner - 5 goats]
Vermont [1 consigner - 2 goats]
West Virginia [1 consigner - 2 goats]

Though still dominated by the Kiko breed, there is bit more breed diversity in this year's test.

Boer [2]
Boer x Spanish [1]
Kiko [18]
Kiko x Boer [4]
Kiko crossbred [1]
Kiko x Nubian [1]
Kiko x Spanish [2]
Myotonic [5]
New Zealand Kiko [1]
Percentage Kiko [4]
Purebred Kiko [16]
Savanna [1]
Savanna x Boer [1]
Savanna x Kiko [3]
Savanna x Kiko x Boer [1]
Spanish [2]

All nominations received by the deadline will be treated the same. Preference will be given to previous consigners and Maryland residents.