Ultrasound Carcass Measurements

The goats were scanned on August 21 to determine rib eye area (REA), loin depth, and rib fat. The scanning was done by Jim Pritchard from West Virginia University. The scans were interpreted by the National CUP Lab & Technology Center in Ames, Iowa.

On the day the goats were scanned, they (n=75) ranged in weight from 29.6 to 80.4 lbs. and averaged 51.1 lbs. The median weight was 50.2 lbs. (22.8 kg).  Rib eye area ranged from 0.33 to 1.32 square inches and averaged 0.81 + 0.22 inches. The median rib eye area was 0.77 square inches (5 square centimeters).

Loin depth ranged from 0.34 to 0.84 inches and averaged 0.57 + 0.11 inches. The median loin depth was 0.75 inches (1.9 cm). Rib fat ranged from 0.02 to 0.09 inches and averaged 0.05 + 0.02 inches. The median rib fat was 0.05 inches (1.3 mm).

On-average, heavier goats will have larger rib eye areas. Thus, it makes sense to compare the data from goats of similar weights. The test goats were divided into four weight groups: less than 40 lbs. 40-49 lbs., 50-59 lbs. and 60 lbs. and over. An average rib eye area was determined for each weight group.  A ratio was calculated for each buck.

A ratio above 100 means than a buck is superior to the bucks in its weight class. Conversely, a buck with a ratio below 100 is inferior to the bucks in its weight class. For example, a buck with a ratio of 110 has a rib eye that is 10 percent larger than the average buck in his weight class.

In this year's test, the buck with the highest ratio for rib eye area is #348 (Nelson, MD).  On August 21, this Kiko x Spanish buck weighed 45.6 lbs. His rib eye measured 1.18 square inches. The average rib eye area for bucks weighing between 40 and 49 lbs. was 0.74 square inches, giving #348 a ratio of 159 percent.

Buck with highest ratio for REA (#348)

Other bucks with high ratios for rib eye area include  #301, 139% (Loos, IL); #321, 147% (Burke, DE); #339, 135% (Murphy, NJ); #353, 131% (Pinneo, KS); and #361, 138% (Richhart, IN).

The buck with the largest rib eye is #304 (Adams, IL). This buck weighed 60.4 lbs. on August 21. His rib eye measured 1.32 square inches. His ratio was 127 percent.

Download ultrasound report

No gain

After robust gains last time, the goats (on-average) did not gain any weight during these past two weeks, though individual goats gained and loss weight. After grazing the sorghum grass for more than four weeks, the goats had moved back to grazing the cool season grass paddocks.

During the past two weeks, gain ranged form -5.6 to to 4.8 lbs. and averaged -0.056 + 2.15 lbs. The median gain was 0.1 lbs. ADG ranged from -0.431 to 0.286 lbs. per day and averaged -0.004 + 0.165 lbs. per day. The median ADG was 0.008 lbs. per day. For the period, the top-gaining goat was #303 (Adams, IL).

For the 70-day duration of the test, ADG is ranging from -0.151 to 0.286 lbs. and is averaging 0.096 + 0.070 lbs. per day. The median ADG is 0.097 lbs. per day. As of day 70, two goats are tied for having the highest rate-of-gain:  #303 (Adams, IL) and #375 (Weber).

Only two additional goats are gaining more than 0.20 lbs. per day:  #376 (Weber) and #312 (Barnes). Three more goats are gaining more than 0.19 lbs. per day: #351 (Pinneo, KS), #376 (Weber), and  #381 (Zink, IN).

FAMACHA© scores declined. They ranged from 1 to 4 and averaged 2.3 + 0.6, compared to 2.1 + 0.5 two weeks ago. Only two goats required deworming. They had FAMACHA© scores of 4.

Eighteen additional goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3 were dewormed with levamisole. The 3's were dewormed due to the risk posed by the cool season paddocks.  Not enough time has lapsed since they were last grazed; they are likely still contaminated with infective 3rd stage worm larvae.

Dag scores and fecal consistency scores improved slightly. No goat had active diarrhea. As a result, fecal samples could be obtained from every goat in the test. A pooled fecal sample was collected from random goats. It will be used to determine worm species. Body condition scores remained unchanged, averaging 2.2 + 0.3.

The goats were scanned today to determine their rib eye areas. Ultrasound scanning was done by Jim Pritchard from West Virginia University. Jim is probably the most experienced scanner of goats in the United States. The images will be interpreted by the National CUP Lab & Technology Center in Ames, Iowa.

Jim Pritchard

The goats were worked a day early, due to a conflict with the Maryland State Fair. They will be worked for a final time on Thursday, September 5. They will be weighed two days in a row to determine their final weights.

In addition, the goats will be evaluated for reproductive soundness (teats, testicles) and structural correctness (feet, legs, hooves, bites). To qualify for the sale, bucks must meet minimum standards for reproductive soundness and structural correctness.

Download August 21 (d-70) Report

Egg Counts Continue to Decline

For the individual fecal samples collected on August 8, fecal egg counts (FECs) ranged from 0 to 5700 epg and averaged 1096 + 1239 epg. The median egg count was 625 epg. Egg counts were lower than two weeks ago, as expected, due to more goats being dewormed and the goats grazing a clean, taller pasture.

Untreated goats (n=54) had slightly higher egg counts than the average goat in the test, ranging from 25 to 5,700 epg and averaging 1393 + 1309 epg. The median egg count was 888 epg. For goats dewormed on July 25 (n=19) , fecal egg counts ranged from 0 to 1,700 epg and averaged 278 + 452 epg. The median egg count was 150 epg.

For the goats that were dewormed on July 27 (n=19) , a fecal egg count reduction was calculated. It ranged from -113 to 100 percent and averaged 67 + 58 percent. The median fecal egg count reduction was 92 percent. On most goats, the deworming (usually levamisole, sometimes moxidectin) was efficacious.

Two more fecal egg counts will be factored into the test results. Samples will be collected on August 21 and September 5. The sale bucks will not be chosen until the week of September 9, when the final fecal egg count data becomes available. 

The fecal egg analyses are done by graduate students at Dr. Dahlia O'Brien's parasitology lab at Delaware State University.

Download August 8 (d-56) FEC Report

Goat Twilight Tour Draws Crowd

More than 50 people participated in the Goat Twilight Tour, held August 1 at the Western Maryland Research & Education Center in Keedysville.

Loading up for the wagon tour.

Participants learned about the Center's Goat Research & Extension Program, including the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test and the Pen vs. Pasture Study.

Participants also had the opportunity to sample various recipes made with goat meat (chevon). Local chef Todd Morren prepared easy-marinated goat, curry goat, Greek goat with orzo, roasted goat tacos, and goat skewers with a vinegary herb sauce.

Sampling goat meat (chevon)

The meat came from two locally-produced Kiko bucks that had been sired by a top-performing buck from a previous test.

Elite Buck & Doe Sale

The top-performing bucks from this test will be sold via public auction at the 1st Annual Mid-Atlantic Small Ruminant Extravaganza, to be held September 19-21, 2013, at the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex in Chatham, Virginia.

Top-gaining buck

Kiko doe consigned to sale

Bucks meeting Gold, Silver, or Bronze Standards of performance for growth, parasite resistance, and parasite resilience (usually 10-12) will be eligible to sell. The sale will be held Saturday, September 21 at 12 noon.

The Elite Buck Sale will be followed by an Elite Doe Sale. Sixty to seventy goats of various breed types have been consigned:  Kiko, Boer, Spanish, and Savanna. Most of the does are yearling age or older. Most of the doe consigners are participants in this test and/or the buck test in Oklahoma.

2013 has proven to be a very challenging year for bucks in the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test. That's why this is a perfect year to purchase a buck from the test. A significant parasite challenge is required to identify genetically-superior males.

The Small Ruminant Extravaganza is being sponsored by the Performance Management Group (PMG). For more information, contact John Smith at  jstrider01@netscape.com or visit the group's web site at http://pmg-epd.com.

Top-Performing Bucks, d-56

The table below summarizes the performance of the eleven (11) top-gaining bucks, as of day-56. Much can still change, as the goats will be weighed and evaluated two more times (August 21, September 5). Three more fecal egg counts will be factored into the data set (August 8, August 21, September 5). In addition, the goats will be scanned (to determine rib eye area) and evaluated for structural correctness and reproductive soundness.

The goal of the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test has always been to identify bucks that meet performance standards for growth, parasite resistance, and parasite resilience. Some goats excel in one or two criteria, but seldom all three. Of the seventy-six (76) bucks still in the test, only seven (7) have not been dewormed. Only eleven (11) bucks are gaining more than 0.20  lbs. per day. So far, thirty-one (31) bucks have not had fecal egg counts above 2,000 epg. 

Top-performing buck (#388)

As of day-56, the top-performing buck in the 2013 test is #388 (Burke, DE). This is the only top-gaining buck that has not been dewormed or had a fecal egg count above 2,000 epg. The other top-performing bucks are #303 (Adams, IL) and #301 (Loos, IL). Both of these bucks have not had fecal egg counts above 2,000 epg, but were dewormed in July, when it was decided to deworm all goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3.

Most of the rest of the top-gainers, including the two top-gainers have all had fecal egg counts above 2,000 epg. They were also dewormed due to the decision to deworm all goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3. One top-gaining buck had a FAMACHA© score of 4 and required deworming. Another top-gainer has had two fecal egg counts above 2,000 epg.

Top-performing buck (#303)

Goats that were dewormed because they had FAMACHA© scores of 3 (in July) will not be automatically disqualified from the sale. However, high egg counts will disqualify a goat, as 41 percent of the goats in the test still have not had egg counts above 2,000 epg.

The Gold, Silver, and Bronze performance standards will be determined after all data has been collected and analyzed. The early part of the test was particularly challenging for the bucks. While high egg counts have been recorded in other years, this year's test goats have faced a more significant clinical challenge.

Good Gains

The goats gained over 0.3 lbs. per day during the past two weeks. Gain ranged from -2.2 to 9.9 lbs. and averaged 4.3 + 2.3 lbs. The median gain was 4.4 lbs. (2 kg).  Average daily gain ranged from -0.157 to 0.707 lbs. per day and averaged 0.310 + 0.162 lbs. (140 + 73 g) per day. The median ADG was 0.314 lbs. (142 g) per day.

Only five goats failed to gain weight during the past two weeks. For the period, the top-gaining buck was #343 (Murphy, NJ).  Seven additional bucks gained over a half pound per day:  #303 (Adams, IL), #313 (Barnes, KY), #324 (Burke, DE), #339 (Murphy, NJ), #351 (Pinneo, KS), #375 (Weber, IL), and #385 (Zink, IN).

For the first 56 days of the test, ADG is ranging from -0.109 to 0.334 lbs. per day and averaging 0.117 + 0.086 lbs. (53 + 39 g) per day. The median 56-d ADG is 0.123 lbs. (56 g) per day. Only five goats have failed to gain weight during the first 56 days of the test.

As of day 56, the top-gaining goat in the test is #375, a New Zealand Kiko buck, consigned by Weber (IL). Weber has a second buck that is gaining 0.3 lbs. per day (#376).  Other top gainers include #303 (C. Adams), #306 (D. Adams), #343 (Murphy), #351 (Pinneo), #381 (Zink), and #388 (Burke).

FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 3 and averaged 2.1 + 0.5, compared to 2.6 two weeks ago. No goats required deworming.  Body condition, coat condition, dag, and fecal consistency scores remained relatively unchanged.

The goats have been grazing four acres of forage sorghum for the past four weeks and there is still plenty of grass left to graze. While this has given the goats a much-needed break from parasites, it has also allowed the eight acres of cool season grass pastures to re-grow to more desirable heights. In addition, the longer these pastures rest, the more worm larvae will die off. While they are far from clean, the parasite risk should be less than it was in the early part of the test.

The weather has been very favorable, in the low to mid 80's for the past several weeks, with lower than usual humidity. Recent rainfall should provide a boost to the cool season grasses. Temperatures are expected to increase, but not to the levels experienced earlier in the test.

Weighing goats

Download August 8 (d-56) Report

Fecal Egg Counts Decline

Fecal egg counts declined, even among untreated goats. For the untreated goats (n=30), July 25 fecal egg counts ranged from 85 to 11,275 epg and averaged 3,269 + 3268 epg. The median egg count was much less, 1,625 epg. Untreated means the goat was not dewormed on July 11.

For the treated goats (n=40), fecal egg counts ranged from 0 to 5,567 epg and averaged 370 + 868 epg. The median egg count was 240 epg.  Treated means the goat was dewormed with either levamisole (1.5x sheep dose) or moxidectin (2x sheep dose) on July 11.

For the goats dewormed on July 11, a fecal egg count reduction was calculated. For the 35 goats with fecal egg count data on both days, fecal egg count reduction ranged from -355 to 100 percent + 96.6 percent. The median reduction in fecal egg counts was 91.8 percent.

The anthelmintic treatments were largely effective as indicated by the median (91.8 percent), but quite variable in response among individual goats, as evidenced by the large standard deviation (96.6 percent).

For all the goats in the test, regardless of treatment status, fecal egg counts ranged from 0 to 14,680 epg and averaged 1,620 + 2,628 epg on July 25, compared to 2,473 on July 11. The large standard deviation (2678 epg) and low median egg count (only 450 epg) shows the wide variation in July 25 egg counts. Treatment status would account for most of the variability.

Deworming decisions are based primarily on FAMACHA© scores and the criteria of the Five Point Check©, not fecal egg counts. On the day that the goats are weighed and evaluated, the fecal egg count data is already two weeks old.

Download July 27 FEC report

Elite Buck Sale

The top-performing bucks from the 2013 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Sale will be sold via public auction at the 1st Annual Mid-Atlantic Small Ruminant Extravaganza, to be held September 19-21, 2013, at the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex in Chatham, Virginia.

Bucks  meeting Gold, Silver, or Bronze Standards of performance for growth, parasite resistance, and parasite resilience will be eligible to sell. The sale will be held Saturday, September 21 at 12 noon.

Some of the bucks in this year's test.

The Elite Buck Sale will be followed by a Sale of Top Does: does from top herds across the country, regardless of breed or registry affiliation. Most of the doe consigners participate in the buck performance tests in Maryland and/or Oklahoma, so this is a great opportunity to purchase females from performance-tested herds.

The Small Ruminant Extravaganza is being sponsored by the Performance Management Group (PMG). For more information, contact John Smith at  jstrider01@netscape.com or visit the group's web site at http://pmg-epd.com.

As consigners can attest, 2013 has been a difficult year for internal parasites, primarily the barber pole worm. That's why this is a perfect year to buy a buck from the test. This year's top-performing bucks will have faced the most difficult parasite challenge Maryland test bucks have ever experienced. A significant parasite challenge is required to identify genetically superior males!

Forage Sorghum Highly Nutritious

by Jeff Semler

The results are in. I received the forage analysis on our sorghum that is planted in the paddocks of the goat test.

Forage sorghum before grazing on July 12

The sample was taken in the paddock where our goats were grazing on Thursday, July 18, and I sampled at the height I observed the goats grazing so I would be sampling the same parts of the plant that the goats were consuming. This is not a whole plant sample similar to what would be taken for mechanical harvest or cattle grazing.

The sorghum was 26.9% dry matter, testing 18.4% crude protein and 66.8 TDN. A pretty good forage by the numbers. I have put together a table of some common feedstuffs for comparison below.

Click HERE to view more detailed table.

I cannot recommend enough the importance of regular sampling of your forages. It should be as much a part of your management plan as soil sampling, weighing,  and FAMACHA© scoring. Remember a simple key in animal husbandry; you cannot manage what you do not measure.

So what does all this mean with regard to feeding goats. Below is a table that shows what the nutrient requirements of meat goats.

As you can see our sorghum more than meets the needs of the growing bucks However, the proof will be in the growth as measured on our next weigh day, August 8th so check back and find out how the goats grew.

Boer buck grazing sorghum grass.