Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test

2012 study: pen vs. pasture-fed goats

2012-01-18T17:06:00.001-05:00

As a follow-up to last year’s goat carcass evaluation study, a larger, more formal study will be conducted in 2012 to compare the performance, carcass quality, and economics of pen-fed vs. pasture-fed goats. Last year's preliminary study showed that pen-feeding improved goat carcass quality and value.

Fifteen (15) male goats will be penned and fed a diet consisting of free choice grass hay and limit-fed grain. The grain diet will be a balanced ration of whole barley and a pelleted protein supplement. The goats will be fed once daily and allowed to consume all the grain they can eat in 20 minutes, after which time the feeders will be removed from the pen. Rumensin (coccidiostat) will be provided via free choice minerals.

Measuring the rib eye of one of last year's goats

Each goat in the pen will have a “mate” of similar size and genetics on pasture. The fifteen (15) pastured goats will graze with the goats participating in the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test. They will consume a pasture-only diet that includes various cool and warm season grasses. Free choice minerals, containing a coccidiostat, will be available.

To do the study, we need pairs of intact male goats that weigh around 40 lbs. (each) at the start of the study on June 2. One goat from the pair will be pen-fed. The other will be pasture-raised. Both groups will be handled similarly.

We would like for consigners to the goat test to provide some or all of the goats for the study. A fair market price will be paid for the ~40 lb. goats. The same data that is collected on the test goats will be collected on the goats in the carcass study. All of the goats designated for the study on June 2 will be slaughtered.

The study is being funded by a grant from the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board.

Goat Test Survey

2012-01-06T12:23:00.003-05:00

If you are a past, current, or potential consigner to the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test, please take the time to complete this short, 10-question survey.

http://www.surveyshare.com/s/AQAM24B

The survey asks questions about the test and potential changes to the testing program.

Thanks to those who have already completed the survey.

The input of consigners is greatly valued.

Early survey results show that fecal egg counts and FAMACHA
scores are the most valued data collected in the Goat Test.

2012 Goat Test

2011-12-19T16:10:00.003-05:00

Plans are underway for the 2012 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test.

The test is open to male goats of any breed or breed cross, with or without registration eligibility. Goat producers from any state may consign up to five goats to the test. It is recommended that producers consign at least two goats and that consigned goats be half-sibs (sired by the same buck).

Eligible goats must weigh between 35 and 70 lbs. upon delivery to the test site on June 2. They must have been born between December 20, 2011, and March 20, 2012, inclusive. The goats will need to have been weaned for at least 2 weeks and have received two inoculations for overeating diseases and tetanus (CD-T). The goats should be adjusted to a forage-based diet.

A couple of bucks from last year's test.

The nomination period will be from April 1 until May 15. A $20 deposit will be due at the time of nomination. After a short adjustment period, starting weights will be recorded on Thursday, June 7. The test will officially last for 98 days. The final data will be collected on Thursday, September 13.

The goats will be worked every two weeks to determine body weights, FAMACHA, body condition, coat condition, and dag scores. Towards the end of the test, the goats will be scanned (with ultrasound) to determine rib eye area and fat thickness.

They will be evaluated for reproductive soundness and structural correctness. In 2012, hooves will be more closely examined, as hoof growth and health is an important aspect of a goat's fitness.

Proposed changes to the goat test will be shared via future blog entries.

Carcass comparison

2011-10-15T22:08:00.005-04:00

A more detailed article about the carcass comparison study has been posted to the web at http://www.sheepandgoat.com/programs/GoatTest/2011/11carcassevaluation.html. The article includes images of the rib eye of each goat.

The pen-fed goats had
more kidney and heart fat.

In addition to comparing the raw data, the article indicates whether the differences between the two groups of goats were statistically significant. For example, the raw data shows that the pen-fed goats had a higher percentage of lean in their carcasses, but according to statistical analysis, the difference was not significant. In other words, percent lean did not vary between the two groups of goats.

Differences in cold carcass weight, body wall thickness, percent kidney and heart fat, percent fat, and yield were significant, whereas differences in live weight, hot carcass weight, rib eye area, percent bone, and percent lean were not.

While the results of this small study showed that pen-feeding increased the yield of boneless meat, the economics of pen-feeding is affected by many factors and will vary by operation. Next year, we hope to be able to evaluate the economics of pen-feeding, as well as continue to evaluate the carcass characteristics between the two types of meat goats.

Thanks to all the consigners who provided goats for the carcass comparison study.

Read detailed article

Preliminary carcass data

2011-10-05T20:36:00.012-04:00

Nine goats from the pasture test and nine goats from the pen were harvested on September 29 by Country Foods, a custom exempt slaughterhouse in Waynesboro, PA. The carcasses were deboned on October 5.

Carcass measurements were determined by Jeff Semler, David Gordon, Mary Beth Bennett, and Susan Schoenian. A sample of the longissimus dorsi muscle was collected from each carcass. The samples will be sent to the meat lab at The Ohio State University for analysis.

Goat with largest rib eye area (2.15 sq. in)

The goats in the feed pen produced superior carcasses as compared to the goats in the pasture test. While their carcasses contained more kidney and heart fat (KH) and overall fat, they were heavier muscled and yielded a higher percentage of boneless meat. According to the meat cutter, the quality of the meat from the pen-fed goats was superior (firmer) to the meat from the goats in the pasture group.

In both groups, the highest-yielding goat was the Myotonic consigned by Whitmore Farm (MD). The Myotonic from the pasture test had a boneless meat yield of 24.8 percent, whereas the Myotonic from the pen had a boneless meat yield of almost 30 percent (29.8). The Myotonic breed is known for having a superior meat-to-bone ratio. While the Myotonic carcasses were shorter, they stood out for their conformation, especially in the leg.

Hindsaddle from highest-yielding goat

Another goat with a superior carcass was the biggest goat (86 lbs.) from both groups, a Spanish buck consigned by Karen Cooper (KY). This buck had a rib eye area of 2.10 square inches and a boneless meat yield of 28.8 percent. Randy and Lolli Allen (TN) had two Kiko bucks from the pen that excelled in both rib eye area and boneless meat yield. One of the Allen goats had the largest rib eye (2.15 square inches). The Cooper and Allen goats were also the higher-yielding goats in the pasture group.

Download carcass data
Download carcass comparison data
Download consigner comparison data

Boer buck tops sale

2011-09-28T11:42:00.017-04:00

A Full Blood Boer buck consigned by Sherrie Losch (PA) was the high-selling buck at the 2011 Western Maryland Goat Field Day & Sale held on September 24 near Boonsboro, MD. The 11 bucks that met the 2011 Gold, Silver, or Bronze standards of performance were offered for sale via silent auction.

The Losch buck met the Gold standards of performance for parasite resistance and parasite resilience. It sold for $875. The buyer was Lynda Heise from St. Thomas, PA. Losch's Boer bucks have usually posted good fecal egg count data.

High-selling Boer buck
(L-R) Lynda Heise and Sherrie Losch

The next high-selling buck was a Purebred Kiko consigned by P.J. Murphy (NJ). It sold for $725. It was also purchased by Lynda Heise. Murphy is a first year consigner and previous buyer of top-performing bucks.

Merritt "Sam" Burke (DE) was the top consigner in this year's test. He sold all four of his bucks that qualified for the sale. His top selling buck brought $450. It sold to Mike & Rachel Moran from Alderson, WV. Burke was also recognized for being a five year consigner to the test.

The top-gaining buck was a Savanna x Spanish buck consigned by Janet & Stephen Garrett (VA). The crossbred buck sold for $350. The buyer was Zach Teter from Beverly, WV. The Garretts are first year consigners.

2011 Top consigner and 5 year consigner
(L-R) Lawrence Burke and Sam Burke

The top-performing buck in this year's test was a Kiko x Boer buck consigned by Luke Miller from Indiana. This was the only buck that met the Gold standards of performance. Miller also had a buck that met the Silver standards of performance.

Both of Miller's top-performing crossbred bucks are going back to his Indiana farm for breeding. Miller is a first year consigner to the test and a previous buyer of top-performing bucks.

In addition to the bucks sold in the sale, Lincoln University (Missouri) purchased four bucks from the test via private treaty. For their upcoming research project, they required two parasite "resistant" and two parasite "susceptible" registrable Kiko bucks.

The four Kiko bucks selected by Lincoln will be used in a divergent selection experiment on parasite resistant. It will be interesting to follow the progress of this research. Of particular interest will be the fecal egg counts of the offspring sired by the two resistant and two susceptible bucks from the test.

Top-performing Gold buck
Consigned by Luke Miller

Lincoln purchased the most resistant buck in the test, a Purebred Kiko consigned by Craig Adams (IL). The Adams buck never had a fecal egg count above 500 epg. Its average egg count was 131 epg. The Adams buck was also one of the most resilient bucks in this year's test. All of his FAMACHA© scores were 1.

Jeanne Dietz-Band (MD) also had a buck whose FAMACHA© scores were all 1. The other "resistant" buck purchased by Lincoln University was a Purebred Kiko buck consigned by Mike & Lori Renick (WV).

Seven does were offered for sale via private treaty. The high-selling doe was a Kiko yearling doe consigned by P.J. Murphy. It sold for $600. Mark Sweitzer's four Kiko doe kids brought an average of $225 each.

Goats in the feed pen are scheduled for harvest on 9/29

Thanks is extended to everyone who was involved with the 2011 test, sale, and field day: university faculty and staff, consigners, buyers, bidders, speaker, veterinarians, vendors, and volunteers.

Final test results

2011-09-22T13:30:00.000-04:00

Eighty (80) bucks were delivered to the test site on Friday and Saturday, June 3 and 4. On these days, weights ranged from 29 to 69 lbs. and averaged 41.0 lbs. After a 6-day adjustment period, the goats were re-weighed. The weights recorded on June 10 were the starting weights for the test. Starting weights ranged from 28 to 70 lbs. and averaged 42.5 lbs.

Final weights were recorded on September 15. Final weights ranged from 37 to 71 lbs. and averaged 54.9 lbs. While on test, weight gain ranged from -9 to +23 lbs. and averaged 12.4 lbs. Average daily gain (ADG) is determined by dividing the weight gain by the number of days of the test (98).

The goat with the highest rate-of-gain was a Savanna x Spanish buck consigned by Janet & Stephen Garrett (VA). The #34 buck gained 0.235 lbs. per day. His ADG ratio was 181%, meaning he gained 81% better than the average buck in the test. Only bucks with ratios above 100 should be selected for breeding.

Weight gains, while not robust, were steady, as evidenced in the graph below. During the test period, the goats experienced a variety of weather and forage conditions. The test site was dry during the middle part of the test, but very wet during the last six weeks of the test period.

Download report with weight data
Download report with ADG rankings

Individual fecal samples were collected every two weeks. The samples were collected directly from the rectum of the goat, unless the goat provided a sample while he was waiting to be worked.

Fecal egg counts were determined by Dr. Dahlia J. O'Brien's lab at Delaware State University. Fecal egg counts are an estimate of the number of adult worms present in the goat's gut. They are a measure of parasite resistance.

The purpose of this test is determine which bucks are more resistance to parasites. It goes without saying that bucks which shed a lot of parasite eggs should not be kept for breeding. Parasite resistance is a moderately heritable trait, more so than reproductive traits.

During the early and mid-part of the test, fecal egg counts were not very high. While some goats had high egg counts, the majority of egg counts were below 2,000 epg and often 1,000 epg. Though clinical parasitism could occur at lower levels, 2,000 epg is often considered the level of clinical significance for the barber pole worm. Fecal coprocultures showed worm eggs to be almost all barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus).

During the last six weeks of the test, egg counts rose significantly, as a result of the increased rainfall. In fact, egg counts from the September 15 collection were so high that they eliminated five bucks from the sale. Before September 15, these bucks were meeting the standards for parasite resistance.

Three bucks in the test showed themselves to be resistant to the parasite challenge under this year's test conditions. The most "resistant" buck was a purebred Kiko consigned by Craig Adams (IL). The two other bucks with very low egg count data were a Kiko x Boer buck consigned by Luke Miller (IN) and a Full-blood Boer buck consigned by Sherrie Losch (PA).

Download report with fecal egg count data
Download fecal egg count rankings

A few goats required deworming during the test, but for the most part, clinical parasitism was not a problem during this year's test. The high egg counts from the samples collected on September 15 would likely lead to clinical parasitism if the test were to continue for several more weeks. For this reason, goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3 were dewormed on September 15. Anyone taking home a goat from the test site or sale should continue to monitor the goat for signs of internal parasites.

FAMACHA© scores are an estimate of packed cell volume and the need for deworming individual goats. While not as heritable as parasite resistance (fecal egg counts), selection for parasite resilience is highly recommended. Goats that require frequent deworming as evidenced by high FAMACHA© scores should not be kept for breeding. Bucks should be held to a higher standard.

Two goats had FAMACHA© scores of 1 each time they were checked, resulting in an average FAMACHA© score of 1.0. The two most resilient bucks in the test were a purebred Kiko consigned by Craig Adams and a percentage Kiko buck consigned by Jeanne Dietz-Band (MD).

Download FAMACHA© and anthelmintic treatment data
Download FAMACHA© rankings

Please direct questions about the data and test to Susan Schoenian at sschoen@umd.edu or (301) 432-2767 x343.

High fecal egg counts

2011-09-19T16:39:00.007-04:00

For the fecal samples collected on September 15, fecal egg counts ranged from 150 to 14,325 epg and averaged 3,050 epg, as compared to 1,437 on September 1.

Seventy-three percent (n=59) of the goats had fecal egg counts above 1,000 epg. Forty-nine percent (n=39) had fecal egg counts above 2,000 epg. As a precaution (due to increasing egg counts), goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3 were dewormed on September 15 with levamisole (3 ml/50 lbs.).

After being picked up from the test site, producers should continue to monitor the goats for internal parasitism. The increased rainfall during the past six weeks has greatly increased the goats' exposure to infective worm larvae.

Pooled fecal sample
For the pooled fecal sample collected on September 1, the fecal egg count was determined to be 1,008 epg as compared to 400 epg for the pooled sample collected on August 4. Pooled samples are collected randomly from every third goat.

Ninety-four percent of the strongyle eggs were determined to be Haemonchus contortus (barber pole worm). Two percent were Trichostrongylus and four percent were Oseophagostumum.

Download fecal egg count summary (alphabetical listing)
Download fecal egg count summary (rankings)

Special thanks to Dr. Dahlia O'Brien and her graduate students at Delaware State University for getting the last set of fecals analyzed quickly, so they could be included in the final test results.

Sale line-up changes

2011-09-19T16:03:00.001-04:00

As stated in previous blog entries, the final fecal egg count data from the individual samples collected on September 15 still needed to be factored into the test results.

Fecal egg counts have been increasing over the past six weeks and were higher on September 15 than for any other collection day. High egg counts resulted in the disqualification of five bucks that had previously been selected for the sale.

Up until the last fecal collection, these bucks had met Gold, Silver, and/or Bronze standards of performance for parasite resistance. But, all five had fecal egg counts above 2,000 epg on September 15 which eliminates them from the sale. One of the Silver bucks was reduced to Bronze due to his egg count.

The next two highest performing bucks were added to the sale line-up. These bucks gained 0.173 lbs. per day, 40 percent better than the average buck in the test. The two new sale bucks include a Purebred Kiko consigned by Craig Adams (IL) and a purebred Boer consigned by Sherrie Losch (PA).

Adams has had the top-performing buck and top consignment in each of the last two years. His buck met the Silver standards of performance for parasite resistance (fecal egg counts). The Losch buck met the Gold standard of performance for parasite resistance. In fact, Losch's Boer bucks have usually excelled in parasite resistance.

Eleven bucks met Gold, Silver, or Bronze standards of performance for growth, parasite resistance, and parasite resilience and will be eligible for the sale on September 24.

2011 sale bucks -- data and images

Fourteen bucks qualify for sale

2011-09-17T12:52:00.009-04:00

Fourteen (14) bucks have met Gold, Silver, and/or Bronze standards of performance for growth, parasite resistance and parasite resilience and are eligible for the sale on September 24, 2011.

Two bucks met the Gold standard for all traits.The Gold bucks include a Kiko x Boer buck consigned by Luke Miller (IN) and a 94% Kiko buck consigned by Merritt Burke (DE). Miller is a first time consigner, whereas Burke is a Five Year Consigner.

1st year consigner P.J. Murphy has a Kiko buck in the sale.

Four bucks met the Silver standards of performance for all traits. The Silver bucks include a Purebred Kiko consigned by Mark Sweitzer, two percentage Kikos consigned by Merritt Burke, and a Kiko x Boer buck consigned by Luke Miller.

The Sweitzer buck has the biggest rib eye of any buck in the test (according to ultrasound). All of the bucks in the Burke consignment qualified for the sale.Two out of Miller's three bucks met the requirements for sale.

Eight bucks met the Bronze standards of performance for all traits. The Bronze bucks include two more Burke consignments, two percentage Kikos consigned by Randy & Loli Allen (TN), and individual bucks consigned by John Smith (VA), Stephen & Janet Garrett (VA), Jarred Dennison (KY), and P.J. Murphy (NJ).

Randy & Loli Allen have two % Kiko bucks in the sale.
Their two bucks in the fed pen also performed extremely well.

Murphy and Garrett are first time consigners. Smith is a Five Year Consigner and had the top-performing buck in 2008. The Garrett buck, a Kiko x Spanish, was the top-gaining buck in the test.

Images and data of the 2011 sale bucks have been posted to the web. Fecal egg count data from the September 15 collection still needs to be factored into the test results.

View images and data of 2011 sale bucks

Private treaty doe sale

2011-09-16T12:46:00.011-04:00

A private treaty doe sale will be held in conjunction with the annual Western Maryland Goat Field Day & Sale on September 24, 2011. Seven Kiko does have been consigned to the private treaty sale.

Lot 1 - 84A
Purebred Kiko doe kid
Born March 14, 2011
Born/raised twin
Consigned by Mark Sweitzer, Glen Rock, PA

Lot 2 - 97
Purebred Kiko doe kid
Born March 10, 2011
Born triplet/raised single
Consigned by Mark Sweitzer, Glen Rock, PA

Lot 3 - 54
Purebred Kiko doe kid
Born March 20, 2011
Born/raised a single
Consigned by Mark Sweitzer, Glen Rock, PA

Lot 4 - 94
Purebred Kiko doeling
Born March 12, 2011
Born/raised a twin
Consigned by Mark Sweitzer, Glen Rock, PA

Lot 5 - Gin Z21
New Zealand Kiko yearling doe
Born February 26, 2010
Born/raised twin
Comments: Yearling doe. Excellent pedigree. Ready to breed.
Consigned by P.J. Murphy, Pittstown, NJ

Lot 6 - Gin Z16
New Zealand Kiko yearling doe
Born February 22, 2010
Born/raised twin
Comments: Yearling doe. Excellent pedigree. Ready to breed.
Consigned by P.J. Murphy, Pittstown, NJ

Lot 7 - Z19
Purebred Kiko yearling doe
Born February 23, 2010
Born/raised twin
Comments: Yearling doe. Excellent pedigree. Ready to breed.
Consigned by P.J. Murphy, Pittstown, NJ

Both doe consigners have bucks that have qualified for the sale.

Egg counts continue to increase

2011-09-16T12:25:00.002-04:00

For the individual fecal samples collected on September 1, fecal egg counts ranged from 143 to 4,933 eggs per gram and averaged 1437 epg, compared to 887 on August 18 and 338 on August 4. With the exception of one goat in the pen, no goat had a negative fecal test.

Sixty-four percent (n=50) of the goats had fecal egg counts above 1,000 epg. Twenty-two percent (n=17) had fecal egg counts above 2,000 epg. These are the highest egg counts that have occurred in this year's test.

September 1 Fecal egg counts (EPG)
Individual bucks are represented on the horizontal axis

As expected, the goats in the feed pen had low fecal egg counts.

The fecal egg count data from yesterday still needs to be incorporated into the test results. The data should be available on Monday, September 19.

Download FEC report

Final day of data collection

2011-09-15T22:06:00.005-04:00

The goats were worked for a final time today by Jeff Semler, David Gordon, Mary Beth Bennett, Jeanne-Dietz Band, Pam Thomas, and Susan Schoenian. The goats were weighed by Jeff Semler and scored by Susan Schoenian. Pam Thomas and David Gordon recorded data.

It was the second time in a row that the goats had to be worked in the rain. The test site has received considerable rain in the past few weeks. The wet weather is likely why the goats did not gain much weight during this final weigh period, as their dry matter intake was probably reduced. The past few weeks of wet weather has also increased the parasite load in the goats, as evidenced by higher FAMACHA© scores and fecal egg counts.

Top-performing buck
Purebred Kiko buck consigned by Mark Sweitzer (PA)

For the last weigh period, gain ranged from -3 to +5 lbs. and averaged slightly less than 1 lb. (0.936). Average daily gained ranged from -0.214 to + 0.357 lbs. and averaged 0.067 lbs. per day. Three goats gained five lbs. for the period: two bucks consigned by Kentucky State University and a Boer buck consigned by David & Cindy Thorne (MD).

Smaller bucks often gain better later in the test, perhaps because they are less sexually active. On the other hand, the rut did not seem to have any effect on performance. Oftentimes, some of the larger, older bucks lose significant weight during the last two weeks.

FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 4 and averaged almost 2 (1.96), compared to 1.81 on September 1 and 1.56 on August 18. Thirteen goats with FAMACHA© scores of >3 were dewormed with levamsole (Prohibit® sheep drench @ 3 ml/50 lbs.).

Grazing on September 15

Because all the goats in the pasture test had to stand in the rain and had wet hair coats, coat condition could not easily be evaluated. Most of the goats had similar body condition scores, as none of the goats in the test are at the more extreme ends of the body condition scale (1-5). Only a couple of goats showed any signs of scouring and had positive dag scores. Fecal consistency was good, with few soft stools and no active scouring.

Day-98
For the 98-day duration of the test (June 10-September 15), gain ranged from -9 to +23 lbs. and averaged 12 lbs. Average daily gain ranged from 0.092 to 0.235 and averaged 0.124 lbs. per day. Only one goat failed to gain weight during the test period. This buck's weight loss is difficult to explain as the buck has been healthy throughout the test. Two bucks did not finish the test. One died and one was removed from the test due to an eye problem.

The data collected today will change the bucks that meet Gold, Silver, and Bronze Standards of performance and qualify for the sale next Saturday. Some of the bucks that were included in the preliminary group of sale goats will fail to make the sale; others may move up. Two more fecal egg counts need to be incorporated into the test results.

94-lb. buck in pen
Crossbred Spanish buck from Karen Cooper (KY)

In the pen
The goats in the pen gained 3.3 lbs. during the previous 14-day period, for an average daily gain of 0.238 lbs. per day. For the 98-day period of the test, average daily gain ranged from 0.01 to 0.357 lbs. per day and averaged 0.232 lbs. per day.

The top-gaining buck in the pen is a 88% Kiko buck consigned by Randy and Loli Allen (TN). It gained 35 lbs. while in the pen. Two goats that had been doing poorly in the pen did well the past four weeks. While the goats in the pen tended to gained better than those on pasture, two of the penned goats died (cause(s) unknown) before the end of the test period.

Download September 15 (d-98) report

Preliminary Sale List and Rank

2011-09-08T15:11:00.000-04:00

As of September 1, seventeen (17) bucks are meeting the Gold, Silver, or Bronze Standards of Performance for growth, parasite resistance, and parasite resilience. A preliminary sale list and rank has been posted to the web HERE.

Much can still change in the sale list and rank, as some bucks may fail to gain weight during the rut. The wet weather may also have an effect on final weight gains.

The sale list and rank will be updated after September 15 to reflect final weights and scores. The sale list and rank will be updated after September 19 to reflect the last egg count data.

Keep checking the web page for updated information. Pictures still need to be added for many of the bucks.

http://www.sheepandgoat.com/programs/GoatTest/2011/2011salebucks.html

Ultrasound data

2011-09-08T11:04:00.002-04:00

On September 1st, the goats were scanned to determine rib fat thickness and rib eye area. The scanning was done by Jim Pritchard from West Virginia University. The data were processed by the National CUP (Centralized Ultrasound Processing) Lab & Technology Center in Ames, Iowa.

For the goats in the pasture test, rib eye area ranged from 0.55 to 1.76 square inches and averaged 1.00 square inch. While the data reveal genetic differences in carcass muscling, the biggest effect on rib eye area is weight. Thus, the following table organizes the rib eye data according to the weight of the goats.

In the report, ratios are used to compare a buck's rib eye measurement to the average for bucks in his weight range, e.g. 50 to 59 lbs. The buck with the largest rib eye (according to ultrasound) is #71, a Kiko buck consigned by Mark Sweitzer (PA). This buck's 1.76 square inch rib eye is 50 percent better than the average buck in his weight group (60-70 lbs.). What's more impressive is that this buck's weight is at the low end of the weight range: 61 lbs.

Another buck with a high ratio is #33, a Savanna x Spanish buck consigned by Stephen & Janet Garrett (VA). This buck's 1.46 square inch rib eye is 46 percent better than the average buck in the 50 to 59 lb. weight group. Randy & Lolli Allen (TN) have another buck with a high ratio. The rib eye of #6, a 75% Kiko buck, measured 1.62 square inches, 38.5 percent better than the weight group average.

Rib fat thickness ranged from 0.01 to 0.08 inches and averaged 0.037 inches. The rib fat thickness measurements are largely meaningless, as when past carcass evaluations have been performed, none of the goats have had enough fat over the rib to measure it. Body wall thickness is measured instead and is considered a better measure of carcass fat.

The rib area is clipped before scanning

Even the goats in the feed pen did not measure with much rib fat. Their rib fat thickness ranged from 0.04 to 0.07 inches and averaged 0.052 inches. Unless they are "overfed," goats do not deposit much external fat. In fact, they fatten differently than other livestock, fattening from the inside-out. The more important measure of fat in a goat is kidney and heart fat (internal fat), which can only be measured by harvesting the goats.

For the nine goats in the pen, rib eye area ranged from 0.70 to 1.78 square inches and averaged 1.23 square inches. The higher average can be attributed to the heavier weights of some of the bucks. The buck with the largest rib eye is a crossbred Spanish buck consigned by Karen Cooper (KY).

One of the objectives of the carcass evaluation is to compare the ultrasound rib eye measurements with those measured on the carcass. Another objective is to compare carcass muscling between pasture and pen-fed goats.

The purpose of the pen feeding has been to create a contemporary set of goats for carcass evaluation -- not to compare their growth performance and resistance to parasites.

Download ultrasound report

August pooled fecal sample

2011-09-06T16:35:00.005-04:00

A pooled fecal sample was collected from random goats on August 4. The sample was sent via overnite mail to the University of Georgia for analysis.

The fecal egg count of the pooled sample was 400 epg, compared to 450 epg for the pooled sample collected on July 7. The average fecal egg count for individual fecal samples collected on August 4 was 338 epg.

For the pooled sample collected on August 4, ninety-three percent of the strongyle-type eggs were barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus). Six percent were Trichostrongylus. The remaining 1 percent were Nematodirus.

A final pooled fecal sample was collected on September 1. The fecal egg count was 1,000 epg. It takes about a month to get the results from the coproculture.

A pair of Kiko bucks

d-84 Leader Boards

2011-09-06T11:26:00.008-04:00

The following tables show the top-performing bucks and top consignment of bucks as of day-84.

Top-performing bucks

Click on tables to view larger (clearer) versions
of tables in another browser window.

#34 (L) is currently ranked 2nd in the test.
Savanna x Spanish buck consigned by Janet & Stephen Garrett (VA)

Goats continue to gain weight

2011-09-02T14:50:00.009-04:00

The goats posted moderate gains for the previous 14-day weigh period. Gain ranged from -3.0 to +7.0 lbs. and averaged 2.3 lbs. ADG ranged from -0.21 lbs. per day to +0.5 lbs. per day and averaged 0.161 lbs. per day.

Only six goats lost weight during the previous 14 days. Twelve goats maintained their weight. More than three-quarters of the goats in the pasture test gained weight from August 18 until September 1.

Top-performing buck as of d-84
Kiko x Boer buck consigned by Luke Miller

Top-performers
The top-gaining goat for the weigh period was a Kiko buck consigned by Jarred Dennison (KY). It gained 7 lbs. or 0.5 lbs. per day. Five goats gained 6 lbs. or 0.428 lbs. per day. These top-gaining goats were consigned by Craig Adams (IL), Luke Miller (IN), P.J. Murphy (NJ), Mike and Lorie Renick (WV), and Mark Sweitzer (PA).

As of day-84, the top-gaining buck is a Kiko x Boer buck consigned by Luke Miller. It is gaining almost 0.3 lbs. per day (0.298). The buck with the second highest rate-of-gain is a Savanna x Spanish buck consigned by Janet and Stephen Garrett (VA). It is gaining 0.262 lbs. per day. These two crossbred bucks have been the top-performers throughout the test.

Day-84 ADG ranged from -0.071 to +0.298 lbs. per day and is averaging 0.136 lbs. per day. Only one goat in the pasture test has failed to gain weight. Despite failing to gain weight, this buck is healthy and vigorous and has posted excellent scores for parasite resistance and resilience.

Relaxing after being worked

Four goats in the pasture test were dewormed with either moxidectin or levamisole. FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 3 and averaged 1.81 compared to 1.56 on August 18. Higher FAMACHA© scores make sense as egg counts increased by about 500 epg between August 4 and August 18.

Body condition and coat condition scores remained stable. No goat had a body condition or coat condition score below 2.0. Only one goat in the pasture test had a positive dag core. Only one goat was actively scouring. A pooled fecal sample was collected from random goats. The sample was sent to the University of Georgia for larvae ID.

Additional data
In addition to the normal data and sample collection, the goats were scanned by Jim Pritchard from West Virginia University to determine rib eye area and back fat. The ultrasound scan data was sent to Iowa for processing.

The bucks were evaluated for reproductive traits and structural soundness. Scrotal size was determined using a scrotal tape. Teats were counted and teat structure was noted.

Late-August grazing

The hooves of each goat were trimmed and evaluated to determine hoof growth and abnormalities. The feet and leg structure of each goat was evaluated. Unlike evaluation in the show ring, only "functional" structure and mobility problems are noted. All of these data will be reported in a later blog entry.

The goats will be worked for a final time on Thursday, September 15. Sale bucks will be identified after this final day of data collection.

Grazing conditions are good. Moisture has vastly improved. Hurricane Irene had no effect at the test site. After working, the goats were given access to the chicory field. After grazing there for a few days, they will be returned to the pearl millet and/or cool season grass paddocks.

Penned goats enjoy their once-a-day grain diet

Pen goats
All of the goats being fed in the pen gained weight. Gain ranged from 3 to 8 lbs. and averaged 4.7 lbs. The goats in the pen are eating more grain. Two that have been doing poorly are looking much better and are actively gaining weight. ADG for the goats in the pen has ranged from -0.036 to 0.369 lbs. per day and is averaging 0.333 lbs. per day. The penned goats were also scanned to determine back fat and rib eye area.

Download d-84 (Sept 1) report

Egg counts go back up

2011-08-30T11:22:00.005-04:00

For the fecal samples collected on August 18, fecal egg counts (FECs) ranged from 0 to 5,100 and averaged 887 epg, compared to 338 epg on August 4.

Egg counts for some of the goats went up. No goat experienced a significant reduction in fecal egg count, as compared to two weeks ago.

Twenty-two goats had fecal egg counts above 1,000 epg. These goats, which represent 28 percent of the goats in the pasture test, accounted for 69 percent of the total egg output. The twenty percent of the goats (n=16) with the highest egg counts accounted for 60 percent of the total egg output.

Individual bucks are represented on the horizontal axis

Ten goats had fecal egg counts above 2,000 epg. These goats, which represent 13 percent of the goats in the pasture test, accounted for 48 percent of the total egg output.

Thirty-eight percent (n=30) of the bucks are still meeting the Gold standard of performance for parasite resistance, failing to have an egg count above 500 epg. All of the bucks consigned by Jeanne Dietz-Band (MD, n=3) and Mike and Lorie Renick (WV, n=5) are meeting the gold standard for fecal egg counts.

All of the Renick's bucks are low egg shedders

For the goats in the pen, fecal egg counts ranged from 0 to 771 and averaged 313 epg, as compared to 140 on August 4.

Download latest fecal egg count report

Day-70 Leader Boards

2011-08-19T15:09:00.010-04:00

The following table shows the ten top-performing bucks as of day 70 of the test. The second table shows the top consignments as of day 70. The top consignment is based on 3 bucks or the best 3 bucks in a consignment.

Top-performing bucks

Rank	ID	Consigner	Breed	Start wt	d-70 wt	d-70 ADG	No. Tx	High FEC
1	47	Miller	Boer x Kiko	44	63	0.271	0	125
2	34	Garrett	Savan x Span	36	55	0.271	0	520
3	15	Burke	NZ Kiko	44	62	0.257	0	367
4	12	Burke	94% Kiko	49	67	0.257	0	475
5	11	Burke	75% Kiko	48	66	0.257	0	771
6	13	Burke	75% Kiko	50	68	0.257	0	800
7	14	Burke	86% Kiko	50	68	0.257	0	1000
8	67	Smith	PB Kiko	43	60	0.243	0	1000
9	48	Miller	Boer x Kiko	38	53	0.214	0	1025
10	4	Adams	PB Kiko	38	53	0.214	0	2650*

* This egg count would disqualify this buck for the sale. The bronze standard for high egg count is 2000 epg.

9th ranked buck - Boer x Kiko consigned by Luke Miller

Top Consigners (top 3 bucks)

Rank	Consigner	Breed	Avg. ADG	No. Tx	High FEC
1	Burke	% Kiko	0.271	0	1000
2	Miller	Boer x Kiko	0.228	0	1025
3	Allen	Kiko	0.195	0	775
4	Ozkum	Myotonic	0.186	0	600

Data will be collected on the goats two more times (September 1 and 15). Three more fecal egg counts will be added to the data set. The goats will be scanned via ultrasound (for rib eye area) on September 1. They will be evaluated for structural correctness and reproductive soundness on September 1.

A lot can still change, especially if the bucks are able to put on some meaningful gains during the last 28 days of the test. Of course, rutting behavior may also be a factor for many of the bucks, especially the older, bigger ones.

A buck from Kent Ozkum's consignment of Myotonics

The pastures are generally in good condition. It has not been an overly moist summer, but it is much better than last year. There has been no need for supplemental nutrition.

Better gains

2011-08-18T17:53:00.009-04:00

The goats posted the best gains since the test began on June 10. For this 14-day weigh period, gain ranged from -3 to +8 lbs. and averaged 3 lbs. or 0.212 lbs. per day. Only two goats lost weight. Seven goats maintained their weight. The rest of the goats (n=69) posted positive weight gains.

For the period, the two top-gaining goats were Kiko and percentage Kiko bucks consigned by Merritt "Sam" Burke (DE). Four additional bucks consigned by Craig Adams (IL), Sam Burke, P.J. Murphy (NJ), and Kent Ozkum (MD) gained 0.5 lbs. per day from August 4 to August 18.

Luke Miller's top-gaining Boer x Kiko buck (August 18)

As of day-70, two bucks are tied for having the highest rate-of-gain (ADG): a Savanna x Spanish buck consigned by Stephen & Janet Garrett (VA) and a Boer x Kiko buck consigned by Luke Miller (IN). Since the test began, these bucks have gained 19 lbs. or 0.271 lbs. per day.

The next five top-gaining goats are Kiko and percentage Kiko bucks consigned by Sam Burke. Burke's entire consignment of five bucks is gaining 0.257 lbs. per day. As of day-70, Burke is the top-consigner.

A Kiko buck from Sam Burke's top consignment (August 18)

No worm problems
Clinical parasitism is currently not a problem for the goats in the test. Today's FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 3 and averaged 1.56 compared to 2.22 on August 4. Some of the improvement in FAMACHA© scores may be attributed to scoring "bias," as Jeff (not Susan) scored the goats on August 4. One goat was dewormed with levamisole (3 ml per 50 lbs.).

Body condition scores ranged from 1.5 to 3 and averaged 2.65 compared to 2.17 on August 4. Again, some of the differences may be due to differences in scorers. Coat condition scores ranged from 1.5 to 2.5, with a similar average as recorded on August 4. Only one goat had a positive (1) dag score.

Grazing cool season grasses on August 18

After working today, the goats were given access to a 2-acre paddock of cool season grasses. It is a good pasture, but also shorter than some of the others, which should result in the goats ingesting some infective worm larvae.

It is not possible to detect genetic differences in parasite resistance (fecal egg counts) and resilience (FAMACHA© scores) unless the goats are sufficiently "challenged."

Penned goats
Most of the goats in the pen are starting to gain better. They are eating a lot of hay and consuming more pellets (ADM Goat Power) during their once-a-day feeding. For this weigh period, gain ranged from 0 to 9 lbs. and averaged 5.4 lbs. or 0.386 lbs. per day.

Goats in the feed pen on August 15

For the first 70 days of the feeding period, gain has ranged -7 to +26 lbs. and averaged 0.193 lbs. per day. As would be expected, the goats in the pen have higher body condition scores and lower FAMACHA© scores than the goats in the pasture test.

Download August 18 report

Fecal egg counts go down

2011-08-15T15:50:00.015-04:00

Fecal egg counts for the samples collected on August 4 ranged from 0 to 2,650 epg and averaged 338 eggs per gram, compared to 876 on July 20. Only 7 goats had egg counts above 1,000 epg. Only 1 goat had a fecal egg count above 2,000 epg.The seven goats with higher egg counts accounted for 42 percent of the eggs shed onto pasture while only representing 9 percent of the herd.

Anthelmintic treatment (levamisole @ 3 ml/50 lbs) was extremely effective for the three goats that required deworming on July 20.

ID	July 20 FEC	Aug 4 FEC	% Reduction
16	900	25	97.2
76	4275	50	98.8
0	7750	75	99.0

Several goats may be showing evidence of the "self-cure" phenomenon, whereby animals expel adult worms after ingesting large numbers of infective worm larvae. The self-cure phenomenon is well-documented in sheep; less so in goats. At the same time, there could be other factors, even a combination of factors, which caused some egg counts to decrease significantly without any anthelmintic treatment.

ID	July 20 FEC	Aug 4 FEC	% Reduction
1	1,475	100	93.2
2	1,429	75	94.8
5	1,033	375	63.7
14	1,000	50	95.0
20	1,229	300	75.6
48	1,025	100	90.2
51	1,733	275	84.1
52	2,550	225	91.2
54	2,960	575	80.6
79	3,300	425	87.1

So far, almost half (n=36) of the goats on test are meeting the gold standard of performance for parasite resistance. All of their fecal egg counts have been below 500 epg and their average fecal egg counts are below 500 epg.

#46 is a low egg shedder
Boer buck consigned by Sherrie Losch (PA)

Test	Consigner		6/23	7/7	7/20	8/4
ID	Consigner	Breed	FEC	FEC	FEC	FEC
3	Adams	PB Kiko	0	75	40	25
6	Allen	75% Kiko	28	50	300	150
7	Allen	88% Kiko	0	0	400	125
9	Allen	PB Kiko	0	240	375	300
10	Allen	88% Kiko	0	67	0	125
12	Burke	94% Kiko	0	0	475	50
15	Burke	NZ Kiko	0	367	100	25
17	Cooper	Spanish	28	160	0	75
18	Cooper	Spanish	0	125	50	50
19	Cooper	Spanish	0	0	75	150
21	Cooper	¾ Spanish	0	75	150	250
27	Dietz-Band	% Kiko	0	25	200	275
28	Dietz-Band	% Kiko	0	0	343	50
29	Dietz-Band	% Kiko	0	0	200	300
30	Francis	PB Kiko	0	0	67	75
31	Francis	PB Kiko	0	0	50	100
32	Garrett	Sav x Kiko	0	0	160	57
33	Garrett	Sav x Kiko	0	0	na	350
34	Garrett	Sav x Span	0	50	520	250
37	Gladstone	Kiko x Nubian	0	80	300	50
38	Gladstone	Boer x Kiko x	0	0	280	25
42	KSU	Spanish	0	75	25	50
46	Losch	Boer	25	0	175	0
47	Miller	Kiko x Boer	0	0	125	75
49	Miller	Kiko x Boer	0	400	80	575
50	Murphy	PB Kiko	0	400	250	300
57	Ozkum	Myotonic	40	67	na	325
58	Ozkum	Myotonic	0	125	33	0
62	Renick	NZ Kiko	0	25	125	50
63	Renick	75% Kiko	0	0	100	125
64	Renick	75% Kiko	0	na	133	0
65	Renick	PB Kiko	0	0	75	150
66	Renick	75% Kiko	50	67	67	450
71	Sweitzer	Kiko	200	120	200	75
72	Sweitzer	Kiko	0	86	120	50
74	Thorne	Boer	0	0	0	25

Download Aug 14 FEC report

Top gainers, d-56

2011-08-14T09:41:00.000-04:00

**Ten top-gaining bucks**
ID	Consigner	State	Breed	Start	d-56	ADG
48	Miller	IN	Boer x Kiko	38	52	0.250
11	Burke	DE	75% Kiko	48	61	0.232
14	Burke	DE	86% Kiko	50	63	0.232
34	Garrett	VA	Savanna x Sp.	36	49	0.232
47	Miller	IN	Boer x Kiko	39	51	0.232
26	Dennison	KY	Kiko	36	48	0.214
49	Miller	IN	Boer x Kiko	39	51	0.214
50	Murphy	NJ	PB Kiko	35	47	0.214
12	Burke	DE	94% Kiko	49	60	0.196
67	Smith	VA	PB Kiko	43	54	0.196

**Three top-consigners (based on top 3 bucks)**
Consigner	State	Breed	Avg. ADG
Miller	IN	Boer x Kiko	0.232
Burke	DE	% Kiko	0.220
Garrett	VA	Savanna-x	0.173

Egg counts not equally dispersed

2011-08-13T22:51:00.004-04:00

For the fecal samples collected on July 20, fecal egg counts (FECs) ranged from 0 to 7,750 eggs per gram and averaged 870 epg, compared to 623 epg for the samples collected on July 7.

Over the years, research (and experience) has shown that fecal egg counts, as well as worm burdens are not equally dispersed in a herd. They do not fit a bell-shaped curve.

Usually only a small percentage of the animals in a herd have high fecal egg counts, even when clinical parasitism is high. In other words, a small number of animals is usually responsible for shedding most of the eggs onto pasture.

The 80/20 rule is widely accepted. It states that approximately 20 percent of the hosts harbor 80 percent of the parasites.

On July 20, twenty-two goats in the test had fecal egg counts above 1,000 epg. These 22 goats represented 29.7 percent of the herd (fecal samples were analyzed from 74 goats on July 20). Yet, they accounted for 78 percent of the total eggs shed onto the pasture.

Nine goats had fecal egg counts above 2,000 epg. These 9 individuals represented 12.2 percent of the herd. They accounted for 50 percent of the total eggs shed onto the pasture.

Individual goats are represented on the horizontal axis

While it's great that some of the heavy egg shedders didn't require deworming, as evidenced by the August 4th report, these same animals were responsible for significantly contaminating the pastures.

In a farm situation, internal parasitism can be reduced if the heavy egg shedders are removed from the herd. Parasite resistance (fecal egg counts) and resilience (FAMACHA© scores) are equally important traits. Neither should be ignored in selection decisions, especially in pasture-rearing environments.

To qualify for the sale on September 24, bucks must Gold, Silver, or Bronze standards of performance for parasite resistance AND resilience, as well as growth.

#29 is a low egg shedder
Kiko buck consigned by Jeanne Dietz-Band (MD)

Zero grazing
For the goats in the pen, fecal egg counts (on July 20) ranged from 0 to 876 epg and averaged 143 epg, compared to 623 epg on July 7.

Six of the ten goats had zero egg counts. No goat had an egg count above 1,000 epg. This is to be expected as there is minimal opportunity for parasite infection or re-infection in a zero-grazing situation.

From a practical standpoint, zero-grazing or dry lot feeding can be a way to minimize parasite infection and/or re-infection, especially for extremely susceptible animals.

August 4 report with FEC data

Goats Enjoy the Shade

2011-08-05T14:58:00.015-04:00

During this period the goats enjoyed the shade while grazing the cool and warm season grasses among the walnut and mixed hardwood trees. They gained an average of 0.8 lbs. or 0.055 lbs. per day over these past 15 days.

The goats were worked on Thursday, August 4th, by Jeff Semler, Jeanne Dietz- Band, Derrick Bender, and Pam Thomas. Derrick weighed the goats, Jeff scored the goats, and Pam recorded the data.

Gains from July 21st through August 4th ranged from -2.0 lbs. to +4.0 lbs. for individual goats. Another way to look at it, ADG from -0.067 lbs. to +0.125 lbs. for the 80 goats in the pasture test. Ten goats lost weight. Fifty- three gained weight and seven had no change from their July 20th weight.

The top-gaining goats for the period gained 4 lbs. and were a variety of breeds: Kiko, Savanna x Kiko, Boer, Kiko x Boer and Myotonic. They are owned by: Jarred Dennison, Brent Francis, Stephen Garrett, Sherrie Losch, Lucas Miller and Kent Ozkum.

Penned Goats
Nine of the ten penned goats gained 1 lb. to 7 lbs. with one maintaining its July 20th weight. They continue to have free access to hay and some grain pellets (once per day).

The goats will be worked next on Thursday, August 18th.

August 4 (d-56) report

100 percent barber pole worm

2011-07-28T16:06:00.008-04:00

A pooled fecal sample was collected from the goats on July 7. The sample was random, with feces being obtained from approximately every third goat worked.

The sample was sent via overnite mail to Dr. Ray Kaplan's lab at the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases.

After determining the fecal egg count of the pooled sample, the eggs were allowed to hatch. The specific types of parasites in the sample were differentiated by examining and measuring the resulting larvae.

Caught with a mouthful

The fecal egg count for the pooled sample collected on July 7 was 450 epg, compared to 350 epg from the pooled sample collected on June 3-4 when the goats arrived to the test site.

One hundred percent of the strongyle-type (roundworm) eggs in the July 7th sample were determined to be barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus), compared to 81 percent from the pooled sample collected on June 3-4. Trichostrongylus was the other species found in the first pooled sample.

"Traces" of coccidia (Eimeria spp.) were also observed. In the first pooled sample, a "moderate" (3+) amount of coccidia oocytes was observed. Clinical coccidiosis was suspected in a few of the goats during the first half of the test.

It is difficult to completely prevent coccidiosis, as control and prevention depend upon adequate consumption of the drug or coccidiostat in the water or mineral. Next year, we plan to give each goat an individual treatment for coccidia upon arrival to the test site.

Download Fecal Egg Count/Culture ID Report

Goats gain weight on millet

2011-07-25T14:07:00.014-04:00

For the third weigh period, the goats gained similar to the second weigh period, gaining an average of 2 lbs. or 0.154 lbs. per day over the previous 13 days .

The goats were worked early am on July 20 (a day early) by Susan Schoenian, Jeff Semler, Jeanne Dietz-Band, David Gordon, and Pam Thomas. Jeff weighed the goats. Susan scored the goats, and Pam recorded the data.

Chowing down

Gain from July 7 through July 20 ranged from -7.0 to +11.0 lbs. for individual goats. Looking at it another way, ADG ranged from -0.538 to + 0.846 lbs. for the 80 goats in the pasture test. Twelve goats lost weight, while 68 posted positive gains.

The goats had been grazing a clean, lush pasture of dwarf pearl millet, so positive weight gains were expected. However, "extreme" weight gain or loss cannot be easily explained.

The top-gaining goat for the period was a Kiko buck consigned by Mark Sweitzer (PA). It gained an incredible 11 lbs. Craig Adams (IL) and Randy Allen (TN) also had bucks than gained more than 0.5 lbs. per day during the weigh period. Merritt Burke (DE) had two bucks that topped 0.5 lbs. per day.

Using his lips

A goat consigned by Janet and Stephen Garrett (VA) remains the top-gaining buck in the test, as of day 42. The Spanish x Savanna buck has gained 14 lbs. since June 10. His average daily gain is 0.341 lbs.

The second and third top-gaining goats were Kiko bucks consigned by Merritt "Sam" Burke (DE). In fact, as of day 42, Burke has the top consignment of bucks. His five Kiko bucks are gaining an average of 0.259 lbs. per day.

Internal parasites
FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 4 and averaged 1.56, compared to 1.62 on July 7. Collectively, body condition, coat condition, and dag scores did not vary significantly from July 7. Few goats had positive dag scores and only two required treatment for scours. Four goats were dewormed with levamisole® (Prohibit @ 3 ml/50). Goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3 were dewormed, if other scores supported the decision.

Under the trees

Fecal egg counts for July 7 ranged from 0 to 3,400 and averaged 606 epg, compared to 138 epg on June 23. Eighteen goats had fecal egg counts above 1,000 epg. Only 6 goats had fecal egg counts above 2,000. Another individual fecal sample was collected from each goat on July 20.

After being worked, the goats were given access to the silovpasture, about 2 1/2 acres of cool season grasses with some warm season grass planted amongst walnut trees and mixed hardwoods. This pasture provides the most shade, an important consideration for the current spell of very hot weather.

Here they come

Penned goats
For the ten goats in the pen, gain ranged from -1.0 to +6.0 lbs. for the period. The average gain was 2.4 lbs. or 0.171 lbs. per day. Some of the goats in the pen are performing very well; others, less so. The penned goats have free choice hay, but are only getting the amount of grain (pellets) that they can eat in 20 minutes time.

The goats will be worked next on August 4.

July 20 (d-42) report

About this year's bucks

2011-07-19T10:59:00.007-04:00

The goats that participate in the test come from many different consigners from many states. They represent many different breeds or crosses and prior to entering the test have experienced many different management schemes. Here's a summary of this year's bucks:

Number consigned - 81
Number of consigners - 23
Number of states represented - 11
State with most consigners - Maryland (6)
State with most goats - Maryland (19)

Breed
Boer - 4
Percentage Boer - 2
Boer x Kiko - 4
Kiko x Nubian - 1
Kiko - 9
Kiko x Spanish - 2
New Zealand Kiko - 3
Percentage Kiko - 14
Purebred Kiko - 23
Myotonic - 5
Savanna x Kiko - 4
Savanna x Spanish - 2
Spanish - 6

Boer-influenced - 10 (12.3 percent)
Kiko- influenced - 60 (74.1 percent)
Savanna-influenced - 6 (7.4 percent)
Spanish-influenced - 8 (9.9 percent)

Birth type
Singles - 15 (18.5 percent)
Twins - 48 (59.3 percent)
Triplets - 14 (17.2%)
Unknown - 3 (3.7 percent)

Creep feeding
Not creep-fed 62 (76.5 percent)
Creep-fed - 16 (19.8 percent)
Unknown - 3 (3.7%)

Age and birth
Age range: 82 to 146 days (2.7-4.9 months)
Birth date range: January 15 - March 20, 2011
Average age: 113 days (3.8 months)
Average birth date: February 17, 2011

Download buck information

PA Performance Tested Buck Sale

2011-07-16T21:32:00.002-04:00

The annual Pennsylvania Performance Tested Buck (and Ram) Sale and Invitational Doe (and Ewe) Sale will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2011, at the Livestock Evaluation Center in PA Furnace, PA.

An index is used to rank the bucks and determine sale order. The bucks are evaluated for average daily gain, lifetime weight per day of age, muscling, and fat thickness. Approximately the top 75 percent of each breed or breed group will sell.

While on test, the bucks have free-choice access to a commercial concentrate diet (min. 16% protein) and a grass-alfalfa mixed hay.

For more information, contact Glen Hubbard at (814) 238-2527 or ghubbard@state.pa.us.

Corrected data

2011-07-15T11:43:00.005-04:00

Some formula errors were discovered in the spreadsheet that is used to store and calculate data for the Goat Test. The formulas had been used to calculate averages for the 80 goats in the pasture test.

On June 3-4, the average weight of the goats was 40.9 lbs., not 35.4 lbs., as previously reported. On June 10, starting weights averaged 42.4 lbs., not 36.4 lbs., as previously reported.

A Myotonic and Kiko

FAMACHA©, body condition, coat condition, and dag scores were also slightly different than previously reported data.

The following reports and narratives were corrected with the new data:

June 4 report
June 10 report
June 10 report with fecal data

Please let Susan know if you ever see errors or discrepancies in the reports or blog.

Grazing pearl millet

2011-07-11T18:12:00.014-04:00

The goats began grazing a two-acre paddock of dwarf pearl millet on Thursday, July 7. In addition to providing nutritional feed, the field would have been free from infective worm larvae, i.e. until the first goat pooped! Hopefully, the goats will be able to put on some meaningful gains during this weigh period. They will be weighed next on July 20, a day early, due to a scheduling conflict.

A clean pasture


Proud Kiko buck (from West Virginia/Renick)

Plenty of grass

Top gainer, d-28 - Savanna-X (from Virginia/Garrett)

Three studs

Boer vs. Kiko

A difference of opinion

While the situation is not as bad as last year, the test site has grown dry. There is still another fresh paddock that the goats will be able to graze. This paddock was added to the test last year. It is a silvopasture of about 2 1/2 acres. It contains plantings of walnut trees and mixed hardwoods. The forages are cool season grasses. The two acre field of (mostly) chicory could use some moisture to get it re-growing. The other cool season grass paddocks have some regrowth.

Moisture is also desirable for the parasites. The barber pole worm requires warmth and moisture to complete its life cycle. In order to compare the goats for parasite resistance (fecal egg counts) and parasite resilience (FAMACHA© and Five Point Check©), a significant parasite challenge is needed.

Goats post modest gains

2011-07-07T19:32:00.012-04:00

For the second weigh period, the goats posted modest gains, an average of 2.1 lbs. Among individual goats, the two-week gain ranged from -3 to 7 lbs. Only seven goats lost weight since June 23. Looking at it another way, average daily gain (ADG) ranged from -0.21 to 0.50 lbs. per day and averaged 0.15 lbs. (68 g) per day.

For the period, the top-gaining goat was a Kiko buck consigned by P.J. Murphy (New Jersey). Four bucks gained 0.36 lbs. per day for the period. The consignors of these top-performing bucks are Randy Allen (Tennessee), Merritt Burke (Delaware), Kentucky State University, and Hannah Zitta (Virginia).

P.J. Murphy's top-gaining Kiko buck
(cell phone image by Jeff Semler)

Day 28
For the first 28 days of the test, ADG ranged from -0.19 to 0.37 lbs. per day and averaged 0.103 lbs. (47 g) per day. Nine goats have failed to gain weight since June 10.

So far, the top-gaining buck is a Savanna buck consigned by Janet & Stephen Garrett (Virginia). The top consignor is Lucas Miller (Indiana). His three Boer x Kiko bucks have gained an average of 0.22 lbs. (100 g) per day. The second best consignment is from Merritt Burke. Burke's five Kiko bucks have gained an average of 0.20 lbs (91 g) per day since June 10.

Other scores
On July 7, FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 3 and averaged 1.62, compared to 1.74 on June 23. Only two goats required anthelmintic treatment. While their FAMACHA© scores were only 3, other factors led to the decision to deworm. A few other goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3 were not dewormed, because they had good Five Point Check© scores.

Dag scores continued to improve. Fecal tags were dry and the goats' feces were pelleted. Only one goat showed any signs of scouring and had a positive dag score. Average body condition and coat conditions scores improved slightly. Only one goat had a body condition and coat condition score below 2.0.

Couple of Boer bucks

June 23 fecals
For the fecal samples collected on June 23, fecal egg counts (FECs) ranged from 0 to 1,675 epg and averaged 138 epg. No goat had what would be considered a very high egg count. While 1,675 epg may seem like a high count, barber pole worms lay a lot of eggs. In fact, 2,000 epg is considered clinically significant for the barber pole worm. At the same time, you'd prefer to have a buck that is shedding the least amount of eggs onto the pasture.

Tapeworm eggs and coccidia oocytes were observed in some of the individual fecal samples. The tapeworm eggs are not of concern and the presence of coccidia oocytes in the fecal samples is not unexpected; nor can it be interpreted, as not all coccidia are pathogenic or equally pathogenic.

In addition to individual fecal samples, a pooled fecal sample was collected from random goats. This sample was sent to the University of Georgia for larvae identification. Pooled samples will be collected every 4 weeks during the test period. It takes several weeks to get the results of the testing.

Boer x Kiko buck from Maryland

Fecal egg count reduction
The double deworming (of moxidectin + levamisole) given to all the goats on June 10 was determined to be 80 percent effective. On June 10, sixty-one goats with non-zero egg counts had an average fecal egg count of 918 epg. On June 23, the average egg count had been reduced by 80 percent to 181 epg.

The effectiveness of the anthelmintic treatment varied by consignor and individual goats. In some cases, fecal egg counts went up after the anthelmintic treatment. Consignors should look at the data from their bucks to determine the level of anthelmintic resistance that may be present in their herds.

For an anthelmintic treatment to be considered effective, it should reduce egg counts by 90 percent or more (preferably 95 percent). No anthelmintic treatment will be 100 percent effective, which is why drug resistance is inevitable and a growing problem.

Fresh pasture
After being worked, the goats were given access to a fresh 2-acre paddock of pearl millet. This is both a clean pasture and a lush pasture. The goats will be allowed to removed half of the forage before being rotated to another paddock. This nutritious pasture should allow the goats to continue to gain weight. At the same time, overall pasture conditions have deteriorated due to the scarcity of rainfall. Hopefully, this situation will not continue and worsen.


Penned goat (from Kentucky)

Penned goats
The goats in the pen had similar data as the bucks in the pasture test. On average, the pastured goats have gained better, but this is probably because the penned goats gained more weight during the adjustment period.

In a pen feeding situation, dominant goats can also be more of a problem. Goats that are too submissive will not get their fair share of grain. Dominance is a bigger factor in a confined feeding system.

The goats were worked today by Jeff Semler, David Gordon, Mary Beth Bennett, Jeanne Dietz-Band, and Susan Schoenian. Data were recorded by Pam Thomas. The next work day is July 21.

Download July 7 report

First pooled fecal sample

2011-06-28T13:50:00.003-04:00

The first pooled fecal sample was collected on June 3-4 from random goats from each consigner. The pooled sample was sent via overnite mail to Dr. Ray Kaplan's lab at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine-Department of Infectious Diseases.

The pooled fecal egg count was 350 epg, less than the average fecal egg count from the individual goats (734 epg). The eggs were hatched so that the strongyle-type worms could be identified from the larvae.

A few of the bucks

Eighty-one percent (81) of the strongyle-type eggs in the pooled sample were Haemonchus contortus. Nineteen (19) percent of the eggs were Trichostrongylus.

The common name for Haemonchus contortus is the barber pole worm. In other countries, it is sometimes called the wire worm or large stomach worm. The barber pole worm is a blood-sucking parasite that causes anemia (blood and protein loss) and bottle jaw (edema). Left unchecked, it can quickly kill young goats.

The female barber pole worm is a prolific egg layer. 2,000 eggs per gram is considered clinically significant, though clinical parasitism may occur at lower levels, under certain circumstances and among certain animals.

Trichostrongylus spp. is in the same genus as the barber pole worm, but it is less deadly. Light infections may result in unthriftiness and dagginess (scours). High levels of infections can result in rapid weight loss, dehydration, and death.

Trichostrongylus is more often part of a mixed parasitic infection. The level at which egg counts are considered clinically significant may be less than 500 epg, as the worm is not nearly as prolific as its cousin, the barber pole worm.

Taking a rest

The pooled sample contained a moderate amount (3+) of coccidia oocytes. Tricuris (whipworm) eggs were also identified in the pooled sample. The goats were treated for coccidiosis during the first five days of the test. Their mineral mix contains a coccidiostat (Rumensin©).

Coccidia oocyte counts are of limited value. This is because not all coccidia are pathogenic or have the sample level of pathogenicity. In addition, a goat may become clinically parasitized before shedding any oocytes. Diagnosis of coccidiosis should be based primarily upon clinical signs and history.

Read article about coccidiosis

Goats maintain weight

2011-06-23T17:30:00.007-04:00

For the first 14 days of the test, the goats essentially maintained their weight. Weight gain (loss) ranged from -9 to +7 lbs. among the 80 goats and averaged +0.58 lbs. (1.3 kg). Average daily gain (ADG) was 0.04 lbs. per day (18.1 g/d).

The top-gaining goat for the period was a Savanna x Spanish buck consigned by Janet & Stephen Garrett (Virginia). It gained 7 lbs. or 0.54 lbs. per day. One of Mike and Lorie Renick's (West Virginia) Kiko bucks gained 5 lbs. or 0.38 lbs. per day.

Mike and Lorie Renick from West Virginia

FAMACHA© and dag scores improved considerably from two weeks ago. FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 3 and averaged 1.74, compared to 2.11 on June 10. No goats required anthelmintic treatment. This was expected as the goats were dewormed with two anthelmintics on June 10.

The improvement in FAMACHA© scores, especially in individual goats, would indicate that the double-deworming was effective. Fecal egg counts from today will quantify the effectiveness of the double-deworming.

Scours
Dag scores ranged from 0 to 4 and averaged 0.65, compared to 0.89 on June 10. Many of the goats with positive dag scores had dry feces, which indicates that they are over their scouring (diarrhea). There were only a few new cases of scouring.

Unless it has an infectious or parasitic cause, scours are usually self-limiting and will go away without treatment. They are most likely a result of stress and adaptation to a new diet. The consistency of the feces is also affected by the moisture in the forage.

Body condition scores improved slightly, especially among individual goats, while coat condition scores remained the same. Coat condition was difficult to assess due to the goats' wet coats. It rained before the goats were worked.

Good grazing conditions

Good grazing
Pasture conditions are good. After working, the goats were given access to two acres of cool season grasses, a mostly "clean" pasture that has not been grazed since last summer.

The pearl millet is coming up nicely. The chicory field was recently mowed and should have adequate moisture to re-grow. Last year, due to the drought, the two-acre chicory paddock was never able to rebound after being mowed prior to the start of the test, whereas the pearl millet provide several weeks of valuable grazing.

This year's test has additional two and a half acres of pasture available for grazing. The pasture consists of cool season grasses amongst tree plantings: walnut trees and mixed hardwoods. This will be the pasture of choice if/when the test experiences prolonged periods of extremely, hot humid weather.

Penned goats
The goats in the pen enjoy good comfort under a tree and in their well-ventilated shelter. However, they've depleted their pen of grass and probably long for some green vegetation. They have free access to hay and are fed grain (pellets) in the evening: as much as they'll eat in a 20-minute period.

A contrast of production systems: pen vs. pasture

The data collected on the penned goats was similar to the goats in the pasture test. Weight gain (loss) ranged from -5 to + 5 lbs. and averaged -0.4 lbs. (0.88 kg). Average daily gain was -0.03 lbs. per day (13.6 g/d). So far, the weights of the penned goats have varied widely. Weight gain seemed unrealistically high (+6 lbs.) during the six-day adjustment period, whereas the goats' failure to gain weight in the previous 13-day period is perplexing.

FAMACHA© and body condition scores were similar to the goats in the pasture test. The penned goats have had less problems with scouring. The goats are cleaner and more docile.

The goats will be worked next on July 7. In addition to the usual work, a pooled fecal sample will be collected. The test still awaits the results of the first fecal coproculture.

Download June 23 report

Incoming fecal egg counts

2011-06-20T14:47:00.003-04:00

Individual fecal samples were collected from each goat on June 10, the official starting date of the test. Unfortunately, it was not possible to collect samples from 11 goats, due to their liquid feces. The samples were sent via overnite mail to Delaware State University. Fecal egg counts were determined using a modified McMaster procedure.

For the goats on the pasture test, fecal egg counts (FECs) ranged from 0 to 5,675 eggs per gram of feces (EPG) and averaged 734 epg. This is similar to last year, when incoming fecal egg counts ranged from 0 to 7,000 and averaged 682 epg. For the goats in the pen, egg counts ranged from 0 to 1,200 epg and averaged 612 epg. For the pooled fecal sample that was collected on June 3-4, fecal egg count was determined to be 350 epg.

Fecal egg counts include eggs from strongyle-type worms: Haemonchus contortus (barber pole worm), Trichostrongyles spp., and Teladorsagia sp. It is not possible to differentiate the stronglye-type worms (except Nematodirus sp.) from the egg stage. The pooled sample also included some Tricuris (whipworm) eggs and a "moderate" amount of coccidia oocytes.

Kiko x Spanish

In the test, fecal egg counts are NOT used to make deworming decisions. They are used to determine genetic differences in parasite resistance among the bucks on test. Parasite resistance is a moderately heritable trait.

It is estimated that 20 percent of the animals in a herd are responsible for shedding 80 percent of the worm eggs onto pasture. The goal should be to eliminate the heavy egg shedders from the herd. It is very important to use bucks that are more resistant to internal parasites than the average goat.

Parasite resistance (FECs) and resilience (FAMACHA) are not the same traits, though they are often correlated. In other words, it is quite possible for a goat to have a low egg count, yet require deworming (based on clinical symptoms) and vice-versa. Consider a goat that is loaded with L4 immature worms, but not adult worms. L4s suck blood but do not lay eggs.

Download updated June 10 report with FEC data

Free choice minerals

2011-06-14T11:42:00.002-04:00

While on test, all of the goats, including those in the pen, will have free choice access to Sweetlix 16:8 Meat Maker® with Rumensin® via two mineral feeders in the central laneway of the pasture and one mineral feeder in the pen.

Guaranteed analysis:
Calcium (min) . . . 14.00%
Calcium (max) . . . 16.80%
Phosphorus (min) . . . 8.00%
Salt (min) . . . 10.00%
Salt (max) . . . 12.00%
Magnesium (min) . . . 1.50%
Potassium (min) . . . 1.50%
Iron (min) . . . 1.25%
Manganese (min) . . . 1.25%
Zinc (min) . . . 1.25%
Cobalt (min) . . . 240 ppm
Copper (min) . . . 1,750 ppm
Copper (max) . . . 1,810 ppm
Iodine (min) . . . 450 ppm
Selenium (min) . . . 50 ppm
Vitamin A (min) . . . 300,000 IU/lb
Vitamin D-3 (min) . . . 30,000 IU/lb.
Vitamin E (min) . . . 400 IU/lb.

Monensin sodium (Rumensin®) is included at a rate of 960 g/ton. Each pound of mineral contains 480 mg of the drug. Rumensin aids in the prevention of coccidiosis caused by Eimeria crandalis, Eimeria christenseni, and Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae.

Mineral feeder located in central laneway

The unit cost of the mineral was $20.95/25. lb. bag. The mineral was obtained from Animal Medic Inc., Manchester, PA. Last year, Sweetlix Livestock Supplements (North Carolina) provided minerals for half of the duration of the test. Their support was greatly appreciated.

Start of test

2011-06-13T22:00:00.009-04:00

The 2011 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test officially started on Friday, June 10. The goats were worked by Jeff Semler, Mary Beth Bennett, Jeanne Dietz-Band, and Susan Schoenian. Data were recorded by Pam Thomas.

The 80 test goats were weighed by Jeff Semler. Starting weights ranged from 28 to 70 lbs. and averaged 42.4 lbs. (19.3 kg). During the adjustment period the goats gained an average of 1.4 lbs. Weight gain/loss ranged from -4.0 to +6.0 lbs. During the adjustment period, the goats grazed in a 2-acre paddock of orchardgrass and MaxQ™ tall fescue.

Some of the goats tackling thistle.

FAMACHA© scores, body condition, coat condition, and dag scores were determined by Susan Schoenian. FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 5 and averaged 2.18, compared to 1.89 on June 3-4. Body condition scores ranged from 1.5 to 3.5 and averaged 2.17, compared to 2.11 on June 3-4. Coat condition scores ranged from 2 to 2.5 and averaged 2.1, unchanged from a week ago.

Daggy goats
The scores that showed the most dramatic change were dag scores. They ranged from 0 to 4 (scale = 0-5) and averaged 0.68, compared to almost zero (0.06) a week ago. Thirty-five goats (44 percent) showed some evidence of scouring. The higher dag scores are likely the result of stress and a new diet. As a precaution, those with the highest dag scores were treated with Spectinomycin (Scour-Halt).

All of the bucks, regardless of FAMACHA© scores, were dewormed (by Susan Schoenian) with moxidectin (Cydectin® sheep drench @ 2 ml/11 lbs.) and levamisole (Prohibit® sheep drench @ 3 ml/50 lbs.). The purpose of deworming the goats with anthelmintics from two different chemical families is to clear the worms out of their systems, so that the bucks start the test equally from the standpoint of internal parasite infection.

Drenching a goat

An individual fecal sample was collected from the rectum of each goat. Samples could not be collected from some goats, due to their mostly liquid feces. The samples have been sent to Dr. Dahlia O'Brien's lab at Delaware State University.

Individual fecal egg counts (FECs) will be determined using the Modified McMaster procedure. Fecal egg counts on June 23 will be used to measure the effectiveness of the double deworming and will be the first fecal counts to factor into the evaluation of each goat.

The pooled fecal sample collected on June 3-4 will be used to determine the types of internal parasites that were present at the time the goats arrived to the test site. This procedure, which hatches the worm eggs, takes several weeks. The next pooled sample will be collected on June 23. In previous years, the barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) has comprised the majority of worm infection (over 80 percent).

Hanging out in the shed (still needs roof).

Pen-fed goats
The starting weights of the goats for pen-feeding ranged from 38 to 61 lbs. and averaged 42.8 lbs. (19.5 kg). The goats in the pen will always have free access to grass hay. They will be fed grain once per day. The feeders will be removed after about 20 minutes. The eleven goats were slowly introduced to grain during the adjustment period.

Download June 10 report

80 bucks accepted for ’11 test

2011-06-09T21:54:00.013-04:00

Eighty bucklings of various breeds and breed crosses were delivered to the test site of the 2011 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test on June 1-4. It is the 6th year of the test and the most bucks ever put on test. An additional 11 bucks were brought for pen-feeding and carcass evaluation.

The goats were worked on June 3 and 4 by Susan Schoenian, Jeff Semler, David Gordon, Dr. Nelson Escobar, Dr. Dahlia O’Brien, Kevin Beaudoin and Kwame Matthews. After standing in a foot bath of zinc sulfate for at least 10 minutes, the goats were weighed, and FAMACHA©, body condition, coat condition, and dag scores were determined.

Weighing goats on June 4
Kevin Beaudoin (L) and Dr. Dahlia O'Brien (R)

Data
This year’s 80 test bucks ranged in weight from 29 to 69 lbs. and averaged 40.9 lbs. The 11 bucks for pen feeding ranged in weight from 31 to 51 lbs. and averaged 36.8 lbs. Starting weights for the test will be determined on June 10. The first six days serve as an adjustment period for the goats, many of whom were in transport for more than 10 hours.

FAMACHA© scores for the test goats ranged from 1 to 5 and averaged 1.89. FAMACHA© scores for the pen feeding goats ranged from 1 to 5 and averaged 1.86. Only goats having FAMACHA© scores of 3 or greater were dewormed with moxidectin (Cydectin© sheep drench @ 2 ml/11 lbs.).

The goats ranged in body condition from 1.5 to 3 and averaged 2.1. In goats, body condition is rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being emaciated, 3 being average, and 5 being fat. It is assessed by feeling the backbone, ribs, and loin of the goat. The individual body condition scores are not as important as the changes (in scores) from week to week. Loss of body condition can be an indication of worm infestation or other disease problems.

Coat condition scores ranged from 1.5 to 2.5 and averaged 2.1. A scale of 1 to 3 is used to assess coat condition. Dag scores averaged 0, as few goats showed any signs of scouring. A scale of 0 to 5 is used to assess scouring, with 0 meaning no evidence of scouring or fecal soiling. While scouring is very often an effect of diet, it can also be a sign of internal parasitism. The barber pole worm does not usually cause scouring, but other strongyle-type worms do.

Kiko buck from Kentucky

FAMACHA©, body condition, and dag scores are all subjective scores assessed to determine the need for individual deworming. Along with bottle jaw, they are part of South Africa’s Five Point Check©, a new decision-making tool for parasite control. Coat condition can also be an indication of the goat’s overall health and well-being and has been added to the Five Point Check©. To reduce the subjectivity of scores, scoring is almost always done by the same person.

Internal parasites
On June 3-4, a pooled fecal sample was collected from random goats from each consigner. The pooled sample has been sent to Dr. Ray Kaplan’s lab at the University of Georgia, where it will be analyzed to determine which kinds of internal parasites were present in the goats upon their arrival to the test site.

It is easy to differentiate the eggs of roundworms from eggs of tapeworms or coccidia oocytes, but not between the different species of roundworms (strongyle-type). The worm eggs must be hatched and the species are identified from their larvae. A fecal egg count will also be calculated from the pooled sample.

On June 10, the goats will be treated with anthelmintics from two different chemical classes: moxidectin (Cydectin ®sheep drench @ 2 ml/11 lbs.) and levamisole (Prohibit® sheep drench @ 3 ml/50 lbs.). In previous years, deworming with moxidectin and levamisole has reduced fecal egg counts by 95% or more.

However, last year’s treatments with moxidectin and albendazole (Valbazen®) only reduced incoming fecal egg counts by 35 percent. This resulted in some early parasite problems, including the loss of one parasitized goat that failed to respond to treatment with anthelmintics from all three anthelmintic classes.

Savanna cross buck from Virginia

It is assumed that the test goats have varying degrees of resistance to the various anthelmintics. At same point, it may be necessary to treat the incoming goats with three anthelmintics. Fecal egg counts on June 23 will provide a measure of the effectiveness of the June 10 dual treatment.

Parasite challenge
In order to compare the goats for parasite resistance and resilience, it is essential that the goats start the test equally (relatively parasite-free). In past tests, the goats were dewormed upon their arrival. This year, only the goats requiring treatment were dewormed.

This has allowed the goats to contaminate one of the 2-acre paddocks with worm larvae during the adjustment period. In fact, this cool season grass paddock will be managed to provide a continuous source of parasite infection.

In order to compare the parasite resistance and resilience of the goats, there must be a sufficient disease challenge. Last year’s extreme heat and drought conditions did not allow for a good comparison. Most of the goats never had high egg counts or required treatment with an anthelmintic. Hopefully, this year’s test will receive enough moisture to allow the parasites to thrive and challenge the goats.

Boer bucks from Maryland

Pasture
Many of the paddocks were mowed a week or two before the goats were delivered to the test site. Rainfall was plentiful this spring, so there should be adequate moisture for re-growth. Dwarf pearl millet, a warm season annual, has been planted in a two acre paddock.

There is also a two acre paddock of chicory that will probably be renovated after this year’s test, due to high levels of thistle. One acre of pasture was left unmanaged, as the goats often favor uncultivated plant species. The balance of the pasture is cool season grasses: orchardgrass and MaxQ™ tall fescue.

This year, the test will include an additional 2.5 acres of grazing land. The sixth paddock contains walnut trees and a younger stand of mixed hardwoods. The forages in this wooded pasture are cool season grasses.

Pen feeding
The pen-fed goats will be slowly introduced to a grain diet. They will always have access to hay. It shouldn’t take long for them to graze down the grass in their pen. The goats on-feed will be worked on the same schedule as the pasture test goats. The same data will be collected, though the pen feeding isn’t meant to provide a comparison of performance between the two feeding and management systems.

Pen for feeding goats

The purpose of pen feeding is to create a contemporary set of goats whose carcasses can be fairly compared. The goal is to compare the carcass yield and meat quality of goats fed grain (and hay) vs. those consuming a pasture-only diet. The pasture test goats will not be fed anything additional unless drought conditions necessitate the feeding of nutritional tubs and/or dry hay.

Special thanks
Special thanks is extended to everyone who helped work the goats on June 3 and 4; to those consigners who provided extra goats for pen feeding and carcass evaluation; and to Jeff Semler and Dave Wyand for building the pen and shelter for pen feeding.

Download June 4 report

78 goats nominated

2011-05-19T11:19:00.002-04:00

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

2011-05-10T12:03:00.002-04:00

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.

Nomination update

2011-04-29T13:27:00.001-04:00

So far, nine producers from seven states have consigned 32 bucklings to the 2011 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test. Those who consign five goats are being asked to provide an additional goat (at no cost) for pen feeding and carcass evaluation.

Delaware [1 consigner - 5 goats]
Illinois [1 consigner - 5 goats]
Maryland [2 consigners - 6 goats]
New Jersey [1 consigner - 5 goats
Pennsylvania [2 consigners - 4 goats]
Tennessee [1 consigner - 5 goats]
Vermont [1 consigner - 2 goats]

So far, there are three new consigners. For the first time, nominations have been received from New Jersey and Vermont. Most of the goats consigned are Kiko. Additional nominations are expected to include some Spanish and high percentage Boer bucks. Breed diversity is being sought for this year's test and sale.

Boer x Kiko - 1
Percentage Kiko - 4
Purebred Kiko - 15
Kiko - 7
Myotonic - 5

The nomination deadline is May 15. It is not necessary to identify specific goats until they are delivered to the test site. Goats should be delivered to the test site on June 3 or 4. Early delivery of goats to the test site is possible, if the proposed delivery dates create conflicts.

16 nominations received

2011-04-14T14:35:00.000-04:00

So far, 16 goats have been nominated to the 2011 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test.

Nominations have been received from four producers in Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. Eleven Kiko and Kiko cross goats have been nominated, along with five Myotonic.

The nomination period closes on May 15. All nominations received by the deadline will be treated the same. If nominations exceed the capacity of the test, preference will be given to Maryland residents and previous consigners. Breed diversity will also be sought.

When submitting nominations, it is not necessary to identify the specific goats for the test, only the number that will be consigned.

All of the documents pertinent to this year's test can be downloaded from the right hand side of this blog. -->

Nomination period opens April 1

2011-03-29T14:50:00.000-04:00

The nomination period for the 2011 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test opens on Friday, April 1 and closes on May 15. All nominations received by May 15 will be treated the same.

It is not necessary to identify individual goats on the nomination form. Just indicate the number of goats that you plan to consign. There is a $20 per goat nomination fee. A balance of $65 per goat will be due upon delivery to the test site.

Goats must be delivered to the test site on Friday or Saturday, June 3 or 4. Special arrangements can be made for those who need to deliver their goats before June 3. No goats can be brought to the test site after June 4.

If nominations exceed test capacity, preference will be given to Maryland residents and previous consigners.

Test guidelines and protocol
Nomination form

Nominations to 2011 test

2011-02-22T11:15:00.002-05:00

Nomination packets for the 2011 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test will be mailed to previous consigners. The packets will be sent out in mid-March. The nomination period opens on April 1 and ends on May 15. There is a $20 nomination fee per goat.

Up to 80 goats will be accepted for the 2011 test. All nominations received during the nomination period will be treated the same. If more than 80 goats are nominated, preference will be given to previous consigners and Maryland residents.

If you are not a previous consigner, but would like to receive a nomination package, please request a packet from Pam Thomas at (301) 432-2767 x314 or pthomas@umd.edu.

Nomination forms for the 2011 test, as well as other pertinent documents can now be downloaded from this blog: Forms and Info section (right hand column). ==>

Please contact Susan at sschoen@umd.edu or (301) 432-2767 x343 if you have any questions about this year's test.

ARS research scientist to speak at field day

2011-02-21T12:41:00.000-05:00

Dr. Ken Turner, a Research Animal Scientist at the Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center in Beaver, West Virginia, will be the featured speaker at the 2011 Western Maryland Field Day & Sale to be held Saturday, September 24, at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center near Boonsboro, MD.

Dr. Turner's research emphasis is on low-input, foraged based livestock production, especially for meat goat kids, growing lambs, and pasture-finished beef. Dr. Turner has been at the ARS research station in West Virginia since 1992. He became its Acting Research Leader in April 2010.

2011 field day and sale to be held Sept. 24

2011-01-18T15:49:00.003-05:00

The conflict at the local county fairgrounds has been resolved. The annual goat field day, sale, and skillathon will be held Saturday, September 24, 2011, at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center (fairgrounds) near Boonsboro, Maryland.

Goats will be delivered to the test site on Friday and Saturday, June 4 and 5. After a (shortened) five day adjustment period, the first weights will be recorded on June 9.

An earlier day for the field day and sale will resolve some other potential scheduling conflicts, enable the sale of the bucks one week earlier, and reduce the potential effect of the rutt (on gain) by one week.

Goat test featured in newsletter

2010-12-16T11:57:00.001-05:00

The Winter 2010 issue of Wild & Woolly has been posted to the Maryland Small Ruminant Page. The quarterly Maryland Sheep & Goat Newsletter always features articles about the Meat Goat Test.

Contact Susan at sschoen@umd.edu if you'd like to have your e-mail address added to the newsletter e-mail suscriber's list so that you'll receive an e-mail message when a new issue of the newsletter has been posted to the web.

Winter 2010 Wild & Woolly (HTML)
Winter 2010 Wild & Woolly (PDF)
Previous issues of newsletter

Possible conflict with 2011 schedule

2010-12-14T11:47:00.001-05:00

The Washington County Agricultural Education Center has another event scheduled for Saturday, September 24, 2011, the preferred and previously announced date for the 2011 Goat Field Day, Sale, and Skillathon. If the conflict cannot be resolved, we will need to move our event to Saturday October 1, 2011.

For now, please keep both dates on your calendar. We will let you know when this conflict is resolved and what the date of our event will be.

Schedule for 2011 test

2010-11-05T10:04:00.014-04:00

The schedule for the 2011 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test has been established. The goats must be delivered to the test site on June 3 or 4. There will be a five day adjustment period. Starting weights will be determined on June 9.

Bucks from 2010 test upon delivery

Thereafter, the goats will be worked every two weeks to determine weights, FAMACHA©, body condition, coat condition, and dag scores. Individual fecal samples will be collected bi-weekly. Pooled fecal samples will be collected every 4 weeks.

The test will last for 100 days. It will end on September 15. The goats will be scanned towards the end of the test. They will be evaluated for reproductive soundness and structural correctness.

The field day, sale, and skillathon will be held on Saturday, September 24 (a week earlier than previous years).

Tentative schedule
June 4 or 5 - goats delivered to test site
June 9 - first work day
June 23 - work day
July 7 - work day
July 21 - work day
August 4- work day
August 18 - work day
September 1 - work day (scan goats and collect additional data)
September 15 - final work day
September 24 - sale, field day, and skillathon

The carcass evaluation will be done the week after the sale. Plans are underway to feed a separate group of goats (half or full-sibs to the bucks on test) in order to compare carcasses from grass-fed and grain fed goats.

The requirements are the same as previous years. Male goats, of any breed or breed cross, must be born between December 15, 2010 and March 20, 2011. They must weigh between 35 and 70 lbs. upon delivery to the test site on June 3 or 4. The average delivery weight of the bucks in 2010 was 44.1 lbs.

Since the goats have been gaining weight during the previous adjustment periods, it was decided to shorten the adjustment period to 5 days, so the test could be ended a week earlier and the sale held a week earlier.

Questions pertaining to the 2010 test should be directed to Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu or a member of the test committee.

It really was dry

2010-10-28T14:21:00.013-04:00

The ten goat carcasses were a further reminder of how dry this year's test was. I'd never seen such lean carcasses. On the other hand, the carcasses looked really good and yielded the same as last year.

The 2010 test site did not receive any meaningful rainfall during the entire test period, from June 4 until September 23. The week after the test was over (and before the sale on October 2), the test site receive 4.77 inches of rainfall. I got drenched to the bone the day I loaded two goats for slaughter for the field day.

Click on graph to view it larger in a new window

For the first four years of the test, rainfall averaged 15.4 inches, about 3 to 4 inches per month, though there were some dry months. In 2010, rainfall was only 5.11 inches. In addition, most of the downpours were short-lived and hard, doing little good for the pasture. Coupled with the record heat, this made for poor quality forage and stressful conditions for the goats.

While I don't ever want to see another year like this, this year's test showed what goats are truly capable of. They are amazing animals. The goats that came off the test healthy and vigorous proved their worth and genetic value. It amazed me they could gain anything off this year's paltry pasture.

Similarly aged bucks that are bigger and fleshier than the bucks from this year's test aren't better. They've just been fed more. Be sure to know the difference between environment and genetics. What do you think these bucks would look like (and weigh) if they spent 100 days in the 2010 Western Maryland Drought-Ravaged Meat Goat Performance Test?

Goat test featured in Lancaster Farming

2010-10-12T15:13:00.003-04:00

Lancaster Farming did a feature article on the recent Western Maryland Goat Field Day & Sale, which it billed as "an interactive day about meat goats from hoof to plate."

Dr. Paul Kuber

While youth participated in a skillathon and top bucks from the meat goat test went on the silent auction block, Dr. Paul Kuber, a research animal scientist from Ohio State University showed participants how to process a goat carcass and prepare dishes featuring chevon.

Kuber told producers they should eat their own product before marketing meat to consumers. He said that marketing goat meat and processing goats into cuts is all new territory. While some ethnic groups prefer their goat meat processed into chunks with no concern for different cuts, traditional markets may be the next step for the goat industry, according to Kuber.

Lancaster Farming is the leading Northeast and Mid-Atlantic farm newspaper. It has 56,000 paid subscribers in Pennsylvania and fifteen other states.

Source: "Field Day Puts Focus on Meat Goats," by Laurie Savage, Maryland correspondent, Lancaster Farming, October 9, 2010.

Page 1 of article
Page 2 of article

2010 carcass evaluation

2010-10-11T11:15:00.006-04:00

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, ten bucks from ten different consignors were selected for harvest and deboning.

The bucks were transported from the test site on October 7 to LambCo LLC, where they were humanely harvested on the same day. LambCo, LLC is a USDA/custom abattoir in New Windsor, Maryland.

The ten carcasses from this year's evaluation.

Carcass yields were similar to last year (25.3 percent average). Dressing percentages (hot carcass weights/live weights) were higher (48.1 percent average), but this was because the organs (heart, liver, and testicles) had been left in the carcasses.

If the organs had been removed (as is common) before carcass weights were determined, the percentages of fat, bone, and lean would be higher for this year's goats.

Warren and Liz Barnes from Summersville, Missouri, had the buck with the best carcass. Their 72-lb. Kiko buck (#16) had a lean meat yield of 30.9 percent, 5.3 percent above the group average. It had the biggest rib eye at 1.8 square inches. The group average was 1.0 square inches. Its dressing percentage was 52.9 percent.

The carcass evaluation was done by Jeff Semler, David Gordon, and Susan Schoenian.

Download 2010 carcass data in table format
Read full article about 2010 carcass evaluation

Top buck brings $1400

2010-10-06T10:05:00.007-04:00

The top-performing buck of the 2010 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test brought $1,400 at the recent sale on October 2. The buyer was Troy Probst from Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.

The Purebred Kiko buck was consigned by Craig Adams from Litchfield, Illinois. Craig had three bucks in the top 11. For this year's test, Craig had both the top-performing buck and the top consignment of bucks. Adams also had the top-performing buck and top consignment in the 2009 test.

TOP-PERFORMING AND SELLING BUCK
Troy Probst (L) - buyer
Craig Adams (R, with his children) - consignor

Adams' #2 buck excelled in almost every category. Besides having the highest rate-of-gain (almost twice as much as the test average), the buck had the largest rib eye (according to ultrasound) of any buck in the test. Two other bucks had the same size rib eye, but these bucks were at least 20 lbs. heavier than the Adams' buck.

#2 never required deworming (or any other treatment) while on test. His FAMACHA© score was 1 every time it was evaluated. The #2 buck had an average fecal egg count of 243 eggs per gram. When you consider the difficult conditions in this year's test, the performance of the #2 buck is truly outstanding.

The purpose of the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test is to measure the post-weaning performance of bucklings managed in a pasture environment with no supplemental feed. While this year's extreme drought necessitated the feeding of hay, the goats often refused to eat the hay, instead relying on the drought-ravaged pastures.

Five year consignors

2010-10-03T17:53:00.005-04:00

At the 3rd Annual Western Maryland Goat Field Day & Sale, held October 2, two consignors were awarded plaques for having consigned bucks to the test during each of the first five years of the test (2006-2010).

Jeanne Dietz-Band (Many Rocks Farm) from Keedysville, Maryland, was awarded a plaque. Jeanne has consigned five bucks to each of the five performance tests. She had the top-performing buck in 2006.

Don Smith from Charlottesville, Virginia was also awarded a plaque. Don has consigned five bucks to each of the five performance tests. He had the top-performing buck in 2007.

FIVE YEAR CONSIGNORS TO GOAT TEST
Don Smith (L) and Jeanne Dietz-Band
image by Jeff Semler

The Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test would not be possible without the support of consignors such as Jeanne and Don. Congratulations to both of them.

Top consignments

2010-09-28T21:00:00.005-04:00

An award is given out to the top consignment of goats. Those who consign 3 or more goats are eligible. The winner of this year's top consignment is Craig Adams (IL). His top three bucks gained an average of 0.217 lbs. per day.

When the data is compared for the top consignment of five goats (there is no award), Adams' consignment still has the highest average daily gain at 0.188 lbs. per day.

Noteworthy is the Burke consignment because none of his goats required deworming, while all having ADG ratios above 100. All of Wes Pinneo's bucks also had ADG ratios above 100. All four of John Smith's bucks had ADG ratios above 100.

Congratulations to all of our top consignors!

Click on table to view larger version in another window.

Download buck sale catalog

2010-09-28T19:48:00.000-04:00

A catalog of the sale bucks can be downloaded as a PDF file (1.8 mb) at .../GoatTest/2010/buckcatalog.pdf. The catalog contains images and data from the 11 bucks that qualified for the sale.

Printed copies of the buck catalog and doe listings will be available this Saturday, the day of the silent auction.

Buck catalog
Doe listings

Best of 2010

2010-09-27T21:25:00.010-04:00


GOLD buck Top-performing buck Highest rate-of-gain (ratio of 198) Most parasite resilient (tied) Largest rib eye (tied) #2 - consigned by Craig Adams (IL)


Most surprising performance (Myotonic) ADG ratio of 148 #49 - consigned by Kent Ozkum (MD)

Most parasite resistant (lowest avg. FEC)
2nd highest rate-of-gain (tied, ratio of 181)
#4 - Consigned by Craig Adams (IL)

Largest rib eye (tied)
#55 - consigned by Mike Renick (WV)

Most improved (Edward)
#1 - consigned by Craig Adams (IL)

Strongest libido
Largest scrotum (tied)
#18 - consigned by Merritt Burke (DE)


Heaviest buck Largest rib eye (tied) Friendliest (Hemingway) #40 - consigned by Sherrie Losch

Best consignment of five bucks
#'s 50-54 - Wes Pinneo (KS)

Five year consignor
Top-performing buck in 2006 test
Jeanne Dietz-Band (MD)

Five year consignor
Top-performing buck in 2007 test
Don Smith (VA)


Best consignment (top 3 bucks) #'s 2, 4, and 5 - Craig Adams (IL)

GOLD buck
#51 - consigned by Wes Pinneo (KS)

Most photogenic (Savanna)
ADG ratio of 148
#69 - consigned by Tim & Teresa Swaine

2nd highest rate-of-gain (tied, ratio of 181)
#63 consigned by John Smith (VA)


Cutest (Gizmo) - pictured with David Gordon Avg. FEC: 171 epg #48 consigned by Kent Ozkum (MD)

Test summary

2010-09-26T20:41:00.017-04:00

Since June 4-5, a considerable amount of data has been collected on each buck. Body weights, FAMACHA©, body condition, coat condition, and dag scores were determined every two weeks. Individual fecal samples were collected every two weeks.

Pooled fecal samples were collected every four weeks. On September 9, the bucks were scanned to determine carcass characteristics. They were evaluated for reproductive soundness and structural correctness. Data collection was made as consistent as possible.

Body weights and ADG
On June 4-5, the 72 goats that started the test ranged in weight from 31 to 75 lbs. (14.1 to 34.0 kg) and averaged 44.1 lbs. (20 kg). After a 12-day adjustment period in which the goats gained an average of 1.7 lbs (or 0.142 lbs. per day), the goats were reweighed to determine starting weights.

On June 17, starting weights ranged from 32 to 74 lbs. (14.5 to 33.6 kg) and averaged 44.4 lbs. (20.2 kg). For the 100-day duration of the test, the 67 goats that finished the test gained from -1 to 24 lbs. (-0.5 to 10.9 kg) and averaged 12.1 lbs. (5.5 kg). On September 23, ending weights ranged from 31 to 81 lbs. (14.1 to 36.8 kg) and averaged 58.2 lbs. (26.5 kg)

ADG ranged from -0.01 to 0.24 lbs. (4.5 to 109 g) per day and averaged 0.121 lbs. (55 g) per day. The goats gained the most weight during the first weight period, from June 17 until July 1, when the forage was the most abundant and temperatures were still below 95ºF. They gained 0.315 lbs. (143.2 g) per day during this period.

The second highest rate of gain was during the sixth weigh period (August 25-September 9) when the goats gained nearly as much at 0.313 lbs. (142.3 g) per day. Much of this was compensatory gain, as the goats were given access to a "fresh" pasture and they began eating some hay. Previously, they refused to eat supplemental hay. They never consumed anything from the three protein tubs.

The only weigh period in which the goats lost weight was the 5th period (August 12-25) when the goats lost an average of 0.083 lbs. (37.7 g) per day. In fact, during the month of August, the goats had practically no forage to eat. As mentioned in previous blog entries, the goats did incredibly well this year when you consider the extreme drought and record high temperatures. Other species of livestock would not have fared nearly as well.

Usually, the goats lose weight during the last two week period, due to the rut. This is especially true with the bigger, more mature and dominant bucks. Last year, the bucks lost an average of 0.221 lbs. (100.5 g) per day. This year, (on-average) they maintained their weight. A way to reduce the effect of the rut would be to move the test several weeks early. Start two weeks earlier; end two weeks earlier.

Download ADG report

Download ADG rankings

Fecal egg counts
Individual fecal samples were sent via overnight mail to Dr. Dahlia O'Brien's lab at Delaware State University. Individual fecal egg counts were determined using the Modified McMaster Technique. A two-chambered McMaster slide reduces the variation in the data.

At the start of the test, all of the goats are dewormed with anthelmintics from two different drug families. This year, moxidectin (Cydectin® injectable) was administered (as an injection) at the cattle dose. Because levamisole was not available, the other anthelmintic administered was albendazole. The Valbazen® sheep drench was administered orally at 2x the sheep dose.

The purpose of giving two dewormers at the start of the test (independent of the need for deworming) is to make sure all of the goats start the test equally and (relatively) free from parasite infection. Unfortunately, this year's double-dosing only reduced egg counts by 28 percent. In year's past, the initial dewormings (which always included levamisole) reduced egg counts by more than 95 percent.

While some high fecal egg counts were observed during the test, egg counts were low throughout most of the testing period, averaging less than 500 epg from July 15 until the end of the test. The pathogenic burden of the barber pole worm is 2,000 epg. In the test, the (Gold) performance standard for average fecal egg count is < 500 epg.

Most of the high egg counts were likely due to pre-existing worm infections and possible anthelmintic failure. Only one of the top-gaining goats failed to meet the performance standards for parasite resistance (fecal egg counts).

Pooled samples
Pooled samples were sent via overnight mail to Dr. Ray Kaplan's lab at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. With the exception of Nematodirus, all strongyle (roundworm) eggs look the same when observed under a microscope. As a result, the eggs must be hatched to identify the type of worm (from the larvae). Fecal coproculture showed the worm burden to be 100 percent barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus).

The only fecal coproculture that showed a significant amount of other worm species was the sample collected on June 5. This made sense as the goats arrived from many different farms and states. The June 5 sample was composed of 80% Haemonchus, 15% Trichostrongylus, and 5% Nematodirus.

Coccidia oocysts were frequently observed in the fecal samples (individual and pooled), but this was of no real significance, as the goats were treated for coccidiosis upon arrival and their minerals contained a coccidiostat. Clinical coccidiosis was not observed in any of the goats. Higher dag scores were attributed primarily to dietary causes.

Tapeworm eggs were sometimes noted in the fecal samples. At the beginning of the test, tapeworm segments were seen in some feces. Except in extreme cases, tapeworms are not considered to be pathogenic in small ruminants. Immunity is developed relative early in life.

Download fecal egg count report

Download FEC rankings

FAMACHA© scores
Because the worm load was (almost) all barber pole worm, the FAMACHA© system was especially effective for monitoring and controlling internal parasites in the 2010 test. Body condition, coat condition, and dag scores were also determined to support the decision-making process. When fecal egg count data (from two weeks prior) was available, it was also factored into deworming decisions.

Goats with FAMACHA© scores of 4 and 5 are always dewormed in the test. Goats with FAMACHA© scores of 1, 2 or 3 are usually not. However, this year, because of the possible anthelmintic failure, goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3 were also dewormed during the early part of the test Once levamisole was obtained for the test, goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3 were no longer dewormed. The test data showed that levamsiole was clearly the most effective anthelmintic in this year's test, among this year's goats.

While some few goats struggled with Haemonchus at the beginning of the test, few goats required deworming during the test period. The twenty treatments that were administered on July 1 and July 15 were mostly cautionary, given to goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3. Two-thirds of the goats (n=42) did not require deworming during the test. Only one of the top-gaining goats failed to meet the standards for parasite resilience (FAMACHA© scores and number of anthelmintic treatments).

This year's extreme weather conditions were not conducive to the development of the barber pole worm and similar worm parasites. While high temperatures lead to faster development of worm larvae, without rainfall, such temperatures are inadequate for successful development. On the other hand, the close grazing caused by the extreme drought, could cause some goats to ingest some infective worm larvae.

Carcass evaluation
At least ten goats from the test will be harvested to collect actual carcass data. The challenge to carcass evaluation is finding buyers for the meat. According to last year's carcass data, a goat will yield approximately 25 percent of its live weight in boneless, fat-free meat. Last year, yield ranged from 21.5 to 30.7 percent. Yield is higher when the carcass is processed for (bone-in) retail cuts.

Purpose
The purpose of the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Performance Test is to evaluate the performance of meat goats consuming a pasture-only diet with natural exposure to internal parasites, primarily the barber pole worm. Because all of the goats are being raised in the same environment, the differences observed in a central performance test can be attributed mostly to genetic differences.

You cannot compare goats from this year's test to goats in last year's test (or any other year). Every year of the test is different. Different environmental conditions occur each year. The goats are different, as is the dynamic of the herd. You cannot compare the goats in this test to the goats in another test or on a farm. The only way to compare goats from one farm to another is to put them in a performance test (like this one) or submit data for EPDs (expected progeny differences) via NSIP/LP.

The data collected in the test should help producers make selection and buying decisions. That is the purpose of performance testing. Questions about the data (and test) should be directed to Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu or any member of the Goat Test Team. Team members are listed in the right hand column of this blog.

Next year
Another test will be conducted in 2011. During the next several months, consignors (and others) will be solicited for their input regarding next year's test. The test is open to male goats of any breed, 3 to 5 months of age, weighing between 35 and 70 lbs.