An additional ten bucks has been chosen for the sale this Saturday. Though these bucks did not meet all the performance standards for gold, silver, or bronze level performance, they were selected on the same criteria as the top ten bucks: average daily gain (ADG), parasite resistance (FEC), and parasite resilience (FAMACHA© scores and number of anthelmintic treatments).
Fecal egg count data was further analyzed by removing the high fecal egg count and recalculating the data. Goats which had only one high egg count were favored over those who multiple high egg counts and higher overall egg counts.
It's important to note that growth rate is not the only important criteria when choosing herd sires. If a buck has high egg counts, he may pass this trait (poor resistance) onto his offspring. If he requires frequent deworming, he may pass this trait (poor resilience) onto his offspring. If his FAMACHA© scores exceeded 3 at any time, he might have died in situations where the goats are not monitored frequently for parasites.
The sale starts at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 4 at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center near Boonsboro, MD. The top 10 bucks will be sold (in random order) first, followed by the additional ten bucks. The does (n=41) will be sold after the bucks.
Download list of all sale bucks
About
The Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test is sponsored by University of Maryland Extension and is conducted at the Western Maryland Research & Education Center in Keedysville, Maryland. While on test, the goats consume a pasture-based diet and are evaluated for growth, parasite resistance, and parasite resilience.
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The Test follows the recommendations of the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (ACSRPC).
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JEFF SEMLER
DAVID GORDON
MARY BETH BENNETT
PAM THOMAS
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Dr. E. Nelson Escobar
Dr. Dahlia O'Brien
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"A central performance test is where animals from different herds are brought to one central location where performance is recorded. The rationale is that observed differences are more likely due to genetic differences, which will be passed onto offspring, rather than environmental differences, which will not be passed onto offspring. The goal of a central performance test is to identify genetic differences among animals."
Dr. Dan Waldron, Texas A&M University