Preliminary information on 2009 test

The 2009 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Test will be conducted from Saturday, June 6 through Saturday, October 3 at the University of Maryland's Western Maryland Research & Education Center in Keedysville, Maryland.

Goats must be delivered to the test site on Saturday, June 6. With prior approval, it is possible to deliver goats to the test site before June 6, but not after. For growth rate determination, there will be a 13-day adjustment period.

There will be a Performance-Tested Buck and Invitational Doe Sale and Field Day on Saturday, October 3 at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center near Boonsboro, MD (an adjacent property). The only bucks eligible to sell will be those meeting minimum (gold, silver, and bronze) standards for growth rate, parasite resistance (fecal egg counts) and parasite resilience (FAMACHA© scores and anthelmintic treatments). Consigners to the test will be eligible to consign does to the sale.

The test is open to goat breeders in any state. A breeder may consign up to five goats. Preference will be to previous consigners and Maryland residents. Male goats of any breed or breed cross, with or without registration papers, are eligible for the test. Goats must be born between December 15, 2008 and March 20, 2009 and weigh between 35 and 70 lbs. at the start of the test.