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Picking The Next Champion

The show goat (wether and market doe) is a great project for youth and families as many are discovering that meat goats are a great project and requires a smaller amount of money to begin relative to the other general livestock species. But which show goat do you select as this year’s project?  

As with any purchase, it is “buyer beware” and often people are spending TOO much money for poor quality meat goats or expect quality show goats for the price per pound as goats going to the market. Most breeders when selling private treaty(as in going to the farm buying the show goat) will price the what they consider the top half of their show goats at one price then the price decreases as the quality of the decreases. Auctions on the other hand are driven upon demand. If two individuals want the prospect kid bad enough, who knows how high the price will go.

Prices normally range from $200 to $800. However, every year there a few good wethers or market does in this region that may warrant even over $1000. Show goats from a breeder that has had success selling high placing goats will cost more, but there is a better chance of getting a quality kid that has had a better start. (continue on page 5)

The Circuit  

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Always remember that, in most cases, regardless of the price of the prospect show goat, come July, August or September, you will most likely get the market price for the market goat. BEFORE YOU BUY The very first thing you will need to determine which shows you want to attend. You will need to understand the specific rules governing the show goat exhibition. Look for the birth date for eligible show goats, weight limits, date of ownership, rules concerning disbudding and the entry deadline. Finally make sure the rules are the most current.

What a lot of people seem to forget is the show dates. The show date is extremely important because it will help you to determine the age and size or weight for selecting your prospect show goat. Most market goat shows have weight limit requirements that must be met. Under normal conditions, market goats will gain approximately 2 to 3 pounds per week. If you know the approximate weight of the show goat at the time of purchase and the length of time until the show, you can calculate feed requirements (light, moderate or heavy) needed to enable that show goat.

Next Champion…  

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FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN SELECTING YOUR SHOW GOAT PROSPECT

Consider the following when selecting a prospect show goat: structural correctness, muscle, volume and capacity, style and balance, and growth potential.

STRUCTURAL CORRECTNESS

Structural correctness refers to the skeletal system or bone structure of an animal. This is the most important factor and often overlooked. The other factors that follow rest on the foundation of good or bad structural correctness. A show goat should hold its head up and erect and the neck should extend out of the top of the shoulders. The show goat should travel (how it walks) and stand wide and straight on both front and rear legs, and the legs should be placed squarely under the body. Look for a show goat with a strong level top (wide at the shoulders through the hooks, and a long rump with a slight slope from hooks to pins. Your show goat should be heavy boned and be strong on its pasterns. Goat kids with sharp narrow shoulders, weak-topped, weak-pastern or steep-rump should be avoided regardless of the cost or who is the breeder.

MUSCLE

As a rule, a show goat that walks and stands naturally wide is going to be heavier muscled. The prospect show goat should have a deep, heavily muscled leg and rump. When viewed from behind, the widest part of the leg should be the stifle area. The prospect show goat should have a broad, thick back and loin that is naturally firm and hard handling. A good prospect show goat should be wide at its chest floor, with bold shoulders (continue on page 10)

www.minnesotayouthshowgoatcircuit.org  

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Jeff and Jennifer Therring Hayfield, MN 55940 (507)365-8998

crazytgoats.weebly.com crazyt@kmtel.com

 

www.pitlickboergoats.webs.com  

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and muscular forearms. Bulging muscle in the forearm is a good indicator of growth potential. The chest and forearm are the best indicators of muscling in thin prospects.

VOLUME and CAPACITY

Here is where you compare the body length to the body depth and the body width of the prospect. A quality prospect show goat should be long bodied, with adequate depth and spring of rib. Avoid selecting a prospect show goat that is short bodied, shallow bodied, narrow based and flat ribbed.

STYLE and BALANCE

Style and balance refer to the way all body parts of the prospect show goat blend together; how the neck blends into the shoulder, the shoulder into the

rib cage, the rib cage into the loin, the loin into the rump, and how the eye-appealing of the prospect show goat. When viewed from the side, a prospect show goat should be smooth shouldered, level topped, trim middle and straight legs. A prospect show goat that is balanced, pretty and holds up its head is the first one you notice when you walk in the pen.

GROWTH POTENTIAL

The ability of an animal to grow rapidly is very important. Generally, a larger framed goat that shows a long neck and body, thick cannon bones, and set wide between the eyes, will grow faster, be larger and be more competitive in the show ring. (continue on page 13)

Next Champion…  

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We are excited about Minnesota's first youth show goat circuit! The purpose of this circuit is to promote an environment to allow young meat goat exhibitors to participate in a competitive yet ethical show series in order to develop their showmanship and meat goat management skills while earning points by their show ring performance. Find us on Facebook and at www.minnesotayouthshowgoatscircuit.org.  

Find us on Facebook at country river farm boer goats

and www.countryriverfarm.com  

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FINAL THOUGHTS

When purchasing a prospect show goat, it is important to know some information about the breeder. Do not hesitate to ask questions about the goats bloodline, age, vaccinations it has received, when are the vaccination boosters due, what type of feed they feeding, any illnesses the prospect has had since birth.

The selection of a prospect show goat will have a major influence on the project’s results. Remember that a champion show goat is a combination of good selection, good nutritional management, proper grooming and outstanding showmanship. People differ in their ability to select animals. Some have a natural eye for selecting young animals of high caliber, while others never develop this ability. Do not hesitate to ask for help from someone with these skills. Many reputable breeders are also willing to assist you in your selection. Good luck and we’ll see you in the show ring!

Trickman Boer Goats sell breeding and show stock does, bucks and wethers from the farm. We are always are available to talk about Boer Goats and welcome farm visits. Scheduling an appointment to come to the farm to check 'em out!

Call or TEXT or E-mail us! Rick's Cell: 641-521-3232 Cathy's Cell: 641-521-4260 rcvanwyhe@iowatelecom.net or trickmanboergoats@gmail.com.

www.trickmanboergoats.com

Next Champion…