Breeding and genetics abstracts
Developing a meat goat performance testing program in Maryland
S. Schoenian
J. Semler
J. Deitz-Band
D. Gordon
W. Lantz
D.J. O'Brien
To assist meat goat producers in identifying genetically superior bucks and developing more profitable meat goat enterprises, a pasture-based meat goat performance testing program was initiated at the University of Maryland’s Western Maryland Research & Education Center in 2006. The purpose of the annual test is to evaluate the genetic differences in meat goats consuming a pasture-only diet with natural exposure to gastro-intestinal parasites. While on test, the goats are evaluated for growth, parasite resistance, and parasite resilience. They are handled bi-weekly for data collection. Ultrasound carcass measurements are taken towards the end of the test. In 2009, the first goats were harvested to collect actual carcass data. In 2008, the program was expanded to include a field day and sale. Bucks meeting gold, silver, and bronze standards of performance and minimum standards for reproductive soundness and structural correctness were eligible to sell. In 2009, a youth skillathon was added to the event to expose 4-H youth to the commercial side of the meat goat industry. Since 2006, 195 male goats consigned by 34 producers from 14 states have been evaluated in the Maryland performance-testing program. The testing program is increasing the awareness and application of performance testing as evidenced by increasing consignments to the test, an improvement in the performance of goats by consigners, increased attendance at the field day, and a growing demand for performance-tested bucks (9 bucks averaged $514 in the 2009 sale). Eighty-nine percent of respondents (past and potential consigners and buck buyers) to an online survey value the copious parasite data that is being collected from the bucks on test. The success of the Maryland performance testing program is promoting other states to start similar forage-based small ruminant performance testing programs.
This abstract was presented at the 2010 annual meeting of the Southern Section of the American Society of Animal Science in Orlando, Florida.
Initiating a pasture-based meat goat performance test in Western Maryland
S. Schoenian
M. Bennett
J. Deitz-Band
W. Lantz
W. Lemaster
J. Semler
A pasture-based meat goat performance test was initiated at the Western Maryland Research & Education Center in Keedysville, MD (39.5N, 77.7W), on June 10, 2006. The purpose of the test was to measure genetic differences of meat goats consuming a pasture diet with natural exposure to internal parasites. Thirty-five Boer (n=6) , Kiko (n=17), Boer x Kiko (n=11), and Genemaster (n=1) buck kids, 3 to 6 months of age, from six states were consigned to the inaugural test. The goats were rotationally grazed for 112 days among five 2-acre paddocks composed of tall fescue, orchardgrass, chicory, Birdsfoot trefoil, clover, and various forbs. The goats did not receive any supplemental feed. They always had access to a central laneway containing port-a-hut shelters, minerals, water, and a handling system. While on test, the goats were evaluated for growth performance, parasite resistance, and carcass merit. They were handled every 14 d to determine FAMACHA© and BCS’s and the need for selective deworming. They were dewormed at the start of the test and fecal samples were collected at 0, 28, and 56 d. The goats were weighed every 28 days. Thirty-one goats finished the test (four were eliminated for health reasons). Fifty-one anthelmintic treatments were administered to the 31 goats for an average of 1.65 treatments per animal, excluding the initial deworming. Four goats did not require deworming during the testing period. Thirteen were treated once. Seven were dewormed twice. Only seven goats required 3 or more anthelmintic treatments. ADG was 0.258, 0.202, 0.293, and 0.01 lbs. per day for the four 28-day periods. Overall gain averaged 0.19 lbs. per day. A blog (http://mdgoattest.blogspot.com) was established to enable consigners and other interested persons to follow the progress of the test. Next year’s test will start on June 9, 2006; up to 50 goats will be accepted from consigners from any state.
This abstract was presented at the Annual meeting of the Southern Section of the American Society of Animal Science in Mobile, Alabama in February 2007.