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Small Ruminant
Abstracts |
Developing a meat goat performance testing program in Maryland
S. Schoenian1, J. Semler2, J. Deitz-Band3, D. Gordon4, W. Lantz5, and D.J. O'Brien6
1 Sheep and Goat Specialist, University
of Maryland Extension, Western Maryland Research & Education
Center, Keedysville, MD 21756
2Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland
Extension, Washington County, Boonsboro, MD 21713
2Extension Program Assistant, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland
Extension, Washington County, Boonsboro, MD 21713
4Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland
Extension, Montgomery County, Derwood, MD 20855
5Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland
Extension, Garrett County, Mt. Lake Park, MD 21550
6Small Ruminant Specialist, Delaware State University, Dover, DE 19902
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 has been accepted for presentation at the 2010 annual meeting of the Southern Section of the American Society of Animal Science in Orlando, FL.