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Texas Agriculture Archive

May 3, 2002

Meat goat test due in San Angelo

The Eighth Annual Meat Goat Performance Test at Angelo State University's Management, Instruction, and Research (MIR) Center is scheduled to begin with delivery of animals May 23-25.

This test is the largest in the United States and is designed to help breeders select for genetic improvement in growth rate. The 84-day test is conducted by Angelo State University, Texas Cooperative Extension, and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station.

The test runs from June 4 through Aug. 27. It is designed for buck kids only. Kids must have been born between Jan. 1 and March 31 to be eligible.

Breeders may enter no more than 25 animals each. Producers planning to put goats on the test should contact test officials no later than May 15 so proper amounts of vaccine and feed may be obtained and pen allotments can be assigned. When possible, all of a breeder's goats will be penned together.

All goats will be fed for a 10-day warm-up period to allow them to adjust to feeding conditions before the test begins. Goats must arrive at the MIR Center between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. May 23 through 25 to be considered for the test. Animals may be brought earlier if prior arrangements are made, but no goats will be accepted after May 25.

When delivering goats, breeders should know their entries' sire, birth date, birth type (single, twin, triplet), age of dam, breed or percentage of Boer blood.

The initial weigh-day is set for June 4. The second and third weigh-days are July 2 and 30 respectively. The final weigh-day completes the test on Aug. 27. Owners may pick up their animals on Aug. 28.

Breeders will be required to pay $100 per head, in advance. The fee covers feed, veterinary costs, facilities, and management.

For more information contact Angelo State University's Drs. Mike Salisbury or Brian May at (915) 942-2027 or Drs. Dan Waldron or Frank Craddock at San Angelo's Texas A&M University Research and Extension Center, (915) 653-4576.

For information check the test's website at www.angelo.edu/faculty/msalisbu/goattest.htm.