Transcript Slide 1

Market Goat Essentials
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Topics to Discuss
The following topics will be discussed:
• Selection
• Validation
• Facilities and Equipment
• Nutrition, Management, Exercise
• Health
• Fitting and Showing
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Selection
Breeds
• Goats are separated by weight not breeds
when showing.
• Typically 8 – 12 classes of market goats at
major shows
Show
Minimum weight
Maximum weight
Austin
60 lbs.
120 lbs.
Odessa
50 lbs.
None
Fort Worth
50 lbs.
None
San Antonio
60 lbs.
115 lbs.
San Angelo
60 lbs.
115 lbs.
Houston
65 lbs.
115lbs.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Selection cont.
Age of Goat
• Fall Born
– Goats born for summer shows are born October to
January
• Spring Born
– Goats for winter and spring shows are generally born
February to May
– Spring born can also work for summer and fall shows
but exhibitors may run into weight and maturity
problems.
• Dallas, Odessa, Fort Worth, and San Antonio
require goats to have their baby/milk teeth (will
normally lose at 10-12 months) at show time.
• All shows have minimum weight limits and most
have maximum weight limits.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Selection cont.
Quality Considerations
• Selection criteria:
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Muscle
Structural correctness
Style and Balance
Volume and Capacity
Growth potential
• Be aware of fatness and body condition
• Young bloomy goats that are fat always look
better than thin goats.
• Be able to recognize muscle over fat.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Selection cont.
Where to Purchase Goats
• Private treaty or through sales
• Fall born goats sold generally March
through June
• Spring born goats sold generally June
through September
• Breeders information found in magazines
like “The Showbox” and “The Purple
Circle”
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Validation
• Goats must be state validated in June for
the State Fair of Texas and in October for
the major winter shows (Odessa, Fort
Worth, San Antonio, San Angelo,
Houston, and Austin).
• Most county shows require goats to be
state validated
• Tags for State Fair of Texas are ordered
last of April and tags for major winter
shows are ordered first of September
through Dr. Frank Craddock in San
Angelo.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Facilities and Equipment
• Barn should have at least 15 sq. feet of space per goat,
well ventilated, well drained, and open to south and/or east.
• Does not have to be elaborate.
• Goats must be kept cool in summer and warm in winter.
• Pen height should be 42 inches high and made to keep
predators out. Most desirable made with 5 ft. galvanized
panels with 4 inch squares.
• Portable feeders should be hung the height of the top of the
shoulder and cleaned daily.
• Fresh water most important ingredient when feeding goats.
• Water trough should be small, and cleaned and drained
daily.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Facilities cont.
• Other equipment needed:
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Stiff brush
Shovel
Trimming table
Electric clippers with proper
combs and cutters
Small wool card
Syringes and needles
Blankets and/or socks
Rope halters
Collars
Show chains
Hoof trimmers
– Drench gun
– Small portable feed
trough
– Water bucket
– Show box
– Hot air blower
– Portable livestock
scale
– Extension cord
– Muzzles
– Electric fan
– Soft brush for
grooming
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Nutrition, Management
and Exercise
• NO special diets needed!!
• Feeding Schedule, Exercise Program, and
Careful Observation during growing and
finishing stages = Champions
• Basic nutrients needed in a diet:
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Water
Protein
Carbohydrates and fats (energy)
Minerals
Vitamins
• Rations should be between 14-18% protein.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Nutrition, Management,
and Exercise cont.
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Should eat 2-3% of their body weight per day
Weigh goats regularly
Feeding and exercise go hand in hand
Exercise is an excellent way to condition and
tone goats.
• Should be exercised extremely hard 300 -400
yds. for short distances
• Exercise should begin 2-3 months before show.
• Refer to 4-H Club Lamb Guide for more
information on exercise.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Health
• Developing preventative health program key to healthy
goat.
• Two major problems in goats:
– Enterotoxemia (overeating) – give one shot followed 3
weeks later by booster shot
– Internal parasites – drench lambs upon arrival followed
by another drenching 3 weeks later
• Other diseases include: Urinary Calculi,
coccidiosis, soremouth, polioencephalomalacia
(thiamine deficiency), ringworm and pinkeye
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Health cont.
• Should be disbudded 14 – 28 days of age.
• If not disturbed horns should be tipped 4-6
weeks before show
• Regular hoof trimming necessary
• Always follow drug labels when
administering drugs.
• Using drugs other than what is authorized
is unethical and against the law.
• Most livestock shows have strict drug
policies.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Fitting and Showing
• Most major shows in Texas enforce shearing rule which
states goat must be uniformly shorn 3/8” or less above
knees and hock joints, excluding the tail switch.
• Shear goats 2 to 7 days before show
• Use hot air blower to remove excess dirt before shearing.
• Cover goats immediately after shearing to keep warm
• A clean well bedded area should be provided for goats
• Goats must be halter broken, and taught to lead with
collar or chain, set up their legs, and how to brace for
show.
• Showmanship clinics should be implemented by County
Extension Agents
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
For more information refer to
Meat Goat Guide
By Frank Craddock
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Additional questions
to ask exhibitors
• What are the goals of the 4-H member and
family?
• What shows or time of the year will you
exhibit the project(s)?
• Will you need assistance in locating and
selecting your project?
Texas 4-H and Youth Development
Conclusions
• All aspects of the selection process should be
understood. (breeds, age, quality, where to
purchase)
• Exhibitors and County Extension Agents must follow
all validation rules and regulations.
• Proper facilities should be available.
• Proper diets and nutritional information about
feeding goats should be identified.
• Health is one of the most important aspects of
raising market goats.
• Success is a direct reflection of the management
practices that take place.
• All rules must be followed. Ignorance is no excuse!
Texas 4-H and Youth Development