The 2008 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test will be conducted from June 7 until October 4, 2008, at the University of Maryland's Western Maryland Research & Education Center in Keedysville, Maryland.The nomination period for this year's test is April 1-May 15. A nomination fee of $20 per goat must accompany the nomination form. An additional $55 will be due when the goats are delivered to the test site. Goat producers from any state may consign up to five (5) male goats to the test. Preference will be given to previous consigners and Maryland residents.
The guidelines stipulate that the goats be between 3 and 5 months of age at the start of the test. There is a minimum weight requirement of 35 lbs. and it is suggested that goats weigh no more than 70 lbs. During the test, the goats will be managed as a single group on pasture. As this is a pasture test, no supplemental feed will be given unless environmental conditions necessitate it.
While on test, the goats will be evaluated for growth performance, parasite resistance, and carcass merit. Consigners may nominate up to two (2) goats for the collection of slaughter data. There will be an additional fee of $25 per head for this option. All goats will be ultrasounded for carcass traits. In conjunction with the test, there will be a Field Day and Performance Tested Buck and Invitational Doe Sale on Saturday, October 4, at the Washington County Agricultural Center in Boonsboro, MD.
For more information about the 2008 goat test, sale, and field day, contact Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu; Jeff Semler at (301) 791-1304 or jsemler@umd.edu, or Jeanne Dietz-Band at (301) 432-7296 or jdietzba@umd.edu.
Information can also be obtained from the blog at http://mdgoattest.blogspot.com/.
