Sixty meat goat buck kids began the 2009 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test on June 6 at the University of Maryland’s Western Maryland Research & Education Center in Keedysville, Maryland. The bucklings were consigned by 17 breeders from 11 states.
While on test the goats will consume a pasture-only diet. They will be handled every two weeks and be evaluated for growth performance, parasite resistance (fecal egg counts), parasite resilience (FAMACHA© scores and number of anthelmintic treatments required), carcass merit, reproductive soundness and structural correctness.
The top-performing bucks will be sold via auction at the 2nd annual Western Maryand Goat Sale and Field day on Saturday, October 3rd at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center near Boonsboro. The bucks will be mostly Kiko and Kiko x Boer crosses. Does will also be sold.
Dr. Richard Browning from Tennessee State University will be the featured speaker at the field day. The field day will also include a goat skillathon for youth ages 8 to 18.
To learn more about the goat test, visit the blog at http://mdgoattest.blogspot.com/.
While on test the goats will consume a pasture-only diet. They will be handled every two weeks and be evaluated for growth performance, parasite resistance (fecal egg counts), parasite resilience (FAMACHA© scores and number of anthelmintic treatments required), carcass merit, reproductive soundness and structural correctness.The top-performing bucks will be sold via auction at the 2nd annual Western Maryand Goat Sale and Field day on Saturday, October 3rd at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center near Boonsboro. The bucks will be mostly Kiko and Kiko x Boer crosses. Does will also be sold.
Dr. Richard Browning from Tennessee State University will be the featured speaker at the field day. The field day will also include a goat skillathon for youth ages 8 to 18.
To learn more about the goat test, visit the blog at http://mdgoattest.blogspot.com/.
