72 goats start 2010 performance test

Seventy-two bucklings started the 2010 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test on June 5. Most of the bucks are Kiko or Kiko cross. In addition, there are three Myotonic (pictured below), two Boer, two Savanna, and various crossbreds in the test.

Twenty consigners from 12 states are participating in this year’s test: DE, IL, KS, KY, MD, MO, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, and WV.  The test is in its 5th consecutive year. It was initiated in 2006 to evaluate and compare the performance of meat goats consuming a pasture-only diet with natural exposure to gastro-intestinal parasites.

To follow the progress of this year's test, visit the blog at http://mdgoattest.blogspot.com/. Ask to be added to the e-mail reflector list so you’ll receive blog entries via e-mail. Bi-weekly reports can be downloaded from the blog.

Be sure to mark your calendar for Saturday, October 2nd. This is the date of the Western Maryland Annual Goat Field Day , Sale, and Goat Skillathon. The top-performing bucks in the test will be offered for sale, along with doe kids and yearling does.

The event will be held at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center near Boonsboro (adjacent property to the test site).

http://mdgoattest.blogspot.com