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Market Goat Essentials

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

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Market Goat Essentials

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  1. Market Goat Essentials Texas 4-H and Youth Development

  2. 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

  3. Selection Breeds • Goats are separated by weight not breeds when showing. • Typically 8 – 12 classes of market goats at major shows Texas 4-H and Youth Development

  4. 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

  5. Selection cont. Quality Considerations • Selection criteria: • 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. Facilities cont. • Other equipment needed: • 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

  10. 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: • Water • Protein • Carbohydrates and fats (energy) • Minerals • Vitamins • Rations should be between 14-18% protein. Texas 4-H and Youth Development

  11. Nutrition, Management, and Exercise cont. • 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. For more information refer toMeat Goat Guide By Frank Craddock Texas 4-H and Youth Development

  16. 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

  17. 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

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