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An influential aspect of meat goat production is the growth rate and/or feed efficiency. Objective performance records are needed when making informed genetic selections to improve average daily gain and/or feed efficiency. In order to compare animals from different ranches or environments, a central performance meat buck testing is conducted. The operation of this test is a cooperative effort between the Agricultural Research and Extension Program at Langston University and the Oklahoma Meat Goat Association. The sharing of duties follows: Oklahoma Meat Goat Association: Langston University: 1) The test is open to purebred and crossbred bucks born between December 1, 2001 and March 31, 2002 2) Bucks must be weaned at least two (2) weeks prior to the entry date. Entry date for the 2002 Meat Buck Performance Test is May 4, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 3) All goats will be given a thorough examination by a veterinarian at entry. Goats showing signs of any contagious disease (pinkeye, soremouth, ringworm, abscesses, etc.) will be refused entry. Also, at entry, general conformation and soundness of all bucks will be evaluated by an Admission Committee made up of one Extension staff and the on-call veterinarian. Test bucks may be refused entry for any unsoundness condition which would limit their genetic merit. 4) At the time of entry, all goats must have had their feet trimmed. 5) At delivery to the test station, live weight of each buck must be at least 30 lbs. 6) Test bucks will be given a new ear tag by Extension staff at admission to the performance test. All LaMancha goats must be tattooed prior to admittance to the test station. II.PROCEDURES 1) Bucks which are eligible for entry are required to have a certificate of vaccination against tetanus,C. perfringensC+D (CDT) and caseous lymphandenitis (CL) at least one month before the performance test entry date. At entry, bucks will also be:
2) Bucks will be grouped in pens by weight. A minimum of 20 meat bucks from three separate breeders is required before the test will proceed. 3) During the course of the test, all bucks will be given a second delousing if needed. 4) Following a 14-day adjustment period, all bucks will commence an 84-day performance test. On-test, mid-test and off-test weights will be taken and will be the average of two weights taken on the same day over time. A progress report will be given to the Buck Test Committee once the bucks reach the midpoint of the performance test. 5) No animals will be released from the test station prior to the end of test without permission of the station manager. The manager reserves the right to reject any animal during the test and request the owner to remove it from the test station. 6) Visitors to the test station are encouraged, but interested persons are asked to contact Extension staff at (405) 466-3836 prior to their arrival. III.FEES 1) Breeders will be expected to pay the expenses of the test including feed, medications, veterinary services (check-in inspection, vaccines, emergency treatment, etc.) and other expenses related to the performance test. Fees for the 2002 meat buck performance test will be $100/buck. Half of this amount will be required as a deposit with the application form, the balance to be paid upon entry at the test station. Cost of unscheduled veterinary services will be at expense of the goat owner/breeder. Breeders whose goats are rejected on entry will be refunded their deposit. 2) Checks or money orders for fees should be made payable to Oklahoma Meat Goat Association. 3) All fees connected with the performance test must be paid before the animals are released. IV.INDEXING An index score will be calculated for each individual based upon:
The adjustment to metabolic body weight will give lighter goats a fair comparison of muscling to heavier goats. The deviation from the average of the parameters measured from the goats in the performance test will be used in the index calculation. Thus, the average index score for bucks on-test will be 100%. Bucks that are above average will have indexes above 100% and those below average will have index scores below 100%. V.ABGAAPPROVED TEST The Oklahoma Meat Buck Performance Test has been designated by the American Boer Goat Association Board of Directors as an ABGA Approved Performance Test. Qualified fullblood or purebred Boer bucks will be eligible to earn points towards entry into the "Ennobled Herd Book". Candidate bucks must pass a pre-performance test inspection conducted by one (1) or more ABGA approved breeders. Ten (10) points will be awarded a Boer buck who shows an average daily weight gain (ADG) in the top five percent (5%) of the animals on test. Five (5) points will be awarded a Boer buck who shows an average daily weight gain (ADG) in the next fifteen percent (15%) of the animals on test. All bucks must gain at least three-tenths (.3) pounds per day to be awarded any points. VI.DRIVINGDIRECTIONS Driving Directions from Oklahoma City:
Driving Directions from northeastern OK:
Driving Directions from eastern OK:
Driving Directions from southeastern OK:
Driving Directions from southwestern OK:
Driving Directions from northwestern OK:
VII.CONTACTINFORMATION Oklahoma Meat Goat Association: Mr. Jim Daniel Langston University: Dr. Terry Gipson On May 4, 2002 (entry date), use the following telephone numbers: Jim Daniel's mobile: (405) 880-1312 |
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