The Value of Pedigrees      ABGA provides many valuable services to their membership, one of the most important being the recording of ancestry, or pedigrees. Pedigrees are a valuable tool in livestock breeding because these ancestral records provide knowledge necessary for predicting progeny performance. More value can be added by recording performance records of each individual and its progeny. A permanent record of ancestors and their comparative production traits is an indispensable tool if breeders are to make wise breeding decisions that lead to improved production and efficiency. Pedigrees are of value to all segments of the industry. Commercial producers purchasing seed stock will dramatically decrease their chance of error if they use pedigrees in making their selection decisions. Breeding programs can be directed toward goals by selecting seed stock that excels in those traits for which the herds need improvement. Information contained as part of a registration certificate consists of individual animal identification, and parentage (sire and dam). With that knowledge and previous information stored in the breed association data bank, a pedigree or ancestral record can be produced for the breeder. The breeder provides every piece of raw data used in the production of pedigrees and records, bringing to surface the importance of breeder integrity. Few, if any, industries are more dependent upon individual integrity than the pedigreed livestock industry.  ABGA Ennoblement Program The premier level of recognition for genetics within the Boer Goat industry is an ennoblement award from ABGA. The ennoblement program is designed to identify the top genetics within the ABGA from showing, progeny and performance. Animals obtain points during ABGA sanctioned shows and performance testing. Animals are required to pass two visual inspections by ABGA judges/inspectors for ennoblement. The road to ennoblement is not easy; however, the increased value of the genetics within the industry can be substantial. Judge Certification Program ABGA conducts a judge’s certification program for individuals that desire to judge for ABGA and the Boer goat industry.  The 2½ day program consists of classroom, class placing, oral reasons and a final exam.  The program is designed for individuals with prior livestock judging experience and/or strong knowledge of goat production.  The program is not a training course due to the nature of the practice placing, oral reasons, final testing, methods and materials covered. Each program is limited to 25-30 students.  Percentage Doe of Excellence Award The Percentage Doe of Excellence award recognizes percentage does that excel in the ABGA sanctioned show program. ABGA Breed Standards The ABGA breed standard is a conceptual ideal of the perfect animal based on the best knowledge of the industry. The standard identifies desirable and undesirable traits with emphasis on production traits.  Standards are a yardstick by which the breeder may measure his advances toward an ideal Boer goat .The breed standard will change over time as the demands of the industry change. Subscription to The Boer Goat Magazine Members receive the association's official bi-monthly magazine, The Boer Goat. Full of information on the latest ABGA news, events and programs, The Boer Goat keeps Boer goat breeders on the inside track. The Boer Goat magazine provides an opportunity for members to advertise and market their genetics. The magazine is mailed to active members. The Boer Goat Magazine subscription is a $35.00 value. ABGA Online Services   As a member you have access to the ABGA Online data base which gives you the power to do more in-depth research on animals’ pedigrees. Progeny and points awarded to animals for the Ennoblement program and the Percentage Doe of Excellence Program are available from robust searching. ABGA Online members can research more than 350,000 American Boer Goats and locate over 20,000 U.S. and foreign breeder of goats. The service allows members to view and print full pedigrees and progeny listings. No software installation is required and you can log on from any PC or Mac with an internet connection. To sign up, please complete the ABGA Online application and return to ABGA.     ABGA Online Sale Catalogs    The on-line sale catalog service is available to active and junior members of the American Boer Goat Association. Catalog listings include pedigrees for each lot, obtained directly from the ABGA database.  Sale notes can be included (up to 100 words per lot, supplied by the seller). Links can be included to additional introductory sale notes, reference sire and/or donor dam details and the member’s website,etc. Lots can be sorted and viewed according to lot number, animal name, sire name, etc.     ABGA Online Private Treaty Catalogs   The on-line semen catalog service is available to all active and junior members of the American Boer Goat Association. The private treaty sales service includes for sale listings of American Boer Goat seed stock where the seller is not hosting an actual sales event such as an annual production sale, etc. Private treaty sales listings have been designed with the smaller producer in mind and are set up and can be searched just like the on-line sale catalogs.   ABGA Semen Catalogs    The on-line semen catalog service is available to active and junior members of the American Boer Goat Association. Listings include pedigree details for each lot, obtained directly from the ABGA database. Sale notes can be provided by the vendor (up to 150 words per lot, including details of semen price and availability). Links can be included to additional introductory notes, company website, etc.   B-GIN Program    The Boer Goat Improvement Network of (B-GIN Program) is the first of its kind in the meat goat industry.This program will provide measurable estimates of the genetic value of an animal as a parent and will make a real difference for US goat producers in terms of selecting breeding stock for specific measurable traits. The genetic evaluation procedures will be similar to those used by breeders of cattle and other species. Individual animal performance measures will be recorded by breeders. Records will then be submitted to the ABGA office. ABGA Affiliate Program With the rapid growth in the meat goat industry, the local meat goat and Boer goat clubs have an increased role in education, marketing and promotion. These local groups provide an essential role in promoting the industry and educating breeders. The ABGA Board of Directors recognizes the efforts of the clubs and the impact their programs have on the goat industry. In 2004, ABGA began development of a program to aid, assist and work together with local clubs. The objectives of the AGBA affiliate program include:  providing additional resources at the local club level; providing networking opportunities for the local clubs; attracting and retaining goat producers; assisting with educational opportunities; providing a method for grassroots input from local clubs.  Local clubs will benefit from joining the group of recognized affiliates by receiving a listing on the affiliate page of the Boer Goat magazine, a listing in the affiliate section of the AGBA website, eligibility for educational funds and eligibility for cost sharing programs and membership match funds at the end of each year.     Voting Rights   Each year the association conducts an annual meeting of the members to inform them on the activities of the association over the past year and to vote on items presented as motions from the membership. As a member of ABGA, you have the right to vote in leadership elections and run for a regional director position. ABGA members also vote on bylaw changes proposed for the association.     ABGA Industry Research   ABGA actively seeks opportunities to improve the infrastructure of the American meat goat industry. Since 2003, ABGA has taken a leadership role with grants and research projects across the United States. The projects have ranged from industry education to parasite research. This working partnership of ABGA and university researchers has leveraged over 300,000 in grant dollars and in-kind funding for the development of the goat industry. As a breed association, ABGA has taken a leadership role to bring researchers, producers and private industry together to improve the American meat goat.     ABGA Industry Activities       ABGA is a member of the National Pedigree Livestock Association (NPLC). NPLC is an organization consisting of purebred breed associations and livestock industry leaders with a common goal of improving the livestock industry. The NPLC is involved in education, breed association development and acting as a spokesperson for the livestock industry. The NPLC represents over 45 purebred associations which represent over 725,000 livestock producers. ABGA Governing Structure   ABGA’s structure is based on the model used by top breed association in the horse, cattle and hog industries. The ABGA board of directors’ role is to set objectives, provide vision and measure the progress of the association against the stated objectives. A management team manages the day-to-day operations of the association. The separation of the day-to-day operation from the board is an important aspect of the operation of the association. The rules of the association, bylaws and other governing requirements provide the underlining foundation of the operation of the association. In addition, the board of directors has adopted a conflict of interest policy that governs the personal interest of directors within the association. This structure is in use by the premier breeder associations with other species of livestock and provides an effective method of operating a breed association.       Association Communications   The Boer Goat magazine, year end reports and the ABGA website are several of the methods of communicating changes within ABGA and the Boer goat industry.   ABGA Sanctioned Show Program The ABGA sanctioned show program is a partnership through the show ring with the ABGA and major and stand-alone shows.  Over the past 6 years, ABGA has invested over 400,000 dollars in show support.  The ABGA sanctioned show program is the largest in the Boer goat industry with over 14,500 animals exhibited in 2006.  Members of ABGA use the program to receive genetic evaluation of their animals by certified judges, to complete for show honors and to market their genetics to the industry.