February 15, 2025 Members of the American Boer Goat Association.   A message from the President.   Please welcome and support our newest Regional Director.   Region 8 (IN, KY) Zach Westfall   All our director’s vacancies are now filled.   With great appreciation, Rosalinda Vizina ABGA President Rosalinda Vizina ABGA President

Why We Updated the Areas for the Junior American Boer Goat Association The Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA) is growing rapidly, prompting us to update our areas for the first time in over a decade. In the past 10 years our membership has also shifted. This change reflects those shifts to better serve everyone. Here’s why we made this change and how it benefits our members.  JABGA Area Map - Effective 2025 Rapid Growth Brings New Opportunities JABGA has experienced some growth over the past several years. This growth has created exciting opportunities but also revealed some challenges with our existing area structure. The distribution of members across the country had become uneven, making it clear that an update was overdue. Balancing the Areas Our primary goal in updating the areas was to create a more balanced distribution of members. Previously, some areas had significantly more members than others, which made participation in events and leadership activities more challenging for some. The new structure ensures that each area has as equal a number of members as possible, promoting fairness and encouraging more consistent participation. Traveling Made Easier We understand that traveling to shows, and competitions can be a big commitment for our Junior members and their families. With the updated areas, members will have the opportunity to travel to events in states that are closer to home. This change not only reduces travel time and expenses but also makes it more convenient for members to stay involved and engaged in JABGA activities. Looking Ahead We’re excited about the positive impact this update will have on our organization and our Junior members. The new structure represents our commitment to fairness, accessibility, and growth as we continue to support the next generation of Boer goat enthusiasts. Thank you to everyone who provided input and support during this process. We look forward to seeing our members thrive in these newly balanced areas. Here’s to a bright future for JABGA and all our incredible Juniors!

In honor of Valentine's Day, here are some cute (and punny!) e-Valentines to send to your sweetheart... or your best barn buddy. How to Download Desktop: Click to expand > right-click > Save image as... Mobile Device: Click to expand > click + hold > save to photos "The Baaaaaaaaa-chelor" "I Goat You Babe" "I HERD you were looking for a Valentine" "I'm Never Boer-d" "I'm Not Kidding"

An open Board meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 7:00 PM CST. All ABGA members are welcome to attend. Click the button to attend the meeting on Microsoft Teams: You can also find board meeting dates and meeting links on our Events Calendar on our homepage . Agenda At the Annual Summer Board of Directors Face-to-Face meeting, the ABGA Board of Directors approved a motion to allow members to view monthly Board meetings for a trial period of 6 months.

By Logan Hollen When joining any program or association it can be easy to feel as though you are always one step behind. Everyone already has a routine and a set way of doing their selected tasks. How can you find yourself within a new program or association? From my own experience I would say that finding a mentor can be very beneficial. I have had the pleasure of growing up in the Junior American Boer Goat Association atmosphere and while growing up in this association I have met so many people who have kept me focused and on track to meet my goals. By having these teachers in my life, I have reached many of my set goals but more importantly I have created a strong and set path that helped me reach those goals. With a mentor you are not only learning but experiencing what they have gone through in the past and present. This alone gives you more experience to then build a stronger program of your own. I have had the opportunity to be a mentor myself while working on the JABGA board of directors. It has been a wonderful experience getting to meet so many young individuals that have fallen in love with the same association that I fell in love with many years ago. At the end of the day, we all have the same goals and passion and by being a mentor you can give the experience to help others reach those goals pushed by their own passion. So, the next time you find yourself needing a guide or looking for a push in the right direction just remember that this association is filled with people who want to see you succeed! Logan Hollen JABGA Vice President Area 3 View this feature on the JABGA page

Bylaw 5.2(c) states: On or before February 1 in 2007, 2010, and each fifth (5th) year thereafter, the Board, by a majority vote of the whole Board, may modify the number of regions and the boundaries of those regions, in each case to the extent reasonably necessary so that the regions shall have approximately equal numbers of Regular Members per Director. Such modifications shall be based on the number and location of Regular Members as of December 31 preceding such February 1 and shall be effective as of such February 1. The Board shall promptly notify all Regular Members if it makes any such modifications. During the regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting on January 14, 2025, the board reviewed 6 different proposals for redistricting, ultimately voting to approve the following redistricting map, which will go into effect February 1, 2025. American Boer Goat Association New Region Map - Effective Feb. 1, 2025 The primary reason for redistricting is to ensure that each region has approximately equal numbers of Regular Members per Director. While reviewing the different proposals, the Board of Directors also considered proximity of states within the region and similarity of climate/terrain as it affects raising Boer Goats. The chart below shows each state included in the new regions and how many Regular Members are divided into each new region, based on membership data for December 31, 2024. Region States # of Regular Members as of Dec. 31,2024 1 ID, OR, MT, WA, WY and International 522 2 AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT 469 3 TX 572 4 KS, OK, NE, SD 451 5 MI, MN, ND, WI 487 6 IA, IL 454 7 AL, AR, LA, MO, MS 521 8 IN, KY 599 9 FL, GA, NC, SC 465 10 DC, DE, MD, NJ, TN, VA, WV 515 11 CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT 582 Total Average of 512.45 per Region 5637 This redistricting will alter the number of Board of Director seats open for re-election in 2025. Per Bylaw 5.3(j), “each Director shall be elected for a term of three (3) years… If a Director’s region is changed by the Board pursuant to Section 5.2 in a manner that eliminates a sitting Director’s position on the Board, such Director shall serve out the remainder of his term.” While the redistricting goes into effect on February 1, all 15 current Board of Directors will continue to serve through the 2025 election. Through the new redistricting map, four Board of Director seats will be eliminated over time. Two of these will be eliminated after the 2024-2025 term due to having multiple directors in a new region, and one of those directors’ seats expiring in 2025. Both region 9 and region 11 will each have two Board of Directors in 2025-2026, as each region contains two board of directors whose term does not expire until 2026: Region 9 – Brad Mackey (NC) and Kim Veal (GA); Region 11 – Cameron Drew (NJ) and Tyler Sparks (OH). Accordingly, two director seats will be eliminated after the 2025-2026 term. As this new redistricting goes into effect on February 1, the following chart outlines each new region, who their current Board of Director is and when the term expires as well as comments about the seat. EFFECTIVE February 1, 2025 Region Director Term End Date Comments 1 Rosalinda Vizina 2025 Up for re-election in 2025 2 Patrick Aliff 2027 Appointed, must run for re-election in 2025 2A Olivia Rush 2025 Seat will be eliminated in July due to redistricting 3 Brandon Dugat 2027 Appointed, must run for re-election in 2025 3A Gage Taylor 2025 Seat will be eliminated July, 2025 due to redistricting 4 Jeff Gibbs 2027   5 Paige Gunderson 2027   6 Sam Knott 2025 Up for re-election in 2025 7 Kyle Tate 2026 Appointed, must run for re-election in 2025 8 Vacant 2027 Elizabeth Westfall resigned effective January 20 9 Brad Mackey 2026 One region 9 seat will be eliminated in 2026 9A Kim Veal 2026 One region 9 seat will be eliminated in 2026 10 Rodney Wilson 2027 Appointed, must run for re-election in 2025 11 Cameron Drew 2026 One region 11 seat will be eliminated in 2026 11A Tyler Sparks 2026 One region 11 seat will be eliminated in 2026 There will be 7 seats up for election during 2025: Regions 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 10. Applications for candidates from these regions will be available February 1st, and be due to the ABGA office on March 1st, according to the bylaws. Ballots for voting will go out to adult members in good standing (must have renewed membership for 2025 by January 1 according to the bylaws) on April 1st with ballots due May 20th. All ballots are sent to a 3rd party to be tallied and recorded. Validated results of the election from the 3rd party, will be revealed and announced during a specially scheduled May board meeting, with an official announcement of election results being sent to members following the conclusion of the special board meeting. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your current board member for your region, or the ABGA office via email at mail@abga.org  or phone 325-486-2242.

An open Board meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM CST. All ABGA members are welcome to attend. This is a special meeting for any agenda items not discussed on the regularly scheduled monthly meeting on 01-14-2025 Click the button to attend the meeting on Microsoft Teams: You can also find board meeting dates and meeting links on our Events Calendar on our homepage . At the Annual Summer Board of Directors Face-to-Face meeting, the ABGA Board of Directors approved a motion to allow members to view monthly Board meetings for a trial period of 6 months.

An open Board meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM CST. All ABGA members are welcome to attend. Click the button to attend the meeting on Microsoft Teams: You can also find board meeting dates and meeting links on our Events Calendar on our homepage . AGENDA At the Annual Summer Board of Directors Face-to-Face meeting, the ABGA Board of Directors approved a motion to allow members to view monthly Board meetings for a trial period of 6 months.

In case you missed it, you can watch the DNA Q&A and discussion about the transition to SNP technology by clicking the thumbnail below ↓. Transitioning to Advanced Genetic Analysis for Better Breeding Outcomes Beginning February 1, 2025, all DNA testing will move to a Single-nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) analysis, commonly pronounced as “snip.” The American Boer Goat Association has been in partnership with UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL) for 10 years. Since our contract began, UC Davis VGL has tested and stored data and physical samples for over 29,300 ABGA animals using Short Tandem Repeat (STR) testing. To better serve our member’s breeding programs, the ABGA Board agreed to transition forward to a more comprehensive DNA analysis. SNP analysis represents a modern and advanced type of marker analysis widely utilized in today’s genetic industry and market, and UC Davis VGL has been an expert in SNP testing since the 1990s. While the current STR testing is great for parentage testing, SNP testing offers many more benefits: Genetic Improvement : SNP testing helps identify genetic markers associated with desirable traits such as milk production, growth rate, and disease resistance. This information can be used to select and breed goats with superior genetics. Parentage Verification : It accurately determines the parentage of goats, which is crucial for maintaining pedigree records and ensuring the integrity of breeding programs. STR cannot differentiate between twins, or flush mates, while SNP can. Disease Resistance : By identifying genetic variations linked to disease resistance, SNP testing can help in breeding goats that are more resilient to certain diseases, reducing the need for medical interventions. Genetic Diversity : SNP testing provides insights into the genetic diversity within and between goat populations. This is important for conservation efforts and for maintaining a healthy gene pool. Economic Benefits : Improved genetic selection can lead to higher productivity and better-quality products (e.g. meat), which can enhance the profitability of goat farming. Research and Development : SNP data contributes to scientific research, helping to understand the genetic basis of various traits and improving breeding strategies. Supporting Members Through SNP Transition: Cost Savings and Future Funding Initiatives ABGA has allocated $100,000 for the transition from STR to SNP testing. To help reduce costs for our members, the DNA Committee is offering a $50 coupon to the first 2,000 members who apply. Each ABGA membership is limited to one $50 coupon, which must be used before July 1, 2025. Any leftover funds will be re-evaluated after this date. Additionally, ABGA is seeking grant funding to subsidize a portion of the costs and pass the savings on to members. These grants may take 18 to 24 months to secure. Closing Summary The American Boer Goat Association’s transition to SNP DNA analysis marks a significant advancement in breeding and genetic research. This decision underscores ABGA's commitment to improving breeding outcomes through enhanced genetic insights, parentage verification, and identification of traits like disease resistance and productivity. By continuing its partnership with UC Davis VGL, ABGA ensures access to reliable testing, comprehensive data storage, and expert services while maintaining cost-efficiency for members. This transition, backed by a $100,000 allocation, is set to empower breeders with modern genetic tools, fostering economic benefits and advancing the industry's genetic standards. By embracing SNP analysis, ABGA takes an exciting step into modern genetics, demonstrating our commitment to innovative breeding strategies and supporting the future of sustainable and profitable goat breeding practices.

The American Boer Goat Association is excited to announce that Catherine Riley has been hired to serve as the Director of Community Engagement, effective January 6th, 2025. This is a new position approved by the board of directors under the restructuring plan that was voted on in October of 2024. “This position will serve as a pivotal point for the ABGA moving forward, and I’m optimistic about the positive change and impact that Catherine can provide for our association,” says Caleb Boardman, Executive Director of ABGA. In this role, Riley will help lead a team of staff that together will oversee all sponsorship and fundraising activities, plan and execute events and shows coordinated by the ABGA and oversee the JABGA program. “Catherine will be instrumental in building a sponsorship program that propels ABGA into the future and helps ensure the sustainability of our association,” says Boardman. Riley is from Smithfield, Kentucky and has a strong passion for the animal agriculture industry and is personally invested through the management of her club goat and dorper sheep herds at Eclipse Livestock. In her previous role as Assistant Manager of the North American International Livestock Exposition, Catherine oversaw large-scale livestock shows and events. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the ABGA around livestock and educational events and youth development. "I look forward to working closely with the ABGA and JABGA board, staff, and members to help the association reach its full potential," states Riley. Catherine will be based remotely and can be contacted at criley@abga.org .

Dear members, Thank you for your membership to the American Boer Goat Association. As we close out 2024 and look forward to 2025, we want to remind you of our procedures for electing Board of Directors and any Bylaw changes that may be brought forward. Per Bylaw 3.6, "each regular member shall have the right to vote in any election held by the association or any matter subject to a vote by the regular membership." Bylaw 3.2 defines "all annual membership dues are due no later than the close of business on January 1." Accordingly, in order to be a good standing member to vote in upcoming elections or other matters, you must have renewed your membership by the end of day January 1. Below you will find a chart of the current Board of Directors, when the term they are serving started and when they will be up for re-election. As you can see, there are currently 8 seats up for election in 2025. In addition, per Bylaw 5.2.c, " On or before February 1 in 2007, 2010, and each fifth (5th) year thereafter, the Board, by a majority vote of the whole Board, may modify the number of regions and the boundaries of those regions, in each case to the extent reasonably necessary so that the regions shall have approximately equal numbers of Regular Members per Director. Such modifications shall be based on the number and location of Regular Members as of December 31 preceding such February 1 and shall be effective as of such February 1. The Board shall promptly notify all Regular Members if it makes any such modifications." 2025 is the year for the Board to do this evaluation, and it will be on the agenda for the January 14th Board of Directors meeting. If there are changes to the number of regions, or changing of the boundaries to regions, members will be notified upon that decision, as well as what affects that will have on the upcoming election.