⚠️ Today is the last day to join a National Show committee! The 2026 ABGA National Show is calling for volunteers to serve on sub-committees. From youth programs to decorations, there’s a place for everyone! 🔗 abga.org/national-show/2026-national-show-committees-sign-up
451 results found with an empty search
- JABGA Member, Baylee Lamb, Recognized by the state of Oklahoma
JABGA Bred & Owned Percentage Doe Grand Champion's hard work and dedication pays off! JABGA Member, Baylee Lamb, Recognized by the state of Oklahoma JABGA Bred & Owned Percentage Doe Grand Champion's hard work and dedication pays off! Baylee Lamb , the 2024 JABGA Nationals Bred & Owned Percentage Doe Grand Champion exhibitor, received an invitation from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to the State Capitol in recognition of her achievements at the 2024 JABGA National Show. During her visit, she had the opportunity to meet Governor Kevin Stitt, members of the Oklahoma State Legislature, explore the Capitol, and tour the Governor's Mansion. Lamb was among 48 Junior National Champions representing various breed associations. The exhibitors were recognized on Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt's social media pages. Congratulations, Baylee, on all your accomplishments, and here's to many more in the future! Related Posts Feb 28, 2022 JABGA Member Casey Stevens Researches Goat Meat Casey Stevens’ goal is to change the meat goat industry. Check out her award winning research! Feb 17, 2022 JABGA President Cecelia Knott's Showmanship Tip Check out this useful showmanship tip from JABGA Board President, Cecelia Knott. Feb 17, 2022 Congratulations JABGA Member Jiles Coble Congratulations to JABGA Board Member Jiles Coble who was selected to the 2021 Georgia National Livestock Ambassador team!
- JABGA Member Casey Stevens Researches Goat Meat
Casey Stevens’ goal is to change the meat goat industry. Check out her award winning research! JABGA Member Casey Stevens Researches Goat Meat Casey Stevens’ goal is to change the meat goat industry. Check out her award winning research! An Unknown Staple of Meat | A Study of The Boer Goat Industry Casey Stevens’ goal is to change the meat goat industry. Her research “An Unknown Staple of Meat, A Study of The Meat Goat Industry” came in 4th in the Ag Sociology category at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. You can download and view her study here. Casey_Stevens_An_Unknown_Staple_of_Meat .pdf Download PDF • 962KB Related Posts
- Confidence and Eye Contact
"When going into any showmanship class the most important thing you want to do is have confidence," says JABGA Vice President Logan Hollen. Confidence and Eye Contact "When going into any showmanship class the most important thing you want to do is have confidence," says JABGA Vice President Logan Hollen. JABGA Vice President Logan Hollen When going into any showmanship class the most important thing you want to do is have confidence. You can grow your confidence by having eye contact with the judge. When having eye contact it allows you to have a connection with the judge, and in hopes, they will remember you and set you apart from the rest. It’s very important to stay focused on where the judge is located in the ring. This is done by keeping eye contact. By knowing where the judge is at all times will let you have a smoother transition when moving around your goat and will help keep you focused on the class. This is definitely something that can be practiced at home with the use of a mirror. The use of a mirror in your barn will also help you with feet placement. Judges are very picky on how feet are placed. This will separate you from 1st place and 2nd place the majority of the time. The quicker you can place feet and be looking back up at the judge is what will push you towards the top of the class. Related Posts
- The Importance of The Boer Goat Breed
Boer Goats, bred for meat quality and resilience in South Africa. Learn about their journey to the U.S. and their impact on goat farming by JABGA Area 5 Director Jada Young. The Importance of The Boer Goat Breed Boer Goats, bred for meat quality and resilience in South Africa. Learn about their journey to the U.S. and their impact on goat farming by JABGA Area 5 Director Jada Young. The Boer Goat was originally developed in South Africa, and first appeared around the early 1900s. The South African farmers selectively chose to breed a mixture of indigenous goats, Angora, and Spanish stock to create a hardy animal that could survive the harsh conditions of the South African planes, but also produce enough meat to feed their families. For the next few decades, the farmers used selective breeding techniques to focus on meat quality, meat quantity, and development of the striking characteristic of the white body with a brown head. In 1959, The South African Boer Goat Breeders Association (SABGBA) was established formalizing the breed. Although the breed had been made official over three decades before, the first Fullblood Boer Goat was imported into the United States in 1993. That same year The American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) was established. Since then, according to the USDA the total meat goat population has reached over 2.51 million in the United States. Of those, approximately just over 1 million Boer Goat and Boer Goat crosses are slaughtered annually in the United States for meat consumption purposes. It may be easy for breeders and showmen to visualize our herds as show stock, but it is important to acknowledge the breed for their original purpose. Many countries and families to this day still strongly rely on goat meat production to successfully sustain themselves. - Jada Young, JABGA Area 5 Director Learn more about Jada Young Related Posts Nov 4, 2025 Keeping the Breed Strong Strategic breeding is essential to preserving the breed’s standards. Learn more about raising goats by JABGA Area 4 Director Brook Arce. Dec 2, 2024 Overcoming Obstacles in the Industry The Boer goat industry faces challenges like breeding for quality, disease management, and labor commitment. Despite these, the rewards are immense. By Alaina Blair Oct 18, 2024 Maintaining Breed Integrity The Reasons Behind the Breed Standards by Jada Young
- JABGA Area 5 Regional Show Update
A change has been made to both the location and date of the Area 5 Regional Show. JABGA Area 5 Regional Show Update A change has been made to both the location and date of the Area 5 Regional Show. Dear JABGA members, parents and supporters: After careful consideration, a change has been made to both the location and date of the Area 5 Regional Show. Please see the updated show details below. Dates: November 22-23 Location: Sweetwater, TX Judges: Commercial Does & Market – Justin Burns | Breeding – TBD Show Secretaries: Kelly Murray Kellymurray678@yahoo.com and April Bridget - arb.btl@gmail.com Registration will be open on showman.app by the end of the week. All regional show information can be found at the following link: abga.org/jabga/regional-shows Please reach out if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you in Texas in November! Thanks, Caleb Boardman Executive Director American Boer Goat Association Related Posts May 31, 2023 Area 3 JABGA Regional Show: Racing to the Heartland Check out the results and pics from the Area 3 JABGA Regional Show: Racing to the Heartland in Greenfield, Indiana! Apr 27, 2023 Area 1 JABGA Regional Show: Goat Gala Check out the contest results and pics from the Area 1 JABGA Regional Show, Goat Gala in Merced, California! Mar 20, 2023 Area 4 Regional Show: Peach State Classic Boer Goat Show Check out these pictures from the Area 4 Regional Show - Peach State Classic in Perry, Georgia!
- PERFORMANCE TESTING
See a list of American Boer Goat Association Performance Testing Rules and Regulations. PERFORMANCE TESTING (From Rule 1200 in the ABGA Rules & Regulations). A. ABGA Performance Test Requirements i. The performance test must be open to buck kids only. ii. The test must be conducted under the supervision of a disinterested agency, such as a State Agricultural Institution, State Extension Agency, etc. iii. The test must be between 60 and 90 days long. iv. Bucks must be less than 6 months old at the start of the test. v. The test must be open to all who wish to participate and have qualifying animals. vi. Testing procedures and any requested deviations from these requirements must be submitted in writing to the ABGA Board of Directors for approval at least 3 months prior to the start of the test. vii. A final Test Report, including the total number of animals on test well as the total number of ABGA registered animals on test, will be submitted by the test supervision to the ABGA Office withing 90 days of the conclusion of the test. viii. The final test report must include the following data for each AGBA registered animal on test: a. ABGA Registration number. b. Name, as registered with ABGA. c. Tattoos d. Date of Birth. e. Owner. f. Date weighed and animal weight at the start of the test period. g. Date weighed and animal weight at the end of the test period. h. Calculated Average Daily Gain (ADG) used to determine ADG ranking. ix. It is suggested but not required that when available, the following end of test data also be included in the final test report for each ABGA registered animal on test: a. Birth type. b. Rib eye area. c. Loin eye area. d. Rear leg circumference. e. Fat thickness. f. Scrotal circumference. g. Height at withers. h. Feed efficiency. i. final animal index score. x. It is suggested but not required that at least 4 animals by one sire be entered in the same test. B. Performance Test Support (All performance test support is at the discretion of ABGA) i. Performance test support will be available only to performance tests approved by ABGA in accordance with Rule 1200.A after January 1, 2014. ii. ABGA will provide monetary support to the testing agency to be allocated to awards. iii. ABGA will provide cash payouts for the top performing ABGA registered Fullblood or Purebred bucks entered in ABGA approved performance tests. C. Ennobled Herd Book Points i. Only bucks entered under their ABGA registration number in an approved Performance Test, will be eligible to earn points from a Performance Test as described in the ABGA Criteria for Ennoblement of a Boer Goat. (See Rule 1000, Ennoblement Program). ii. Points for approved Performance Tests will be awarded to top performing Fullblood or Purebred bucks based on their Average Daily Gain (ADG) ranking among the other Fullblood and Purebred bucks on test, according to the following chart: iii. Additional points for ABGA approved Performance Tests will be awarded to top performing bucks, based on individual Average Daily Gain (ADG), using the following schedule: a. Bucks gaining 0.55 lbs./day to less than 0.60 lbs./day shall be awarded 1 point. b. Bucks gaining 0.60 lbs./day to less than 0.65 lbs./day shall be awarded 2 points. c. Bucks gaining 0.65 lbs./day to less than 0.70 lbs./day shall be awarded 3 points. d. Bucks gaining 0.70 lbs./day to less than 0.75 lbs./day shall be awarded 4 points. e. Bucks gaining 0.75 lbs./day to less than 0.80 lbs./day shall be awarded 5 points. f. Bucks gaining 0.80 lbs./day or more shall be awarded 6 points, plus an additional 1 point for each additional 0.01 lbs./day over 0.80 lbs./day. iv. Example: If a buck is ranked 1st on test with an ADG of 0.92 lbs./day in an approved Performance Test having a total of 20 Fullblood or Purebred bucks on test, he shall be awarded 10 points as allowed in 1200.C.ii, as well as an additional 18 points as allowed in 1200.C.iii, for a total of 28 points.
- 2023 Scholarship Winners
Academic excellence, leadership skills, community involvement, and a strong commitment to personal growth. 2023 Scholarship Winners Academic excellence, leadership skills, community involvement, and a strong commitment to personal growth. It's always inspiring to see young individuals achieve academic excellence and be rewarded for their hard work. It's important to acknowledge the hard work and dedication that goes into winning a scholarship. It requires not only academic excellence but also leadership skills, community involvement, and a strong commitment to personal growth. Congratulations again to the 2023 Scholarship winners, and may their academic journeys continue to be filled with success and fulfillment. ABGA Scholarship Winners: Helena Almli Madison Reis Baughman Avery Holman Candice Mitchell Drew Pontious Jenna Gronewold Natalye Scholl Carly Olson Peyton Miller Haylee Finley From L to R: Alaina Blair, Avery Holman, Madison Reis, Natalye Scholl, Logan Hollen, & Cecelia Knott. Coni Ross Memorial Scholarship: Alaina Blair Alaina Blair - Coni Ross Memorial Scholarship recipient. Related Posts
- DNA | American Boer Goat Association | United States
American Boer Goat Association members and non-members can request DNA testing at a set price from ABGA and UC Davis. The DNA Program Explained Updates Starting September 1, 2021, all DNA will be voluntary, and all DNA has to be processed through the ABGA office . (Motion unanimously passed by the ABGA Board of Directors). UC Davis' current turnaround time is 15-20 business days from the date the sample is received. If samples require additional testing, no action on your part is required. No updated estimate for when testing will be completed is available. As of January 1, 2022 we are no longer sending DNA stickers. Results will be sent via email, unless requested. If you would like the DNA qualification reflected on your goat's Certificate of Registration, please send the certificate to the ABGA office. A $5 certificate reissue fee will be charged. The future of our DNA Program ... Read More DNA test request for members in good standing (current/renewed membership). Your member number must be included to receive the member price. Payment must be included to receive the DNA Sample Instructions. $35 Per Animal DNA test request for non-members or members with outstanding membership dues. Payment must be included to receive the DNA Sample Instructions. $40 Per Animal INSTRUCTIONS (All required fields must be filled out completely). Identification: All goats' DNA tested through ABGA must have ABGA identification such as their name and identifying marks or tattoo. Parent Verification: If you are requesting parent verification, check the type of verification (either sire, dam, or both), and BE SURE to fill in the Sire and/or Dam registration number and Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL) Case ID Number. If you do not have a VGL Case ID number, you must purchase the DNA Sample Instructions for each parent you are verifying. PROCESSING TIME UC Davis will EMAIL your DNA Sample Instructions to your email address within three (3) business days of ONLINE submission to ABGA. If you did not provide an email address, the DNA Sample Instructions will be mailed to you. If you do not receive your DNA Sample Instructions within 3 business days, CHECK YOUR JUNK EMAIL . If it is not there, contact the ABGA office at (325) 486-2242, or email dna@abga.org . PULLING AND SENDING HAIR SAMPLE DNA Sample Instructions include instructions on how to pull the hair for the test and send it to UC Davis. Be sure to get the roots of the hair sample. Be sure to use a clean paper envelope. Be sure to write the goat's information on the envelope [name, registration number, your name]. Send the DNA Sample to UC Davis following the instructions in the DNA Sample Instructions you received. Send the confirmation to ABGA. ABGA Rule 802–I In cases where the submitting party is not the owner of record, an unopened vial, straw, or other container containing semen that has been identified in accordance with Rule 401.B is required for DNA test results to be accepted by ABGA. What does the DNA test do for me? It identifies the specific genetic markers associated with the goat you have tested. It allows for parent verification and future identification of that goat as the parent of any kid(s). It will show on your goat’s registration papers, and on online searches people do that your goat’s identity is verified and recorded through the DNA test. It will allow you to show your goat’s parentage has been verified, if you have requested parent verification. What does the test do for ABGA? It lets us build our database of information on registered goats. Once we have that start we can ask UC Davis to test the samples for more markers that will give us the opportunity to improve our animals. Will DNA be used for research? Yes. UC Davis retains the right to use all samples stored at the VGL for research, whether the tests are performed for individuals, or for individuals through associations. Research and the benefits that it can provide to producers is the main focus of the program for the ABGA. As more members participate in the DNA testing program this will make meaningful research a reality for our animals for the first time. Who owns the DNA sample? All DNA samples are stored at UC Davis, and VGL retains the right to use any samples stored there for research, whether they are done for individuals, or for individuals through registries. For contract customer registries like ABGA, the registry has ultimate ownership of the sample. However, the owner receives the results of the DNA tests requested on their goats. This gives ABGA members the guarantee that should UC Davis decide to dispose of samples processed through ABGA requests, ABGA can move those samples to another facility so they are still available for research that will benefit all members. Should it matter to me that the ABGA shares ownership of the sample? Yes. It gives you the guarantee that your sample is safe, regardless of what UC Davis may decide in the future. It makes it easier and cheaper for members to DNA test their goats, and verify parentage, if they wish to do that. Who gets a copy of the DNA Report listing the Markers? For contract customer registries, like ABGA, the owner of the goat will receive a copy of the results to be kept with the animal, and the registry receives a copy of the results to be stored in the appropriate registry herd book. Does ABGA make the DNA Report on my goat available to anyone else? No, absolutely not. If you want someone to have that information, you must provide it to them yourself. Can I get other animals DNA results? No. Only the owner of the DNA sample can get that information. The member will need to contact the owner of the animal who is also the owner of the DNA to get those results. Can I submit DNA directly to UC Davis? You can submit directly to UC Davis for your own records, but unfortunately ABGA does not accept DNA results that are submitted directly to UC Davis. Can the test tell me if my goat is a percentage or fullblood? No. With current information available, there is no way to tell what percentage Boer is in a goat. Is there an extra fee for parent verification? No. The ABGA included this service in our price of doing the DNA test. Will I be told who the parents are? No. The test will show how close they matched, or didn’t match what you indicated on the form. Can I request parent verification of my goat(s) if I don’t own one of the parents? Yes, but only if you verify parentage through ABGA, the parents are registered and have been DNA tested through ABGA. The goat you are verifying parentage of must have some form of an ABGA registration or listing paper number and then all you need is the goat’s parents’ registration numbers to verify the parentage of your goat. If the goat’s parents have not been DNA tested, you would need to order DNA test sample kits on the parents as well as the goat at the same time. If you verify through UC Davis, and/or your goat’s parents have not been DNA tested through ABGA, you must have the VGL Case ID number from their owner. Do I need to keep a sample of the hair? Both UC Davis and ABGA suggest that when you pull a sample to send in for testing, you pull another sample. Place it in an envelope the same way you do the sample you’re sending in and write the identifying information on the envelope. Store it in a DRY, safe place. The best protection of your sample is to leave it in storage at UC Davis where there are documented safeguards in place. Who Owns the Rights to Do Research on the Sample or Sell those Rights? A sample by itself is worthless for research. However, UC Davis retains research rights on all samples it houses, whether they come from individual customers or contract customer associations, like the ABGA. Here is the language each customer receives from UC Davis: [USE OF DATA. All Research data, including but not limited to, all notebooks, DNA typing protocols, original laboratory records, and any research reports, shall be usable by University in pursuit of its mission of teaching, research and public service. University reserves the right, subject to individual confidentiality requirements, to publish any or all research results developed from such data.] Frequently Asked DNA Questions Request DNA Testing Download Printable Form Complete Online Form
- 2022 Halloween Virtual Costume Parade
Ghouls and goblins and goats... oh my! In trick-or-treat spirit, we asked ABGA members to show us their best goat costumes on social media. 2022 Halloween Virtual Costume Parade Ghouls and goblins and goats... oh my! In trick-or-treat spirit, we asked ABGA members to show us their best goat costumes on social media. Ghouls and goblins and goats... oh my! In true trick-or-treat spirit, we asked ABGA members from across the country to show us their best goat costumes on Facebook and Instagram. We want to thank everyone who submitted photos and joined in the Halloween fun. Click on the gallery below to see all of the cute, creative, and clever costumes submissions we received: 2022 Halloween Virtual Costume Parade Photos courtesy of: Cathy Schones Morris, Jessica Shannon Spangler, Amanda Griffith, Kristy Vaughn, Linda Johnson, Nancy Tartaglia, Andrea Luna, Angela and Kevin Manning, Josh Ganoe, Rebecka Knotts, Tracey Jenette LaRue, Laken Stocker-Dahnke. Goats & Goblins 2022 - Princeton, Ind. Photos courtesy of Cindy Dusek. #JABGA #news Related Posts
- SHOW POINTS CHARTS
Points towards Doe of Excellence in the Percentage Doe Herd Book, and points towards Ennoblement in the Fullblood/Purebred Herd Book are awarded according to the charts on this page. SHOW POINTS CHARTS Points towards Doe of Excellence in the Percentage Doe Herd Book, and Points towards Ennoblement in the Fullblood/Purebred Herd Book are awarded according to these Charts for ABGA Sanctioned Shows: Points for the ABGA National Show are awarded according to the following charts:
- Tattoo Guidelines | American Boer Goat Association | United States
The American Boer Goat Association identifies animals based on age and ownership tattoos in the right and left ear of the animal. These tattoos must follow ABGA rules and guidelines. All goats must be tattooed at the time of application for registration. Each goat must have a unique tattoo sequence. The applicant’s HERD PREFIX shall be tattooed in the RIGHT EAR of all goats submitted for registration. (If a doe is sold to a new owner during pregnancy, offspring resulting from that pregnancy shall have the herd prefix of the owner of the doe at kidding tattooed in the right ear of each offspring submitted for registration). The LEFT EAR of all goats submitted for registration shall be tattooed with a letter to indicate the year the animal was born, followed by a serial number to designate the order of birth. (See ABGA Tattoo Letters ). No goat shall be registered by ABGA with the same tattoo (combination of right and left ear tattoos) within a 22 year period. Permanently implanted microchip identification will be accepted by ABGA as official identification in addition to, or in lieu of, tattoos. ABGA Tattoo Letters Tips for Successful Tattooing of Your Goats Halter or muzzle the animal, if necessary. Insert the correct symbols in the pliers. Check the correctness of the symbols by making a mark on a piece of paper. Smear ink on the skin, choosing an area free from freckles and warts, if possible. Place the symbols parallel to and between the veins or cartilage of the ear or the veins of the tail web. Green paste is much better for permanent tattoo identification, particularly where the tissue receiving the tattoo is black or very dark. Do not disturb the area until the healing process is complete, which may be from five to twenty-one days. Keep a list of tattoo numbers with names of animals and enter it in your private breeding record. To read the tattoo in a dark-ear animal, hold a lighted flashlight against the outside of the ear. Equipment Needed: Baking soda, tattoo digits, numbers and alphabet, tattoo ink (paste or roll-on; green is the most versatile), tattoo pliers, wet wipes, toothbrush, and towel. Clean the ear. Scrub the middle of the ear with a wipe. Dry the ear thoroughly. Apply ink to ear. Tattoo the ear using tattoo pliers. Push down hard. The herd prefix goes in the right ear, and the year letter and goat's number go in the left ear. Apply more ink. Apply baking soda. Work baking soda into tattooed area. Finished product after one year. Learn More Tattoo Guidelines ABGA identifies animals by their left and right ear tattoos These tattoos must follow ABGA rules and guidelines.
- Membership Renewal | American Boer Goat Association | United States
American Boer Goat Association members can renew their membership online at any time. Allow 3-5 days for renewal processing. Membership Renewal Membership with the American Boer Goat Association has its benefits for you and your herd. To ensure uninterrupted access to these benefits, renew your membership today. Renewing can be done online on your iCompete account or by printing and completing the renewal form. Renew on iCompete Renewing your account on iCompete is the recommended way to renew. Your membership is renewed instantly, and you will have immediate access to your iCompete account. Go to iCompete Haven't setup your iCompete account yet? Click HERE for instructions, or visit our iCompete page for tutorials, and more! Don't plan on using iCompete? Download a fillable PDF renewal form HERE , or click the button below to renew using our digital form. Renew









