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.

View past editions of the American Boer Goat Association’s magazine The Boer Goat here. You can also download promotional materials and submit media inquiries. Read this issue! Read this issue! THE BOER GOAT ARCHIVE Winter 2018 - Fall 2020 Archive July/August 2011 - Fall 2018 Archive Magazine Ad Rates Advertise in The Boer Goat Magazine REACH MORE THAN 7,000 READERS EACH ISSUE! For more information about The Boer Goat editorial calendar, ad dimensions, rates, print deadlines, or online and e-newsletter advertising, please contact Public Relations Manager Allison Moore at (325) 486-2242 or editor@abga.org . Print-ready ads should be submitted in electronic format via email as press-optimized, high-resolution jpg, tiff, eps or PDF with all fonts and graphics embedded. Other formats will not be accepted. Ads must be paid for in full before they will be printed. New ads will not be accepted from delinquent advertisers. Ad space reserved but canceled or not filled will be billed at the full rate. The Boer Goat Magazine

The American Boer Goat Association: Protecting, Promoting, and Recording the American Boer Goat Breed. iCompete Find iCompete updates, how-to videos, report an issue and more. Go to iCompete Report a Problem Watch Tutorials View Updates New to iCompete? Check out these step-by-step tutorial to get you started. More tutorials coming soon! How to Transfer a Goat on iCompete How to Sign Up for iCompete & Renew Your Membership How to Register a Percentage Goat with an Unregistered Dam Next Back Updates on iCompete Technical Issues and Features These are the major issues or missing features with iCompete. We are working through smaller bugs on the member and staff side of iCompete that shouldn't affect registrations. Please report any issues you are having with registrations that are not listed below by clicking the Report a Problem button above. The "BLUE SCREEN" is no longer being updated or supported. iCompete is an all-in-one solution that includes registry, competition and shows, and research. You will no longer need two logins to manage your herd and data. You can view the new Herd Book by logging into your iCompete account and clicking the Herd Book button. Data Errors. Due to more than 13 million animals, plus member and show data being transferred to our new system, some data transferred over incorrectly. No data was lost. We are working on getting that data corrected. If you see incorrect information on your account or owned animals, click the Report a Problem button and let us know. Herd Book Updates. We are currently working on the Herd Book, and archived show and points data to reflect more data, as it did on the "blue screen." Please allow some time for these updates to be made. Listing Papers. We are unable to print listing papers at this time. If you have trouble registering a listing paper animal, or trouble registering offspring from a listing paper animal, please contact the office. Herd Disposal/Management. Marking your animal as deceased is available. We are still working on marking your animals as "sold without papers" or "sold with papers" to remove them from your herd. Transactions. There is currently no transactions page for members. If you would like a report of your transactions, please contact the ABGA office. This feature is currently being worked on. Payment for work done in the office. The iCompete developers are currently working on a payment system for work done in the office. Currently, you will receive an invoice in your email if you did not provide payment up front. iCompete News & Updates ABGA Member Update – Rule Changes & iCompete Enhancements Sep 26, 2025 READ MORE My Animals list: Search and Sort Options Nov 27, 2024 READ MORE Viewing Progeny Points on iCompete Nov 21, 2024 READ MORE iCompete Update: Registrations are now fully automated! Nov 13, 2024 READ MORE Renew You ABGA Membership on iCompete Oct 3, 2024 READ MORE Multi-Owned Goats Now Displaying in All Owners Inventory Sep 27, 2023 READ MORE Next Back Adult members can register for their Junior accounts again. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.

The American Boer Goat Association: Protecting, Promoting, and Recording the American Boer Goat Breed. Past Editions November 2025 Mid-Month Update November 2025 October 2025 Mid-Month Update October 2025 September 2025 Mid-Month Update September 2025 First Prev 1 Page 1 Next Last The Boer Goat Newsletter Subscribe to The Boer Goat Newsletter—ABGA’s bi‑weekly e‑newsletter delivering the latest on shows, membership highlights, and industry news directly to your email inbox. Stay in the Loop with ABGA News Never miss an important update—subscribe to The Boer Goat Newsletter, ABGA’s official e-newsletter delivered straight to your inbox every first and third Thursday morning. It’s the best way to stay informed about office announcements, upcoming shows, membership news, and more. Whether you're a seasoned breeder or new to the community, our newsletter keeps you connected and up to date. Sign up today and stay ahead with everything ABGA! First Name Enter Your Email Subscribe Thanks for subscribing to our newsletter! Last Name Latest Edition Open in new window

ABGA identifies animals by their left and right ear tattoos These tattoos must follow ABGA rules and guidelines. Tattoo Guidelines ABGA identifies animals by their left and right ear tattoos These tattoos must follow ABGA rules and guidelines. Tattoo Uniqueness No animal may be registered with the same right+left ear combination within a 22-year period. Completing the registration application Report the tattoo exactly as it appears on the animal. Do not list un-applied marks. If there was a tattooing mistake, list what is actually on the animal; you may need to add letters/numbers so the tattoo is unique. If a tattoo must be corrected (re-tattoo) Animals that list a sequence already assigned in the registry must be re-tattooed in the right ear with your assigned prefix; the certificate will reflect the re-tattoo. Send the certificate back noting all characters as they appear; ABGA will issue a revised certificate per Rule 712. Rule 712 specifies that a corrected certificate can reflect a re-tattoo. Transfers & sales: verify tattoos before selling Before offering a registered animal for sale or applying for transfer, the seller must verify the animal carries legible permanent identification marks corresponding to its certificate. Show requirements All goats must have legible tattoos consistent with the registration certificate or the animal will be disqualified; point-eligible goats’ tattoos must be read and recorded. Microchip or freeze brand is accepted by ABGA in addition to, or in lieu of, tattoos for shows; owner supplies the scanner. Rules and Regulations Who must be tattooed and when All goats must be tattooed at the time of application for registration. Include tattoo info on the application. External IDs (tags, etc.) are not permanent ID for registration. What counts as permanent identification Permanent identification for registration = tattoos. Microchips are accepted as official ID in addition to or in lieu of tattoos; owner must provide a scanner. Freeze branding is accepted and considered a method of tattoo. Brand the assigned herd prefix in the right ear; it’s recommended to mark the left ear with year letter + serial. Right ear = Herd Prefix (your tattoo sequence) Each applicant is assigned a unique tattoo sequence (exclusive-use policy). Use only your assigned sequence. Place the applicant’s tattoo (herd prefix) in the right ear of every animal you submit for registration. If a pregnant doe is sold, the offspring must carry the herd prefix of the doe’s owner at kidding in the right ear. Left ear = Year letter + serial number Recommended format for the left ear: the year letter of birth + a serial number showing order of birth. A year-letter table (letters I, O, Q, U not used) is provided in Rule 215. Rules and Regulations Year Letter 2026 S 2025 R 2024 P 2023 N 2022 M 2021 L 2020 K 2019 J 2018 H 2017 G 2016 F 2015 E 2014 D 2013 C 2012 B 2011 A 2010 Z 2009 Y 2008 X 2007 W 2006 V 2005 T 2004 S 2003 R 2002 P 2001 N 2000 M 1999 L 1998 K 1997 J 1996 H 1995 G 1994 F 1993 E Rules and Regulations Quick reference Right ear: your herd prefix (tattoo or freeze brand). Left ear (recommended): year letter + serial . (see table/chart above) No duplicate tattoos: no duplicate full tattoo combinations for 22 years. Rules and Regulations Mistake? Report what’s on the animal; re-tattoo if needed; ABGA updates the certificate. Microchip / Freeze brand: accepted as official ID (freeze brand treated as a method of tattoo). Rules and Regulations View rules to correctly identify your goats for ABGA registration, shows, and records. Where to place herd prefix and year/serial, re-tattoo steps, microchips & freeze brands, transfers, and show requirements. Registration and Standards Related Posts & Updates Mar 31, 2025 Native on Appearance Program: Expanding Opportunity for ABGA Members Register Boer does with no pedigree through ABGA’s new Native on Appearance program. Read More May 19, 2023 How to Tattoo Your Goat ABGA Member Dawn Foster of No Step Ranch in Sterling City, Texas takes us through the steps on how to tattoo your goat. Read More Mar 17, 2023 ABGA Broadens Horizons with Wether Incentive Program Ahead of National Show Discover the Boer Goat Advantage (BGA) program by the American Boer Goat Association, offering cash prizes and incentives for wether goat breeders at national and regional shows! Read More

Boer Goat Nation, hosted by Drew Williams and Jason Brashear, is a podcast designed to promote the Boer goat breed, the industry, and the hard-working people that make the industry great. Boer Goat Nation is broadcast via Facebook Live every Tuesday night at 7:00 PM CST. Boer Goat Nation, hosted by Drew Williams, is a podcast designed to promote the Boer goat breed, the industry, and the hard-working people that make the industry great. Boer Goat Nation is broadcast via Facebook Live every Tuesday night at 7:00 PM CST. You can find them on Facebook HERE. In an effort to improve communication and open engagement with nearly 10,000 ABGA members and industry partners, the ABGA Board of Directors is excited to be partnering with Boer Goat Nation. The Board of Directors has committed to participating in the podcast once a month to share updates and progress within ABGA and JABGA and share highlights from our published minutes from the monthly meetings of the Board of Directors. You can watch the monthly updates below. Dec 6, 2023 ABGA on Boer Goat Nation - Winter Face-to-Face Recap Watch the Podcast Jul 25, 2023 ABGA on Boer Goat Nation - July 25, 2023 Watch the Podcast Jul 17, 2023 ABGA on Boer Goat Nation - Summer Face-to-Face Recap Watch the Podcast Jul 11, 2023 ABGA on Boer Goat Nation - July 11, 2023 Watch the Podcast May 30, 2023 ABGA on Boer Goat Nation - May 30, 2023 Watch the Podcast Mar 28, 2023 ABGA on Boer Goat Nation - March 28 Watch the Podcast Feb 28, 2023 ABGA on Boer Goat Nation - Feb. 28th Watch the Podcast Dec 21, 2022 ABGA on Boer Goat Nation - Dec. 20 Watch the Podcast Dec 14, 2022 ABGA on Boer Goat Nation - Dec. 13 Watch the Podcast Nov 16, 2022 ABGA on Boer Goat Nation - Nov. 15 Watch the Podcast

The American Boer Goat Association provides a list of Certified and Approved Judges nationwide who are qualified to judge ABGA and JABGA sanctioned shows. ABGA also holds Judges Certification Courses to educate and certify official JABGA judges. ABGA Certified Judges View the list of American Boer Goat Association certified judges. Search by state or name to view the judges in your area. ABGA judges who have not paid or renewed their membership by January 1 must wait 90 days after completing all required materials (ABGA Code of Ethics and background check) before they are eligible to judge a show. Don't see your name on the approved judges list, or need to update your contact information? Contact the ABGA office. Contact Download a printable Approved Judges Listing ABGA Approved Judges Mike Stiefel Alabama mstiefel1@aol.com 256-689-8153 Mark A. Berry Arkansas berrysghfarm@gmail.com Cell: 870-828-1734 Fax: 870-356-4677 David Carwell Arkansas david@bdgenetics.com Cell: 870-318-0307 Warren Thigpen Arkansas warrenthigpen@gmail.com Cell: 210-414-3218 Patrick Aliff California wpaliff@gmail.com Cell: 304-888-6537 Pat Ariaz California patariaz@yahoo.com Home: 209-852-9606 Cell: 209-969-4307 Dr. Shelby A. Gough California shelbyarmstrong1@gmail.com Cell: 503-756-2817 Mike Reis California msrreis@yahoo.com 707-483-6303 Derrick Brown Colorado masterpiecegenetics1019@gmail.com 970-217-7296 Dr. Jennifer Wagester Colorado jwagester@wagester.net 517-526-1152 Glenda Wilcox Colorado barxiboers1@gmail.com 307-299-4602 Rodney Wilson Jr. Delaware rewilson9131@gmail.com 302-727-3720 Next > < Previous Page JUDGES CERTIFICATION PROGRAM Judges Certification Sign-Up Are you over 21 years of age, or will you be 21 years of age as of the first day of the Judges Certification Course? * Yes No ABGA Member Number First Name Last Name Street Address Street Address Line 2 City State Zip Email Phone How many years of experience do you have with goats? Do you breed and/or show Boer goats, or have you previously at any time bred and/or shown Boer goats? * Breed Show Both How familiar are you with ABGA’s Rules and Regulations? * Very Somewhat Not Familiar How familiar are you with ABGA Sanctioned Show Rules? * Very Somewhat Not Familiar How familiar are you with JABGA Regional Show Rules? * Very Somewhat Not Familiar How familiar are you with ABGA Breed Standards? * Very Somewhat Not Familiar Have you judged on behalf of any other species/organizations? Please list them below. I agree to consent to a background check once I am certified as an ABGA Judge. Pay Now This form has reached the maximum amount of submissions. Thank you for you interest in becoming an ABGA Judge. Thanks for submitting! The program will take place on the first weekend in November at: Tarleton State University Agriculture Center 1091 County Road 518 Stephenville, Texas 76401 ABGA Certified Judge nominees must be ABGA members in good standing and over the age of 21 as of the first day of the Judges Certification Program. JUDGES RESOURCES Download Judges Show Ring Protocol Download ABGA Breed Standards Download Boer Goat Anatomy Download Meat Goat Judging Terminology Download Code of Ethics Download ABGA Rules & Regulations Download ABGA Sanctioned Show Rules Download JABGA Regional Show Rules Download JABGA Sanctioned Show Rules Download Concurrent Show Rules Download Visual Inspection Form

All American Boer Goat Association forms are available on our website, including Membership Renewal Forms, Agent Authorization Forms, Registration Applications, Transfer Applications, Live Coverage Service memos, and more. New Member Application The annual Adult Membership fee is $75. Memberships run from January 1 through December 31 of each year. Adults must be 21 years of age or older. Click here for more information, or to join using our digital form. Download Form New Junior Member Application The annual Junior Membership is $30. JABGA Memberships run from January 1 through December 31 of each year. JABGA Members must be under 21 years of age, and must have an active Adult ABGA member as an Authorized Agent . Download Form Renewal Form Renewals run through December 31 of each year. Adult renewals are $75 annually. JABGA renewals are $30 annually. You can also renew your membership directly on iCompete. Download Form Agent Authorization Form Need to add an Authorized Agent to your account? An Authorized Agent is a person, or firm, empowered to act on behalf of another. An Authorized Agent can make decisions regarding your account and herd on your behalf. Download Form ABGA Affiliate Application The ABGA Affiliate Program is designed to assist and provide resources to local goat clubs. This program is open to all meat goat and Boer goat clubs that desire to be part of the affiliate program. We are currently reworking our affiliate program and benefits. Download Form ABGA Checklist / Coversheet To process your work without delay, please include this completed and signed form with all ABGA forms and supporting documents. Download Form Registration Application Use this form to register your new addition to your herd, or to sell an unregistered goat from your herd. Download Form Multi-Registration Application for Breeder This form is for breeders only. Used this form to register 10 goats on one form. Download Form Live Coverage Service Memo A Service Memo is a form signed by the owner, or lesser, of a buck that indicates service or exposure dates to one or more does. The form requires both the buck and doe’s names, registration numbers, and the doe’s right and left ear tattoos. Click here for more information. Download Form Transfer Application Use this form when transferring ownership of an individual goat between a buyer and a seller when the original certificate is non-existent. This must be accompanied by a statement from the seller requesting a “Duplicate” and why. Otherwise, you can complete a transfer on the back of you Certificate of Registration. Download Form Lease Application A lease is a contract by which a person allows another person the use and possession of an animal for a specified time period. Download Form Listing Paper Application Animals that are otherwise ineligible for registration or a Record of Pedigree will be eligible for a “Listing Paper” with the Association. We are currently unable to print listing papers. We will update the membership when this is available. Download Form DNA Sample Processing Request Form DNA is no longer required as of Sep 1, 2021. Beginning February 1, 2025, all DNA testing will move to a Single-nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) analysis, commonly pronounced as “snip.” You may also request DNA digitally HERE . Download Form Certificate of Embryo Recovery (Flush Form) To ensure a faster turnaround. Please use our standard Embryo Recovery/Flush form. The fee is $10 per donor. Download Form Standard Certificate of Embryo Freezing To ensure a faster turnaround. Please use our standard Embryo Freezing form. The fee is $10 per donor. Download Form Embryo Ownership Transfer Form Use this form if you are selling fresh or frozen embryos, or an implanted recipient doe. Download Form Sanctioned Show Application Promote the Boer goat industry and help the genetic improvement of the Boer breed by sanctioning your Boer goat show with the ABGA. All wins and points will be permanantly recorded. See the ABGA Sanctioned Show Rules. Download Form Visual Inspection Application Visual Inspection services are provided by ABGA approved inspectors. See Rule 1100 in the Rules & Regulations to learn more about Visual Inspections. Download Form Ennoblement Nomination Form Download Form Doe of Excellence Nomination Form The Sire of Merit Award is open to Fullblood, American Purebred, and American Percentage Does. Applicants must submit the $20 fee with their application. See Rule 1301 in the ABGA Rules & Regulations to learn more about the Sire of Merit Award. Download Form Sire of Merit Nomination Form The Sire of Merit Award is open to Fullblood, American Purebred, and American Percentage Bucks. Applicants must submit the $20 fee with their application. See Rule 1301 in the ABGA Rules & Regulations to learn more about the Sire of Merit Award. Download Form Rule 900 Filing The purpose of this form is to file a Rule 900 complaint with the ABGA against an ABGA member. Each complaint shall be filed listing only the date and information of one specific rule violation. The filing fee is $500 per complaint. Download Form JABGA Sanctioned Show Substitution Form Download Form JABGA National Show Substitution Form Download Form All Forms Membership Forms Registration Forms DNA & Flush Forms Show Forms Other Forms Forms Download our fillable PDF membership, registration, and show forms. Have a question about a form? Contact us!

Keep up with what's new and upcoming with the 2025 ABGA and JABGA National Show. News & Updates Keep up with news & updates for the 2026 ABGA & JABGA Nationals Show. Nov 18, 2025 National Show Judges Survey Now Open The National Show Judging Survey includes all qualified candidates who applied for consideration, with each judging team submitted directly by the applicants to ensure a fair and transparent selection process. Read More Oct 13, 2025 Announcement: 2026 National Show Judges Applications Join the American Boer Goat Association's 2026 National Show! Applications for judges open October 20th. Organize your team and review eligibility requirements today! Read More Aug 26, 2025 Get Involved: Volunteer for the 2026 ABGA National Show Sub-Committees Volunteer for the 2026 ABGA National Show sub-committees and help create an unforgettable event for members, youth, and exhibitors. Read More Load More News

The American Boer Goat Association: Protecting, Promoting, and Recording the American Boer Goat Breed. National Show Results View ABGA & JABGA National Show results by year. Click a year below to see detailed show results and champions. 2025 National Show Results Louisville, Kentucky View Results

The National Show Judging Survey includes all qualified candidates who applied for consideration, with each judging team submitted directly by the applicants to ensure a fair and transparent selection process. National Show Judges Survey Now Open The National Show Judging Survey includes all qualified candidates who applied for consideration, with each judging team submitted directly by the applicants to ensure a fair and transparent selection process. Dear ABGA Members, The National Show Judging Survey includes all qualified candidates who applied for consideration, with each judging team submitted directly by the applicants to ensure a fair and transparent selection process. At the July 2025 Face-to-Face Board of Directors Meeting, the Board approved opening the 2026 ABGA and JABGA judges surveys to all 2025 members in good standing. Survey links have been emailed to the address on file. If you did not receive a survey and are a 2025 member in good standing (renewed your membership by January 1, 2025), please check your spam folder. If it has not been received, please email mail@abga.org . When completing your survey, please select one candidate or team per JABGA show and one team for the ABGA Open Show. Only one survey per member number is permitted, and once submitted, your survey cannot be changed. All surveys must be submitted by Friday, December 5, 2025. Thank you for your continued dedication to ABGA and the success of our National Show. Sincerely, American Boer Goat Association For more information or questions, contact Rodney Wilson, National Show Chair, region.10@abga.org

Check out these contest results and pics from the Area 5 Regional Show, Spring in the Ring, held in Abilene, Texas. Area 5 JABGA Regional Show: Spring in the Ring Check out these contest results and pics from the Area 5 Regional Show, Spring in the Ring, held in Abilene, Texas. Check out these photos from the Area 5 JABGA Regional Show: Spring in the Ring! You can see the show results here . See the contest results below. #ABGAShows #JABGA #news Related Posts