The American Boer Goat Association: Protecting, Promoting, and Recording the American Boer Goat Breed. Recipes Find delicious goat meat recipes from American Boer Goat Association members, Junior members, & chefs across the globe. Submit a Recipe Goat From Farm to Table With the growing popularity of Caribbean and Indian cuisine in America, goat meat is finding its way into many more recipes. September 2, 2022 Easy Goat Enchiladas This recipe for easy goat enchiladas is courtesy of former JABGA Area 4 Directors Noah Ridding and Isaac Ridding. October 21, 2022 Stir-Fry Chevon with Green Onions This easy Asian-inspired chevon (goat) recipe is courtesy of ABGA member Patricia Parson of Pendergrass, Ga. October 20, 2022 Goat Jerky This classic goat jerky recipe is the perfect on-the-go snack, courtesy of former JABGA Area 4 Director Noah Ridding. October 1, 2022 Hawaiian Goat Mini-Kebabs These luau-worthy Hawaiian goat mini-kebabs are courtesy of ABGA member Patricia Parson of Pendergrass, Ga. September 15, 2022 Goat Gumbo This Cajun-inspired recipe for goat gumbo is courtesy of former JABGA Area 4 Director Isaac Ridding. August 10, 2022 Goat Texas Chili - 2022 National Show Tasting & Recipe Contest Winner Tiffani Row's Goat Texas Chili recipe blew away the judges and took first place in the 2022 ABGA National Show Tasting & Recipe Contest. July 1, 2022 Curry Goat This curry goat recipe is courtesy of former JABGA Area 4 Director Noah Ridding. June 1, 2022 Paula Parker's Family Bar-B-Que Goat Recipe With Spring here, it’s time to talk about barbequing! Here’s a recipe from ABGA member Paula Parker for Bar-B-Que Goat. March 24, 2022 Jamaican Curried Goat Recipe If you missed Spice Island Grill on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, you can still get the Jamaican Curried Goat recipe... March 15, 2022 Braised Goat Shanks Recipe Cozy up with your family with this flavorful dish! This Braised Goat Shanks recipe is from our ABGA Board Member Maddie Fenton’s kitchen.... December 28, 2021 Appetizer Goat Kabobs Easy, sizzling goat kebabs make the perfect party appetizer. December 28, 2021 Christmas Goat Meatballs Recipe Easy to make Christmas Goat Meatballs with ground goat! December 18, 2021

Get to know ABGA National Show Judge, Anton Ward. Anton Ward Anton Ward Get to know ABGA National Show Judge, Anton Ward. Anton Ward, a seasoned livestock judge and agricultural expert, was born and raised in the province of Tranvaal, now known as Limpopo Province, in South Africa. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Animal Science from Pretoria Technicon, which laid the foundation for his extensive career in livestock judging and animal husbandry. Anton moved to the United States in 1993, initially settling in North Carolina, where he lived until 2014 before relocating to Southwest Missouri, where he currently resides. Anton has been judging livestock since 1988, a passion that has seen him traverse numerous arenas across the United States and Canada. His expertise in the field led to his involvement with the American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) from its inception. Over the years, Anton has judged many major livestock shows, demonstrating his profound knowledge and commitment to the industry. His skills and experience have also been instrumental in training most of the early Canadian judges and many in the U.S., ensuring high standards and consistency in livestock judging. Notably, Anton has judged the prestigious ABGA National Show seven times, with his eighth appearance slated for 2024. In addition to raising Boer goats, Anton has also been dedicated to raising beef cattle since 2003. His lifelong dedication to livestock, combined with his extensive experience and training, makes Anton Ward a respected and influential figure in the agricultural community. For more information or questions, contact Rodney Wilson, National Show Chair, region.10@abga.org

Stay tuned for more information... Area 1 Regional Sponsors Gold Casada Creations - Regional Show Series Sponsor Lowes Purple Vision - Regional Show Series Sponsor Newton Farms - Regional Show Series Sponsor Purina - Regional Show Series Sponsor Silver Sullivan Supply - Fitting Contest Sponsor Bronze Rachel Lopes (Turlock, CA) Friend Sunflower Farm Boer Goats (Eagle Pointe, OR) IJ Farms Reis Family View Regional Show Rules View Skill-a-thon Study Guide + more 📍 Location: Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, 2357 Fair St, Chico, CA 95928 📅 Dates: March 13 - 15, 2026 🤠 Judges: Jason Brashear (Breeding) Catherine Riley (Market) 📄 Show Secretary: Jaelynn Namio 📧 Email: jaelynn@abga.org 📞 Phone: 325-222-8280

The American Boer Goat Association: Protecting, Promoting, and Recording the American Boer Goat Breed. Ambassador of the Breed The American Boer Goat Association honors and appreciates individuals who contribute to promoting the American Boer Goat Breed. Every year, our members nominate candidates for the ABGA's Ambassador of the Breed, who are then recognized at the ABGA & JABGA National Show. Ambassador of the Breed Nominations are now closed. A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for this year's Ambassador of the Breed! Your participation plays a vital role in celebrating the individuals who are making a real difference in promoting and advancing our breed. Nominations are now officially closed, and we’re excited to announce the winner very soon! 🎉The recipient of this honor will be recognized at the 2025 ABGA & JABGA National Show in Louisville, Kentucky. Your voice helps shine a light on the leaders and role models within our community. Thank you for being part of this important tradition! Congratulations to our past and future Ambassadors of the Breed! 2026 Lary Duncan See more 2025 Roger McSwain See more 2024 Terry & Sue Taylor See more 2023 Randy & Cindy Dusek See more 2022 Don Smith See more 2021 Eddie Holland Joetta Boyd Carol DeLobbe Terry Brown MD Shurley Ervin Chavana See more 2020 No nominees due to COVID19 See more 2019 Coni Ross Fred Homeyer Joe Tipton See more 2018 Bob Duke See more 2017 The Ryals Family See more 2016 Jim & Lynn Farmer See more 2015 John & Jackie Edwards Preston Faris See more 2025 Ambassador of the Breed Nominate Your Candidate! Get Started! We are taking nominations for this year’s Ambassador of The Breed! Nominations must be received by March 28, 2025. Current Board members are ineligible for nomination and/or to nominate a candidate. Only one (1) person, partnership, or family will be eligible per year.

Region 5 Director, Michael Reis Back to Board of Directors Patrick Aliff Region 2 Email With over 25 years dedicated to the Boer goat industry, Patrick Aliff has built a distinguished career as an exhibitor, judge, and champion for agricultural education. His achievements include national recognition in Boer boat exhibitions, including ABGA Nationals, and a reputation as a trusted voice in the field. Patrick is also an ABGA Certified Judge and travels nationwide to officiate sanctioned shows, bringing valuable insight and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards. In addition to his judging role, he works as a farm operations consultant, partnering with breeders to improve production efficiency and achieve success in both the show ring and on the farm. Previous Director Next Director

Back to All Ambassadors 2025 Roger McSwain I am deeply humbled to be selected as the 2025 Ambassador of the Breed. This award is truly the highest honor anyone in this industry could receive. Like those who have achieved this before me, I am very grateful to my peers for bestowing this prestigious distinction upon me. My wife Jennifer and I own and operate RM Ranch in Cherryville, North Carolina. I have been raising Boer goats and operating this ranch for the last 30 years. My family has been farming the surrounding area since the late 1800's. My father raised Limousin cattle on this very farm and taught me quite a lot as a child about breeding and genetics. In the late 1980s and early 90s I competed in training and showing horses until moving to a species that my two children, Chris and Amber, could participate with. I purchased the first set of Boer goats after my children were old enough to start showing livestock in 1995 from Jack Mauldin I was fortunate to meet Anton Ward in 1998 at the first show I attended, the North Carolina State fair in Raleigh. Anton was instrumental in my earliest understanding of the various aspects of breeding and raising Boer goats. He also introduced me to the various techniques involved in advanced reproduction. Since then, I have been actively participating in advanced reproductive technologies. I was fortunate enough to perform many of these with great pioneers in embryo transfer in the Boer goat’s breed like John and Jackie Edwards. In an effort to further my formal education in the breed, I decided to attempt to pass as a certified judge. I was extremely fortunate to be 1 of 38 people who trained and tested, to become certified judges, under the South African Judges. When I say fortunate, I mean I was one of only three people, from that group of 38, who graduated with a judging license in 2001. Since then, I was lucky to judge shows all over the country including majors such as the Fort Worth Stock show in 2015. In 2012 I traveled internationally to judge goats in Quebec Canada. In 2006 I traveled to South Africa and attended their national show. I also visited various farms where I saw the birthplace of the modern-day Boer goat. It was on these farm tours that I was able to visit Lukas Burger’s farm and see the animals used to create the last imports of frozen embryos sent to the United States. Many of the offspring from those were sent to the Powell-Holman Farm in Texas in 2007. I would later be fortunate enough to acquire some of those foundation genetics for my own herd. One of the most rewarding parts of my Boer goat journey has been the opportunity to learn from many great breeders. Some of which are true ambassadors of the Boer goat breed. Beyond that, the chance to give back, to teach and mentor new breeders has been extremely satisfying to me. Whether their goals are in the show ring, breeding, or understanding breed standards and judging conformation it is truly rewarding to help others succeed in their own Boer goat journey. “Success is shaped by those you surround yourself with. Everything we’ve achieved—whether in production, the show ring, or the sale ring—has been made possible by the support and guidance of others. Many individuals have helped forge our path, and for that, we’re truly grateful.”

Our committees at the American Boer Goat Association are an essential part of our organization, dedicated to fostering collaboration and innovation. We encourage all members to engage with our committees, as they provide excellent opportunities for development within the Boer goat community. Committee Chair Co-Chair Description Affiliates Paige Gunderson TBD Execute the Affiliates Program approved at the July 2025 Face to Face Meeting Breed Improvement Kyle Tate Josh Stephans Create a plan for the DNA program moving forwardWork on a solution for aged animals Work on a solution for over conditioned animals Performance testing & data collection Finance Zach Westfall Elizabeth Mobley Advise on financial issues Look into potential cost savings opportunities Look into potential income generating opportunities Work with the Executive Director on the budget Judges Terry Burks Caleb Boardman Review, oversee, & evaluate the Judges Certification Program Organize & conduct Judges Certification training sessions at regional & national shows Organize & conduct a Certified Judge update program Update, compile, and complete the Approved Judge list Review the Judges Show Ring Protocol Junior Programs Ashley Roles Jaelynn Namio-Grant Advise the JABGA Board of Directors Provide insight on JABGA programs & rules Assist in fundraising for JABGA programs Assist in planning & implementing educational contests Member Education & Outreach Paige Gunderson Sue Schroeder Develop junior & adult educational content (podcasts, documents, etc.) Plan & execute educational sessions at the National Show Assist the Executive Director in creating outside partnerships National Show Rodney Wilson Jr. Jaelynn Namio-Grant Assist ABGA staff in planning & executing the 2026 National Show Research potential locations for future National Shows Purebred Breed Up Patrick Aliff Rodney Wilson Create a proposal for a Purebred Breed Up Program Rules, Regulations, & Bylaws Zach Westfall Mandy Horn Review all Rules & Regulations, Bylaws, Policies, etc. Work with legal counsel to provide suggestions for additions or changes Sub-committee to review the ennoblement rules & requirements (Patrick Aliff) Show Incentive Programs Kyle Tate Danielle Funk Promote & expand the Registered Wether & Wether Dam Programs Execute the roll out of the Roll Of Honor (ROH) Program Staff & Board Policies Kim Veal Porschea Penn Review, consolidate, and cross check all staff & board policy documents available on the ABGA website Committee Roles & Reponsibilities Purpose: In accordance with Bylaw 8.2, the President, with approval of the Board of Directors (BOD) or the Executive Committee, may designate committees that shall perform such functions as provided during committee designations. Led by: Each committee shall be led by a committee chair, who shall be appointed by the President of the BOD with majority approval of the board. The appointed chair of the committee shall nominate a co-chair of their choosing to be approved by the BOD. Reports to: Committees will report to the BOD and shall never have the power to exercise the authority of the BOD. Committee Member Selection and Quantity: Regular members in good standing of the ABGA may apply for any active committee. The chair and co-chair of the committee shall select members based on the qualifications indicated in the application. Each committee shall consist of no less than 4 total members. At least one, but no more than 50% of the whole committee, shall be currently seated on the BOD. ABGA staff members can be on committees as voting or non-voting members, as designated by the Committee Chair. Any BOD shall reserve the right to attend a committee meeting they are not an active member of in a non-voting capacity. Meeting minutes and recordings: A committee member shall be designated to keep minutes of all meetings. Recordings of the meetings shall also be taken and placed in ABGA designated electronic file. Minutes shall be made available to the BOD upon request. Meeting times and host: Each committee shall meet at least bimonthly. Meetings shall be conducted through a selected online platform as designated by the BOD. Meetings shall be hosted and organized by the Office Manager or committee chair to ensure proper recording and access is available to the ABGA. Meeting schedule policy: Meetings shall be scheduled, and committee members notified a minimum of 5 business days in advance of the meeting unless otherwise needed on a case-by-case basis. Confidentiality agreement: Members of the finance committee, and any other committees, as directed by the President of the ABGA, shall sign and submit a confidentiality agreement, upon acceptance to the committee, and then on an annual basis to the ABGA office. Removal from Committee: Failure to comply with any of these policies will result in removal from the committee in accordance with Bylaw 8.2. Help Shape the Future of the ABGA — Join a Committee! Committees are vital to the growth and success of the American Boer Goat Association. View open roles, responsibilities, and current committee chairs to find where your skills align. If selected, ABGA office staff will reach out to you directly with follow-up instructions. Sign up by August 15, 2025! Apply to Join a Committee Committees Our committees at the American Boer Goat Association are an essential part of our organization, dedicated to fostering collaboration and innovation. We encourage all members to engage with our committees, as they provide excellent opportunities for development within the Boer goat community.

JABGA Board Member, Alaina Blair, reflects on what National Agriculture Week means to her. What National Agriculture Week Means To Me JABGA Board Member, Alaina Blair, reflects on what National Agriculture Week means to her. By Alaina Blair JABGA Board Member Alaina Blair Agriculture has provided me with vast opportunities and has impacted my life in many great ways: from skills learned and values instilled in me to hard work and responsibility are a way of life. It teaches perseverance, to hold tight to my faith, and know the sun will rise again tomorrow. Agriculture is not only cultivating the land, producing crops, and raising livestock, but it’s being a caregiver. It’s setting roots that run deep with family, history, and community. One day I will become part of a legacy left on the land as the next generation is raised. Agriculture is vital for all, for it produces the necessities that maintain life. ABGA has helped me find my passion and fuels my drive for the Boer goat industry. It’s given me the opportunity to be involved in the industry I so deeply love. Hopefully, one day I will be able to have a livelihood in becoming a veterinarian that specializes in small ruminants and giving back to the industry that has given me so much. Therefore, celebrating National Agriculture Week makes me think of gratitude and harvest time. Gratitude for the backbone of our nation that provides our food and a way of life to be proud of! It’s the past, present, and a promise of the future. It gives me a reason to celebrate the industry I love and settles my soul. Here’s to a lifestyle worth celebrating! #JABGA #news Related Posts

Back to All Ambassadors 2015 John & Jackie Edwards Preston Faris

2026 National Show Interns 2026 National Show Interns Savanna Barcellos Sam Gullion Jacob Mikesh HI! My name is Savanna Barcellos and I am a fourth-year Animal Science student at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a minor in Agribusiness. During my time at Cal Poly, I have been actively involved in the Cal Poly Bull Test, Livestock Judging Team, and the Western Bonanza Junior Livestock Show, where I most recently served as General Manager. I grew up raising and showing Boer goats, which sparked my passion for the livestock industry and small ruminants. This background has provided me with the opportunity to work at county fairs, state shows, and national livestock events. Following graduation, I plan to pursue a career in small ruminant reproduction. Sam Gullion is a senior at Auburn University majoring in Animal Science, and I grew up in the livestock industry in North Alabama. I’ve shown cattle, sheep, goats, and swine at the local, state, and national levels, which has shaped my interest in small ruminants and helped me develop a strong eye for quality livestock. I am a member of the 2026 Auburn Livestock Judging Team and the 2025 Auburn Meat Judging Team, and through my judging experience and internships in sheep production and research, I’ve further developed my passion for small ruminants and for helping the next generation of livestock producers. Jacob Mikesh is from Aumsville, Oregon, and is currently pursuing an Agricultural Economics degree at Kansas State University. Jacob has experience showing goats at both state and national levels and is passionate about agriculture and the livestock industry. Jacob is dedicated to mentoring and supporting the next generation of youth in agriculture, helping them build skills, confidence, and passion for the livestock industry. Taylor Row Mindy Wells Taylor Row is from Strathmore, California, and has been involved in numerous livestock shows, where she has exhibited swine, as well as market goats and beef cattle. She is passionate about photography and sharing agriculture with her community and has assisted with events such as the Grand National Junior Livestock Exposition at the Cow Palace. Taylor plans to complete her Agricultural Communications degree at the University of Mount Olive and looks forward to working this year’s National ABGA Show. Hi, I’m Mindy Wells from Sharon, Kansas. I’m currently studying Agricultural and Natural Resource Communications along with Advertising and Public Relations at Kansas State University. I’m passionate about connecting producers and consumers through creative storytelling, media, and visual communication, and I enjoy finding ways to make agriculture engaging and relatable to diverse audiences. Outside of school, I serve as a photographer for K-State Athletics, capturing moments that connect fans, athletes, and the community. I also develop my media, writing, and leadership skills through involvement with student organizations on campus. Growing up in a small rural community, I’ve developed a strong appreciation for production agriculture and the values of hard work and community connection. I hope to build a career in agricultural communications where I can advocate for farmers and ranchers, share their stories, and promote innovation in the agriculture industry. For more information or questions, contact Rodney Wilson, National Show Chair, region.10@abga.org

​Goat meat has grown in popularity in the US thanks to ethnic markets which center their goat consumption around religious holidays. Holiday Goat Meat Marketing Calendar Goat meat has grown in popularity in the US thanks to ethnic markets which center their goat consumption around religious holidays. Holiday Religion 2025 2026 2027 Chinese New Year Jan 29 Feb 17 Feb 6 Eid ul-Adha - Festival of the Sacrifice Muslim June 6 - 7 May 27 - 30 May 16 - 19 Muharramm/Hajra - Islamic New Year Muslim June 26 - 27 June 16 June 5 Mawlid al-Nabi - Prophet's Birthday Muslim Sept 4 - 5 Aug 25 Aug 14 Ramadan - Month of Fasting Muslim Feb 28 - Mar 29 Feb 17 - Mar 18 Feb 7 - Mar 8 Eid ul-Fitr - Festival of Fast Breaking Muslim Mar 30 - 31 March 19 - 20 March 9 - 10 Pesch (Passover) Jewish April 12 - 20 April 1 - 9 April 21 - 29 Rosh Hashanah Jewish Sept 22 - 24 Sep 11 - 13 Oct 1 - 3 Chanukkah Jewish Dec 14 - 22 Dec 4 - 12 Dec 24 - Jan1 Western (Roman) Easter Christian April 4 April 5 March 28 Easter Orthodox (Greek) Easter Christian April 20 April 12 May 2 Christmas (Western) Christian Dec 25 Dec 25 Dec 25 Epiphany, Feast of the Nativity Christian Jan 6 Jan 6 Jan 6 Many goat producers have succeeded in targeting various ethnic markets by planning their production and breeding schedules around specific religious holidays. The traditions of these holidays vary widely between different religious belief systems and can affect the preferred size, weight, sex, and harvesting method of the animals usually consumed. The holiday calendar below is a great resource for producers to plan the breeding and sale of specific animal groups for slaughter at auction or directly to the consumer. Dependent on the number of days within each religious year, the actual timing of these holidays may shift from year to year. Here’s a guide to the preferred size, weight, sexes, and animals preferred at each holiday (courtesy of Ohio State University and Cornell University ). Christian Holidays Western/Roman Easter: Preferred: Milk-fed goat kids weighing 20-40 lbs Acceptable: Milk-fed goat kids weighing 40-50 lbs Less Acceptable: Milk-fed kids weighing less than 20 lbs Eastern/Greek (Orthodox) Easter: Preferred: Milk-fed goat kids weighing 25-50 lbs Christmas: Preferred: Milk-fed goat kids weighing 50 lbs and under Islamic Holidays Eid ul Adha – The Festival of Sacrifice: Preferred: Unblemished yearling goat kids weighing 60-80 lbs Acceptable: Unblemished yearling goat kids weighing 60-100 lbs Muharram – Islamic New Year: Preferred: Goat kids with milk teeth weighing 60 lbs Acceptable: Goat kids with milk teeth weighing 40-120 lbs Acceptable: unblemished older animals No preference is given to intact or castrated male kids Ramadan: Preferred: Goat kids with milk teeth weighing 60 lbs Acceptable: Goat kids with milk teeth weighing 40-120 lbs Acceptable: unblemished older animals No preference is given to intact or castrated male kids Eid al Fitr – The Breaking of the Ramadan Fast: Preferred: Goat kids with milk teeth weighing 60 lbs Acceptable: Goat kids with milk teeth weighing 40-120 lbs Acceptable: unblemished older animals No preference is given to intact or castrated male kids Jewish Holidays Chanukah: Preferred: Young milk-fed goat kids Strategic Goat Production: Aligning Breeding with Ethnic Market Demands and Religious Holidays Optimize goat production for ethnic markets by aligning breeding with religious holidays for better sales and consumer targeting. Meat and Marketing Related Posts & Updates Oct 4, 2025 USDA Quarterly Grass Fed Lamb and Goat Report View the USDA National Quarterly Grass Fed Lamb and Goat Report. Read More Sep 2, 2022 Goat From Farm to Table With the growing popularity of Caribbean and Indian cuisine in America, goat meat is finding its way into many more recipes. Read More May 13, 2022 Nutrition of Meat Goats Nutrition of Meat Goats. A study by Dr. David Fernandez and Dr. Chelsey Ann Ahrens of University of Arkansas. Read More

Sullivan Supply will host "Stock Show University" and a fitting contest. Sullivan Supply Demo and Fitting Contest Sullivan Supply Demo and Fitting Contest Sullivan Supply will host "Stock Show University" and a fitting contest. Sullivan Supply will host "Stock Show University" on Friday, June 7th at 3pm in the showring. Stock Show University is a demo focusing on fitting, which products to use, and how to use them. Sullivan Supply will also hold a fitting contest on Saturday, June 8th following the Meat Goat Evaluation inside the show ring. For more information or questions, contact Rodney Wilson, National Show Chair, region.10@abga.org