JABGA Age Division Changes The JABGA Board of Directors proposes the age change be implemented on September 1, 2023. Current Junior (4-8 years old) Intermediate (9-13 years old) Senior (14-18 old) Updated Novice (4-7 years old) Junior (8-12 years old) Intermediate (13-16 years old) Senior (17-21 years old) JABGA Board of Directors proposes that the age change be implemented on September 1st, so it would be effective for the start of the 2023-2024 Regional Show Series and all JABGA shows.

The American Boer Association offers a range of online services to help members and nonmembers register and transfer goats, pay for services online, and search for registered goats and breeders. Online Services Online Live Members can register, transfer, manage herd inventories, receive temporary certificates, and pay for services online. Online Live Web-Based Services Members can research more than 300,000 American Boer Goats and is the world's largest online database for Purebred Boer Goats. The "Blue Screen." "Blue-Screen" Visitor Services Visitors can do basic searches for individual ABGA Registered Goats, and breeders. Visitor Services Join ABGA Member benefits are core to the American Boer Goat Association, and all members have access to what the ABGA offers. Join ABGA

Open PDF document a in new window 2021 Audit Report

The Meat Goat Evaluation contest helps JABGA members learn production practices, track performance, and compete for $5K+ in premiums and carcass payments. Meat Goat Evaluation The Meat Goat Evaluation contest helps JABGA members learn production practices, track performance, and compete for $5K+ in premiums and carcass payments. Download Record Book Objective of Meat Goat Evaluation Contest The Meat Goat Evaluation contest is an industry-driven opportunity for JABGA members to gain knowledge about production practices related to the commercial goat industry and see first-hand how their projects are turned into a high-quality protein source. Participants will learn how to record and track weights, rate of gain, feed efficiency, project costs and break-evens on their animals. Record books will be turned in at the national show, and animals will first be judged live on foot, and then harvested and ranked on a carcass basis. In addition to participants receiving payment from the carcass of their goat, over $5,000 in premiums will be given out. Additionally, this program is meant to help educate and raise awareness that the goats we raise are part of the food production system in some way shape or form. Nearly every goat we raise is eventually eaten by someone and we are all producing a high-quality, lean, nutritious and delicious protein source. With little to no promotion of commercial goats or goat meat, prices are soaring for both and there is great opportunity for commercial goat producers and in particular, Boer producers. No breed can add growth, gain and red meat to the commercial goat industry like the Boer breed. We will also collect DNA samples on each goat. They will be run on a 70,000 SNP goat test by UC-Davis, and this will serve as the beginnings of a phenotype and genotype database for the Boer breed. The hope is to eventually collect enough data to identify markers that relate to economically relevant traits and make genetic improvement based on DNA technology.  General Contest Rules   Exhibitor must be a member of JABGA   Contest is open to bucks, does, & wethers   Goat must still have milk teeth   Must be owned at least 60 days prior to the national show  - Ownership deadline is April 1, 2025 Limited to 1 goat per JABGA exhibitor   This is a terminal contest   Must participate in all 3 categories to be eligible for prizes and payouts Live Class Rules Animals must be slick sheared above the knees & hocks   This is a no fit, blow & go show (no adhesives, powder, or paint)   Classes will be divided by weight   Minimum live weight of 75 lbs.   Goats are subject to a random urine drug test  Carcass Class Rules   Carcass must be youthful appearing, no spool joints or excessive dark coloring  Carcass shall be free of serious bruises (“old”, not recent), free of injection sites on the more valuable carcass parts - leg, loin, rack and shoulder (neck excluded) and free of any evidence of surgical altering of the live goat   Slaughter facility reserves the right to condemn any carcass that does not comply with USDA standards   Scoring & Payout   Record book (50 Points Possible) placed 1-10, with payout to top five Carcass class (50 Points Possible) placed 1-10 with payout to top five Live class (50 Points Possible) placed 1-10 with payout to top five    Carcass & Live class point system as follows 1st=50, 2nd=45, 3rd=40,....etc.) Overall contest score is determined by the aggregate total of points earned from each category   Carcass Class Evaluation Criteria Carcass rankings will be determined through a combination of collected data and visual appraisal Data Collected During Carcass Class  Photos Photos of the whole carcass and close up or ribbed section. Serves as both an educational piece and verification. DNA A tissue sample of each carcass will be submitted to Neogen for genotyping and storage.   Age (Months) Market goats are usually referred to as kid/cabrito (2-14 months), young chevon (14-24 months), or aged chevon (over 24 months).   Live weight (LW) Taken at live show in pounds Hot Carcass Weight (HCW) Taken after harvest, hide, hooves, head removed, ready for chill (lbs.) Leg Confirmation Score 15 (Prime +) 14 (Prime avg.) 13 (Prime-) 12 (Choice+) 11 (Choice avg.) 10 (Choice-) 9 (Good+) 8 (Good avg.) 7 (Good-)   Confirmation Score 1 = Carcasses have a high proportion of meat to bone, are thickly muscled throughout the body with a bulging outside leg, rounded back strip, and a moderately thick outside shoulder. 2 = Carcasses have an average proportion of meat to bone, are moderately muscled throughout the body as indicated by a slightly thick and a slightly pronounced outside leg, a slightly full (flat or slightly shallow) back strip, and a slightly thick to slightly thin outside shoulder. 3 = Carcasses have a low ratio of meat to bone, an inferior meat type conformation. The legs, back, and shoulders are narrow in relation to its length. (Selection No. 3 carcasses resemble skinned jackrabbits) Leg Circumference Measured in cm at widest part of leg (average of both legs)   Kidney, pelvic & heart fat (%KPH) As % of HCW, typically .0-5-3.5%. 1% = Small amount primarily in flank area 2% = heavier in flank, down to navel 3% = very heavy amount, into chest cavity   Subcutaneous Fat Cover Score (SQF) External fat cover score as 1= minimal/none. 2= fat over rib and shoulder. 3= excessive fat cover. Back Fat (BF) Measured at center of Loin eye on 12th rib (tenths of an inch), adjusted by visual appraisal of entire carcass. Minimum and maximum adjusted fat thickness at the 12th rib, .05 inches to .25 inches, respectively. Loin Eye Area (LEA)   12th rib loin eye (Longissimus) area. Use standard 1/20 loin eye grid, measure both sides, average. (Sq. Inches)   Body Wall Body wall thickness (includes fat, bone, and lean) measured 1" beyond   Thickness (BWT) Loin eye, on both sides and averaged. (tenths of inch)   Flank Lean Color A, B, C = A is lightest and pinkest, C is darkest   Calculated Dressing % (DP)    (HCW/LW) X100.   % Cutability 60.6933 - (0.23174 x HCW) + (1.96202 x Loin Eye Area) - (1.57832 x BWT)   60.6933 - (0.23174 x HCW) + (1.96202 x Loin Eye Area) - (1.57832 x BWT Estimated percent boneless, closely trimmed retail cuts (%BCTRC) from the leg, loin, rack, and shoulder are used in ranking.    49.936 - (.0848 x hcw) - (4.376 x 12th rib fat) - (3.530 x BWT) + (2.456 X LEA)   For more information or questions, contact criley@abga.org

Maintaining Breed Integrity The Reasons Behind the Breed Standards by Jada Young Many times, in my show career I have asked myself questions. A substantial amount when I was younger was ‘why some things about our breed are the way they are, and what makes those things so important?’ A few examples of that would be the depth of body on an animal, or the precise hooks and pin set on a doe, or even the breed’s characteristic roman nose? Many of these answers can be dated back to before the Boer Goat was brought over to the United States from South Africa in 1993. When looking for these answers we need to take a step back from the show ring and look at the breed from a production standpoint. Our animals were not always made for the show life. They were used to produce meat for slaughter purposes. The main factor in that production was kidding out does to have more potential babies, or slaughter opportunities. This is where the deep body cavity and hooks to pin set come into play. The deeper flanked a doe is, the more desirable she will be because she has more maternal capabilities. This means she will have more room to carry the babies comfortably to full term. The hooks and pin set also play a vital role in the birth of baby goats. If you have a doe that is too narrow in her rear end, there is a higher chance of babies getting stuck, which is a possibility of lost life. When looking at herd production, you want to continue growing, instead of losing vital members of your herd. The next stage of life for a young kid is to grow to their full potential. When a kid was born many years ago back in South Africa, many farmers looked at their body characteristics to determine how much natural muscling the animals will carry when they are older. The roman nose is believed to signify a strong, broad head which is associated with good meat production. This is how farmers would cull their herds to only keep what they believed would be good meat producers. Next time when you are wondering why some of our breed characteristics are in place, ask a fellow member in hopes of learning some of the history behind our association. It is very important to know why our breed characteristics were instilled in the Boer goat all those years ago in South Africa. Jada Young Junior Board of Directors Area 4

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Boer goats gestate for an average of 150 days. Use the ABGA Gestation Calculator to determine the approximate due date of a pregnant goat based on the breeding or exposure date. Gestation Calculator Boer goats gestate for an average of 150 days. Use the ABGA Gestation Calculator to determine the approximate due date of a pregnant goat based on the breeding or exposure date. Gestation Calculator Exposure Date Expected Kidding Date: The average gestation period for Boer goats typically falls around 150 days. By choosing your breeding or estimated exposure date, you can determine the expected kidding date. It is advised to closely observe does 10 days before and after this anticipated date. Does expecting multiple kids often deliver earlier, while does expecting less kids often deliver later. For the highest likelihood of survival, a doe should ideally be at least 140 days into the pregnancy.

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

JABGA Area Updates The Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA) is growing rapidly, prompting us to update our areas for the first time in over a decade. 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!

CLOSED: Now Hiring: JABGA Youth Coordinator The American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) is now hiring a Youth Coordinator for the Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA). **As of October 5, 2022, the American Boer Goat Association is no longer accepting applications for the JABGA Youth Coordinator position. Thank you to all applicants who submitted their information!** The American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) is now hiring a Youth Coordinator for the Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA) . This is a remote position with some travel required. If you are passionate about leadership, education, and personal development for youth and want to work with an expanding nonprofit organization, email your resume and cover letter to officemanager@abga.org or apply on Indeed here . Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA) Youth Coordinator Position Overview: This position is fully responsible for organizing the Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA). The JABGA Youth Coordinator develops and facilitates programs in various settings to enhance and support education and personal development for youth involved in JABGA. The Youth Coordinator ensures all JABGA projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet quality standards, and secures and implements grants/funding and development programs to support JABGA’s mission. Location & Travel: This position is remote, with a requirement to travel to industry events, all JABGA Regional and National Shows, and occasionally the ABGA office (San Angelo, Texas). Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience. Education: A Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on agricultural education is preferred. Reports To: ABGA Executive Director, Office Manager, Background Check: The ability to pass a comprehensive background check is required. This position adheres to strict conduct and confidentiality standards regarding minors and sensitive information. Prior Experience: Event planning, specifically youth educational and leadership events (required) Working with youth (required) Basic financial management, including developing and monitoring budgets and financial reporting (required) Agricultural extension or agricultural organization/association work (preferred) Grants management (preferred) Project management, including using project management software (Microsoft Teams, OEX) (preferred) Skills: Excellent time management and prioritization skills Stellar written and verbal communication skills Comfortable with high-pressure situations and strict deadlines Attention to detail Ability to learn, understand, and follow complex procedures and regulations Proficiency with desktop computers, Microsoft Office applications (Word, Teams, Excel), and conducting business via email and the Internet Ability to lead and manage a group Ability to anticipate setbacks and plan accordingly Strong sense of relationship building and ability to work in teams Duties: Prepare comprehensive action plans for JABGA projects, directives, and events with guidance from ABGA Executive Director, ABGA Youth Committee Plan and oversee meetings and activities of the JABGA Board of Directors (monthly virtual meetings, annual Face-to-Face meetings) Perform administrative tasks on behalf of JABGA (scheduling, timelines, budgets, contacts, financial inquiries, vendor relations) Represent JABGA and ABGA at various industry events, including “major” livestock shows (NAILE, Fort Worth Livestock Show & Rodeo, Denver Livestock Show, RodeoHouston, the American Royal Livestock Show, OYE, and others), all ABGA and JABGA Regional Shows and National Shows, National FFA Convention Provide routine updates to ABGA Executive Director, Office Manager, and Youth Committee on the success of JABGA policies, events, and directives Inform JABGA members and their parents/guardians on JABGA policies, events, and directives via text, email, video chat, and social media. Manage safety concerns, accidents, injuries, and misconduct of JABGA members and volunteers according to ABGA and JABGA policies and local and national laws. Assist the Youth Committee and Executive Director in identifying and pursuing financial support opportunities (grants) from government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and corporate sponsors to meet JABGA's needs Maintain strict conduct and confidentiality standards regarding minors and sensitive information About the American Boer Goat Association: The American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that focuses on protecting, promoting, and recording the American Boer goat breed. The Boer breed was developed by Dutch farmers in South Africa in the 1900s and was then introduced in the United States in 1993. The American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) was founded the following year. Boer goats are prized for their rapid growth rate, excellent carcass quality, and adaptability to many climates. A docile and highly fertile breed, Boer goats have primarily been used for meat production. Over a century later, these traits set the Boer goat apart in the purebred and commercial segments of the American meat goat industry. With 7,000 members and 45,000 goats registered annually, today’s ABGA offers members marketing, educational, and commercial industry opportunities, along with youth involvement through the Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA).   About the Junior American Boer Goat Association: The Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA) supports ABGA in its mission to improve and promote the Boer breed and encourage the breeding, raising, and exhibition of American Boer Goats. JABGA fosters the personal growth of its youth membership through training in leadership, good sportsmanship, and character development as individuals and in groups. **As of October 5, 2022, the American Boer Goat Association is no longer accepting applications for the JABGA Youth Coordinator position. Thank you to all applicants who submitted their information!** JABGA Youth Coordinator .pdf Download PDF • 85KB #JABGA #news

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

The American Boer Goat Association: Protecting, Promoting, and Recording the American Boer Goat Breed. ABGA Breed Standards The ABGA Breed Standards are guidelines for breeders to ensure the animals they produce conform to the defined characteristics of the breed. Download Breed Standards PDF View Teat Structure Diagram