What to Feed an Athlete What to Feed an Athlete What to Feed an Athlete Written by - Logan Hollen, JABGA Vice President Every 2 years we see athletes take part in Olympic sports, summer sports followed by winter sports on a 4-year rotation of each. These athletes have a strict balanced diet that allows them to fuel their bodies to go out and perform these insane tasks in front of millions. As most sit on the couch watching these athletes, they say things like “wow I could never do that”, “wouldn’t that be nice” or “yeah maybe 20 years ago”. Everyone saying things like this is only seeing the final product, a finished and polished athlete ready to compete. What people don’t see is the hard work and dedication that goes into creating the physique that we see on our TVs. The Boer Goat is no different. These animals are filled with muscle expression and have the body capacity to look, feel and act like the professional athletes you see on tv. Now that you know what your animal can be capable of, what must we feed to get your goat to look its best on show day? All goats are different and will require tweaking feeds here and there but before you tweak too much make sure that animal is on the feed for a minimum of 2-3 months so your animal has time to develop the changes that will come with each specific feed formula. In terms of specifics and what you should look for when feeding your athlete, 3 main factors should be at the forefront. Those are fat, fiber and protein. These are the 3 main components of a feed tag and can drastically change how your goat will feel, behave and perform. In terms of ingredients and the specifics I look for a barley-based feed to fill in across the shoulders and across the loin of my bucks and does. When finding, creating or building your athletes’ diet it is important to ask, research and test. Ask your mentors in the industry what works for them and what they recommend. Research and get the information for yourself. We live in such a digital age where you can have any and all information in just a few keystrokes. Use this to look up what ingredients are and what they can accomplish. Lastly, test what you’re feeding. When feeding a new formula or new ingredients it is important that you know what it will change and affect. Every animal will have a different change or reaction to new feeds, so it is important to have base understanding and knowledge. Test groups in animals also help you to see the difference in what the feed is doing for your program. Barn blindness is a real thing. When you go out to the same barn and see the same goats each and every day it can be a challenge to see a different and feel defeated while thinking your feed isn’t performing in the way you thought it would. When you can compare either animal to animal or pictures and weights, it can help you see and adjust as time goes on. All in all, make sure you are feeding your athlete the feed that they need to go out and compete in the showring. “There is a direct connection between what you put into it and what you get out of it."- Michael Phelps (28-time Olympic medal winning swimmer) Related Posts

Check out this useful showmanship tip from JABGA Board President, Cecelia Knott. JABGA President Cecelia Knott's Showmanship Tip Check out this useful showmanship tip from JABGA Board President, Cecelia Knott. Practice! Practice! Practice! Set goals for yourself. Have someone video you practicing, so you can watch yourself and see how you may need to make some changes. Everyone shows a little differently but watching more experienced showmen is beneficial. Related Posts

​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

The American Boer Goat Association: Protecting, Promoting, and Recording the American Boer Goat Breed. 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. The Boer Breed Just what is "Pregnancy Toxemia? Understanding pregnancy toxemia in does: prevention and diagnosis, and treatment. The Boer Breed How to Trim Goat Hooves ABGA Member Dawn Foster of No Step Ranch in Sterling City, Texas takes us through the steps on how to give your goat a hoof trim. The Boer Breed How to Tag Your Goat ABGA Member Dawn Foster of No Step Ranch in Sterling City, Texas takes us through the steps on how to tag your goat. The Boer Breed Goat Care and Management Find a list of goat care and management tips, tutorials, and articles from goat professionals and ABGA members.

The American Boer Goat Association: Protecting, Promoting, and Recording the American Boer Goat Breed. Office Updates Keep up with announcements, reminders, events, and more from the ABGA office. May 14, 2026 Meeting May 21, 2026 A regular Board meeting will take place on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 7:00 PM CST. The meeting will be recorded and made available on the ABGA website within one week following the meeting. May 12, 2026 Roll of Honor: Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Show Results View official ABGA Roll of Honor results from the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo in Houston, Texas! May 6, 2026 2025 Annual Report ABGA Annual Report: Progress, Growth & What's Ahead May 1, 2026 Roll of Honor: Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Show Results View official ABGA Roll of Honor results from the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo in Houston, Texas! April 27, 2026 ABGA National Show Interns Get to know your National Show Interns! April 27, 2026 ABGA National Market Judge Get to know your ABGA National market judge! April 9, 2026 2026 Ambassador of the Breed: Lary Duncan Awarded posthumously to honor the legacy of Lary Duncan. April 8, 2026 Fullblood Herd Book Modernization Proposal This proposal modernizes the Fullblood Herd Book by establishing automatic Fullblood recognition for any ABGA registered Boer goat with documented genetics of 99.5% or higher. April 8, 2026 Annual Meeting of the Members This notice serves as official notification to the membership of the upcoming Annual Meeting of the Members. March 31, 2026 Announcing 2026 Dakota Meat Goat Buck Performance Test The 2026 Dakota Meat Goat Buck Performance Test at Hettinger Research Center, North Dakota, will evaluate bucks on post-weaning growth, feed efficiency, and carcass characteristics to help drive breed improvement. March 26, 2026 Roll of Honor: Area 1 Regional Show Results View official JABGA Roll of Honor results from Area 1 Regional Show March 17, 2026 Board Meeting 3-19-2026 A regular Board meeting will take place on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 7:00 PM CST. The meeting will be recorded and made available on the ABGA website within one week following the meeting.

Open PDF document in a new window Breed Standards The ABGA Breed Standards are an Ideal of Perfection ; a goal to strive towards and attempt to achieve. THE ABGA Breed Standards are tools to be used by breeders to help them improve their own breeding programs and work towards this Ideal of Perfection.

Discover the ABGA Sanctioned Show Program, promoting Boer goat exhibitions. View the Sanctioned Show Rules and application to ensure compliance. Ennoblement points are awarded post-show results submission. Join us in celebrating quality Boer goats while adhering to established guidelines. Sanctioned Shows Discover the ABGA Sanctioned Show Program, promoting Boer goat exhibitions. View the Sanctioned Show Rules and application to ensure compliance. Ennoblement points are awarded post-show results submission. Join us in celebrating quality Boer goats while adhering to established guidelines. Sanctioned Show Rules Jump to sections: View Sanctioned Show Rules Sanctioned Show Application The Sanctioned Show Program is designed to encourage the exhibition, marketing and promotion of ABGA percentage, purebred, and full blood Boer goats. Any show receiving ABGA sanctioning must be open to all ABGA registered Boer goats that meet the requirements of the ABGA show rules. Ennoblement points earned at ABGA Sanctioned shows will not be awarded until after the show results are received at the ABGA office. The American Boer Goat Association, its officers, directors, agents, employees, and volunteers (hereafter collectively known as “ABGA”) shall not be held responsible for any loss, injury, or damage in connection with, arising out of, or incident to the above show. I further and hereby expressly waive all rights to claim against ABGA, and release ABGA from any liability whatsoever with respect to any injury to person, damage to, or loss of property from any cause whatsoever (expressly including ABGA’s negligence). ABGA Sanctioned Shows will abide by and remain in accordance with the ABGA Sanctioned Show Rules and have an updated copy of the ABGA Rules and Regulations available if any problem or question should arise during the show. ABGA Sanctioned Shows will submit a copy of scheduled classes and applicable entity rules to ABGA, per the ABGA Rules and Regulations. See Rule 1400 (I) v, provide an ABGA approved judge to judge the show, and report the judge’s name to the ABGA office no less than 30 days prior to the entry deadline. Original registration certificates are required, except that a copy of a registration application, stamped with the date received by ABGA, can be accepted for kids less than 3 months of age. Animals over the age of 3 months must be verified as registered in the ABGA database at the time of the above show. An animal that may be verified as registered in the web-based database of ABGA will be accepted in lieu of a registration certificate. Verification must be provided by the exhibitor in either digital or print to the show secretary. JABGA ownership must be verified using the transfer history on the animal pedigree if the certificate is not provided. Goats registered in a frozen or suspended account are ineligible to exhibit in an ABGA Sanctioned Show. In accordance with the ABGA Sanctioned Show Rules, the Show Secretary must submit show results to the ABGA office to be verified within 30 days of the conclusion of the show. The report must include the following: class, list of animals in class with placings, animal’s name, animal’s (ABGA) registration number, identifying tattoos (left and right), or microchip number, and the owner’s name. ABGA has the right to decline or revoke sanctioning for this show at any time. The ABGA office will send notification of sanctioning approval or denial to the Show Secretary. This notification may be made to the Show Secretary’s email address, if provided. Sanctioned Show Application The ABGA board voted unanimously to change the procedure for sanctioned show ribbons, effective January 1, 2026 . The key updates are: Prize Pack Options Expanded – Shows will now have more flexibility to select awards that best suit their exhibitors and events, including both traditional ribbon packs and new vinyl banner options. Pass-Through Cost Model – The cost of sanctioned show ribbons and shipping will no longer be covered by ABGA but instead be passed through to individual shows. Prize Packs Optional – While the cost of prize packs will no longer be covered by ABGA, it is not mandatory that you order a prize pack from the ABGA. No Sanctioned Show Fee – This change allows ABGA to reduce expenses and maintain a balanced budget while continuing to avoid adding any sanctioned show fees. Discounted Pricing Secured – ABGA has worked with vendors to ensure affordable options for show organizers. Click the button below to view the catalog outlining the expanded prize pack offerings and the cost for each option. View Awards Catalog Download PDF application About ABGA Sanctioned Shows Hosting an ABGA Sanctioned Show is a great way to promote Boer goats and connect with breeders and exhibitors nationwide. Review the steps to complete your application and ensure your event meets all ABGA sanctioning requirements. Sanctioned Shows News & Updates 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 Mar 27, 2023 Puerto Rico Boer Goat Show Experience the PR Boer Goat Show from March 19, 2023, in Puerto Rico, featuring top Boer goats and dedicated breeders. Read More Nov 1, 2022 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. 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Open PDF document in a new window Articles of Incorporation Articles of incorporation are legal documents that establish a corporation’s existence and outline its basic details and structure.

American Boer Goat Association Region 4 Director, Jeffrey Gibbs Back to Board of Directors Jeffery Gibbs Region 4 Email Bio coming soon. Previous Director Next Director

Drum roll, please. The overall placing winner of ABGA’s first-ever JABGA National Show Meat Goat Evaluation is Sophie Sturges. She... JABGA Meat Goat Evaluation Winners Drum roll, please. The overall placing winner of ABGA’s first-ever JABGA National Show Meat Goat Evaluation is Sophie Sturges. She... Drum roll, please. The overall placing winner of ABGA’s first-ever JABGA National Show Meat Goat Evaluation is Sophie Sturges. She received $3,650. JABGA Meat Goat Evaluation Winner Sophie Sturgis Here’s a look at how exhibitors placed: Light Weight Class 1st place: Wyatt Stevens 2nd place: Colton Westfall 3rd place: Dacota Higgins 4th place: Aris Barrientez 5th place: Baylee Lamb Medium Weight Class 1st place: Casey Jo Stevens 2nd place: Maddie Boyd 3rd place: Austin Hendrickson 4th place: Kaden Brown Heavy Weight Class 1st place: Sophie Sturges 2nd place: Lawson Brown 3rd place: Nathan Brown 4th place: Cannon Wilhoit Carcass Evaluation Class 1st place: Sophie Sturges 2nd place: Nathan Brown 3rd place: Lawson Brown 4th place: Kaden Brown 5th place: Casey Jo Stevens Record Book 1st place: Casey Jo Stevens 2nd place: Lawson Brown 3rd place: Sophie Sturges 4th place: Wyatt Stevens 5th place: Austin Hendrickson 6th place: Dacota Higgins 7th place: Maddie Boyd 8th place: Baylee Lamb 9th place: Aris Barrientez 10th place: Kaden Brown 11th place: Cannon Wilhoit 12th place: Nathan Brown 13th place: Colton Westfall Total Sophie Sturges: $3,650 Casey Jo Stevens: $2,550 Lawson Brown: $1,050 Wyatt Stevens: $850 Austin Hendrickson: $700 Dacota Higgins: $650 Maddie Boyd: $650 Nathan Brown: $550 Kaden Brown: $500 Aris Barrientez: $450 Baylee Lamb: $450 Colton Westfall: $350 Cannon Wilhoit: $350 We would like to thank all exhibitors who participated in our inaugural JABGA National Show Meat Goat Related Posts

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