Summary of Test Conditions and Observations The bucks consigned to the NDSU Buck Test experienced several factors that may have influenced average daily gain and overall performance metrics. Upon commencement of the trial, animals exhibited limited adaptation to group housing and the initial feed ration. After 28 days, performance evaluations indicated that the original ration was not meeting desired performance parameters. As a result, the ration was changed, introducing an additional transition period for the test group. Adaptation issues were also observed with the feed efficiency bunk system. A portion of the test group did not acclimate to this feeding method, necessitating the discontinuation of the feed efficiency measurement component. These conditions may have contributed to variability and reduced performance in certain individuals. Acknowledgements and Future Recommendations The American Boer Goat Association acknowledges and appreciates NDSU’s role in hosting the test and providing technical guidance. Based on the observations from this trial, modifications to management and feeding protocols will be implemented in future tests to minimize adaptation challenges and optimize conditions for evaluating genetic performance potential. The ABGA also wants to thank each of the producers who consigned a buck to the test and congratulate those producers who had high performing animals.   View and Download PDF in new window Click here to view all 2025 Dakota Meat Goat Buck Test results and info.

An ABGA Board of Directors Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 7:00 PM CST.  Please note:  As of July 11, 2025, the Board has voted to discontinue live-streaming of board meetings. Instead, all meetings will be recorded, and unedited video recordings will be made available on the ABGA website within one week following each meeting.  📌  New Schedule: Regular Board meetings will now take place on the second Thursday of each month , replacing the previous schedule of the first Tuesday.  📄 View the meeting agenda here:

The Roll of Honor (ROH) Show Series heads west to the legendary Cow Palace in Daly City, California! Don’t miss your chance to compete in this prestigious event. 📌 Grand National Stock Show 📍 Daly City, CA 📅 October 3, 2025 ⌛ Entry Deadline: Sept. 15 ⏳ Late Entry Deadline: Oct. 1 🏆 Judges: Show 1 (ABGA ROH + JABGA Embedded) – Olivia Rush Show 2 (ABGA + JABGA ROH) – Stephanie Jefferson 📣 Be sure to review all show rules before entering. We’ll see you in California!

The Roll of Honor (ROH) Show Series  continues this fall with its second stop! The Keystone International Livestock Exposition (KILE)  in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania! 📅 September 26–28, 2025 🐐 Judges:  Sammy Lerena (ABGA) & Justin Burns (JABGA) ⌛ Entry Deadline:  August 29, 2025 As a recognized Level 2 ROH Show , Keystone offers exhibitors the chance to earn valuable points toward prestigious year-end awards, including Exhibitor of the Year, Breeder of the Year, and more. Join us in Harrisburg as the ROH Show Series builds momentum and the competition heats up! Make sure your entries are submitted by the deadline, August 29!

NEW OPPORTUNITY: ABGA is collaborating with North Dakota State University to bring back a Performance Buck Test for producers. The 2025 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. As an ABGA approved Performance Test, bucks can earn points towards Ennoblement, Sire of Merit or Doe of Excellence!    If you have questions about the buck test, or may be interested in consigning to it, please click the link below the flyer to fill out an informational form. This will allow us to follow up with you with more information as we get closer to the test.  For more information visit: https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/research-extension-centers-recs/hettinger-rec/research/dakota-goat-test Download the 2025 Dakota Meat Goat Performance Test Registration form below ↓

The American Boer Goat Association is excited to officially launch the Native on Appearance (NOA)  program, effective April 1, 2025. This new program is designed to provide a registration pathway for does that visually conform to the Boer breed appearance but lack formal pedigree documentation. The NOA program honors the characteristics of the Boer goat while fostering inclusivity within our growing community.  What is “Native on Appearance”?  Under Rule 207B, does that are otherwise ineligible for registration or pedigree record—but appear to be Boer goats—can now be evaluated for a special NOA designation. Once approved, these does will receive a 12.5% breed composition registration and a unique ABGA listing number that begins with “NOA.” Ineligible for Percentage Show - The minimum percentage to show a doe at an ABGA sanctioned event is 25%. Native on Appearance does will not meet this requirement and therefore be ineligible to show as a Percentage Doe. However, they can be exhibited in the wether dam division. It’s important to note: this program is limited to does/females only . Bucks and wethers are not eligible for NOA registration. Application Requirements  The NOA application process is simple, much like a normal registration:  Application Fee : $20 per animal (non-refundable)  Documentation : Herd prefix, herd name, and identifiers such as tattoos, scrapie tags/federal ID, or microchips  Pictures : Up to two images allowed, with at least one clear profile picture showing the full body, legs, head, ears, and horns  Photos must feature only one animal and be of high quality. Blurry, distant, or group photos will not be accepted.  Acceptable Profile Pictures Unacceptable Profile Pictures What Are We Looking For?  While the traditional Boer goat is white-bodied with a red head, color variations are welcome. The approval committee will focus on visual traits consistent with Boer goats—without penalizing for folded ears, pigmentation issues, incorrect bites, or nonstandard teat structures. However, any significant signs of influence from breeds like Pygmy, Myotonic, Kiko, Spanish, Savannah, or Dairy goats will result in disqualification from the NOA program.  Examples of Approved NOA Does Examples of Unapproved NOA Does How the Approval Process Works  Submit the completed application and required pictures online, via email, or by mail.  A registration clerk will review each application.  During the program’s first month, all decisions will be further reviewed by the Executive Director.  After this probationary period, only denied applications will escalate for final review.  Why “Native on Appearance” Matters  This program offers breeders an accessible entry point to formal recognition while ensuring the integrity of the Boer breed remains strong. By welcoming does that meet visual standards, we’re opening the door to more participation, more diversity, and ultimately, a stronger community of breeders.  Ready to Register? Follow the step-by-step instructions to register your NOA animals on iCompete. Download a printable version of these instructions ↓

🚨 Applications Now Open! 🚨 Think you’ve got what it takes to become a certified ABGA judge? Here’s your chance! The Judges Certification Program is now accepting applications for the upcoming course. This is your opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and get certified. ⌛️ Application Deadline: August 15 ✅ Only 20 applicants will be accepted! 📍 Location: Stillwater, OK 🗓️ Dates: October 24-26, 2025 🏆 Trainer Judges Team: Josh Taylor, Bailey Bergherm, Randall White, Terry Burks, Justin Burns (alternate). 📲 Learn more & apply here:

While in North Dakota for the Dakota Boer Bash sanctioned show, ABGA Judges Terry Taylor and Tom and Jackie Redden , along with Executive Director Caleb Boardman , traveled to Hettinger, ND to do a visual appraisal of the bucks consigned to the Dakota Meat Goat Performance Test . Bucks were scored across breed standard criteria, and this data will be analyzed with final performance testing results, including average daily gain and carcass ultrasound data, to determine if any correlations exist between visual appraisal and performance testing. Additionally, this gives producers added information to make selection decisions on over the bucks they have consigned. The final data collection is set to take place on September 4 th , and more information about the test will be released after final data analysis.

Dear Fellow ABGA Members, It is the duty of the American Boer Goat Association and the Board of Directors to not only promote the Boer breed and the association, but to protect the integrity of them as well. This includes the integrity of our sanctioned shows. The issue of aging animals for show is not new, nor is it an issue limited only to the ABGA. Livestock associations across all species are facing these same issues. Much like our fellow stockmen across the show stock industry, we are looking into ways to combat the aging of animals. As the first step in this process, the Board of Directors is taking a clear stance of support for our certified judges. The ABGA Board of Directors gives our full support to any judge to place an animal accordingly if, they feel in their best judgement, that the animal’s age has been misrepresented. This support also extends to any animal, if they feel in their best judgement, to be excessively obese; any extreme fault occurrence; or disqualification. As always, we ask that our judges handle these situations professionally. It is up to all of us to be stewards of our association. Integrity is the foundation that will propel the Boer breed and the ABGA into the future. Sincerely, The American Boer Goat Association Board of Directors

An ABGA Board of Directors Meeting will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 7:00 PM CST.  Please note:  As of July 11, 2025, the Board has voted to discontinue live-streaming of board meetings. Instead, all meetings will be recorded, and unedited video recordings will be made available on the ABGA website within one week following each meeting.  📌  New Schedule: Regular Board meetings will now take place on the second Thursday of each month , replacing the previous schedule of the first Tuesday.  📄 View the meeting agenda here:

The wait is over! The Roll of Honor (ROH) Show Series  kicks off this September at the legendary Eastern States Exposition (The Big E)  in West Springfield, Massachusetts! 📅 September 23–25, 2025 🐐 Judges:  Chris Shaffett (ABGA) & Terry Burks (JABGA)⌛ Entry Deadline:  August 15, 2025 🚫 Reminder:  The Big E is a No Fit Show  — please review all show rules before entering. As the first stop  of the ROH Show Series, The Big E sets the stage for an incredible season of competition. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to earn points toward year-end honors like Exhibitor of the Year, Breeder of the Year, and more. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the kickoff event. Submit your entries by the deadline and join us at The Big E for an unforgettable start to the series! Entry is now closed.

🚨 Want to make a difference in the American Boer Goat Association? Let us know if you are interested in an ABGA Committee! 🚨 Our committees play a vital role in shaping the future of the American Boer Goat Association. Whether you're passionate about education, finance, junior programs, or breed improvement, there's a place for you to get involved. ✅ View committee roles, responsibilities, descriptions, and current chairs ✅ Find the right fit for your skills and interests ✅ Help move our industry forward 🔗 Apply for a committee! If selected, the office staff will reach out to you directly with follow-up instructions. 👉🏻 https://www.abga.org/committees