This presentation was given at the International Goat Symposium in Lindsay, Ontario, Canada on September 19, Profits Through Genetics

Genetic Improvement Through Central Buck Testing Lessons and Opportunities Susan Schoenian Sheep and Goat Specialist Western Maryland Research & Education Center University of Maryland Cooperative Extension

Which buck is better? Yes, but whats your average daily gain and how many times have you been dewormed? Im a pretty boy! You cant judge a book by its cover.

The U.S. Meat Goat Industry Lags behind other animal industries in the use of performance records. Selection decisions are made primarily on the basis of appearance.

Methods of genetic improvement On-farm performance record keeping Adjusted weights, ratios, indexes Central performance testing Ram, buck, bull, and boar tests Progeny Central performance record keeping BLUP -- EPDs and EBVs Across herd, across breed

Central Performance Testing "A central performance test is where animals from different herds are brought to one central location where performance is recorded. The rationale is that observed differences are more likely due to genetic differences, which will be passed onto offspring, rather than environmental differences, which will not be passed onto offspring. The goal of a central performance test is to identify genetic differences among animals." -- Dr. Dan Waldron, Texas A&M University

Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test Established in 2006 Up to 50 male goats Pasture-only diet 1 Graze early-June through early-October (~112 days) Collect data on growth, parasite resistance and resilience, and carcass merit drought necessitated use of nutritional tubs and hay.

Resources for test Pasture 10-acre pasture system Divided into five 2-acre paddocks Cool season grass pastures: Max Q tall fescue, orchardgrass, and chicory. Warm season grass: field of pearl millet added in 2007 (~1.5 additional acres). Fencing Perimeter fencing: 6-strand, high-tensile, electric. Interior fencing: 2 to 4 strand electric. Pearl millet fenced with electric netting.

Resources for test Central laneway 3 port-a-hut shelters Two mineral feeders Water troughs Handling system with work platform

Test requirements: goats Male goats (bucks or wethers) Any breed or cross Born between December 15 and March 15 Vaccinated two times for CD-T. Weaned for at least 2 weeks prior to test. Hooves in condition to stand in foot bath. Free from contagious diseases. Appropriate size (weight) for age. National scrapie ID. Health papers.

Results: Participation No. goats at start 3548 No. goats at end 3147 Bucks 3140 Wethers 07 No. of consigners 810 No. of states 65 Kiko, Boer, Kiko x Boer, dairy x meat

Upon arrival to test site Unload into handling system. Stand in footbath of zinc sulfate for 10 minutes Secure in head gate on elevated ramp for close inspection Collect fecal sample Determine FAMACHA © score Determine body condition score Deworm with Moxidectin Delouse, if necessary Treat for coccidiosis in water for first three days of test

Test protocol/management Managed as a single group on pasture. Rotationally grazed. Checked 1 to 2 times per day. Handled every two weeks for data collection and general health monitoring.

Reports to consigners Every 2 weeks Created a blog to communicate with producers and anyone else interested in test.

Data collection Growth Weigh every 14 days Parasite resilience Determine FAMACHA© scores every 14 days Evaluate body condition score every 14 days Parasite resistance Collect fecal samples at 0, 28, and 56 days General health Treat problems and note in records Carcass merit Ultrasound scanning for backfat thickness and rib eye area Scrotal circumference

Growth Performance Average daily gain (ADG) – pounds (grams) per day Goats are weighed every 14 days. Initially, they were weighed every 28 days. First two weeks serves as an adjustment period.

Results: growth performance Average daily gain (ADG) 2006 – lbs. (86 g) per day 2007 – lbs. (107 g) per day

Parasite resilience Ability to maintain production in the face of infection with parasites. FAMACHA © scores every two weeks. 1,2 – do not deworm 4,5 – deworm with moxidectin 3 - ????? Previous scores Scores of other goats Body condition score Average daily gain Condition of hair coat FAMACHA© scores estimate packed cell volume (PCV) [blood hematocrit.

Results: parasite resilience Anthelmintic treatments 2006 – 1.65 treatments per goat 2007 – 0.09 treatments per goat

Parasite resistance Ability of host to prevent infection Fecal samples collected from rectum of each goat. 0 days 28 days 56 days 96 days (2007) Fecal egg count (FEC) determined using modified McMaster technique. Eggs per gram (EPG)

Results: parasite resistance Fecal egg counts – eggs per gram LowHighAvg.LowHighAvg. Day Day Day Day

General health and thriftiness Goats have been treated for: Fever Respiratory symptoms Ear infections Scours Bloat Lice

Zero tolerance for CL caseous lymphadenitis Goats with abscesses are isolated for testing or sent home. Abscesses are lanced and tested. Goats with CL are sent home or to market. Goats with non-CL abscesses can return to the test. Non-CL abscess

What it costs to run Annual costs Fertilization program for pasture Pasture renovation Fencing repairs Anthelmintics and other medicine Fecal testing Ultrasound scanning Daily goat care Miscellaneous

Current funding Producers pay a testing fee of $75 per goat $20 due at time of nomination. Balance ($55) due when goats are delivered to test site. Grant funds have paid for shelters, handling system, some fencing, and two years of labor. In 2007, producers were able to consign additional goats for $30 per goat in order to meet the goal of having 50 goats in the test. Two 4-H consigners paid a reduced fee of $50 per goat to have their goats tested.

Lessons: what weve learned We can monitor performance better if we weigh the goats every 14 days vs. 28-day intervals. We were deworming the goats too much the first year; FAMACHA© scores of 3 do not usually need dewormed. The FAMACHA© system is an effective system for monitoring and controlling internal parasites (barber pole worm) in meat goat kids grazing summer pastures.

Challenges Must have the right person taking care of the goats. The test needs to pay for itself. Getting enough goats for test. Getting producers to understand and use performance data when buying and/or selecting meat goats.

Opportunities Most meat goat producers do not understand how to make genetic improvement in their herds. Most meat goat producers do not value performance testing. Most meat goat producers do not understand central performance testing. Boer goat breeders are less interested in performance testing (on pasture) than Kiko breeders. Im not just a pretty boy.

Opportunities It will take years to develop this performance testing program and for it to gain acceptance among the widespread meat goat industry.

Thank you for your attention. QUESTIONS?