This document summarizes a 10-year study of the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test. Over the 10 years, the study evaluated 639 male meat goats from 84 herds across 20 states to identify goats that performed well in terms of growth and resistance to internal parasites on a pasture-based diet. The top-performing goats were selected for breeding or sale. The study also demonstrated best practices for parasite control in small ruminants and increased the use of performance testing in the meat goat industry by communicating results.

1. 2016 Station Report
University of Maryland College Park
10YEARS OF THE WESTERN MARYLAND PASTURE-
BASED MEAT GOAT PERFORMANCE TEST
S. SCHOENIAN1, J. SEMLER1, D. GORDON1, M. BENNETT2, AND D. O’BRIEN3
1UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION, 2WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY, 3DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY

2. Objectives
RESEARCH
• Evaluate the post-weaning
performance of meat goat
bucklings consuming a pasture-
based diet, with natural exposure
to internal parasites, primarily
the barber pole worm.
• Identify meat goat bucklings that
are resistant and resilient to
internal parasites, while
maintaining above-average
growth (ADG).
EXTENSION
• Encourage the use of
performance-tested bucks in the
US meat goat industry.
• Demonstrate the use of best
management practices for
controlling internal parasitism in
small ruminants.
• Build small ruminant extension
program around test.

3. Procedures
CONSIGNORS
• Any breeder,
any state
• Up to 5 goats
per consignor
• At least 2
• 5 preferred
• Half-sibs
recommended
GOATS
• Male
• Any breed or cross
• No registration
requirement
• 40-70 lbs.
• Born Jan 1-Mar 15
• Vaccinated twice
for CDT
• Weaned for > 2 weeks
• Single group
• Rotationally-grazed
Pasture-based diet
• Adjustment period
followed by 84-d test
• Deworm with three
dewormers upon arrival
• Handle bi-weekly
• Identify top-performers
TEST

4. Handling and data collection
Arrival and every 2 weeks
• Body weight, ADG
• FAMACHA© score
• Body condition score
• Coat condition score
• Dag score
• Fecal consistency score
• Individual fecal egg count (FEC)
• Need for treatment (Tx)
Towards end of test Other
• Ultrasound scan
• Rib eye area and depth
• Structural correctness
• Feet and legs
• Hooves
• Bites (mouth)
• Reproductive soundness
• Scrotal circumference
• Teat number and structure
• USDA Grade
• Pooled fecal
samples for
larvae ID
• Pooled fecal
samples to
determine diet
quality (NIRS).
• Carcass

5. Results
Year # goats # consigners States
2006 31 9 5
2007 47 11 7
2008 57 20 10
2009 60 17 11
2010 72 20 12
2011 81 23 11
2012 49 20 10
2013 81 23 11
2014 77 23 11
2015 84 25 12
Totals 639 84 18*
*Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North
Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia

10. Activities associated with goat test
Year Auction Field Day
Twilight Tour
and tasting
Slaughter
2006
2007
2008 20 Dan Waldron
2009 11 Richard Browning 10 goats from test
2010 11 Paul Kuber 10 goats from test
2011 11 Pen vs. pasture study
2012 14 Pen vs. pasture study
2013 Virginia For public Pen vs. pasture study
2014 Kentucky For public Pen vs. pasture study
2015
2016 Kentucky For public Carcass contest

11. COMMUNICATION
E-mail list
Consignors only
Meat Goat Test Blog
http://mdgoattest.blogspot.com
Meat Goat Test Listserv
meatgoattest@listserv.umd.edu
Web page
http://www.sheepandgoat.com
/#!goattest/cbev
Flickr™
Image folder for each year of test

12. Impacts
• Since 2006, 639 goats from 84 herds in 20 states have been evaluated in the
Western Maryland Pasture-Based
Meat Goat Performance Test.
• Top-performers have been selected
and sold or returned to farms for
breeding
• The test has increased the use of
performance testing in the meat goat industry.
• The test serves as a valuable source of
information pertaining to parasite control,
pasture-rearing, performance evaluation, and
carcass traits
in meat goats.
• Since 2006, the meat goat test blog has received 126,773 hits.

13. Thank you for your attention. Questions, comments?
10 year summary: http://www.sheepandgoat.com/#!10yearsbucktest/c23ym