The 2008 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test will be conducted from June 7 until Oct. 4 at the University of Maryland’s Western Maryland Research & Education Center in Keedysville. It is sponsored by Maryland Cooperative Extension.

This Kiko buck was the top performing goat in the 2007 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test in Keedysville, Md.

Nomination period for this year’s test is April 1-May 15 requiring a fee of $20 per goat nomination form. Checks should be made payable to the University of Maryland. An additional $55 will be due when goats are delivered to the test site.

Goat producers from any state may consign up to five male goats of any breed or cross, though preference will be given to previous consigners and Maryland residents. The pasture resource will accommodate approximately 50 goats. Guidelines stipulate that the goats be between 3 and 5 months of age at the start of the test. There is a minimum weight requirement of 35 pounds and it is suggested that goats weigh no more than 70 pounds They should be weaned prior to the test and have received two vaccinations for clostridium perfringins type C and D and tetanus (CD-T).

During the test, the goats will be managed as a single group on pasture. They will be rotationally grazed among five 2-acre paddocks. For 2008, the paddocks will consist primarily of orchardgrass, Max Qâ„¢ tall fescue, chicory, pearl millet, and forage kale. Goats on the test will always have access to a central laneway containing Port-A-Hut shelters, water, minerals, and a handling system. As this is a pasture test, supplemental feed (nutrition tubs and/or grass hay) will only be provided if environmental conditions necessitate their use.

While on test, the goats will be evaluated for growth performance, parasite resistance, and carcass merit. They will be handled every two weeks using low stress livestock handling techniques to determine body weight, FAMACHA© and body condition scores and assess overall health. Only goats scoring 4 or 5 on the FAMACHA© eye anemia scale will be dewormed, unless other clinical signs are observed.

Fecal samples will be collected every 14 days until the goats require deworming. Scrotal measurements will be taken at the beginning and end of the test. Ultrasound carcass measurements will be done towards the end of the testing period. Consigners may nominate up to two bucks for collection of slaughter data. There will be an additional fee of $25 per head for this option. The slaughter component is new for 2008.

There will be a Performance Tested Buck and Invitational Doe Sale on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Washington County Agricultural Center in Boonsboro. The Center is an adjacent property. The top 20 bucks, based on performance data and minimum standards for structural correctness and reproductive soundness, will be eligible to be sold via live auction. In addition, consignors will be able to nominate up to five doe kids for each male goat they have on test. Sale does must have on-farm performance records. A Goat Field Day will be held at the research center prior to the sale. The field day and sale are new for 2008.

For more information about the 2008 goat test, sale, and field day, contact Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Jeff Semler at (301) 791-1304 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Jeanne Dietz-Band at (301) 432-7296 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Information and forms can be obtained here: http://mdgoattest.blogspot.com.