US-SABGBA Annual Classification Inspection 2025 By Conrad Herbst
Continuing our streak of successes, the United States-South Af- rican Boer Goat Breeders Alliance, or simply US-SABGBA, have had our second annual Judging/Inspection done by Jaco van der Merwe, the SABGBA qualified judge, invited from South Africa. After months of planning and scheduling and replanning and scheduling to get all aligned over the vast spread of the U.S., Jaco van der Merwe finally arrived in Atlanta on October 8, and from there within an hour was on his way to Boise, Idaho. This year we planned four central stops over points where breeders could bring their goats for inspection.
First point was Nancy Barlas, New Plymouth, Idaho. I can, from experience, dare to argue that this is the best of the best Kalahari Red ranch in the whole of the USA. Not only was it once again evident that Nancy did an excellent job, but, the results of the mating selec- tion of rams (bucks) and ewes (does) done by her and the judge on the previous 2024 visit revealed exceptional results. It was simply astounding to witness the undeniable strength of Boer goat genetics always hanging in the background, momentarily ready to leap forward in a positive response, if mating selection is done in a proper Boer breeding manner.
Congratulations, Nancy Barlas, you once again did exceptionally
well, 11 Stud and 18 Flock animals were ear tagged as per the South African Standard. They will be entered into the SA Studbook. From Idaho, Jaco went due east to Estelline, S.D., arriving at Heartland Savannas, the home spread of Jason and Karlia Dahl. As
At Ginny Boer Goat Ranch, Ginger Bassford (Owner), Judge Jaco van der Merwe, Dakota Ash and Conrad Herbst.
was the case with Nancy, Jaco was welcomed with open arms, and instead of going to the hotel in town that was booked for him, they all decided, Jaco being a Boer rancher, he got into the spare room there on the ranch.
The next day started in earnest with the meticulous assessment of Michael Harris’s stock. Michael arrived early that morning with his five goats after a 10-hour, all-night drive, coming from Logan, Ohio. If that is not determination and commitment, then I do not know what is?
They say the brave will always be rewarded. Michael drove
20 Goat Rancher | December 2025
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