maintain body condition as it saves money over the long haul. Reproduction is also affected by the readiness of the bucks to
breed. The does can be ‘flushed’ and ready to breed but if the bucks have not been hot synchronized, then it will lengthen the breeding season, or, there will be fewer does bred. Reproduction efficiency increases ease of kidding management.
Growth rate Growth rate of the kids and weanoffs is a very important selec-
tion criterion. Weigh the kids at birth, at weaning (3 months), 8 months and again at 12-15 months of age. Birthweight is affected by nutrition the last trimester as 80% of the fetal growth takes place at this time.
The weaning weight is a measure of the dam’s ability to mother and produce quality milk. At 8 months, the young goat has survived the initial weaning stress, foraging for itself,and re-structuring of its social acceptance within a mob. It is a better indication of an individ- ual’s potential.
The 12-15 month weight gives you a good indication of mature weight as this weight is approximately 80 to 85% of the mature weight. This weight is a good indication of genetic expression. Selecting for growth rate is a long-term genetic process.
Carcass quality
One characteristic trait that keeps surfacing in need of enhance- ment is carcass quality with predictable consistency. In other words, all carcasses at a designated weight, whether 45 or 75 pounds, be consistent in dressing percentage, cooler shrink weight, rib eye size, cutability, muscling, leg circumference and conformation score. Goat meat has always been a lean red (ethnic) meat dish. The
goat is not genetically coded for a ‘fat’ finish and the ethnic (tradi- tional) consumers do not like to eat fat.
Carcass merit is an easier trait to select for (moderately herita- ble) compared to reproductive traits (low heritability) but there are also within breed differences. For identifying sires that produce off- spring expressing desirable carcass characteristics, use a single-sire mating breeding program.
Increasing the percentage of lean has to be done early in life as muscle cell numbers are set pre-natal and muscle fiber bundles in- crease in size (length and width) from weaning to about 12 months of age.
Nutrition plays a role in carcass quality as it affects the birth- weight of the kids, the health of the offspring, sparks the kids immune system, uniformity of weanoffs (predictability), time to puberty and maintaining a high body condition score.
Stress must be minimal as it increases the amount of energy ex- pended, decreases water consumption, and intensifies hormonal ef- fects. Deliver goats to slaughter facility early in the morning and process immediately to avoid pre- and post-slaughter stress, which affects the quality (tenderness, color) of the meat. To minimize stress, use livestock guardian dogs, modified be- havioral management techniques, quite working facilities and peace- ful labor.
Keep good records and use them for production management
decision making. Also consider utilizing FAMACHA, fecal analysis and body condition scoring.
Persistence and perseverance are necessary as human charac- teristic traits to stay goal oriented and never falter nor allow negative input to influence decisions. Set production goals that are attainable higher each year and cull ruthlessly.
32 Goat Rancher | May 2026
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
