Many factors may be involved in evaluating an animal for replacement herd, sales and dispersal, or superiority in
show - ring judging. A few main factors will be briefl y discussed in the following sections. However, more detailed information can be found on different goat breed- ers ’ association or university extension websites.
Size
The size is relative and, in large part, is based on the environment in which the animals are managed and breed. The environmental factors such as rainfall, forage avail- ability, temperature, and the level and skill of management dictate the production scheme in which animals are main- tained. Skeletal frame size or weight, and bone and muscle development are indicators of size. There is a signifi cant variation among breeds in regards to size. Frame is com- monly referred to as the height of the animal at the hips. Larger - framed animals may not always be better animals. Smaller animals tend to be more effi cient. Larger animals tend to be leaner and have a faster growth rate. In all cases, the frame size of the animal is determined by the environ- ment or production goals. Larger animals tend to be pre- ferred in show - ring judging.
Volume or Body Capacity
Much emphasis should be placed on the internal dimen- sion, volume, or capacity of an animal. Volume is impor- tant as it indicates an expanded internal capability for lungs (breeding capacity), rumen (feeding capacity), and utero function (reproductive capacity — easy birthing). Volume is three - dimensional (for example, length, depth, and width). Animals with expanded spring or arch of ribs (broad - chested), long - sided (from shoulder to hip), and deep - bodied or deep - fl anked are preferred.
Sex Character MALE
Bucks should appear rugged, stout, and masculine. Ruggedness is associated with stoutness of bone, identifi ed by a larger circumference of cannon bone and size of the foot. Width between the eyes and prominence of jawbone are other indicators of masculinity. Masculinity is extremely important in evaluation of bucks in show - ring judging. Bucks must have two large testicles that are well shaped, equally sized, fi rm to the touch, and hang evenly in a single scrotum. Bucks with only one testicle have a condition known as cryptorchidism — a condition in which the testes fail to descend into the scrotum. Bucks with one testicle or testicles that hang unevenly, vary in size, are hard to the touch, or are soft and spongy may be lacking in fertility or may be subfertile, if fertile at all. An indicator
of fertility is the scrotal circumference (SC), measured midway of the scrotum with both testicles descended. This measurement (larger is more desirable) is an indicator of the buck ’ s ability to produce semen and is also an indicator of early puberty in both male and female progeny. The Small Ruminant Pocket Guide (2006) recommends SC to be a minimum of 30 cm at 8 months of age, while the Kentucky Governor ’ s Offi ce of Agricultural Policy recom- mends SC of 25 cm or more at the same age.
FEMALE
Does should be feminine and more refi ned in their features. Femininity is typically associated with a longer head and neck coupled with a more refi ned head and muzzle. The udder should be soft, smooth, well shaped, and balanced. The female external genitalia should be well developed and properly structured. An infantile vulva often indicates a lowered rate of fertility. Femininity, especially in dairy - type does, is extremely important in evaluation of does in show - ring judging.
Breed Character
For those breeders with a purebred or seed - stock breeding program, special emphasis should be placed on enhancing the breed characteristics that make the chosen breed unique. Specifi c breeding plans and goals must be consid- ered. Being familiar with the characteristics that make each breed unique should be researched and followed. Structural correctness and ability to adapt to the environment should not be overlooked. The ability to grow, for meat breeds, and the ability to produce milk, for dairy breeds, must also be evaluated. Judges in the show ring place tremendous emphasis on breed character, because the show ring is the best opportunity for breeders to showcase their breeding program. Breed character is also important for maintaining the characteristics that make each breed unique and dis- tinct from other breeds.
MEAT - TYPE GOATS
When the primary purpose of goat ownership is to provide meat, the amount of muscling becomes important (Figure 5.1 ). Muscling should be apparent throughout the body of the animal. The two primary indicators of muscling are the back of the animal and the stifl e and thigh regions. Animals with an abundance of natural muscling are heavy muscled or “ thick topped. ” This is evidenced by the bulging of muscle along the topline of the animal, over the rack, through the loin, and out the rump to the tail head. The loin eye muscle, or longissimus dorsi, yields one of the most tender, highest priced, and most valuable cuts of the goat carcass. Another indicator of muscling is the bulge of the
stifl e muscle, viewed as the animal walks. The wider the animal stands and walks, usually the heavier muscled the animal is. The thickest part of a meat animal should be the width from stifl e to stifl e. The shoulders should be mus- cular but not coarse or out of proportion with the rest of the body and other muscle indicators. Another indicator of heavy muscling is the circumference of the cannon bone and size of the foot or hoof. Traditionally, the bigger the foot, the bigger the bone, and the more muscle mass. For more information on meat goats, please refer to Chapter 13 .
DAIRY - TYPE GOATS
If milk production is the primary goal of the breeding program, animals are selected for dairy characteristics (Figure 5.2 ). Dairy characters are denoted by angularity of body shape, general trimness or refi nement, and lack of meatiness. Dairy breeds are characterized by long, refi ned necks, sharpness over the withers, a deep heart girth, and
Beard Brisket Chest Floor Forearm Cannon Bone Knee Toe Heel Dewclaw Heart Girth Barrel Sheath Flank Scrotum Hoof Pastern Hock Stifle Thigh or Britch Pin Bone
Figure 5.1 Meat - type goat.
a mammary system that is indicative of problem - free milking. Other important characteristics include a wide chest fl oor, width between the pins, and structural correct- ness of feet and legs. Dairy breed type refers to the char- acteristics of a particular breed as it relates to color, head and ear size and shape, and frame size.
In dairy goat evaluation, the mammary system of the doe in production must be evaluated. The udder must be strongly attached with a strong and smooth fore and rear udder attachment and a strong medial suspensory liga- ment. The udder should be balanced and symmetrical in shape, and soft and pliable to the touch. A pendulous, ill - shaped, unbalanced, hard, and leathery udder is objection- able. A prominent milk vein, located in front of the udder is desirable. Major emphasis in the show - ring judging (approximately 35%) is placed on the mammary system of does in production (senior does; Table 5.1 ). For more information on dairy goats, please refer to Chapter 14 .
Ear Bridge of Nose Nostril Muzzle Lower Jaw Throat Point of Shoulder Brisket Point of Elbow Cannon Bone Knee Toe Sole Heel Dewclaw Heart Girth Barrel Flank Milk Vein Fore Udder Attachment Fore Udder Floor of Udder Teat Orifice Hoof Pastern Hock Tendon
Medial Suspensory Ligament Stifle
Rear Udder Thigh or Britch Rear Udder Attachment Pin Bone Tail Head Tail Thurl Hip Bone Ribs Crop Withers Shoulder Balde Neck Chest Floor Rump Loin Chine Back Topline
Figure 5.2 Dairy - type goat.
FIBER - TYPE GOATS
Angora goats produce mohair (Figure 5.3 ). Selection of goats for mohair production should be based on three fi ber production traits: length of fi ber, diameter of fi ber, and uniformity (length and diameter) of fl eece. The show - ring scorecard suggests that 60% of the emphasis in evaluation
Table 5.1 Suggested scorecard for evaluating different types of goats for various traits.
Goat Type Trait Dairy, Senior Doe Dairy, Junior Doe Dairy, Buck Angora Market Meat Goat
General Appearance 35 55 55 40 75 Dairy Character 20 30 30 Body Capacity 10 15 15 25 Mammary System 35 Fleece 60 TOTAL 100 100 100 100 100
of fi ber goats be placed on the fi ber or fl eece character (Table 5.1 ). Structural correctness, as discussed earlier in this chapter, is important to longevity of production for fi ber goats. See Chapter 15 for a complete review and discussion of fi ber - type goats.
Throat Knee Toe Sole Dewclaw Flank Hoof Pastern Thigh or Britch
Figure 5.3 Fiber - type goat.