2008 Oklahoma Meat Goat Forage Buck Performance Test

Beginning Weights

The 2008 buck test began on Monday, July 14th. This year we had a two week warm up period before we took any weights or fecals so that the bucks could acclimate themselves to their new home.

On Monday, we weighed bucks, took FAMACHA scores, and trimmed hooves. Click the link below for buck rankings. No foot scald was present at this time but will be checked everytime we work goats.

Fecals will be taken and run in two weeks along with FAMACHA scores. Weights will be taken at 56 days on September 8.

The weather has been hot with heat indexes well over 100 degrees. The humidity stayed low over most of the week but has increased today.  I am watching for signs of heat stress.

The forages are still growing with most of the grasses being 8 -10 inches in height. This is keeping the bucks from grazing at the level where worms are most prevalent.

I don't have pictures yet but hope to have them soon. Our camera is not working properly and is being worked on.

Mary Download 2008_buck_results.xlsx Download 2008_buck_results.pdf

Top Herdsman & Fourth Place

Sky & Deborah Shivers are pictured with their pen of bucks, including the 4th place buck #47. The Shivers also won for Grand Champion Herdsman for the best overall ADG for the top 2 bucks in their pen. Breed: Kiko

State: Oklahoma

Third Place

Sam and Carol Stafford are pictured with their 3rd place buck #36. Breed: Texas Genemaster

State: Texas

Reserve Grand Champion

DeWayne Maloy is pictured with his Reserve Grand buck #27. Breed: Boer

State: Oklahoma

Grand Champion

  Terry Hankins is pictured with his pen of bucks, including the Grand Champion buck # 42.  Breed: Kiko

State: Mississippi

Final Results

The buck test has ended for this year. We loaded up the last bucks on Sunday and are already looking forward to next years test. Below I have posted the results of the test along with the forage samples, weather, etc. that were passed out to the participants at the field day on Saturday.

Click on the images to enlarge them. In a following post I will put up pictures of the winners and their owners. As well as images from the last few days of the test.

Information about next years test will be posted on this blog, along with the Kerr Center website, the OSU Oklahoma Meat Goat website, listed in the Kerr Newsletter and advertised in the Goat Rancher.

I expect that the age requirements will be much the same for next year, so plan for your bucks to be born in early spring if you would like to compete.

Thank you to everyone for participating and can't wait to see you again next year.

Mary

Download goat_test_forages.pdf

October 8 Weights

I am attaching the weights that were taken last week. These are not average daily gains, so they are not necessarily the ranking of who is doing the best. I will be posting the average daily gains later next week. We will be taking 2 final weights and averaging them so that we get the most accurate final weight we can. The first weight will be taken Thursday and the second on Friday.

The bucks are doing really well. I can really see a difference in their size and weight now. I also have more pictures to post.

The Dinner for the buck test participants will be Saturday night after the sale. Please plan on joining us. It will be a simple barbeque dinner but we would really like to show our appreciation to you all for this first year.

Mary

Download oct8weights.xls

Download oct8weights.pdf 

Field Day Brochure

Download field_day_brochure.pdf

Please download the Field Day Brochure and plan to attend the 1st Annual Buck Forage Test Field Day & Sale.

Update

The goats are doing well. The temperatures and weather have moderated and this has helped to improve the goats intake. We will be taking weights and FAMACHA scores on October 8th before the final weight on October 26th.

The goats that had been ill at the beginning of the test are improving greatly. They will not be ranked at the top but they have improved as far as putting on weight, competing for feed, and general health. Andy and I are both very happy to see this.

I am attaching a  write up by Brian Freking- OSU LeFlore County Educator, on the nutrition and forage availablity of the test. Brian has been taking forage samples and monotoring the change in pastures as well as the nutritional requirements of the goats.

I feel many of you will find this very informative.   

Download goat_intake_2007.doc

I will also be loading the Field Day & Sale Brochure.

Talk with you soon,

Mary

Pictures from Sept 11, 2007