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The American Meat Goat Association will be conducting a 200-day range performance test for buck and wether goats. The test will be open to all goat producers who wish to participate in it. Due to current range condition a maximum of 150 head of animals will be accepted for the first years test. Animals will be received October 31, 2003 and November 1, 2003 at the Marvin F. Shurley Ranch, which is 4.5 miles South of Sonora, Texas on Hwy. 277. Goats must weigh at least 80 lbs. in order to be admitted to the test. There is no maximum weight limit. There is no age limit. The cost for entering a buck or wether into the test is $75.00 per head. Animals will be run in a two pasture rotational grazing system. Pasture (1) One contains 393 total acres and Pasture (2) Two contains 434 total acres. All animals will be inspected prior to admission into the test station and unsound or unhealthy animals will not be permitted entry. Upon acceptance, animals will be ear-tagged with an A.M.G.A. test tag. All goats will be weighed and given initial vaccinations against enterotoxemia, caseous lymphadinitis, and pneumonia. Goats will also be treated for internal and external parasites, such as stomach worms and lice, at the time of admission.
Goats will then be weighed at 50-day intervals. Average daily gain will be computed after each weighing and at the end of the test for each animal. A ranking will then be assigned them in relation to the group's performance. This will give goat producers a perspective on animal performance under a true commercial type management system.
The second test weight will be taken and recorded on December 20, 2003 (day 50) and booster shots for enterotoxemia, caseous lymphadinitis and pneumonia will be administered. Fecal sampling will also be done and should egg counts dictate it necessary, anthelmintics will be administered for control of internal parasites.
The third weight of the test will be taken and recorded on February 8, 2004 (day 100), and again fecal samples will be analyzed and anthelmintics administered if necessary. This will be determined by the egg count in fecal samples through microscopic examination.
The fourth weight of the test will be taken and recorded on March 29, 2004 (day 150). Again at this time fecal samples will be collected and subjected to microscopic examination to determine parasite load, and if necessary anthelmintics will be administered for control of internal parasites.
Following each weigh day the average daily gain (ADG) will be calculated for the preceding 50 days and the entire preceding test period in two separate reports to be issued to participants. Upon conclusion of the test at day 200 a final summary showing overall ADG will be compiled with animals ranked according to their individual performance. Goats may be picked up after 1 pm on the 18th of May, 2004.
Dr. Frank Craddock is the Extension Sheep and Goat Specialist for the Texas Cooperative Extension of the Texas A & M University System and will be inspecting animals to determine their qualification for testing, supervising all weight days, and conducting educational programs concerning the outcome of the test.
Marvin F. Shurley will be the primary manager of the test and will participate in all phases of the test.
Mr. Bill Laning will be present at each weigh day and will assist in the check-in, weighing, and tagging, along with participating in all aspects.
Mr. Sam Beaumont will be present at the initial admission and each subsequent weigh day to help gather animals from the pasture and will also help in handling animals during weighing, vaccinating, and worming. Mr. Beaumont has also agreed to help in facility maintenance as needed during the test period.
Mrs. Coni Ross will be present at the initial check-in to assist in weighing, recording weights, tagging and administration of vaccinations and anthelmintics. She will also be present at each subsequent weigh day to assist in gathering of stock, weighing and recording data. Mrs. Ross will also be conducting the fecal sampling and administering anthelmintics as necessary.
Mr. Burt Young, Mr. Eddie Andrews, and Mrs. Wanda Shurley will also be available to assist in all aspects of the test.
Please advise us of how many goats you are bringing. Remember the test will be limited to the first 150 goats. You may pay on the day of delivery of your goats to the test station. Please complete the following form and mail to:
AMERICAN MEAT GOAT ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 676
SONORA, TX 76950
I will be bringing the following to the AMGA Range Performance Test:
Number of Bucks:_______ Number of Wethers:______
Your Name:__________________________________________________
Address:_____________________________________________________
City:______________________ State:____________ Zip:_____________
Phone:___________________ Email:______________________________
Daily test station inspections will be performed and all reasonable efforts made to ensure the test animals' health and safety. The Test participant, by entering animals into this test, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the A.M.G.A., its officers, directors and other participants against any losses due to injury, illness or death of test animals.
________________________________________
Signature
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