American Boer Goat Association

1. American Boer Goat Association • Judge certification

2. Certification Overview • Administered under rules 1600 & 1601 of ABGA Rules and Regulations. • Three parts of the the Judge Certification Exam • 1.} Written - 60 points • 40 questions M/C - 1 to 2 points each • Goat anatomy - 15 points • 2.} Placing - 350 points • 7 classes of full blood bucks and does & percentages • 3.} Oral Reasons - 200 points • 4 classes of reasons

3. Certification Overview • Judge Certification Exam • 1.} Written - 10% of the total score - 60 points • 2.} Placing - 57% of the total score - 350 points • 3.} Reasons - 33% of the total score - 200 points • Judge candidate must score 70% or more on each section • Total points required will be between 70% and 90%

4. About the ABGA • Formed in 1993 • Located in San Angelo, Texas • 2008 Senior membership of 5914 • 2008 Junior membership of 2014 • Provides registry and membership services • Emphasis on youth programs • Invested in marketing, promotion, genetic improvement of the Boer Goat

5. History of the Boer goat • Developed in South Africa • Recognized as a breed in the early 1960’s • Named for the Afrikaans farmer or “Boer” • Entered the United States for breeding in 1993. • Arrived as live animals from New Zealand followed by embryos direct from SA and direct import of live animals from SA.

6. Sanctioned Shows • 122 sanctioned shows in 2004 with over 14,000 animals exhibited. • 267 sanctioned shows in 2008 with more than 33,000 animals exhibited. 2008 open show expense of $105,712.00. • Since 2000, in excess of $1,000,000.00 invested in ABGA approved shows. • Currently 83 ABGA approved judges.

7. Goat Anatomy

8. Ranking Traits • 1. Structural Correctness • 2. Conformation (Balance & Style) • 3. Frame Size • 4. Capacity/Volume • 5. Degree of Muscling • 6. Sex Characteristics • 7. Fit & Finish • 8. Breed Character

9. ABGA Breed Standards What is a Breed Standard • A standard is a conceptual ideal of the perfect animal. • Based on the best knowledge of the industry. • Will change over time. • Standards are a yardstick by which the breeder may measure his advances toward a more desirable Boer goat .

10. ABGA Breed Standards Objectives of a Breed Standards • Identify desirable and undesirable traits. • Provide a basis for phenotype evaluation. • Emphasis on production traits. • The whole is really greater than the sum of its parts, but each enhances or detracts from the whole.

11. ABGA Breed Standards What the Breed Standards is not • Not an absolute. • Not a scientifically exact diagram of a Boer goat. • Mother nature makes no mistakes – just real expensive commercial animals

12. ABGA Breed Standards The standard is made up of 3 sections: I. CONFORMATION II. SKIN AND COVERING III. REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

13. ABGA Breed Standards Each section: • Describes the body area • Lists faults under the body area • Lists disqualifications under the body area • Lists any extreme occurrence of an undesirable trait is a disqualification.

14. ABGA Breed Standards I. CONFORMATIONAny extreme occurrence of an undesirable trait is a disqualification. HEADA prominent, strong head with brown eyes and a gentle appearance. Nose with a gentle curve, wide nostrils, and well formed mouth with well-opposed jaws. The jaws must have no over or under bite from birth to 24 months of age. After 24 months no more than a ¼ of an inch under bite is allowed. Correct fit is preferred. Teeth should erupt in the proper sequential positions. The forehead should be prominent and form an even curve linking the nose and horns. Horns should be dark, round, strong, of moderate length, positioned well apart and have a gradual backward curve before turning outward symmetrically. Ears should be smooth of medium length and hang downward. Faults: Concave forehead, straight horns, jaw too pointed, overshot or undershot jawsDisqualifications: Blue eyes, ears folded lengthwise, short ears, parrot mouth or more than ¼ of an inch under bite.