The piecesin the show goat puzzle:

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1 Health Feeding Goats For Show -Vaccinate with C/D &T any and all new goats (Cheap insurance) -De-worm -Keep medications on hand for when necessary (work with your veterinarian) The piecesin the show goat puzzle: Facilities Health Selection Exercise Fitting Showmanship Selection There are several criteria you should consider when selecting a show goat. Establish Family Goals Muscle Structure Base width Look Balance Facilities Facilities do not have to be fancy Goats need to be Dry Warm Cool Comfortable Draft Free Firm Surface is best Grass or Grazing can be a problem (parasite control) Look & Balance Look and Balance will separate you from the competition. Tall enough Fronted Long enough Bodied Good enough looking Level enough top line Level enough hipped Better Be Good Ribbed! You do not need the most of anything, but Everything has to fit together! Balance 1

2 Later Maturing, Larger Framed You can take the best goat and if they are not fed and shown right, you will not win Early Maturing, Moderate Framed Goals Taking a Brush Eater Turning into Grain Eating Athlete Different Types & Kinds Early Maturing vs. Late Maturing Large Framed vs. Small Framed Young Wethers vs. Mature Wethers All types and kinds can work if managed properly This directly relates to feeding Goals Need to add Skeleton & Muscle HOW? 2

3 Meat Show Goats should be fed a grain based diet with minimal amounts of hay What do you look for in a show feed? Will improve body composition by adding skeleton and muscle WHY? Bucket calf Example Think feeding alfalfa hay is the solution Builds frame Huge belly Have fed thousands of goats and also helped feed goats that have won every major show in the United States. MORAL- They know what works! Kevin Mock Steve McEowen Glen Martin (DO NOTS) Many people feed high roughage diets Fine for Breeding animal development Common to take a show feed and add to it Ruins the balance of the formulated feed Is that bag of feed really that cheap if you are adding to it? Recommended Nutrient Specs: Protein 15-17% Fat 3-4% Fiber 10-15% All inclusive Pelleted Locked Formulas (No least cost formulations) 3

4 Quality Ingredients (ASK QUESTIONS!!) Organic or chelated trace minerals Yeast (for optimized gut health and digestion) Ammonium chloride Coccidiostat(typically rumensin or deccox) Monitor body condition; adjust with volume of feed, protein & fat levels, and exercise What is body condition? Body condition is a measurement of fat & muscle on the carcass. When do I adjust what? Protein builds muscle & burns fat. *Remember performance animals need to be fed as such* Feed minimal hay Bird nest sized hand full 2x a week if on a high grain feed Meat goat judges don t want to see a huge belly Free choice mineral (cheap insurance policy) Feed 2-3% of body weight (1.5-3lbs depending on type and kind) Most market goats will max out at 2.5lbs of feed Weigh animals frequently if possible Consistency and Management make the big difference. Try to feed the same time every day Clean water, pen, & feeder when needed Watch for signs of parasites or Coccidiosis 15% of effort makes a 50% difference!! Feeding 2 or 3 times per day will help maintain a healthy rumen, and encourage appetite. This will also allow you to see your project multiple times a day in case anything is wrong? Make feed changes gradually Water is the most important resource Water should be kept fresh and monitored daily! Smaller quantities of water is best Hand fill vs. automatic fill water trough What problems should you look for when feeding? 4

5 Water is the most important resource Muscle is up to 70% water! Digestion requires water Body temperature control requires water! Immune system requires water! Increased water intake will lower the chance of urinary calculi! Exercise (Shaping and Definition) Market goats are treated more like body builders Short sessions of heavy activity builds muscle Actually degrading muscle and rebuilding it Heavy training days before show Make sure goat is in proper condition Goats run for their lives for about 90 seconds a few times a week (usually involves a dog) Adrenaline is the key Exercise Tailor your exercise to the individual goat If they are too thin, hold off on sprints Don t wait until over finished to start Monitor body condition every week (loin area) Exercise (Toning) Daily activities in their pens Walks to the scale, showmanship practice Any exercise your goat gets is likely toning Entire project period Do this like you are taking them to show Showmanship Showmanship is the art of making your animal look as good as possible. You should be a second thought to your goat. Showmanship starts with work at home. 5

6 Showmanship Start at home by teaching your goat to lead and stand still while you are holding him on the chain. Practice and hard work at home will pay off. More info at showrite.com Showmanship Tips Chain up your goats at home. This will teach them to give you control of their neck and head. Work goats on a show table to teach them to brace without stepping out or back. Always end on a good experience. This will be beneficial for your goat and the exhibitor. Find us on Facebook! Final Thoughts & Questions Facilities Health Selection Exercise Fitting Showmanship Consistency and good management make huge difference Try to eliminate your personal margin for error 6