The Meat Goat Evaluation contest helps JABGA members learn production practices, track performance, and compete for $5K+ in premiums and carcass payments.

Objective of Meat Goat Evaluation Contest

The Meat Goat Evaluation contest is an industry-driven opportunity for JABGA members to gain knowledge about production practices related to the commercial goat industry and see first-hand how their projects are turned into a high-quality protein source. Participants will learn how to record and track weights, rate of gain, feed efficiency, project costs and break-evens on their animals. Record books will be turned in at the national show, and animals will first be judged live on foot, and then harvested and ranked on a carcass basis. In addition to participants receiving payment from the carcass of their goat, over $5,000 in premiums will be given out.  

Additionally, this program is meant to help educate and raise awareness that the goats we raise are part of the food production system in some way shape or form. Nearly every goat we raise is eventually eaten by someone and we are all producing a high-quality, lean, nutritious and delicious protein source. With little to no promotion of commercial goats or goat meat, prices are soaring for both and there is great opportunity for commercial goat producers and in particular, Boer producers. No breed can add growth, gain and red meat to the commercial goat industry like the Boer breed.  

We will also collect DNA samples on each goat. They will be run on a 70,000 SNP goat test by UC-Davis, and this will serve as the beginnings of a phenotype and genotype database for the Boer breed. The hope is to eventually collect enough data to identify markers that relate to economically relevant traits and make genetic improvement based on DNA technology.  

General Contest Rules   

1. Exhibitor must be a member of JABGA   

2. Contest is open to bucks, does, & wethers   

3. Goat must still have milk teeth   

4. Must be owned at least 60 days prior to the national show  - Ownership deadline is April 1, 2025 

5. Limited to 1 goat per JABGA exhibitor   

6. This is a terminal contest   

7. Must participate in all 3 categories to be eligible for prizes and payouts 

Live Class Rules 

1. Animals must be slick sheared above the knees & hocks   

2. This is a no fit, blow & go show (no adhesives, powder, or paint)   

3. Classes will be divided by weight   

4. Minimum live weight of 75 lbs.   

5. Goats are subject to a random urine drug test   

Carcass Class Rules   

1. Carcass must be youthful appearing, no spool joints or excessive dark coloring  

2. Carcass shall be free of serious bruises (“old”, not recent), free of injection sites on the more valuable carcass parts - leg, loin, rack and shoulder (neck excluded) and free of any evidence of surgical altering of the live goat   

3. Slaughter facility reserves the right to condemn any carcass that does not comply with USDA standards   

Scoring & Payout   

1. Record book (50 Points Possible) placed 1-10, with payout to top five 

2. Carcass class (50 Points Possible) placed 1-10 with payout to top five 

3. Live class (50 Points Possible) placed 1-10 with payout to top five   

4. Carcass & Live class point system as follows 1st=50, 2nd=45, 3rd=40,....etc.) 

5. Overall contest score is determined by the aggregate total of points earned from each category  

Carcass Class Evaluation Criteria 

Carcass rankings will be determined through a combination of collected data and visual appraisal 

Data Collected During Carcass Class