With the growing popularity of Caribbean and Indian cuisine in America, goat meat is finding its way into many more recipes. Goats are under mandatory USDA inspection. Read on for more information about this red meat. Background on Goat Goat is thought to have been one of the earliest domesticated animals. Cave art 10,000 to 20,000 years ago indicates that goats were common and important then. At the present time, goats provide the principle source of animal protein in many North African and Middle Eastern nations. Goat is also important in the Caribbean, in Southeast Asia, and developing tropical countries. Three-fourths of all the goats in the world are located in the developing regions of the world. Kids (goats under a year of age) are often slaughtered when 3 to 5 months of age and weighing from 25 to 50 pounds. Kids do not store much body fat until they are about a year old. Many goats are older than a year and heavier when marketed, but most, except aged cull goats, are slaughtered when less than a year of age. The meat of older goats is darker and less tender, but more juicy and flavorful than kid. The meat from male goats is lighter in color and lower in fat. The meat from female goats is more desirable for steaks and chops because it is more tender. How are goats raised for food? In the U.S., there are three distinct types of goats: Dairy goats, raised primarily for milk; Spanish or Mexican goats, produced for meat on a variety of open rangeland; South African Boer goats, a recently introduced breed that can adapt to various climates and can rebreed while still nursing; and Angora goats, raised primarily for their wool, used to make cloth. Excess males and cull goats are also used for meat. The Spanish and Angora goats are increasing in numbers in the Southwestern States, primarily in Texas. On brushy ranges, they improve the pasture for cattle and sheep by eating large amounts of twigs, shrubs, and brush. Are goats inspected? Yes. Goats are covered under the U.S. Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906 and thus must be slaughtered under Federal or State inspection. Any carcasses slaughtered for sale must be inspected. Following are the number of goats federally inspected in various years. Is goat meat graded? No. There are no quality or yield grades for goat meat. Can hormones and antibiotics be used when raising goats? No. Hormones are not approved for growth promotion in goats. Antibiotics may be given to prevent or treat diseases in goats. A "withdrawal" period is required from the time most antibiotics are administered until it is legal to slaughter the animal. This is so residues have enough time to exit the animal's system. Goat meat is tested for antibiotics, sulfonamides, and pesticide residues if problems are suspected. Imported goat meat is sampled at ports of entry for residues that may result from the use of animal drugs, pesticides, or environmental contaminants. Data from residue monitoring rarely show residue violations. What are the retail cuts of goat? Retail cuts of goat are similar to those for lamb or mutton. Goat should have light pink to bright red, firm, fine-grained flesh with well-distributed white fat. In some breeds of goat, there can be color variation between males and females; in other breeds, there is no difference. Where is goat meat consumed? The demand for meat from goats has increased in some markets of the Southeastern USA, which has led to new marketing opportunities for the small farmer/rancher. There has been an increase in the influx of ethnic groups from areas of the world where goat meat comprises a significant portion of the diet. In addition, there has been an increase in the consumption of "ethnic" foods as consumers explore and broaden their culinary experiences. Goat meat is often served in specialty dishes centered at festival or holiday events. Is goat classified as "red" meat? Yes, goat is considered red meat. Safe Handling of Goat Meat Handle goat the same as any other type of meat. At the grocery store, make your selection of goat meat from the refrigerator case just before checking out at the register. Put packages of raw meat in disposable plastic bags (if available) to contain any leakage, which could cross-contaminate cooked foods or raw produce. Take packaged meat home immediately and refrigerate it at 40 °F or below; use within 3 to 5 days (1 or 2 days for ground goat meat), or freeze (0 °F or below) for up to a year. However, if kept frozen continuously, it will be safe indefinitely. Before and after handling any raw meat or poultry, always wash hands in warm, soapy water for 20 seconds. Safe Thawing There are three ways to thaw meat: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave. Never thaw on the counter or in other non-refrigerated locations. It's best to plan ahead for slow, safe thawing in the refrigerator. To thaw in cold water, do not remove packaging. Be sure the package is airtight or put it into a leakproof bag. Submerge the package in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Cook immediately. When microwave-defrosting meat, plan to cook it immediately after thawing because some areas of the food may become warm and begin to cook during microwaving-defrosting. Partially cooking food is not recommended because any bacteria present wouldn't have been destroyed. Foods defrosted in the microwave or by the cold water method should be cooked before refrigerating or refreezing because they may have been held at temperatures above 40 °F, where bacteria multiply rapidly. Cooking of Goat Meat For safety, cook ground goat meat to 160 °F as measured with a food thermometer. Cook all raw goat beef steaks, chops, and roasts to a minimum internal temperature of 145 °F as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source. For safety and quality, allow meat to rest for at least three minutes before carving or consuming. For reasons of personal preference, consumers may choose to cook meat to higher temperatures. Less tender cuts should be braised (roasted or simmered with a small amount of liquid in a tightly covered pan) or stewed. Kid meat lends itself to all recipes for lamb: chops, leg or shoulder, crown roasts, rack or saddle, and kebabs. A goat carcass rarely has much fat to protect it from drying. Goat meat is generally quite lean, although its higher moisture content makes it tender when handled properly. The meat of adult goats is almost always subjected to stewing because of its relative toughness, but in stews, it is flavorful and tender. Storage Times Consumers should follow these tips for home storage of goat meat. Follow handling recommendations on the product. Keep meat in its package until it's ready to be used. Take goat meat home immediately and refrigerate at 40 °F or below. For best quality, use ground or cubed goat meat (such as stew meat) within 2 days of purchase and larger cuts within 3 to 5 days, or freeze the meat at 0 °F or below. It is safe to freeze meat in its original packaging. If freezing longer than 2 months, overwrap as you would any food for long-term storage. Ground or cubed goat meat will keep its best quality in the freezer for 4 months. Larger cuts, such as chops, steaks, legs, or loins, will keep their best quality for 6 to 9 months; ground meat, 3 to 4 months. Frozen goat meat remains safe indefinitely if kept frozen continuously. You can find the original article here: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/meat/goat-farm-table

First Coni Ross Memorial Scholarship Recipient “Being chosen as the first-ever Coni Ross scholarship recipient means a lot to me,” said McKenna Blair, who is from Wagoner, Okla. “I considered her to be the best of the best.” Ranked 7th in her class, McKenna graduated Wagoner High School with a 4.0 GPA in May 2021. She now attends Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla. As a double major in Agriculture Education and Agriculture Communications, she has a 4.0 GPA. “I will forever cherish Coni’s impact on my life,” McKenna said. “I can still remember her smiling and walking around the ring doing what she loved most. She brought so much positivity to the barns that always brightened my day.” Known worldwide for her knowledge of Boer goats and her interest in sharing her knowledge with others, McKenna said she hopes to follow in Coni’s footsteps. “I can only hope to, one day, be as knowledgeable about livestock as Coni and expand my own education to help and mold the generations to come,” McKenna said. After she graduates from college, McKenna wants to be an ag educator and build her own Boer goat herd. “Boer goats are beautiful animals,” McKenna said. “There is nothing cuter than a baby goat.” But it goes farther than that for McKenna. McKenna also wants to pay it forward by providing show animals to kids who are interested in showing and building a bond with the younger generations. McKenna said if you look deeper into what the Boer goat offers, there are many reasons to like Boer goats. “At the show level, they teach youth and adults how to manage time as well as how to be good caregivers,” she explained. “I think one of the greatest things Boer goats have to offer is their efficiency to convert forage to meat production. If a person isn’t interested in the show aspect of the Boer goat, the market and farm-to-table aspect is very beneficial and should be utilized more in today's world.” #JABGA #news

Congratulations to Jiles Coble who was selected to the 2021 Georgia National Livestock Ambassador team! #JABGA #news

An Unknown Staple of Meat | A Study of The Boer Goat Industry Casey Stevens’ goal is to change the meat goat industry. Her research “An Unknown Staple of Meat, A Study of The Meat Goat Industry” came in 4th in the Ag Sociology category at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. You can download and view her study here. #JABGA #news

By Alaina Blair Agriculture has provided me with vast opportunities and has impacted my life in many great ways: from skills learned and values instilled in me to hard work and responsibility are a way of life. It teaches perseverance, to hold tight to my faith, and know the sun will rise again tomorrow. Agriculture is not only cultivating the land, producing crops, and raising livestock, but it’s being a caregiver. It’s setting roots that run deep with family, history, and community. One day I will become part of a legacy left on the land as the next generation is raised. Agriculture is vital for all, for it produces the necessities that maintain life. ABGA has helped me find my passion and fuels my drive for the Boer goat industry. It’s given me the opportunity to be involved in the industry I so deeply love. Hopefully, one day I will be able to have a livelihood in becoming a veterinarian that specializes in small ruminants and giving back to the industry that has given me so much. Therefore, celebrating National Agriculture Week makes me think of gratitude and harvest time. Gratitude for the backbone of our nation that provides our food and a way of life to be proud of! It’s the past, present, and a promise of the future. It gives me a reason to celebrate the industry I love and settles my soul. Here’s to a lifestyle worth celebrating! #JABGA #news

By Logan Hollen What is Agriculture? As a girl growing up in Kentucky, I have been surrounded by ag my whole life. Throughout the past 18 years on this earth, I have learned what agricultural means to me. The foundation of the world is agriculture. Ag gives you everything – from the clothes on your back to the lights in your house. A few months ago, I found myself in front of a freshman ag class teaching them what agricultural is. After the lesson I left them with one last thing to remember, “without agricultural, we have nothing, without agriculture, we are nothing”. The American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) is a great representation of what agriculture is. This organization teaches young students about the importance of animals and how to properly care for them. We need more organizations such as the ABGA to share the importance of agriculture. I strive to share the importance of ag and continue to share with others why we must keep ag the focal point in everyday life. #JABGA #news

By Logan Hollen When going into any showmanship class the most important thing you want to do is have confidence. You can grow your confidence by having eye contact with the judge. When having eye contact it allows you to have a connection with the judge, and in hopes, they will remember you and set you apart from the rest. It’s very important to stay focused on where the judge is located in the ring. This is done by keeping eye contact. By knowing where the judge is at all times will let you have a smoother transition when moving around your goat and will help keep you focused on the class. This is definitely something that can be practiced at home with the use of a mirror. The use of a mirror in your barn will also help you with feet placement. Judges are very picky on how feet are placed. This will separate you from 1st place and 2nd place the majority of the time. The quicker you can place feet and be looking back up at the judge is what will push you towards the top of the class. #JABGA #news

Being the JABGA Area 3 Regional Show Secretary is all about paying it forward for Adrienne and Joe Kidder. “Our daughter would not be who she is today without all the experiences she gained from the JABGA,” said Adrienne Kidder. “We just wanted to give back with hopes to help other families.” Becoming the Show Secretary started when they were approached by a couple of local breeders and the president of the JABGA about hosting a show. Indiana is known as the Crossroads of America, Adrienne explained. Several major interstate systems cross in Indiana. “We all felt it would be the perfect location for a JABGA Regional Show,” said Adrienne, who joined the American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) for her daughter Hannah. After joining the ABGA, they started Kidder Show Stock and their own breeding program. They gathered different bloodlines from some of the best breeders in the business, Adrienne explained. “We love selling our does and bucks to the youth, whether it is to JABGA members, 4-H or FFA members,” she added. “The smile on the kids’ faces and the accomplishments they gain is why we do this.” While doing this, the Kidder family has grown. “The friends that we have met in this industry we consider like family,” Adrienne said. But this isn’t the only way Joe is involved in the ABGA. He’s also a 2022 National Show Superintendent. Joe said he was first was given the opportunity to be a Superintendent by Jesse Kimmel’s suggestion for him to volunteer. Through that suggestion, Joe was able to get more involved with the National Show. “Being a National Show Superintendent I feel is an honor,” he said. “It has been a great opportunity to be able to give back to the ABGA and the wonderful breeders of this industry.” #nationalshow #news #jabga

“We all love to help the youth and promote Boer goats.” The Junior American Boer Goat Association holds a special place in the heart of Jodi Scholl, our JABGA Area 2 Regional Show Secretary. “It's where I saw my daughter bloom in her personality and find her niche after a life altering accident,” Jodi explained. “She has now served on the JABGA board for three years. I believe that if we give our youth the tools they need, they will thrive.” That’s exactly what she’s doing with the JABGA Area 2 Regional Show. She said the livestock industry is such a powerful tool to keep kids involved and teaches so much more than showing. The JABGA highlights some of those skills with the contest and activities they do at the regionals and nationals. “We have a great group of friends that help run our shows,” Jodi explained. “We all love to help the youth and promote Boer goats.” While it’s a lot of work, they have a great time doing this, she added. “Life is just more fun when you are around ‘family’,” Jodi said. Along with a group of individuals that helps run her shows, Jodi said she had access to a facility that was not utilized enough. “We thought it would be a great place for an ABGA show, and it just came together the first year,” Jodi explained. “We each took a job that we had strengths with. Mine just happened to be organizing, so that's how I got to be show secretary that I share with Lori Wickman.” That was 5 years ago, and the rest, you could say, is history. “We now have three separate shows that we have turned into a series, The Little Sioux Showdown Triple Crown,” Jodi said. “We try to do something new and different each year. This could not be done without the help of my amazing committee! While she joined the ABGA in 2011 so her daughter could be in the JABGA, Jodi said she’s found opportunities within the ABGA that have helped her operation. She’s also had the chance to get to know so many people. “I have two more children who are starting to really get involved with the JABGA,” Jodi said. “I hope to see the same growth in them as I did my oldest.” This is important to Jodi because she was also raised in the agriculture industry. “I grew up on a family farm where we had a cow calf operation, farrow to finish operation, and row crop,” she added. “I was always outside with my Dad helping with things on the farm. I was involved in FFA during high school.” Some things never change. “My husband and I with our three kids have been highly involved in agriculture,” Jodi said. “We have a small cow calf operation, our son has a small sheep herd, and we have around 100 head of goats at all times. I am still highly involved with my family farm helping my folks with their row crop. I definitely would not want to raise my kids any other way!” #JABGA #news

Here are the results from the JABGA National Show: High Point Overall: Cannon Wilhoit High Point Senior Division: Tanner Dahnke High Point Junior Division: Annabelle Kitchens High Point Intermediate Division: Cannon Wilhoit Skill-a-thon Contest – Senior Division: Bella Phillips Skill-a-thon Contest – Junior Division: Annabelle Kitchens Skill-a-thon Contest – Intermediate Division: Cannon Wilhoit Public Speaking Contest – Senior Division: Mikayla Brennan Public Speaking Contest – Junior Division: Annabelle Kitchens Public Speaking Contest – Intermediate Division: Cannon Wilhoit Sales Talk Contest – Senior Division: Clay Orman Sales Talk Contest – Junior Division: Annabelle Kitchens Sales Talk Contest – Intermediate Division: Nollan Smith Judging – Senior Division: Makayla Morris Judging – Junior Division: Emmett Luellen Judging – Intermediate Division: Kaden Brown Fitting Contest Champion – Senior Division: Ashlyn Huff/Kate Schaefer Fitting Contest Reserve – Senior Division: Will Poyner/Cole Jester Fitting Contest Champion – Junior Division: McCoy Luellen/Carson Knott Fitting Contest Reserve – Junior Division: Tory Brincks/Emale Thompson The winners for the JABGA Overall Regional Series are: Overall High Point Grand Champion: Cannon Wilhoit Overall High Point Reserve Champion: Tanner Dahnke Overall High Point – Senior Division: Tanner Dahnke Overall High Point – Junior Division: Annabelle Kitchens Overall High Point – Intermediate Division: Cannon Wilhoit Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all the JABGA members who participated! #JABGA #news #nationalshow

Day One of our Junior American Boer Goat Association Board of Directors Face-to-Face meeting is complete! Our JABGA Board members spent their first full day breaking the ice -- getting acquainted with each other and the ABGA office, writing National Show thank-you notes, and viewing a leadership TED Talk (video below). This sparked an afternoon of conversation: "What does JABGA mean to you? How do you see JABGA moving into the future? What would you like to see at the 2023 JABGA National Show?" The group finished out the night with pizza. Our JABGA Board of Directors has a fun-filled (and busy!) few days ahead of them! UP NEXT: a tour of the Angelo State University Meat Lab and Management, Instruction, and Research Center. #JABGA #news

Drum roll, please. The overall placing winner of ABGA’s first-ever JABGA National Show Meat Goat Evaluation is Sophie Sturges. She received $3,650. Here’s a look at how exhibitors placed: Light Weight Class 1st place: Wyatt Stevens 2nd place: Colton Westfall 3rd place: Dacota Higgins 4th place: Aris Barrientez 5th place: Baylee Lamb Medium Weight Class 1st place: Casey Jo Stevens 2nd place: Maddie Boyd 3rd place: Austin Hendrickson 4th place: Kaden Brown Heavy Weight Class 1st place: Sophie Sturges 2nd place: Lawson Brown 3rd place: Nathan Brown 4th place: Cannon Wilhoit Carcass Evaluation Class 1st place: Sophie Sturges 2nd place: Nathan Brown 3rd place: Lawson Brown 4th place: Kaden Brown 5th place: Casey Jo Stevens Record Book 1st place: Casey Jo Stevens 2nd place: Lawson Brown 3rd place: Sophie Sturges 4th place: Wyatt Stevens 5th place: Austin Hendrickson 6th place: Dacota Higgins 7th place: Maddie Boyd 8th place: Baylee Lamb 9th place: Aris Barrientez 10th place: Kaden Brown 11th place: Cannon Wilhoit 12th place: Nathan Brown 13th place: Colton Westfall Total Sophie Sturges: $3,650 Casey Jo Stevens: $2,550 Lawson Brown: $1,050 Wyatt Stevens: $850 Austin Hendrickson: $700 Dacota Higgins: $650 Maddie Boyd: $650 Nathan Brown: $550 Kaden Brown: $500 Aris Barrientez: $450 Baylee Lamb: $450 Colton Westfall: $350 Cannon Wilhoit: $350 We would like to thank all exhibitors who participated in our inaugural JABGA National Show Meat Goat #JABGA #news #nationalshow