Day two of our Junior American Boer Goat Association Board of Directors Face-to-Face meeting is in the books! Our JABGA board members started the day at The Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center in San Angelo. The group toured the laboratories and research pens. They were also introduced to the center’s research, which spans several breeds of sheep and goats, feeding programs, fiber sources, crops, and technology-led parasite identification. We owe a special thank you to Sheep and Goat Program Specialist Jake Thorne and Dr. John Walker at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center. Our JABGA board enjoyed hearing their knowledge. We also owe a special thank you to Robert Cope, Senior Instructor/Research Associate in the Department of Agriculture at Angelo State University (ASU), for his wisdom and time during the tour of the laboratory. The group then traveled to the ASU Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Product Development Laboratory, where JABGA members got to see the product of the Boer goat breed – the meat! This further developed the knowledge JABGA members learned at the 2022 National Show Carcass Evaluation Class. After lunch, board members sat down for their official business meeting at the ABGA office. ABGA Board Vice President Kathy Daves-Carr attended virtually. JABGA board members ended the day enjoying a Texas country music concert on the banks of the Concho River in downtown San Angelo. Courtesy of: Avery Holman Up Next: Tours of Denis Feedlot and Rocking Chair Ranch! #JABGA #news

Drumroll, please! The JABGA Board of Directors selected 2022-2023 officers as part of their annual Face-to-Face meeting on July 7, 2022. Your 2022-2023 JABGA officers are: President: Cecelia Knott Vice President: Logan Hollen Treasurer: Natalye Scholl Secretary: Helena Almli Reporter: Madison Reis Congratulations to these JABGA Board members! #JABGA #news

The third and final day of our Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA) Board of Directors Face-to-Face meeting in San Angelo, Texas is all wrapped up! JABGA directors kicked off the day with a tour of Denis Ranch Feedlot, in Vancourt; a small ruminant feed mill and custom feeder established in 1973. They house over 15,000 sheep and goats owned by independent producers. John Duke Hudson, a commercial meat goat broker and feeder, spoke about the feed mixes the mill produces and the efficiencies in health and growth they are trying to capitalize on. From there, the group traveled to the Rocking Chair Ranch owned by Loyd Whitehead. Ranch managers, Randy Wood, and Philip Vinson, along with Whitehead, guided the directors as they worked through pens of 5/8 3/8 Spanish Boer Cross goats. Discussions focused on crossbred versus purebred stock, management considerations, and Boer goat breed characteristics. The group also toured the sale ring space and spent time conversing about the challenges and opportunities facing the Boer breed, as well as the industry at large. JABGA extends its thanks to the generous people of the Rocking Chair Ranch and Denis Ranch for their hospitality and willingness to share their experiences and wealth of knowledge in animal agriculture. Directors resumed their business meeting at the American Boer Goat Association offices in the afternoon and capped off the trip with a hibachi dinner. #JABGA #news

Are you an ABGA show expert? Do you want to be part of JABGA’s acclaimed Regional Show program? You may be the next JABGA Regional Show Host! ABGA is currently looking for interested ABGA members to host regional shows in Area 1, Area 3, Area 4, and Area 5 for the 2022 season and all areas for the 2023-2024 season. You must be an ABGA member in good standing, have previous ABGA sanctioned show experience, and reside in the JABGA Area where the Regional Show is held to be a JABGA Regional Show host. JABGA Regional Show hosts will be responsible for the following, among other duties: Establish show budget and date with ABGA office staff and Youth Committee chairs Select and secure show venue Create show schedule with ABGA office staff and Youth Committee chairs Select and secure show judge from ABGA’s Approved Judges list Secure additional sponsors outside of the ABGA budget Arrange show judge’s travel with ABGA office staff Select and coordinate show volunteers (including but not limited to ring staff, volunteer contest judges, and show announcer) Providing scales for weigh-in (market and commercial doe shows) Coordinate exposition space for sponsors and vendors Validate JABGA ownership and Bred & Owned entries Plan and facilitate awards banquet If you are interested in hosting a JABGA Regional Show, please contact shows@abga.org. The JABGA regional show areas are broken down by state as follows: Area 1: Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Alaska, Hawaii, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Montana Area 2: Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota Area 3: Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine Area 4: Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Puerto Rico Area 5: Colorado, New Mexico, Texas For more information about the JABGA Regional Show program, click here. For more information about ABGA sanctioned show rules, click here. For more information about JABGA sanctioned show rules, click here. #JABGA #news

**As of October 5, 2022, the American Boer Goat Association is no longer accepting applications for the JABGA Youth Coordinator position. Thank you to all applicants who submitted their information!** The American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) is now hiring a Youth Coordinator for the Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA). This is a remote position with some travel required. If you are passionate about leadership, education, and personal development for youth and want to work with an expanding nonprofit organization, email your resume and cover letter to officemanager@abga.org or apply on Indeed here. Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA) Youth Coordinator Position Overview: This position is fully responsible for organizing the Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA). The JABGA Youth Coordinator develops and facilitates programs in various settings to enhance and support education and personal development for youth involved in JABGA. The Youth Coordinator ensures all JABGA projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet quality standards, and secures and implements grants/funding and development programs to support JABGA’s mission. Location & Travel: This position is remote, with a requirement to travel to industry events, all JABGA Regional and National Shows, and occasionally the ABGA office (San Angelo, Texas). Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience. Education: A Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on agricultural education is preferred. Reports To: ABGA Executive Director, Office Manager, Background Check: The ability to pass a comprehensive background check is required. This position adheres to strict conduct and confidentiality standards regarding minors and sensitive information. Prior Experience: Event planning, specifically youth educational and leadership events (required) Working with youth (required) Basic financial management, including developing and monitoring budgets and financial reporting (required) Agricultural extension or agricultural organization/association work (preferred) Grants management (preferred) Project management, including using project management software (Microsoft Teams, OEX) (preferred) Skills: Excellent time management and prioritization skills Stellar written and verbal communication skills Comfortable with high-pressure situations and strict deadlines Attention to detail Ability to learn, understand, and follow complex procedures and regulations Proficiency with desktop computers, Microsoft Office applications (Word, Teams, Excel), and conducting business via email and the Internet Ability to lead and manage a group Ability to anticipate setbacks and plan accordingly Strong sense of relationship building and ability to work in teams Duties: Prepare comprehensive action plans for JABGA projects, directives, and events with guidance from ABGA Executive Director, ABGA Youth Committee Plan and oversee meetings and activities of the JABGA Board of Directors (monthly virtual meetings, annual Face-to-Face meetings) Perform administrative tasks on behalf of JABGA (scheduling, timelines, budgets, contacts, financial inquiries, vendor relations) Represent JABGA and ABGA at various industry events, including “major” livestock shows (NAILE, Fort Worth Livestock Show & Rodeo, Denver Livestock Show, RodeoHouston, the American Royal Livestock Show, OYE, and others), all ABGA and JABGA Regional Shows and National Shows, National FFA Convention Provide routine updates to ABGA Executive Director, Office Manager, and Youth Committee on the success of JABGA policies, events, and directives Inform JABGA members and their parents/guardians on JABGA policies, events, and directives via text, email, video chat, and social media. Manage safety concerns, accidents, injuries, and misconduct of JABGA members and volunteers according to ABGA and JABGA policies and local and national laws. Assist the Youth Committee and Executive Director in identifying and pursuing financial support opportunities (grants) from government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and corporate sponsors to meet JABGA's needs Maintain strict conduct and confidentiality standards regarding minors and sensitive information About the American Boer Goat Association: The American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that focuses on protecting, promoting, and recording the American Boer goat breed. The Boer breed was developed by Dutch farmers in South Africa in the 1900s and was then introduced in the United States in 1993. The American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) was founded the following year. Boer goats are prized for their rapid growth rate, excellent carcass quality, and adaptability to many climates. A docile and highly fertile breed, Boer goats have primarily been used for meat production. Over a century later, these traits set the Boer goat apart in the purebred and commercial segments of the American meat goat industry. With 7,000 members and 45,000 goats registered annually, today’s ABGA offers members marketing, educational, and commercial industry opportunities, along with youth involvement through the Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA). About the Junior American Boer Goat Association: The Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA) supports ABGA in its mission to improve and promote the Boer breed and encourage the breeding, raising, and exhibition of American Boer Goats. JABGA fosters the personal growth of its youth membership through training in leadership, good sportsmanship, and character development as individuals and in groups. **As of October 5, 2022, the American Boer Goat Association is no longer accepting applications for the JABGA Youth Coordinator position. Thank you to all applicants who submitted their information!** #JABGA #news

Ghouls and goblins and goats... oh my! In true trick-or-treat spirit, we asked ABGA members from across the country to show us their best goat costumes on Facebook and Instagram. We want to thank everyone who submitted photos and joined in the Halloween fun. Click on the gallery below to see all of the cute, creative, and clever costumes submissions we received: 2022 Halloween Virtual Costume Parade Photos courtesy of: Cathy Schones Morris, Jessica Shannon Spangler, Amanda Griffith, Kristy Vaughn, Linda Johnson, Nancy Tartaglia, Andrea Luna, Angela and Kevin Manning, Josh Ganoe, Rebecka Knotts, Tracey Jenette LaRue, Laken Stocker-Dahnke. Goats & Goblins 2022 - Princeton, Ind. Photos courtesy of Cindy Dusek. #JABGA #news

The Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA) is now accepting nominations for the JABGA Board of Directors. Applications (completed by the nominee) for the JABGA Board of Directors are due to the ABGA office via electronic form or regular mail (4258 S Jackson St, San Angelo, Texas 76903) on or before March 1, 2023. The JABGA Board of Directors works alongside the ABGA Board of Directors to represent JABGA members across five areas of the United States as the main governing body of the Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA). JABGA Directors volunteer their personal time and effort in service of JABGA programs like the JABGA Regional Show Series and by promoting core JABGA values like scholarship, leadership, good sportsmanship, and character development. The JABGA Board of Directors also serves as youth ambassadors for the improvement and promotion of the Boer goat breed through the breeding, raising, and exhibition of American Boer Goats. Board seats are open for the following JABGA Areas: Area 1(Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming) Area 2 (North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois) Area 3 (Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, D.C., Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, New York) Area 4 (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina) Area 5 (Colorado, New Mexico, Texas) In accordance with JABGA Bylaws, applicants must be JABGA members in good standing (renewed for 2023 by January 1, 2023) in order to run for or hold a seat on the JABGA Board of Directors. For more information, see the ABGA Bylaws and the JABGA Bylaws. Application (Due March 1, 2023) Applications for the JABGA Board of Directors will be due by 5:00 PM CST on March 1, 2023. Applications should be completed in full and submitted to the ABGA office via electronic form (see below) or regular mail (4258 S Jackson St, San Angelo, Texas 76903) by the due date. Required: Application (completed) – Download here Contact Information page and Certificate of Application (completed) Digital photo Directors Responsibilities page (signed) Responsibility Release, Information Release, Photo Release, Authorization Form Conflict of Interest Statement (completed) Code of Conduct form (completed) Brief statement (less than 250 words) – “Why do you want to be a JABGA Director?” Optional: Applicants may submit a resume that highlights the following: Involvement in JABGA and/or the goat industry School activities 4-H & FFA activities Leadership activities Volunteer work/community service Eligibility Applicants for the JABGA Board of Directors must: Be 14 years of age or older on January 1, 2023 Reside in the JABGA Area for which the applicant is running/elected Have renewed their JABGA membership on or before January 1, 2023 Questions or Concerns? Contact JABGA Youth Coordinator Hannah Jenkins at jabga@abga.org with any questions or concerns regarding JABGA Board of Directors nominations. Ready to Apply? Applicants should complete the JABGA Board of Directors application below and submit it to the ABGA office via electronic form or regular mail (4258 S Jackson St, San Angelo, Texas 76903) by March 1, 2023. ONLINE FORM: DOWNLOAD PDF FORM: About JABGA: The Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA) supports ABGA in its mission to improve and promote the Boer breed and encourage the breeding, raising, and exhibition of American Boer Goats. JABGA fosters the personal growth of its youth membership through training in scholarship, leadership, good sportsmanship, and character development as individuals and in groups. #JABGA #news

Check out these photos from the PR Boer Goat show in Puerto Rico from Sunday, March 19, 2023. You can see the show results here.

Affiliate Member: An association that has paid affiliate membership dues and has been accepted by the Association as an affiliate member. Agent: A person or firm empowered to act on behalf of another. Applicant: The individual applying for registration of an animal with the Association. Applicant’s Tattoo: A sequence of letters and/or numbers assigned to each member to be tattooed in the right ear of animals. Artificial Insemination: Breeding service using fresh or frozen semen. Association-Approved Testing: Any test or tests that may be approved by the Board of Directors of the Association from time to time. Buck: Male goat. Breeder: An individual(s) who is the owner or lessee of record of a kid’s dam on the date of service. Doe: Female goat. Date of Sale: The date on which an animal was offered for sale at public auction or, in the case of private transactions, the date on which a bona fide change of ownership took place. DNA Profile: A DNA profile or DNA genetic record of the animal is recorded with the association. Embryo: A fertilized egg flushed from a donor doe. Embryos may be transferred fresh or preserved by freezing in liquid nitrogen. Embryo Recipient Doe: A surrogate dam that carries embryos transferred from another doe. Embryo Transfer: The process of transferring an embryo into a recipient doe. Exhibit: To present an animal to an ABGA judge for placement. Exhibitor: Owner or individual approved by the owner to present an animal to an ABGA judge for placement. First Owner: The owner or lessee of record of a kid’s dam on the date of birth of the kid, except in the case of embryo kids, as provided. Frozen Semen: The semen collected from a Boer buck that is processed and frozen in liquid nitrogen for future insemination. Genetic Factors: The presence of genes that may or may not produce a certain type of offspring. Gestation: The length of time from the time a doe is bred to when she gives birth. The industry standard gestation length for Boer goats is 150 days. Herd Name: A name or series of letters and numbers assigned to an owner. The herd name will be used as the prefix for all goats registered by that owner. Herd Prefix: A series of letters or letters and numbers assigned to an owner. Imported: A live animal, semen, embryo, or clone originating from outside of the United States of America. Kid: Young goat. Joint Ownership: Two or more members sharing ownership of an ABGA registered animal. Up to four members are allowed to jointly own an animal. Lease: A contract by which a person allows another person the use and possession of an animal for a specified time period; the document in which the contract is written. Lessee: The person to whom a lease is given. Lessor: The person from whom a lease is given. Member: An individual, partnership, company, corporation, limited liability corporation, limited liability partnership, or other legal entity that has paid dues to the Association and has been accepted into the membership of the Association. Membership Number: A number assigned to a member by the Association. Nuclear Transfer Clone: Cloned goats resulting from nuclear transfer of adult cells. Out of Herd Mating: The parents of an animal are not listed in the same ownership at the time of mating. Owner: The recorded owner of animal, according to ABGA records. Owner of Record: The member in whose name an animal is registered. Permanent Identification: Ear tattoo or tail web tattoo. Producer: The recorded owner of a cell donor at the time of collection. Sanctioned Show: Any fair, association, livestock show or exposition that meets the requirements of the ABGA Sanctioned Show Program. Service: A mating that may or may not result in a pregnancy, whether by natural service or artificial insemination. Wether: Castrated male goat.

Hello Everyone, I hope that you are having a great start to your 2023 year. This is a great time to be in the livestock industry, with strong prices being reflected in the past couple of years. While prices on inputs have risen, stock prices remain strong across the country for the most part. In December, the ABGA Board of Directors unanimously approved an investment in moving members forward. This investment consists of moving our DNA program to a more advanced technology than we are currently using. This technology is not new, more than 38 breed associations throughout multiple species are currently using this technology. The company utilizing this exciting technology is Neogen. Neogen is currently the largest genomics company in the world. They have multiple offices throughout the United States. Their body of scientists are on the cutting edge of genomics research to further each species they work with and their respected advancement. The main questions: Why should we switch? Why do we care about DNA and what is it about? Livestock breeders have always bred animals based on appearance (the phenotype) with consideration given to pedigrees. Yet there are also the characteristics we cannot see in an animal but are traits that are there anyways (the genotype). Research and results show that breeding only what we can see still results in many unexpected outcomes because of the traits we cannot see. Genomics takes this a step further. It allows mating to be selected with the animal’s genome (both what we see and what we do not) also in mind. Genomics requires a DNA sample taken from the animal itself (blood, follicle, or tissue). This sample is sent to the lab for the DNA to be extracted from that sample. Once completed, markers specifically identified by genomics companies are associated with the individual animal’s profile. These markers are attached to specific locations within the genome. Why should we switch to Neogen? We are currently using the University of California at Davis to perform our DNA platform services. They utilize what is known as microsatellite technology. This technology provides benefits like parentage along with limited markers. It is somewhat outdated in its capabilities and unfortunately has no current way of evolving to perform more advanced services. The SNP technology (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, called “snip”) can selectively access a wider range of the genomic profile than microsatellite technology can. An example is parentage, Microsatellite compares 12-17 markers, SNIP compares a minimum of 78. What does this mean in actual practice? Consistently higher accuracy. Why do we care? In livestock, scientists have identified specific markers located within the animal’s genome and correlated it to a specified trait. Some of these traits are birthweight, weaning weight, disease resistance (some specific diseases), staple length (sheep), production traits (milking ability, calving ease, fertility). These markers have not yet been specifically identified in goats. However, the global increase of goat and goat products as a valuable commodity, have scientists investigating this thoroughly. We will maintain our parentage with the new DNA system; however we will also be granted thousands more markers as well. Better yet, they are included at no additional cost for the test. The potential is endless; SNP technology is evolving to include more and more markers every year. The ability to market animals to producers with genomic information, can provide a tremendous amount of value for you. It is my point of view that in using genomics, we can use the breed standards as leverage. We can take animals that may not qualify for the show ring or be prime breeding type due to breed faults or disqualifications (blue eyes, wry tail, pigmentation, teeth eruption, split testicles), and utilize the value of other important traits when marketed to commercial producers whose interest is market stock. Boer sires identified with genetic technology to contain fast growth, heavier weaning weights, lower birth weights will allow more capture of income when marketed to a sector whose values are less focused on the traits our standard adheres to. ABGA Board Suggestions Below are some suggestions we are looking over to assist the membership as we transition: Grandfather system – Animals that have been previously tested with UC Davis will be grandfathered and honored by ABGA as accurate. Mandatory requirements – I do not foresee any mandatory requirements during the introductory period or transition period for the membership. Things to consider that will more than likely become practice: Mandatory DNA on file for bucks who have semen collected that are alive. Donor females (Embryo Collection, IVF) will have to have DNA on file as well. Kids produced from these donor females will be required to DNA back to these females. Frozen Semen - Frozen semen on dead sires will be grandfathered in. Frozen Embryos – Frozen embryos produced from Sire and Dam that no longer are alive will be grandfathered in. Resulting offspring will be required to have DNA submitted on file. These are merely suggested topics for the board to discuss at length about the program going forward. We hope the takeaway from this is that by moving to this DNA technology it will increase value for you as owners and breeders. Our goal at ABGA is provide benefits to the membership in any way possible. Your success is our number one goal. Respectively, David Carwell – Region 6 Director, DNA Committee Chair

On February 14th 1994, Charles Turner signed the Articles of Incorporation and our Boer Goat Association was born. The following is a listing of the original Board of Directors: Norman Kohls, Garden City, (Eldorado) Texas Kim Halfmann, Garden City, Texas Walter Pope, Sonora, Texas Dian Naumann, Del Valle, Texas Jimmy Day, Austin, Texas Don Jackman, Campwood, Texas Lou Nuti, Burton, Texas Jane Meachem, Junction, Texas Ernest Schwartz, Garden City, Texas Star Keen, Mertzon, Texas Charles Turner, Dublin, Texas Buck Pruitt, Campwood, Texas W.E. Whitehead, Sonora, Texas Sammy Helmes, Girvin, Texas Mike Masters, Ft. Worth, Texas Mary Powis, Alachua, Florida Steve Quinn, Fayetteville, North Carolina In the early days these founding fathers/mothers will all tell you it was struggle and it wasn’t easy to build this association! Due to the dedication of countless volunteers that manned the office, along with others that worked long hours and that went beyond just a call. All to the hard work and passion for the breed of the above individuals is the reasons we enjoy the fruits of their labor that we call the ABGA today. For the past 29 years countless boards worked to further the Boer breed and make our association structurally sound. We have witnessed splinters from the association time and time again, all while we have continued to be strong and grow. All this has been accomplished through dedicated members and directors that practiced hard mental and physical responsibilities! This year and like every other year we turn our attention to the current board and express a heartfelt gratitude for everything they do and continue to do to make this association better. They are only continuing progress or correcting previous boards mistakes or discussions. So have patience, kindness and love. We are only spectators to a much larger picture and never judge someone else until your ready to walk in their shoes. So to each of you at the ABGA home office and our current BOD. On behalf of myself, my teams and our families at Ash Livestock & Ash Nutrition. Happy Valentines Day & Founding Day ABGA Thank you, Dakota Ash & Family

The American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) and Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA) are now accepting scholarship applications for 2023. Applications will be due to the ABGA office via electronic form or regular mail (4258 S Jackson St, San Angelo, Texas 76903) by April 1, 2023. The American Boer Goat Association scholarship program is designed to encourage the educational enhancement of young Boer goat breeders by awarding annual scholarships. This program is open to any active ABGA or JABGA member, 21 years of age or under, who has been involved in ABGA or JABGA programs. Applicants must: Be an active member of the American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) or the Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA) Be either a high school senior OR a college student (21 years of age and under) as of January 1, 2023. Selection Scholarship recipients will be selected by members of the ABGA Scholarship Committee, none of whom have children applying for the JABGA scholarship program. Each applicant may only receive the scholarship one time. Verification of Enrollment Recipients must verify their enrollment in an institution of higher education with the ABGA office by September 30, 2023. The scholarship award check will be sent to the educational institution upon verification of enrollment. Failure to meet enrollment requirements in 2023 will result in forfeiture of the scholarship. Recognition ABGA scholarship recipients will be recognized at the 2023 ABGA and JABGA National Show in Louisville. Ky. Application Checklist Students wanting to apply for the 2023 ABGA Scholarship program should submit the following materials on or before April 1, 2023. Completed scholarship application (VIEW HERE) Copy of final high school and/or college transcript for the Fall 2022 semester Copy of SAT/ACT scores (if not listed on high school/college transcript) Two (2) letters of recommendation Questions or Concerns? Please contact JABGA Youth Coordinator Hannah Seymore at jabga@abga.org with any questions or concerns regarding the ABGA scholarship program. Ready to Apply? Complete the form below to apply for the 2023 ABGA Scholarship program: