Being a National Show Superintendent is nothing new to ABGA member Tara Hicks, because she enjoys helping the younger generation. “I love working with the youth and helping them develop skills they will use later in life,” she said. “I know there is a lot that happens behind the scenes and wanted to help out at the National Show.” Tara threw her name in the hat to be a Superintendent and wanted to see how it would land. She is glad she did, because being selected is an honor, she said. “It takes an army to roll out an amazing show,” she explained. “I know it’s going to be a lot of work during the week of Nationals, and we all have put a lot of time in on the behind the scenes of getting Nationals lined out.” She’s been putting her experience to good use for the ABGA. For the past 12 years, Tara has been a Superintendent at her county fair and a member of its Junior Livestock Committee. She’s also hosted an ABGA show the past 2 years. And it doesn’t stop there. “I help our county agents with small ruminant clinics and farm tours,” Tara explained. “Other individuals who host ABGA shows close to home always reach out for help, and I’m always willing to help any way I can.” Tara said she “developed the livestock show bug” growing up on her grandparents’ dairy farm. She showed registered Brown Swiss, registered polled Herefords, market lambs, steers, and commercial heifers. “I was involved in 4-H, so I bleed green and white,” she added. With a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Missouri State University, Tara is a Breeder Supervisor for Simmons Foods. She’s worked there for the past 7 years. “Simmons Foods is a poultry company that has branched out into the pet food world also,” she explained. “I’ve developed a lot of knowledge about the poultry industry.” When she’s not working or at a show, you can find her on Rock’N Heart farm, the 30 plus acres in Northwest Arkansas she has with her husband. “Rock’N Heart is a little bit of a funny farm,” she said. “We run around 40 head of colored Boer goats, 15 head of Angus/Brangus/Hereford, 6 dogs, 2 horses, and 2 barn cats.” How Tara became a member of ABGA might make you laugh. “I’ve always loved showing livestock,” Tara said. “When my husband said if you want to show goats then you have to sale some horses.” So, she sold a few horses. “Having smaller livestock made it easy for me to load up and take off to a show by myself,” Tara added. “I have met great people and have developed an amazing goat show family.” She’ll get to meet some for the first time at the ABGA National Show. “I’m very excited to finally meet people face to face who I’ve known on Facebook the past few years!”

Ballots to select judges for the 2023 ABGA and JABGA National Show have officially been released. These ballots have been sent via regular mail to ABGA and JABGA members in good standing (renewed and dues paid for 2023 by January 1, 2023), and who exhibited at the ABGA and/or JABGA National Show in 2021 and/or 2022. Ballots have been sent via regular mail to eligible ABGA and JABGA members at the address on file with ABGA. ABGA members who receive a ballot may only vote once. All ballots must be signed, dated, and include your correct name and ABGA member number. ABGA members who receive a ballot should return the ballot via regular mail to Reed McKee & Co., P.C. at 3140 Executive Drive, San Angelo, Texas 76904 by 5:00 PM CST on March 1, 2023. Returning Ballots ABGA and JABGA members who are eligible to vote for National Show Judges should return the ballots via regular mail to: Reed McKee & Co., P.C. 3140 Executive Drive San Angelo, Texas 76904 Ballots must be received by 5:00 PM CST on March 1, 2023, to be counted. Voting Eligibility ABGA and JABGA members in good standing and who have exhibited at the ABGA and JABGA National Show in 2021 and/or 2022 will receive ballots to vote for 2023 ABGA and JABGA National Show Judges. Ballots have been sent to eligible ABGA members at the address on file with ABGA via regular mail. Important ABGA and JABGA members may only vote ONCE for ABGA or JABGA National Show judges. Ballots that are incomplete or incorrectly completed are considered void and WILL NOT BE COUNTED. Ballots not received at the address above are considered void and WILL NOT BE COUNTED. Ballots not received by 5:00 PM CST on March 1, 2023, are considered void and WILL NOT BE COUNTED. Ballots received at the ABGA office in any form are considered void and WILL NOT BE COUNTED. Disclaimer: This voting procedure is in accordance with ABGA governing documents. For more information regarding these documents and procedures, visit ABGA’s Governing Documents page or contact the ABGA Director(s) for your Region. On the Ballot The following judges' teams and individual judges are on the official ballot for the 2023 ABGA and JABGA National Show: 2023 ABGA National Open Show: Members may vote for ONE of the following teams: Sherri Inman Stephens, John Tart, Larry Epting Chris Fleming, Corey Billups, Justin Burns Chris Shaffett, Terry Burks, Cooper Bounds 2023 JABGA National Open Show: Members may vote for ONE of the following teams: Josh Stephans, Linda West Larry Epting, John Tart Ron Dilley, Justin Burns Olivia Rush, Alyssa Duagt 2023 JABGA National Breeding Shows (National Bred and Owned Show, National Breeding Showmanship): Members may vote for ONE of the following individuals: Sherri Inman Stephens John Tart Warren Thigpen Jeremy Church Billy Hubler Larry Epting Alyssa Dugat Justin Burns Kyle Tate 2023 JABGA National Market Shows (National Market Show, National Commercial Doe Show, National Market Showmanship): Members may vote for ONE of the following individuals: Sherri Inman Stephens Chris Fleming John Tart Warren Thigpen Larry Epting Justin Burns Sam Mattingly Timothy Hubbard John Romero Crede Garriott Noah Henson Luke Wecher

ABGA Director Katherine Klug, Office Manager Brenda McCary, and PR and Media Coordinator Allison Moore joined host Drew Williams on Boer Goat Nation on January 31, 2023, to share exciting updates regarding the 2023 ABGA and JABGA National Show in Louisville, Ky. You can watch the Facebook Live broadcast of the podcast below: Boer Goat Nation, hosted by Drew Williams, is a podcast designed to promote the Boer goat breed, the industry, and the hard-working people that make the industry great. Boer Goat Nation is broadcast via Facebook Live every Tuesday night at 7:00 PM CST. You can find them on Facebook HERE. In an effort to improve communication and open engagement with nearly 10,000 ABGA members and industry partners, the ABGA Board of Directors is excited to be partnering with Boer Goat Nation. The Board of Directors has committed to participating in the podcast once a month to share updates and progress within ABGA and JABGA and share highlights from our published minutes from the monthly meetings of the Board of Directors.

Scholarship Applications Now Open - Due April 1, 2023 ABGA and JABGA are now accepting scholarship applications for 2023! This program is open to active ABGA and JABGA members, who are high school seniors or college students 21 years of age or under, and who have been involved in ABGA or JABGA programs. Applications are due to the ABGA office via electronic form or regular mail (4258 S Jackson St, San Angelo, Texas76903) by April 1, 2023. Applications should include the following materials: Completed scholarship applications 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 Contact JABG Youth Coordinator Hannah Jenkins at jabga@abga.org with any questions or concerns regarding the ABGA scholarship program. Board of Directors Nominations - Due March 1, 2023 Nominations for the ABGA Board of Directors and the JABGA Board of Directors are now open! Applications for both Boards will be due to the ABGA office via electronic form or regular mail (4258 S Jackson St, San Angelo, Texas 67903) by March 1, 2023. ABGA Board of Directors Board seats are open for the following ABGA Regions: Region 1 (Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho) Region 6 (Missouri, Arkansas) Region 10 (Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida) Region 11 (Ohio) Region 12 (West Virginia, Virginia, D.C., Maryland, Delaware) Region 13 (Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina) Region 14 (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine) In accordance with ABGA Bylaws, applicants must be ABGA members in good standing (renewed for 2023 by January 1, 2023) to run for or hold a seat on the ABGA Board of Directors. Contact ABGA Office Manager Brenda McCary at officemanager@abga.org with any questions or concerns regarding ABGA Director nominations. JABGA Board of Directors 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 ABGA Bylaws and JABGA Bylaws, applicants must be JABGA members in good standing (renewed for 2023 by January 1, 2023) to run for or hold a seat on the JABGA Board of Directors. Contact JABGA Youth Coordinator Hannah Jenkins at jabga@abga.org with any questions or concerns regarding JABGA Director nominations. Thank You to Our 2023 National Show Sponsors ABGA is excited to welcome The Iowa Classic Sale as a GOLD sponsor of the 2023 ABGA and JABGA National Show. We appreciate your support of ABGA and JABGA and our National Show. See you in Louisville, Ky., June 10-18, 2023! Special thanks to the following consignors, as well as those who made The Iowa Classic Sale possible: Pitlick Boer Goats Red Oak Ranch Regel Boer Goats Schaefer Farms Boer Goats Triple F Farms Triple M Ranch BLAC Diamond Boer Goats Boston School Manor Farms Breezy Acres Boer Goats Cason Boer Goats K2 Ranch 4-L Boer Goats Yes, you can still renew for 2023! Allow 1-3 business days for your renewal to be processed into Online Live if you renew through iCompete. If you have repeated issues using iCompete, you can complete the online ABGA Membership Renewal Form or download the fillable PDF form and submit it via email to mail@abga.org. Contact the ABGA office at mail@abga.org or (325) 486-2242 with any questions or concerns. Find out how to renew your ABGA membership through iCompete below: NOTE: We encourage members to renew using iCompete now to seamlessly transition their membership services. All ABGA members who wish to continue their registry services online will need to transition to iCompete once Online Live is phased out. Our staff is actively working with software developers to fix ongoing issues with iCompete. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this process. ABGA members who renew after January 1, 2023, are NOT eligible to vote in organizational elections, hold seats on the ABGA or JABGA Board of Directors, or maintain their Director status. PLEASE NOTE: Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST. Why can't I submit work through iCompete? ABGA has received calls about submitting registration work through iCompete, our new software system. iCompete will replace Online Live and the Blue Screen systems. It will house ABGA memberships, renewals, registry work, and show points in a single platform. At this time, some ABGA members can only view owned animals within their iCompete dashboard (not all members are able to view animals). Our staff is working with software developers to fix ongoing issues with iCompete and prepare for Phase 2 (registrations). ABGA will announce when members can complete registrations, transfers, service memos, and other work through iCompete. We encourage members to renew now using iCompete to improve and simplify their member experience going forward. Haven't renewed yet? Learn how to renew through iCompete here: Office Updates We are currently processing work submitted on January 19, 2023. If you have renewed for 2023 through iCompete, allow 1-3 business days for your renewal to be processed into Online Live. DNA: According to ABGA Rules and Regulations, members cannot request DNA testing for animals they do not officially own. To request DNA testing through ABGA, visit the DNA page on our website. FLUSHES: As of January 1, 2023, flush reports will be charged a fee of $10.00 per donor animal. Members and non-members are required to use the standardized flush form provided on ABGA's website to submit flush reports via email or regular mail. View the standardized flush form HERE. Upcoming Events You can view the full ABGA and JABGA calendar of events at the link below: JABGA Regional Show Series ABGA, JABGA, and the American Boer Goat Foundation would like to thank the following donors for their contributions toward the JABGA Regional Show Series program. Your support of JABGA, its members, and the success of programs like the Regional Show Series is greatly appreciated. Marge Newton/Prime Foundation Charlie Johns AB Pro's/Amy Scharmer

See our write up in the Brady Standard-Herald.

See ABGA featured in the August 2021 edition of Goat Rancher magazine.

ABGA Treasurer Sam Knott and Region 7 Director Katherine Klug joined host Drew Williams on Boer Goat Nation on November 15, 2022, to discuss upcoming events and exciting changes happening within ABGA. You can watch the Facebook Live broadcast of the podcast below: Boer Goat Nation, hosted by Drew Williams, is a podcast designed to promote the Boer goat breed, the industry, and the hard-working people that make the industry great. Boer Goat Nation is broadcast via Facebook Live every Tuesday night at 7:00 PM CST. You can find them on Facebook HERE. In an effort to improve communication and open engagement with nearly 10,000 ABGA members and industry partners, the ABGA Board of Directors is excited to be partnering with Boer Goat Nation. The Board of Directors has committed to participating in the podcast once a month to share updates and progress within ABGA and JABGA and share highlights from our published minutes from the monthly meetings of the Board of Directors.

ABGA staff joined host Drew Williams on Boer Goat Nation on December 13, 2022, for a live demonstration of the 2023 renewal process using ABGA's new membership software, iCompete. You can watch the Facebook Live broadcast of the podcast below: HELPFUL LINKS: Boer Goat Nation, hosted by Drew Williams, is a podcast designed to promote the Boer goat breed, the industry, and the hard-working people that make the industry great. Boer Goat Nation is broadcast via Facebook Live every Tuesday night at 7:00 PM CST. You can find them on Facebook HERE. In an effort to improve communication and open engagement with nearly 10,000 ABGA members and industry partners, the ABGA Board of Directors is excited to be partnering with Boer Goat Nation. The Board of Directors has committed to participating in the podcast once a month to share updates and progress within ABGA and JABGA and share highlights from our published minutes from the monthly meetings of the Board of Directors.

2023 Renewals Yes, you can still renew your ABGA membership for 2023! Find out how to renew your ABGA membership through iCompete here: If you have renewed for 2023 through iCompete, allow 1-3 business days for your renewal to be processed into Online Live. If you have repeated issues using iCompete, you can complete the online ABGA Membership Renewal Form or download the fillable PDF form and submit the form via email to mail@abga.org. Contact the ABGA office at mail@abga.org or (325) 486-2242 with any questions or concerns. Online Renewal Form: CLICK HERE Fillable PDF Form: CLICK HERE NOTE: We encourage members to renew using iCompete now to seamlessly transition their membership services. All ABGA members who wish to continue their registry services online will need to transition to iCompete once Online Live is phased out. Our staff is actively working with software developers to fix ongoing issues with iCompete. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this process. ABGA members who renew after January 1, 2023, are NOT eligible to vote in organizational elections, hold seats on the ABGA or JABGA Board of Directors, or maintain their Director status. National Show Judges Teams Due Jan. 16, 2023 ABGA is looking for judges teams interested in judging at the 2023 ABGA and JABGA National Show in Louisville, Ky. We are especially looking for multi-judge teams interested in the ABGA and JABGA Open Shows. Judges should submit their teams to be considered for the 2023 ABGA and JABGA National Show by 5:00 PM CST on January 16, 2023. You can view eligibility requirements and submit your team at the link below: Sponsor our 2023 National Show! Sponsorship applications are now available for the 2023 ABGA and JABGA National Show in Louisville, Ky. on June 10-18, 2023, at the Kentucky Expo Center. This nationwide gathering of Boer goat enthusiasts is dedicated to bringing top exhibitors and animals from across the country to compete and draws over one thousand exhibitors, spectators, and participating businesses every year. Learn more about our sponsorship levels, view our sponsor packet, and apply to sponsor our 2023 National Show at the link below: Are you interested in sponsoring an award at the 2023 National Show? Visit our 2023 National Show website HERE and scroll down to “Sponsor an Award”. Learn more about our vendor levels, view our vendor packet, and apply to be a vendor at our 2023 National Show at the link below: Complete the 2023 National Show Survey The 2023 ABGA and JABGA National Show will be held in Louisville, Ky. on June 10-18, 2023, at the Kentucky Expo Center. The National Show Committee would like YOUR feedback regarding the 2023 National Show. Please complete the following feedback form by January 16, 2023: Fee Increases Effective Jan. 1, 2023 Fee Increases Effective Jan. 1, 2023 Starting January 1, 2023, ABGA will adopt the following fee increases to the ABGA Fee Schedule. You can view the complete fee schedule below: December 2022 Awards Congratulations to our ABGA Ennobled Sires and Sires of Merit for the month of December 2022. Ennoblements: G-B PICASSO – Christy Evans MTS1 ARMOURS GRAND CHICKADEE – Matthew Sinclair NEWTON FARMS ANCHORS AWEIGH F105 – Zebulon T James / Woody, Karen, Hannah-Grace & Thomas Woeffle WAFA WALLACE FARMS BIG REPUTATION – Skylar Yow BROKE WALKING IN MEMPHIS – Micah & Alan Bone 2CCB IMA KNOCKOUT – Nicholas Pitlick JAD SRB EVOLUTION’S INTO DARKNESS – Brian & Skyler Herman CONI MCR SNIPER’S LOOKS CAN KILL – Ervin J Chavana TALL TOWERS RANCH ‘BEHIND BLUE EYES’ - Tyler Gisvold SAKB OLD TOWN ROAD – Nicholas Pitlick TALL TOWERS RANCH ‘BACK TO BLUE’ - Jason Brashear / Jerry Stacy Sires of Merit: RM 1416 (RAMP) ANSWERED PRAYERS – Shelley Coble MM7 CORONA – Thomas, Jaqueline, Ike & Isaac Cruz Redden BMACK FLYIN HIGH – Tassi Jo Fadley Junior Sires of Merit: BMACK FLYIN HIGH – Tassi Jo Fadley Office Updates We are currently processing work received on January 4, 2023. All questions, concerns, and requests for work must be directed to mail@abga.org. Describe the situation in detail and include your first and last name and ABGA member number when communicating with the ABGA office by email or phone. Submitting your renewal form to ABGA via regular mail? Be sure to use our current address: 4258 S. Jackson St., San Angelo, Texas 76903. We recommend using Priority Mail to ensure delivery to the ABGA office. If you are submitting work to the office via email, please send it to mail@abga.org. Updated forms are available on our website. We encourage members to renew using iCompete now to seamlessly transition their membership services. All ABGA members who wish to continue their registry services online will need to transition to iCompete once Online Live is phased out. Learn how to renew using iCompete HERE. If you have renewed for 2023 through iCompete, allow 1-3 business days for your renewal to be processed into Online Live. The ability to manage registrations, transfers, service memos, etc. in iCompete will not be available to ABGA members until Phase 2 of the software rollout. ABGA will announce when members can begin completing registration work in iCompete. Upcoming Events You can view the full ABGA and JABGA calendar of events at the link below:

Making plans to attend the 2023 National Show? ABGA is excited to release the following TENTATIVE schedule for the ABGA and JABGA National Show held on June 10-18, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. at the Kentucky Expo Center. A detailed schedule will be available at a later date. You can find out more about the 2023 ABGA and JABGA National Show at the link below: Tentative 2023 National Show Schedule: SATURDAY, JUNE 10 Move-in SUNDAY, JUNE 11 JABGA Contest Day MONDAY, JUNE 12 JABGA Market Wether Show JABGA Commercial Doe Show JABGA Market Showmanship TUESDAY, JUNE 13 JABGA Bred & Owned Show JABGA Breeding Showmanship WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14 JABGA National Open Show THURSDAY, JUNE 15 ABGA Buck Show FRIDAY, JUNE 16 ABGA Fullblood Doe Show SATURDAY, JUNE 17 ABGA Percentage Doe Show SUNDAY, JUNE 18 Move out Are you interested in sponsoring our 2023 National Show? Click the link below: Are you interested in sponsoring an award at our 2023 National Show? Click the link below: Are you interested in becoming a vendor at our 2023 National Show? Click the link below:

See us on page 46 in the May 2022 edition of Goat Rancher magazine.

The ABGA office has received several calls about submitting registration work through our new software system. This new system, iCompete, will eventually replace Online Live and the Blue Screen systems. iCompete will be equipped to handle ABGA memberships, renewals, registry work, and show points in a single platform. At this time, some ABGA members can only view owned animals within their iCompete dashboard (not all members are able to view animals). ABGA staff are working with software developers to fix ongoing issues with iCompete and prepare for Phase 2 (registrations). We will announce when ABGA members can complete registrations, transfers, service memos, and other work through iCompete. We encourage members to renew now using iCompete to improve and simplify their member experience going forward. Haven't renewed yet? Learn how to renew through iCompete here: