Paying it forward comes as natural as raising goats for Randy Dusek. Being a part of the Sheep and Goat 101 panel at the 2021 Texas Sheep and Goat Expo held in San Angelo Aug. 20-21 gave Dusek the perfect opportunity to share his knowledge of raising goats. “I try to help keep people from making the same mistakes that we made when getting in the goat business,” said Dusek, who talked about the “Five things I wish I had known before I started raising sheep and goats”. He started raising Boer goats in 1995 when they first came to the United States. They were an addition to his family’s traditional sheep and cattle ranch, Dusek explained. “I was working for Texas A&M when I first saw the Boer goat,” he said. “I was intrigued by how meaty they were. I could see the value of adding Boer goats to our Spanish goats. I think that is what attracted most people to Boer goats.” And it still does. Dusek met new producers during the expo. “We had a good crowd of new sheep and goat producers,” he added. “The expo was very well attended. It was one of the largest, if not the largest, they have had.” So large, Dusek said he and the other panelists Chad Raines, Alan McAnally and Robin Giles answered many questions after the session. Some were about internal parasites and diseases, predator control with livestock guardian dogs and fencing requirements for sheep and goats. Dusek retired in 2005 and moved back to the family ranch, which is 15 miles south of Wall. He said he now spends most of his time with his animals. “If you are going to raise registered goats, you need an organization,” Dusek said. “There used to be three organizations, but over time two have fallen by the wayside. The only one left is the American Boer Goat Association (ABGA).” He’s been a member of the ABGA since 1996. “There is value in raising registered goats,” Dusek said. “I think the ABGA is doing a good job.” The ABGA staff feels the same way about Dusek. In addition to being a former ABGA Board of Director, Dusek is always there to answer questions. “We appreciate all Randy does to help our members, our staff and the Boer goat industry,” ABGA Executive Director Katie Carruth said. “We enjoyed seeing him share his expertise at the Texas Sheep and Goat Expo.”

This recipe for classic goat jerky is courtesy of former JABGA Area 4 Director Noah Ridding. You can find this and many other tasty recipes in the JABGA "Cooking for the Future", now available in our E-Store. Goat Jerky Ingredients 1 CUP Worcestershire sauce ½ CUP soy sauce 2 TBS brown sugar 2 cloves garlic, crushed Thinly sliced goat meat (1/8” to ¼" thick) Directions Mix all liquids. Stir in brown sugar until dissolved; crush garlic and stir into liquid. Trim all fat from goat meat. (Fat will cause spoilage of jerky.) Add meat to marinade, coating thoroughly. Let sit covered in the refrigerator for a minimum of 6 hours, stirring meat occasionally. Dehydrate in the Oven Place meat strips on a cooling rack on a cookie sheet; place the sheet in the middle of the oven. Dry meat in the oven at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-8 hours, turning every 2 hours to ensure even drying. Jerky strips can also be dehydrated in an inexpensive food dehydrator, which may take 4-6 hours minimum. Store jerky in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 days, in the refrigerator for 1 week, or in the freezer for a month or longer.

Members of the American Boer Goat Association, On Thursday, November 10, 2022, the ABGA Board of Directors received and accepted Kathryn Carruth’s resignation as Executive Director of the ABGA. Katie will continue to assist ABGA for several weeks as we go through this transition phase. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors and are thankful for her service for the past 20 months. We, the Board of Directors of the American Boer Goat Association, are working to navigate this change and bring about a new and better era for our association. The future success of our association and the general membership is the absolute focus of this current Board of Directors. There are nine new and six veteran board members committed to our members, office staff, and the progression of our association. We are volunteer-driven and committed to providing better outcomes for our association and the members that we represent every day. We also have a committed office staff that has completely reworked our systems and is performing at the highest level for our members. We are thankful for their hard work every day. As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please reach out to your regional director. We are here for our members and are working together toward an age of transparency and progress. We hope to bring forward an age of transparency in the American Boer Goat Association and provide a safe, family environment for our membership. The future success of our association and the general membership are the absolute focus of this current Board of Directors. Ken Baty, President Kevin Richmond, Vice President Sam Knott, Treasurer Lane Reigle, Secretary Roselinda Vizina, Region 1 Leah Maertens, Region 3 Mike Reis, Region 5 David Carwell, Region 6 Katherine Klug, Region 7 Gage Taylor, Region 7 Kim Morgan, Region 9 B.J. Carbino, Region 10 Amy Scharmer, Region 11 Chuck Fitzwater, Region 12 Kathy Daves-Carr, Region 13

Funds cannot be earmarked for specific fees or services. Existing funds will be credited to your account. Money submitted to the ABGA office will go toward any outstanding balances. The entire outstanding balance must be paid before the work can be processed. (EX: You submit a check with the work to be completed in-office. If you submit work through Online Live before the work is completed, your funds will count toward the first submitted work instead of the most recently-submitted work.)

You can submit registrations work and other forms to our office via regular mail at 4258 S Jackson St, San Angelo, Texas 96903.

We want to thank our wonderful awards sponsors for being part of our 2022 National Show! 2022 National Show Awards Sponsors: SAKB Boer Goats: JABGA Senior Showmanship Buckles Sponsorship JABGA Commercial Doe Buckles Sponsorship National Grand Champion Premier Percentage Exhibitor Banner Sponsorship National Champion Senior Percentage Doe Banner Sponsorship JABGA Champion Bred & Owned Senior Fullblood Buck Banner Sponsor JABGA Reserve Champion Fullblood Buck Bronze Sponsorship JABGA Grand Champion Premier Percentage Exhibitor Bronze Sponsorship National Grand Champion Premier Percentage Exhibitor Bronze Sponsorship Megan Brumfield: JABGA 0-3 Month Percentage Doe Buckle Sponsorship JABGA 6-9 Month Percentage Doe Buckle Sponsorship JABGA 9-12 Month Percentage Doe Buckle Sponsorship JABGA 12-16 Month Percentage Doe Buckle Sponsorship JABGA 16-24 Month Percentage Doe Buckle Sponsorship JABGA 24-36 Month Percentage Doe Buckle Sponsorship JABGA 36+ Month Percentage Doe Buckle Sponsorship John & Skyler Yow: JABGA National Reserve Champion Fullblood Doe Bronze Sponsorship JABGA 6-9 Month Fullblood Doe Buckle Sponsorship JABGA 9-12 Month Fullblood Doe Buckle Sponsorship JABGA 12-16 Month Fullblood Doe Buckle Sponsorship JABGA 16-24 Month Fullblood Doe Buckle Sponsorship JABGA 24-36 Month Fullblood Doe Buckle Sponsorship JABGA 36+ Month Fullblood Doe Buckle Sponsorship 2M Boer Goats: National Grand Champion Fullblood Breeders Herd Banner Sponsorship National Grand Champion Percentage Doe Banner Sponsorship National Grand Champion Fullblood Doe Bronze Sponsorship JABGA 3-6 Months Percentage Doe Show Buckle Sponsorship Marge Skaggs / Scotty & Jenn Merrill: National Grand Champion Fullblood Produce of Dam Banner Sponsorship JABGA Bred & Owned Percentage Grand Champion Banner Sponsorship JABGA Bred & Owned Percentage Reserve Champion Banner Sponsorship Shawn and Clenna Pokrant: JABGA3-6 Months Fullblood Doe Show Buckle Sponsorship JABGA 3-6 Months Fullblood Buck Show Buckle Sponsorship National Grand Champion Fullblood Doe Bronze Sponsorship Anderson Boer Goat Acres: National Reserve Grand Champion Fullblood Produce of Dam Banner Sponsorship Backtrack Boer Goats, Tracie Elliott: National Champion Junior Fullblood Doe Banner Sponsorship Backwood Farms: JABGA 0-3 Month Fullblood Buck Buckle Sponsorship JABGA Reserve Champion Premier Percentage Exhibitor Cup Sponsorship Bent Wheel Boer Goats: National Grand Champion Yearling Fullblood Buck Banner Sponsorship JABGA 0-3 Months Fullblood Doe Show Buckle Sponsorship Danny Burch: National Grand Champion Fullblood Get of Sire Banner Sponsorship National Grand Champion Fullblood Produce of Dam Banner Sponsorship Glen & Nancy Casada: National 3-6 Fullblood Doe Buckle Sponsorship Clint Demmitt: JABGA Intermediate Division Showmanship Buckle Sponsorship Sandra Egger: National 0-3 Month Fullblood Buck Buckle Sponsorship National 3-6 Month Fullblood Buck Buckle Sponsorship Essential Feed: JABGA Junior Division Showmanship Buckle Sponsorship JABGA Bred & Owned Grand Champion Fullblood Breeders Herd Banner Sponsorship Dustin Finch: National Overall Reserve Grand Champion Fullblood Buck Banner Sponsorship Frisk Family Farms Trucking: National Overall Grand Champion Fullblood Buck Banner Sponsorship National Overall Grand Champion Fullblood Doe Banner Sponsorship Hill Top Boer Goats: National Grand Champion Fullblood Produce of Dam Banner Sponsorship Lazy Y Goats, Beth and Wade Yarborough: 24-36 Months Fullblood Buck Show Buckle Sponsorship National Reserve Grand Champion Premier Fullblood Exhibitor Banner Sponsorship Little Acres Farm: National Overall Reserve Grand Champion Fullblood Doe Banner Sponsorship Locust Haven: JABGA 6-9 Month Fullblood Buck Buckle Sponsorship Mantodea Farm: National Overall Grand Champion Percentage Doe Banner Sponsorship Pine Bank Boer Goats - Timothy, Arlan, and Becky Humble: National Reserve Grand Champion Fullblood Get of Sire Banner Sponsorship Premier Hauling Service LLC: 36+ Months Fullblood Buck Show Buckle Sponsorship Rowdy Acres Show Goats: 36+ Months Fullblood Doe Show Buckle Sponsorship Matthew Schoenbauer: National Grand Champion Best Pair Fullblood Kids Both Sexes Banner Sponsorship Shawnee Scott of Crooked S Farms: National Grand Champion Premier Fullblood Exhibitor Banner Sponsorship Windy Acres Boers: JABGA Grand Champion Premier Fullblood Exhibitor Bronze Sponsorship JABGA Reserve Champion Premier Fullblood Exhibitor Bronze Sponsorship

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

See our write up in the Brady Standard-Herald.

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

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.