San Angelo – The American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) is adding a new class – the Meat Goat Evaluation – to its National Show this year. “Its purpose is to showcase the meat goat itself as an end product,” said ABGA Board of Director David Carwell. “We will compare those in the ring and on the rail.” Animals will be shown in the ring before being slaughtered, and their carcasses will be evaluated, explained ABGA Executive Director Katie Carruth. “The point of the class is to highlight the aspects that make a quality meat goat,” Carruth said. “We will recognize the winners in multiple categories with the potential of more than $10,000 in prizes.” Any Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA) member may participate, and bucks, does and wethers can be shown, she explained. Exhibitors will be required to keep a 2022 JABGA National Show Meat Goat Evaluation Record Book, and they will participate in three categories: show ring, carcass evaluation and record book. “This class to me is of high importance,” Carwell said. He’s not the only one. ABGA member Alyssa Dugat will be one of the judges at the National Show, which is Saturday, June 11 through Saturday, June 18 at Fonner Park in Grand Island, Neb. She even shared what she’s looking for in the class. “When judging animals for the Meat Goat Evaluation, I think one’s mindset must move away from the traditional characteristics we look for in typical breeding show goats and really try to evaluate animals strictly on carcass merit,” Dugat explained. “For me, that means selecting the animal that brings the most red meat in relation to skeletal size.” Dugat added she’s always looking for the most complete animal in the ring. “The ultimate winner might not be the biggest, most muscular or widest tracking animal in the class,” she explained. “I am searching for the animal that puts everything together in the best package.” For Carwell, the class takes ABGA back to its beginning. He said a lot of breeders initially brought Boer goats to America as a breed up program. “They were making a living raising goats in West Texas and were needing to produce the most amount of pounds per goat they could with what they had,” Carwell explained. “We, as a breed and as an association, have a strong disconnect with the commercial industry as a whole.” Dugat thinks the Meat Goat Evaluation is a tremendous opportunity for ABGA members. “I believe the commercial meat goat side of the industry is where most producers stand to make substantial profits,” she added. “The price of goats in the meat industry is at an all-time high and only projected to rise. If we as an association can realign the meat goat industry and the show goat industry, we can all stand to benefit for years to come.” Just like Carwell, Dugat hopes this class will help bring the association back to its origin. “The Boer goat was introduced into this country as the meat goat - not a show goat,” she said. “I think if we as an association can remember and embrace the history and purpose of the breed, we can all benefit in the future.” This is exciting for JABGA member and Board of Director Logan Hollen. “The Meat Goat Evaluation is going to be an experience like no other,” she said. “We will get to show first-hand what the Boer goat is truly about. Goat meat is one of the most desirable meats in world.” While Hollen is not participating, she said she’ll be in attendance watching. “I am really looking forward to watching the new class that is very important and will hopefully inspire others,” Hollen said. “With the new goat evaluation class, we not only show our animals off from the outside but give a deeper look into the muscle expression and structure of the Boer goat.” This is music to Dugat’s ears. She said while Boer goats were introduced to this country as a meat goat, the primary use of the breed and the association has shifted to focus more on the show goat industry rather than the meat goat industry. “This shift in focus has changed the way producers select their breeding stock,” Dugat said. “ABGA members aren’t selecting animals based on carcass merit, functionality or mothering ability, they are selecting animals based strictly off pedigree and show ring performance.” Dugat is looking forward to this year’s National Show and the possibility it has to change the mindset of members. After all, the show’s theme is Boer Goat Strong. “I hope the meat goat evaluation class will help bring more awareness and educate members, and in turn, help realign the show goat industry with the meat goat industry,” she said. “Nationals is always a week full of catching up with old friends, making new ones and creating memories to last a lifetime. This year, I am excited for all those things but especially to be a part of the first Meat Goat Evaluation.” Carwell agreed. In addition to the meat goat evaluation class, members will support the charity Mission 22. Their donations will go to helping veterans, their spouses and children through programs Mission 22 provides. There will also be a photo contest that will benefit ABGA’s new foundation. “The ABGA Nationals is always a great time to connect with breeders from around the country who come to showcase their animals,” Carwell added. “The industry’s best of the best is presented, and it’s always exciting to see how things play out.”

Drum roll, please. It’s time to announce the 2022 American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) National Show Judges. ABGA National Open Show: Josh Taylor, Jesse Kimmel, and Anton Ward Junior American Boer Goer Association (JABGA) National Breeding Show: Sammy Lerena and Kathy Daves-Carr JABGA National Bred and Owned Show and Breeding Showmanship: Terry Taylor Market and Commercial Show: Phil Myers Meat Goat Evaluation: Alyssa Dugat Carcass Evaluation: Nick Hammett Congratulations to our 2022 ABGA National Show Judges! “Our judges are great ambassadors for this organization,” said ABGA Executive Director Katie Carruth. “We appreciate their positive support, and we want to thank them for their time and dedication in making all of our sanctioned shows successful.”

“I love serving the association and helping out with the kids,” said Jacob Tipton, who will serve as a National Show Superintendent for the second year in a row. He gained the experience he needed for being a Superintendent when he was a JABGA member. Being a JABGA Board of Director from 2018 to 2020, Jacob was invited to help at a National Show. “I started inside the ring, helping the superintendents,” explained Jacob, who lives in Lascassas, Tenn. “I guess they liked me enough to invite me to continue my duties during the open show that year.” From there, Jacob had the opportunity to sit on the National Show committee. He said this gave ABGA committee members the opportunity to see what JABGA members had to say. “When I rolled off the JABGA board, I stepped into the National Show committee, Regional Show committee, Youth committee, and Youth Advisory committee,” he added. “I really love continuing to serve this association.” For Jacob, it’s more than just what happens inside the ring. “I really love seeing all the members from across the nation,” he said. “It’s about making those relationships.” He’s ready to make more at this year’s National Show. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. “It’s an honor and a blessing to be a part of something this big,” he said. “It’s awesome to work with other superintendents. I like assisting kids in helping them pursue their dreams.” When Jacob isn’t helping with ABGA and JABGA show, you can find him at Mt. Juliet High School, where he is an Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor. “I have a heart for the kids,” Jacob said. “I work with kids every day.” While that’s his day job, Jacob is also co-owner of Tipton Farms, where he specializes in registered Boer goats that he shows and sells all over the nation. Jacob also helps manage his family’s beef cattle and hay production operations. At just 22 years old, you could say Jacob is putting his bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness and a minor in Ag Education from Middle Tennessee State University to good use. In addition to the impact he’s made for the ABGA, JABGA, and Mt. Juliet High School, Jacob has been working with USAID and the CRS Farmer-to-Farmer Program to educate, launch, and promote the Boer goat in the country of Nepal. This is all life for Jacob, who was been involved in agriculture since he was born. While he didn’t come from a show family, he’s been around Boer goats since he was a toddler. “When I was 2 years old, we got Boer goats,” he said. “I was raised with Boer goats. I knew I would always love them.” When he bought his first five Boer registered goats, Jacob said he didn’t have that big of expectations of breeding or the ABGA. Boy was he wrong. “I didn’t know the opportunities until later,” he said. “I fell in love with the show. It started with county fairs and then ABGA shows. All of the breeders took me under their wings. I made a ton of awesome friends. It's been an awesome experience. I’m passionate about the ABGA and JABGA.”

Being a National Show Superintendent is all about giving back for ABGA member Matt Simmons. “It makes me happy to be able to give back to the ABGA and my fellow breeders,” he said. “I enjoy and love being a member of the ABGA.” Matt is also honored. Being a Superintendent was not his idea, he said. “I was contacted and told my name had been brought up and some people felt I would be a good fit,” Matt explained. “I was honored people felt that way.” He is ready for the National Show and will bring experience to his new position. After 10 years of showing a variety of animals through the 4-H at his county fair, Matt said he joined the board. “I helped run the fair for 16 years,” he said. “I was the youngest ever to be elected in our county for the fair board.” 4-H also played a role in Matt joining the ABGA. When his time with 4-H was over, he said he wasn’t ready to give up the animals. He went to the local sale barn and bought some sheep. But he quickly discovered sheep were not for him. After selling them, Matt said he bought some goats. “My family thought I was a little crazy at first, as goats were not a thing in our area, and they were seen as the ‘tin can eating things’,” he explained. “Once the first kidding season happened, the rest of my family started to fall in love with them.” In 2006, Matt and his brother formed Toby Creek Boers in honor of their late grandmother. After eight years, his brother stepped away, and Matt began the journey on his own. “It was always a dream and goal of mine to help grow the Boer goats in Nebraska,” Matt added. In late 2015, he met his now wife Morgan, who had always wanted goats and had a close family friend who had raised dairy goats. “In 2016, we started this wild and crazy journey together,” he said. “In all honesty, she is the biggest driving force with the goats.” Since Matt also works in Juvenile Services for the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Department, Morgan runs the farm with their nephew Randy. He also goes to most of the shows with them. “This has been a blessing, because it has allowed me to help out at the shows we go to - either with the check-in process or be in the ring,” Matt explained. “It has been amazing to see something I started in Toby Creek Boers grow into a huge family thing, and I look forward to going to shows.” In 2018, Matt, Morgan, and family friend Leah TenBensel started the Platte Valley Boer-Nanza LLC. They held their first show a year later and have created a board of 12 members. “They work hard to put on a weekend of four shows, a sale, and when able, try and host clinics to help grow the knowledge of the Boer goat in Nebraska,” Matt added. Two years later, the Platte Valley Boer-Nanza along with Levi Dale and Jamie Fugate created the Big Red Buckle Points Series. Matt said it consists of the following shows: Boers on the Loup, MPC Red White and Black Bash, Midwest Producers Classic, and the Platte Valley Boer-Nanza. Because of this, Matt said the goat show community he spends his time with is more than a community – it’s family. So much so, he and Morgan spent their honeymoon at a goat show in 2021. “Morgan and I also enjoy helping out and giving back at the local level,” Matt added. His brother started a 4-H group for kids who are unable to have goats on their place. They also started the Toby Creek Clovers 4-H Club. “We are truly excited and blessed to share our love and excitement with others.” This includes the National Show, which Matt calls a family trip. “We’re excited to see our goat family from across the country.”

To use the word excited to describe judging the National Show is an understatement for ABGA member Terry Taylor, who will judge the JABGA National Bred and Owned Show and Breeding Showmanship. “I am beyond thrilled to evaluate the best of the best of this organization’s junior members, who have gathered together in this national event to showcase their absolute best in competition,” he explained. This opportunity is an honor and privilege Terry will cherish for years to come. “To each Junior Exhibitor, you have brought your best, and I will bring my best,” he said. “Thank you to all, and I wish everyone the very best of luck.” He’s even giving some insight into what he’ll look for when he judges. “First and foremost, I look for structural integrity from the ground up with critical emphasis on production functionality and breed character,” Terry explained. “My bucks must be masculine and my does feminine in a complete and well-balanced eye appealing package.” He will bring a strong background in production agriculture when he travels to Nebraska from Smyer, Texas, where he and his wife Sue own and operate Windy Acres Boers. Terry said they raise foundation and replacement stock for breeding, show, and market. Terry is no stranger to the show ring. In addition to showing several species of livestock, he’s judged animals in more than 28 states. This ranges from state fairs and major shows to the ABGA National Show. “It is an honor and a privilege to be asked to travel the country and evaluate goats in both the open and youth settings,” added Terry, who joined the ABGA in 2001 because of their son’s FFA project of breeding top quality goats using only champion bloodlines and genetics. They acquired a herd of Registered Boer Goats from Darwin McCleod which were all registered with the ABGA. “Seeing the advantage and upside potential of registered stock, we became members,” he said. Their philosophy is concentrating on quality – not quantity – while using the best available genetics in the industry and promoting honesty and integrity to all breeders. Terry said the proof is in the pudding. With an Agriculture Education degree from Texas Tech University, his agriculture roots run deep. Raised on a farm on the South Plains of Texas, they raised cotton, grain sorghum and Duroc hogs. A member of 4-H and FFA, Terry served on judging and leadership teams in high school. He also developed a small herd of Southdown sheep and showed sheep, pigs, and steers. Fast forward to now, Terry owns and operates Imaging E, a radiology healthcare services company, in addition to Windy Acres Boers. When he isn’t working, you can find him and his wife helping and supporting various programs involving youth and their projects.

We want to thank our wonderful sponsors for being part of our 2022 National Show! 2022 National Show Endcap Sponsors: 2M Boer Goats 2MS Boer Goats - Mike and Marjeanna Smith / Amarugia Boer Goats - Diefenbach Family Blue Gainey Ranch / Cactus Boer Goats / KT Boer Goats B-Mack Farms / Mackey Family Farms Boot Jack Boers Clear Creek Farms / Kenneth and Patricia Motes Aaron & Denise Crabtree Custom Color Boer Goats Dustin & Heather Finch Chrystie & Jeff Gibbs / Gibbs Farm Hill Top Boer Goats / Wetherell Farm Bill, Sue, Christie, Rebecca, & Nicole Hobby Jeb James, Brian Sharp, Stefan Logan K2 Ranch Boer Goats Samuel & Carrie Knott Kody Goats Lee & Sharon Dana Menger Creek Ranch Janet Moraczewski Audra Lynn & Matt Moravec Nicholas Pitlick Paint Creek Show Goats Radiant Reds / Elwood Livestock Redden Bros. Richard Lamb / Shamrock Farm SAKB Boer Goats Chris & Jodi Scholl Shepherd Creek Ranch Stuart Show Goats Westfall Boer Goats / Sandra Egger Windy Acres Boers

We want to thank our wonderful vendors for being part of our 2022 National Show! We really appreciate your sponsorships. The 2022 National Show wouldn’t have happened without you! Diamond: Sullivan Supply, Inc. Sapphire: Backyard Green Films Lowe’s Pellets & Grain T.D. Wall, Inc. ReproLogix Reproductive Technologies Platinum: AgriBuckle.com - George Benjamin Jr Sydell, Inc. Gold Sponsors: Boer Goat Nation Kemmer Auctioneers Outback Laboratories Silver Sponsors: American Goat Federation B&D Genetics Red Barn Creations 605 Triple W Genetics – Thomas Woelfle Twisted Stitch, Inc. Bronze Sponsors: BioGenics, LLC. Creations by Sam Goat Shed - Harmany Creations Kenna Lynne Jewelry/Kenna’s Cones Lucky Farms Sweet Girlz Copper Sponsors: 2 Sister Farms, LLC. BioZyme, Incorporated Bling in the Ring Casada Creation Doc Probiotics Essential Feeds Finch Nutrition Flatrock Reproduction Services, LLC. Harvest Hill Ventures McClain Livestock Therapy Platte Valley Boer-Nanza The Prized Goat Signs & Designs

2022 National JABGA Premium Money Sponsors! A special thanks to Ron Dilley for all his hard work getting this together! JABGA Wether Show Flatrock - Ron & Debbie Dilley Russell Southerland Commercial Doe Show 2 Sister Farms - Neil & Jillian York Ash Specialized Newton Farms Bred & Owned SAKB Boer Goats Southern Comfort Ranch JABGA Percentage Show Ervin & Trey Chavana Childers Show Goats Radiant Reds – Elwood Livestock Rocking 4R Farms JABGA Fullblood Show 2M Boer Goats Advanced Boer Genetics JABGA Fullblood Buck B-Mack Farm Gibbs Farm Mackey Family Farm Meat Goat Evaluation Rick and Elara Bowman, Backyard Green Films Kenny and Megan Elwood, Kenny’s Killer Jerky David Carwell, B&D Genetics

We want to thank our wonderful sponsors for being part of our 2022 National Show! Ring Banner Sponsors AgriPeril Insurance, Reed Burres Chinquapin Farm JLG Enterprises Meat Goat Trax Triple W Genetics SmithCo. Livestock & Pet Holding Ring Sponsor Triple W Genetics Coffee Bar Sponsor Newton Farms Banquet Sponsor Kemmer Auctioneers JABGA Contest Banners Grand Champion Bred and Owned Percentage Doe sponsored by JLG Enterprises Grand Champion Buck sponsored by Triple W Genetics Grand Champion Fullblood Doe sponsored by Frisco Hill Farm Reserve Champion Fullblood Doe sponsored by Frisco Hill Farm Grand Champion Percentage Doe sponsored by Blue Gainey Ranch Yop 5 Overall Wether Banner sponsored by JLG Enterprises

These luau-worthy Hawaiian goat mini-kebabs are courtesy of ABGA member Patricia Parson of Pendergrass, Ga. The recipe was originally printed in the March/April 2013 edition of The Boer Goat magazine. Hawaiian Goat Mini-Kebabs Ingredients 1 LB boneless leg of goat, cut into ¾” cubes 1 14-oz can pineapple chunks, each cut in half 1 CUP Italian dressing ¼ CUP melted butter 1 clove garlic, minced 3 slices bacon, cut into 1” pieces Directions Combine cugoatgaot meat, Italian dressing, and garlic in a shallow dish; marinate 1 hour or overnight in the refrigerator. Place marinated goat cubes, bacon pieces, and pineapple chunks on mini-skewers or toothpicks. Brush skewers with melted butter. Broil 5-8” over a heat source for 5 minutes. Serve hot. Makes 6 servings.

This Cajun-inspired recipe is courtesy of former JABGA Area 4 Director Isaac Ridding. You can find this and many other tasty recipes in the JABGA "Cooking for the Future", now available in our E-Store. Goat Gumbo Ingredients 2 ½ LBS goat meat 1 large green pepper ¼ CUP all-purpose flour 3 large tomatoes, chopped 1 TSP dried whole thyme 1 bay leaf ¼ TBS pepper 2 CUPS chicken broth 3 TBS butter 1 package frozen okra 3 TBS vegetable oil ½ TSP hot sauce ¾ CUP chopped green onion 6 CUP hot cooked rice Directions Trim excess fat from goat meat and cut into 1” cubes. Combine flour, thyme, salt, and pepper; dredge meat in flour mixture. Heat butter and oil in a Dutch oven; add meat and cook until browned on all sides. Remove meat, reserving drippings in the Dutch oven. Add onion and green pepper to drippings; sauté until tender. Stir in meat and the remaining ingredients, except rice. Cover and simmer for 1 ½ hour. Serve over hot rice.

We want to thank our wonderful ringside sponsors for being part of our 2022 National Show! 2022 National Show Ringside Sponsors: 2M Boer Goats Crew 2MS Boer Goats - Mike & Marjeanna Smith / Amarugia Goats - Diefenbach Family Able Acres Advanced Boer Genetics Blue Gainey Ranch / Cactus Boer Goats / KT Boer Goats Boers By Hobby / Lamoni Farms / Kemmer Auctioneers Breezy Acres Boer Goats / Carlson's Pine Crest Susan & Frank Burner / Interstate Boer Goat Association C&J Scholl Farms / Wicky's Rockin Boer Goats / Harman Farms Clear Creek Farm LLC Clear Creek Farms / Kenneth & Patricia Motes Crazy T Boer Goats Culver Family Farm Culver Family Farm Transportation Services, LLC Dust Devil Ranch / Clemens Fitting & Photography Flying L Ranch Boer Goats Hill Top Boer Goats / Wetherell Farm K Hollow Boer Goats / Fitzwater Crosscut Farm Land of Grace Farm / Redden Bros. Norman, IN Lucky Farms Lucky J Family Goats MM7 – Mount Madonna Boer Goats Paint Creek Show Goats Pair-A-Docs / Menger Creek Ranch / Mazurek Family Ranch SAKB Boer Goats SBZ Ranch Shepherd Creek Ranch / Stuart Show Goats Westfall Boer Goats / AB Pros Wildewind Farm