Check out these photos from the Area 5 JABGA Regional Show: Spring in the Ring! You can see the show results here. See the contest results below. #ABGAShows #JABGA #news

Check out these photos from the Area 4 Regional Show Peach State Classic Boer Goat Show! You can see the Peach State Classic Show #1 results here. You can see the Peach State Classic Show #2 results here. You can see the Peach State Classic Show #3 results here. See the contest results below. #ShowsEvents #JABGA #news

Check out these photos from the Area 3 JABGA Regional Show: Racing to the Heartland! See Racing to the Heartland Show #1 results HERE. See Racing to the Heartland Show #2 results HERE. See the contest results below.

Coni Ross was a pioneer and has become a legend within the goat industry; raising goats for more than 40 years. During her time in the goat industry, Coni served as a director for multiple associations including: American Boer Goat Association, Texas Cashmere Association, and the American Meat Goat Association. She was also a well-respected judge within the ABGA, and judged the ABGA National Show six times throughout her judging career. Coni started raising goats in 1978 with angoras. Then, in the late 1980’s Coni imported 500 cashmere goat embryos from New Zealand, resulting in more than 250 live kids, and was one of the first to have success with embryo transfer in the United States. In 1995, Coni started her herd of Boer goats which eventually grew to more than 1200 head at its peak. Coni focused her breeding efforts to maintain functionality, longevity and mothering ability. She expected goats to thrive in a pasture setting, kid and raise offspring unassisted, all while remaining hardy, thrifty and structurally sound. Along with her dedication to her own herd and the many breed associations that she served; Coni also spent a great deal of her time helping other producers in the goat industry by providing what she called “Goat 911”. She spent countless hours on the phone helping other diagnose and treat goats across the United States. If you ever had the privilege to visit with Coni, you know that she always had her Bluetooth ear piece in and would happily share her more than 40 years of experience, knowledge, and treatment protocols with anyone that called. In 2015, Coni had a vision and sponsored a “5 & Older” class at the ABGA National Show for fullblood bucks and fullblood does to showcase animals that were 5 years and older but still productive and functional. The class has evolved over the years and has become an event to showcase and reward the breeders and animals who continue to maintain the traits that Coni spent her lifetime striving to produce. The Coni Ross Memorial Production Aged Doe Class is designed to allow breeders to showcase the production, functionality and longevity within their doe herds. The animals will be evaluated on their ability to maintain these traits during and after being in production and raising multiple sets of offspring. Body Condition: Animals should be either currently in production and/or of the correct breeding body condition to breed and kid with ease. Animals with excess fat deposits will be faulted. Udder: Does must have a teat structure that allows a newborn kid to easily nurse without intervention. (Good udder attachment, no blown teats, etc.). Structural Integrity: Does should be sound on their feet and legs and exhibit the necessary structural traits: such as strong pasterns and wide pen set; to be functional in a breeding and/or pasture setting without intense management. Production Value: Number and quality of offspring raised. Special Rules: Open to all ABGA registered does (Fullblood, Purebred and Percentage) All does must be 5 years or older. Born on or before June 1st, 2018. Does must show evident signs they have naturally kidded and raised offspring. Does may be exhibited with any natural born kid under 12 months of age at their side to demonstrate the animal’s production ability and value. **Preference given to does with kids who are currently nursing. Exhibitors will be required to provide production records to include: Kidding dates Number of kids born Breeding information (Natural, AI, etc.) Milking and mothering ability Ease of kidding Download Production Records Form: Entry Fee: $10 $5 will be applied towards awards $5 will be applied towards the ABGA Scholarship #2023NationalShow

JABGA Youth Coordinator Hannah Jenkins, JABGA President Cecilia Knott, and JABGA Vice President Logan Hollen join host Drew Williams on Boer Goat Nation on May 30, 2023. 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. #2023NationalShow

Per Article 12 of the ABGA Bylaws, proposed Bylaw provisions as well as the text of any existing provision proposed to be altered, amended, or repealed shall be posted on the Association's website. You can view the current Bylaws HERE. You can view the proposed Bylaws amendments HERE. Ballots to be mailed by June 1, 2023.

The ABGA office will be closed on Monday, May 29, 2023 in observance of Memorial Day. Thank you to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Exhibitors of the 2023 ABGA & JABGA National Show in Louisville, KY June 9th – 18th have the opportunity to pre-order Shavings and Purple Vision Show Feed Products from Lowe’s Pellets & Grain in advance and have them delivered to the Kentucky Exposition Center to save you time and trailer space! To place an order please fill out the form below. All pre-orders will need to be placed and paid in full by Wednesday, June 7th, 2023. To stay up to date on product delivery and other ABGA/JABGA Nationals updates follow Lowe's Pellets & Grain on Facebook! Our pages can be found by searching Lowe’s Pellets & Grain or Purple Vision Show Feeds. Click the button below to Pre-Order today! Have Questions? Give Lowe's a call! (812) 663-7863 Business Hours: Monday – Friday: 8 A.M. – 5 P.M. EST Saturday: 8 A.M. – 12 P.M. EST #2023NationalShow #news

If you’re looking for a new Christmas recipe, look no further. This Christmas Goat Meatballs Recipe sounds delicious. INGREDIENTS 1 pound ground goat 1 small clove garlic, minced 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Olive oil for blushing 3 tablespoons light molasses, honey, or spiced syrup (you can change this to what sounds good to you!) Chopped fresh mint and pomegranate seeds to garnish Directions Kneed together the goat meat, garlic, salt, orange zest, and pepper until combined in a large bowl (you can be creative with your spices: ginger, cumin or cinnamon would be a lively addition). Form into 1-inch meatballs. Once you've moved them to a foil-lined baking sheet, brush with oil. Turn on the broiler. Put meatballs under the broiler until golden and just cooked through, turning as you go. Brush with molasses immediately. Sprinkle with mint and pomegranate and serve with toothpicks. It's an appetizer made perfect with crackers and your favorite variety of goat cheese!

Zeb James, who hails from East Tennessee, purchased his initial herd of commercial Boer goats in 2002 with a former high school peer. He became a member of the American Boer Goat Association in 2009, along with one of his students who was interested in the goat industry. Zeb's interest in agriculture began when he was young, participating in various 4-H events such as speaking contests, horse and livestock judging, and horticulture competitions. Despite losing access to livestock when his family moved to the city, Zeb remained determined to carry on the tradition of animal agriculture that his grandfather instilled in him. This led him to start his own farm, Russell Sons Farm, which was named after his grandfather who was a renowned figure in the dairy industry. In 2007, Zeb began working as an agricultural teacher and FFA advisor at Creek Wood High School in Middle Tennessee. He loves to help his students with different animal projects including the Broiler Chicken Project; a project where students raise meat chickens for a period of 6-7 weeks before exhibiting them at the end of the grow-out phase. He also helps his students raise and show hogs, chickens and cattle for 4-H and FFA competitions. Zeb also has a passion for goats and has been involved with the ABGA National Show for three years. He says that goats are a great animal for kids and families because they are friendly and easy to handle. He likes that the National Show offers many opportunities for the JABGA members to learn and grow, not just in showing goats but also in other skills like public speaking, judging and sales talk. He says that these skills will help them in their future careers and goat operations. Zeb also enjoys meeting other ABGA members from different states and making new friends. “The friendships formed from the National Show, and even other ABGA shows, are like family members. They are always there to give advice, assistance, and advocate for you and your operation; sometimes they even challenge you on things that later become huge blessings." #2023NationalShow #news

The Boer goat is a standout breed with many characteristics that contribute to its profitability and value in agriculture. The Boer goat is commonly a goat with a white body and a red head. Docile, high fertility and a fast growth rate are some of the traits that set the Boer goat apart in the purebred and commercial segments of the American meat goat industry. Mature Does can weigh between 190- 230 pounds and mature Boer bucks can weigh between 200 and 340 pounds. The demand for high quality, lean, healthy red meat is the one of the underlining forces behind the development of the American meat goat industry. With an eager base of ethnic consumers, the demand for goat meat continues to grow in the United States each year. The importation of goat meat into the United States is estimated over 30 million dollars annually. Here are some of its most significant features: Exceptional hardiness allows for high resistance to disease, making it one of the hardiest livestock breeds. The Boer goat is adaptable to a wide range of climates and grazing conditions, thriving in challenging environments. They can survive in arid regions where other small stock cannot, even with limited access to drinking water. With their strong legs, they are efficient walkers that can navigate mountainous areas and dense shrubbery with ease. Boers consume browse that other livestock overlook, clearing undergrowth and maintaining vegetation balance, even in difficult terrain. They have a long lifespan and maintain fertility up to 10 years or more. Boer meat is in high demand in the US due to its low-fat content and healthful properties. It is equivalent to chicken in caloric value. The Boer goat has the highest dressed weight percentage of any mutton breed. Young Boer meat is tender and flavorful, with sufficient marbling and a pleasing texture. Boers are bred for dominance and carry superior genetic traits for goat ranching. The breed is also used internationally and in the US to improve other goat breeds through aggressive crossbreeding programs. Boer skin produces high-quality leather that is in high demand and can be sold at a premium price for use in shoes, gloves, and books. View the Anatomy of the Boer goat below.

ABGA Hotel Block List ABGA has blocked off 200 hotel rooms for 2023 National Show exhibitors and attendees. Book your hotel rooms today, because they will go fast! Be sure let your hotel know you're there for the 2023 ABGA & JABGA National Show! Camping & RV Parking Effective March 1, 2023 full payment will be required at the time RV reservations are made. This guarantees a 20/30 amp electrical service (50 amp service is offered on a first come, first serve basis), use of a dump station, place to fill or empty water tanks and access to the restrooms/ shower house located in the RV lot next to RV Office. More info below. Overnight stay in the show barn is permitted. If you are using a tent in the show barn, you must have a fire extinguisher and smoke alarm at your site at all times. CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR RV SPACE TODAY! Louisville is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the 28th most populous city in the United States. Today, the city is known as the home of boxer Muhammad Ali, the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Fried Chicken, the University of Louisville and its Cardinals, Louisville Slugger baseball bats, and three of Kentucky's six Fortune 500 companies. Hotels Near Kentucky Exposition Center You can find additional hotels near the Kentuck Exposition Center below. Hotels listed below may or may not be blocked for the Natonal Show. ABGA recommends you book with the hotels listed above to receive the National Show exhibitor and attendee rates. #2023NationalShow