Meat Goat Test Entries Due May 30

Meat goats are booming in Oklahoma agriculture. To find out which lines perform best on pasture, the Kerr Center and the OSU Cooperative Extension Service are conducting the 2008 Meat Goat Forage Performance Test.

Fee is $120 per buck, and nominations are due by May 30, 2008.

“Last year was a great success, and we are looking forward to another summer with the bucks,” said Kerr Center test manager Mary Penick.

Goat producers wishing to test their bucks' performance on forage are invited to enter bucks in the test, which runs from mid-July until the end of October.

“The rationale behind the Oklahoma Meat Goat Forage Performance Test is to identify individual bucks that carry genetics important in commercial meat goat production,” Penick said.

“Additionally, this test will allow breeders to compare genetics within their herd to make better management decisions. It will also provide valuable information for all goat producers and the public.”

This year’s test encompasses a larger pasture area, and the scoring system has been changed to place more emphasis on parasite resistance.

Growth in U.S. ethnic populations and the desire for healthy diets are driving the demand for goat meat. Goat meat is low in fat and cholesterol, is leaner than poultry and offers a source of conjucated linoleic acid.

In 2006, Oklahoma ranked fifth in the nation in meat goat production.

For details, nomination forms, and questions, visit the Kerr Center website

at www.kerrcenter.com, or contact Mary Penick at 918.647.9123 (phone), 918.647.8712 (fax), or mpenick@kerrcenter.com.