Lehman FFASheep and Goat Guide

LUCK

“I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” Thomas Jefferson

Six Essentials for a Successful Sheep Goat Project

Goals- exhibitors need to determine a goal before a goat is purchased.

Selection- if you start with a common goat you will end with a common goat

Feeding- the key to feeding is purchasing a quality GOAT feed and learning how to feed it.

Exercise- you need to treat your goat like an athlete.

Showmanship- proper presentation of the goat is crucial.

Luck- even if you do everything correctly you will still need a little luck.

SELECTION

Select a sheep and goat that is structurally correct and has the genetic potential to develop muscle. If you do not do this it does not matter what you feed or how much you exercise - he will not be a good one. In general, you would like the goat’s age to range between 9-12 months of age at show time. Select a goat to fit the exhibitor. A 50 lb. exhibitor does not need to show a 110 lb. goat.

FEEDING

Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a “magic” ration that will make your goat a champion. There are many good quality feeds and additives available. The key to feeding is purchasing a fresh quality Lamb or GOAT feed and learning how to feed it.

When you purchase your sheep or goat try to find out what he is being fed. You should either purchase a sack of this feed or get some from the breeder. Mix this feed with your feed until the goat is accustomed to your feed. This will get them on feed quicker and lessen the stress for the new goat.

Start feeding the new sheep or goats one pound of feed in the morning and one pound in the evening. If the sheep or goat cannot consume that much you may need to back off the amount you are feeding.

You should feed your goats a hand full of hay after every feeding. Feeding the hay before the feed is consumed may lower the amount of feed consumed.

WATER

Clean, fresh water is a daily necessity because water composes more than 70 percent of lean tissue and all body fluids must be replenished regularly. Never deprive your goat of water because water regulates the amount of feed a goat will consume. However, reduced water intake at certain periods during the program can reduce feed intake and reduce the size of the rumen for improved appearance.

CostA major factor to account for when raising a livestock project is the financial aspect, which can require some planning. Also know that this is the estimated costs for the year, not all of it is paid up front, but rather spread through the duration of the project.

Item Cost

1 sheep or goat $500 and up

Feed (15bags at ~25) $375

Additives and supplements (electrolytes…)

$40

Entry Fees County Only - $25

Major Show - $25+parking

@home pen $200

Feed Storage Bin (large plastic tote will work, or keep indoors)

$15

Feed Scoop $5

Feeders (2.99-13.00) $20

Watering Devices (2.99-25.00)$24

Clamping Heat lamps, bulbs and Electrical cords $2 @ 25$50

APPROXIMATE TOTAL $1279 to $1500 (Depending on the cost

variations and personal need)

Daily CareGoats are primarily for the production of quality meat products, and are raised with the intent to provide a buyer with a quality cut of meat This is typically a 1 academic year project and it is a goal to earn a profit.

Typically, if a student is raising a goat project, they will purchase a whether (castrated male) Boer goat. Boer's are the industry standard meat goat.

Weigh your goats on a regular basis; minimum of every two weeks, weekly is ideal. Weigh them on the same day of the week and same time of day. Record your data. Market goats will normally gain 3-5# per week.

Lambs are also primarily used for the production of quality meat products, but can also be raised with the intent to help develop quality breeding stock(breeding stock other than cows are not currently available as a project), of a specific breed or type of lamb. Lambs are usually a 1 academic year project and it is also goal to earn a profit.

Typically, a student who wishes to show a lamb will purchase a Market whether (castrated male), and usually a Hampshire or Suffolk breed or cross between the two, as these are the premier meat type lamb breeds.

Purchasing a Ewe (female) may also be an option for the student and these projects will be sold as a market meat product at the Lamar Livestock Show and Auction.

*Just as with any animal though, it is up to the Buyer of the animal to decide what to do with it, and should a student be concerned with this process, they are encouraged to find their own buyers before Lamar show.*

EXERCISE

Goats are very active animals. If given the space they will play and exercise on their own. However, in order to get the most out of the genetics you purchased, goats need to be made to exercise. Goats can be exercised several ways, such as with a dog and treadmill. Any type of exercise is better than no exercise. Remember to treat your goat like an “athlete” in training.

SHOWMANSHIP

Working with the new goats for at least two weeks after they have been purchased is not recommended. Once the goats are comfortable with their new surroundings and are eating well then you can start working with them. Using a chain as a collar to show goats, is recommended. A dog collar can be used for younger exhibitors if the chain hurts their hand. Begin by setting the goat up every day to teach them how to brace. The best way to teach a goat to brace is by pushing them backwards until they give you resistance. It is important to let the goat win when he resists going backwards; otherwise he will learn that you are stronger and he will not attempt to brace against you. Once they are taught to brace make them hold the brace for about 15 seconds, while increasing the time they hold the brace every time they are set up. This will condition both the exhibitor and the goat to show for longer times when they are exhibiting at the show. Using a hotshot or pushing them off a trim table to teach them to brace, is not recommended. Once the goat learns to brace, then work on walking. The time spent by the exhibitor bracing the goat will create a bond with the goat and make him much easier to teach how to lead. Do not leave tied goats unattended. Each goat has a different personality - some will take to showing right away and some may never learn to show.

NutritionIt is absolutely imperative that show goats and sheep receive a high quality ration and clean, fresh, cool water EVERY DAY. Without a properly balanced diet or water, the animal will not reach their peak potential.

Feed

Feeding Schedule (Estimated/Suggested Guideline)

More info on Selection

The selection of a goat for a project is one of the most important decisions you will make. The type of goat you select will have a major influence on the project’s results. Remember that a winning goat is a combination of good selection, good nutritional management, proper grooming and outstanding showmanship. People differ in their ability to select animals. Some have a natural eye for selecting young animals of high caliber, while others never develop this ability. Do not hesitate to ask for help from someone with these skills. It may be your county Extension agent, Future Farmers of America instructor, parent or another leader in the county. Also, many breeders are willing to assist you in your selection. When selecting, you must know the animal’s age. Remember that most shows require that goats have their milk teeth, therefore you need to know how old your goat is. It also is important to be aware of fat thickness. Young goats that are bloomy and fat always look good, while young, thin goats do not look as nice. Learn to look past fat and recognize muscle so that you can pick a genetically superior goat. When purchasing a goat, it is important to know some information about the producer. Do not hesitate to ask questions about the goat’s bloodline and age. Consider the following when selecting a goat: structural correctness, muscle, volume and capacity, style and balance, and growth potential. Structural correctness Structural correctness refers to the skeletal system or bone structure of an animal. A goat should hold its head erect and the neck should extend out of the top of the shoulders. A goat should travel and stand wide and straight on both front and rear legs, and the legs should be placed squarely under the body. A goat should have a strong level top, and a long rump with a slight slope from hooks to pins. Your goat should be heavy boned and be strong on its pasterns. Open-shouldered, weak-topped, weak-pasterned, steep-rumped goats should be avoided. Muscle Generally, a goat that walks and stands wide is going to be heavier muscled. The goat should have a deep, heavily muscled leg and rump. When viewed from behind, the widest part of the leg should be the stifle area. The goat should have a broad, thick back and loin that is naturally firm and hard handling. A good goat should be wide through its chest floor, with bold shoulders and a prominent forearm muscle. The chest and forearm are the best indicators of muscling in thin goats. Volume and capacity This refers to the relationship of body length to body depth and body width. Goats should be long bodied, with adequate depth and spring of rib. Avoid selecting goats that are short bodied, shallow bodied, narrow based and flat ribbed. Style and balance Style and balance refer to the way all body parts blend together, how the neck blends into the shoulder, the shoulder into the rib cage, the rib cage into the loin, the loin into the rump, and how “eye-appealing” a goat is. When viewed from the side, a goat should have a smooth shoulder, level top, trim middle and straight legs. A goat that is balanced, pretty and holds up its head is the first one you notice when you walk in the pen. Growth potential The ability of an animal to grow rapidly is very important. Generally, a larger framed goat that shows a long head, neck, cannon bone and body, will grow faster, be larger and be more competitive in the show ring

Daily pen/coop cleaningYou should clean out the pen daily to maintain healthy conditions and prevent any unnecessary bacteria or spread of disease.

Record KeepingRecord keeping is very important in your livestock project. Record keeping can help you identify average daily gains of your animal, feeding habits, and profit margins of your project. A daily record sheet (found on page 8) is required by all in order to help the ag. teachers assist with the success of your project.

Keeping accurate records also helps make you eligible for many FFA awards. It is recommended to use the form on pages 9 and 10 help you keep up with all of your expenses for your project and enter everything into TheAET. www.theaet.com

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Facilities

Barns/sheds Goats need a living arrangement that combines access to a shed or barn and an area where they can get outside in the sunshine. The shed area should have at least 15 square feet of space for each goat. The outside pen needs to be as large as possible to permit the goats to exercise. The shed should be well drained and should open to the east or south. Barn temperature is critical. Structures should be well ventilated so goats will remain cool and continue to grow during the summer months. However, when club goats are slick shorn for shows, barns should be altered during the winter to keep goats as warm as possible. This can be done by closing the front with a tarp or plastic sheet and by using heat lamps. The illustration shows the recommended dimensions and layout for a goat feeding facility

Fences Fence height should be at least 42 inches to keep goats from attempting to jump. Fences should be predator proof. If using net wire fences, 12-inch mesh should be used rather than 6-inch mesh to keep goats from hanging their heads in the wire. The most desirable pens are constructed from galvanized livestock panels that are 5 feet tall with 4-inch squares.

Daily Record Chartdaily weights

SAE Record Keeping

Date Purchased Cost of Pen

Date Purchased Store Purchased From Supplies (Equipment) Cost

Dates Paid Entry Fees Cost

Dates Purchased Store Purchased from # and type of Feed Bags Cost

Dates of Sale Sale or Premium (Where you make money from your animals)

Price Received

PensYou should clean out the pen daily to maintain healthy conditions and prevent any unnecessary bacteria or spread of disease.

Walking your AnimalWalking your livestock project is crucial; it serves as a way to not only get the animal out of its pen for some exercising, but also to teach the animal that you are on its side and to build a bond that will be pivotal in the showmanship aspect. It will take time and patience for that animal to trust you 100% and to be accustomed to the fact of when he is out walking that it is not play time, but a time to work and go where he is asked to go.

Driving the Animal

Driving the hog is especially important in the show ring, as it will be very crowded and it will be your job to keep the hog out of the corners, off the fence and away from the crowd but rather in the open for the judge to easily evaluate. However, without the dedication at the farm you will not be able to do that. Your showmanship can determine if you deserve a spot or two higher or a spot or two lower. There are many showmanship clinics through the year as well as possibly having one at our farm. It is your job to put what you learn into practice. If you have any questions please ask your ag teacher.

ExercisingYour animal will need exercise to be in the best condition for the show ring. Start with 5-10 minutes and eventually work up to as long as the sheep and goats can go without opening his mouth and breathing hard or wheezing. Once they start the wheezing or open mouth breathing put them away. The more in shape they are the better the animal will perform on show day. It is a process that takes time, and will not happen overnight. Also, after an animal is sick it is generally good practice to give the animal a few days off of exercise to fully recuperate.

Record KeepingRecord keeping is very important in your livestock project. Record keeping can help you identify average daily gains of your animal, feeding habits, and profit margins of your project. A weekly weight sheet (found on page 10) is required by all in order to help the ag. teachers assist with the success of your project.

Keeping accurate records also helps make you eligible for many FFA awards. It is recommended to use the form on pages 11 and 12 help you keep up with all of your expenses for your project.

Meat Goat Resources and Activities:

-4-H Meat Goat Guide

https://agrilifebookstore.org/publications_details.cfm?wh ichpublication=975

-Howard College Goat Camp in Big Spring (June)

-Aggieland Goat Camp in College Station (July)

-Stock Shows (Local, County, Fairs and Majors) -Livestock Judging

-Quality Counts

-Record Book

· MAJOR STOCK SHOW WEIGHT BREAKS 2013-2014

GOATSFT.WORTH

Class I 50-66 Class 2 67-72 Class 3 73-76 Class 4 77-79 Class 5 80-83 Class 6 84-86 Class 7 87-89 Class 8 90-92 Class 9 93-97 Class 10 98- 101 Class II 102-108

Class I2 I09-I33

HOUSTON

Class I 65-72 Class 2 73-77 Class 3 78-8 IClass 4 82-85 Class 5 86-88 Class 6 89-9 IClass 7 92-94 Class 8 95-97 Class 9 98- I00 Class 10 101-104 Class I1 105-

110 Class 12 II1-II5

STATE FAIR

Class I 50-64 Class 2 65-69 Class 3 70-76 Class 4 77-80 Class 5 81-84 Class 6 85-88 Class 7 89-9 IClass 8 92-97 Class 9 98-II5

SAN ANGELO

Class I 60-69 Class 2 70-76 Class 3 77-8 IClass 4 82-85 Class 5 86-89 Class 6 90-93 Class 7 94-97 Class 8 98-10 IClass9 I02-I06 Class 10 107-115

SAN ANTONIO

Class I60-7I Class 2 72-76 Class 3 77-80 Class48I-83 Class 5 84-85 Class 6 86-88 Class 7 89-9 IClass 8 92-95 Class 9 96-98 Class I0 99- I02 Class II 103-107 Class I2 I08-II5

STAR OF TEXAS

Class I 61-72 Class 2 73-77 Class 3 78-8 IClass 4 82-84 Class 5 85-87 Class 6 88-90 Class 79 I-92 Class 8 93-94 Class 9 95-96 Class 10 97-99 Class II 100-102 Class 12 103-105 Class 13 106-

110 Class I4 I11-I13 Class 15 1I4-I20

MAJOR STOCK SHOW WEIGHT BREAKS 2014-2015

GOATSFT. WORTH

Class I 50-64 Class 2 65-69 Class 3 70-74 Class 4 75-77 Class 5 78-80 Class 6 8 I-84 Class 7 85-87 Class 8 88-90 Class 99I-94 Class I0 95-97 Class II 98-I03 Class I2 I04 +

HOUSTON

Class I 65-7 I Class 2 72-77 Class 3 78-8 IClass 4 82-85 Class 5 86-88 Class 6 89-9 IClass 7 92-94 Class 8 95-97 Class 9 98- I00 Class 10 101-104 Class I I 105-109 Class I2 I10-II5

STATE FAIR

Class I Sf-6Z Class 2 63-69 Class 3 70-75 Class 4 76-79 Class 5 80-84 Class 6 85-88 Class 7 89-95 Class 8 96-101 Class 9 I02-II5

SAN ANGELO Class I 60-70

Class 2 71-78 Class 3 79-82 Class 4 83-86 Class 5 87-89 Class 6 90-93 Class 7 94-97 Class 898-IOJ Class 9 I02- I08 Class I0 I09-II5

SAN ANTONIO

Class I 60-70 Class 2 71-75 Class 3 76-79 Class 4 80-83 Class 5 84-87 Class 6 88-90 Class 79I-94 Class 8 95-97 Class 9 98-I00 Class 10 101-104 Class III05-II0 Class 12 III-I15

STAR OF TEXAS

Class I 60-70 Class 2 71-76 Class 3 77-8 IClass 4 82-85 Class 5 86-88 Class 6 89-9 IClass 7 92-93 Class 8 94-95 Class 9 96-97 Class I0 98-99 ClassII100-10I Class 12 102-104 Class 13

105-107 Class 14 108-1 12Class I5 II3-I20

Equipment To properly feed and exhibit a club goat, it is necessary to have the following additional equipment:

• stiff brush to clean water troughs;

• shovel to clean pens;

• scales to weigh goats;

• trimming table;

• electric clippers with 20- and 23-tooth combs and cutters

• small animal grooming clippers;

• syringes and needles;

• goat blankets and/or socks;

• halters, collars and/or show chains;

• hoof trimmers;

• drench gun;

• small portable feed troughs;

• soft brush for grooming;

• water bucket. You may want the following optional equipment if you are exhibiting several goats at major shows:

• show box to hold equipment;

• hot air blower or dryer;

• portable livestock scales;

• extension cords;

• muzzles;

• electric fans.

like any other livestock project, is a family endeavor not only the students. What is learned through the process of raising an animal will be invaluable in life. You will build relationships, skills, and memories that will last a lifetime. If at any time in the project you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask one of the Ag Teachers. There is no question to small. This is a learning process for all involved.

Equipment

Small Bucket

The bucket will help you mix feed and measure out proper amounts of feel more easily.

Weekly Weight ChartIt is recommended to weigh on the same day every week (i.e. every Thursday).

Date Weight Average Daily Gain*

Facilities

These are some good examples of pens. Do some research on materials and customize yours to fit your project and your home.

*To calculate Average Daily Gain (ADG), determine how much weight the animal gained in a week, then divide by 7 days.

SAE Record Keeping

Breeder Date Purchased Cost of Animal

Date Purchased Supplies (Equipment) Cost

Dates Paid Pen Rent/Tags/Fees Cost

Dates Purchased # of Feed Bags Cost

Dates Purchased Other (Wormer, Electrolyte, etc.) Cost

Dates of Sale Sale or Premium (Where you make money from your animal)

Price Received