WKU Farm Conducting Goat
Performance Testing
April 20, 2004
Bowling Green, Ky. - As a continuing part of its research and service, the Western Kentucky University Department of Agriculture is conducting a goat performance test for the Mammoth Cave Goat Producers Association.
The performance test compares the daily weight gain of male (buck) goats fed a grain and forage ration for 85 days. Bucks that gain the most weight have the tendency to pass that trait on to their offspring. Breeders will choose these fast growing bucks as their future sires to pass this trait on to their progeny.
Goats from farms in Kentucky and Ohio are entered into the feeding trial. At the end of the feeding period, the goats will be auctioned to breeders who wish to add the genetics to their herds.
Goat meat is the fastest growing segment of the meat market. Many ethnic groups prefer goat meat to the traditional beef, pork and chicken found on most U.S. dinner plates. Goat meat is also an important part of certain ethnic holidays.
"This is another service that Western can provide due to having a farm that can meet the research demands of Kentucky's agricultural movement away from tobacco and into other value added farm production," said Dr. Jenks Britt, agriculture department head.
The production sale will be held July 31 at the L.D. Brown Agricultural Exposition Center. For information, call the Department of Agriculture at (270) 745-3151.
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