The divisions for the meat doe show are as follows:
Doe kids (age day of show):
0-6 months
7-12 months
Yearling does:
12-18 months
19-24 months
Senior does (must have kidded):
24-36 months
36 months+
Junior bucks:
0-6 months only
More info: email us at this page or call us at 845-4437
All does and bucks may be horned (market goats excluded). Meat does/bucks are not to be full body clipped. They may be trimmed up to a uniform appearance by cutting long hairs. We do not recommend using sprays, powders, dyes, or the like. All goats must have Scrapie tags or tattoos. Any animal showed in this show cannot be shown in another show (dairy, pygmy, or market)!
Here is that website for the downloadable PA meat goat guide that was mentioned at a 2007 meeting:
This guide is an invaluable source for the meat/market goat project. It contains everything that our project books should. Bookmark and feel free to reference it anytime.
This page was last updated on: November 6, 2009
Dairy Goats and Pygmy Goats:
The divisions for this show are as follows:
Senior Pygmies (1 year +)
Junior Pygmies (under 1 year)
Dairy does 5 years +
dairy doe 4 years old
dairy doe 3 years old
dairy doe 2 years old
dairy doe yearling in milk
Junior kid
Senior kid
Yearling dry
More info: call Carolyn Harris at 845-0747
All categories are for does only. No bucks or wethers are allowed in any class. All dairy goats must be full-body clipped and dehorned. Pygmies may have horns and do not need to be body clipped. All must have Scrapie tags or tattoos to be allowed on the fairgrounds. Any goat shown in this show cannot be shown in the meat goat show.
All aged does must be in milk.
Rabbit Categories:
Single rabbit does
Single rabbit bucks
in mini and standard classes
(May be further divided day of show
depending on entries)
Market rabbits
(classes to be decided day of show)
More info: call Ed Loy at 686-3399
Project Highlights:
Market Goats: Must be born on or after January 1, 2010. Must be disbudded. Males must be castrated. Does are allowed. Both sexes must have Scrapie tags in their ear before weigh in. Weigh in is first Saturday in May, unless otherwise announced. Goats must be in your possession on this date. Meat breeds are encouraged, but not required. There is no dairy wether category. You may weigh in two goats, but may only show and sell one. You may have a family backup, instead of individual backups for each family member. This project participates in showmanship. Must be Scrapie compliant. Shown with a collar only--no leads or halters.
The 4-H Meat Goat Project books are entitled: Just Browsing, Get Growing with Meat Goats, and Meating the Future.All goat projects use the same record guide.
Meat Goats: These are usually already in your possession when you sign up for the project. They are not sold, only shown. They can be does of any meat breed or percentage. They cannot be shown in pygmy classes or dairy classes. Female market goat backups that are not used as a market project may be used as a meat doe project for FFA or 4-H. You do not have to weigh meat does in (unless it is a backup market goat). Bucks may be shown as long as they are 6 months old or younger at fair time. These goats do not need to be disbudded or dehorned. This project also participates in showmanship. They must be Scrapie compliant. Shown with collar and lead--especially if they are horned. The 4-H Meat Goat Project books are entitled: Just Browsing, Get Growing with Meat Goats, and Meating the Future. All goat projects use the same record guide.
Dairy Goats: These are also goats that are usually already in your possession when you sign up for the project. All goats must be shown in milk unless they fall into a kid class or a dry yearling class. To be shown in milk, you must breed them in the fall or winter and have them kid (give birth). This project is does only and no bucks or wethers may be shown. They must be disbudded or dehorned. This project participates in showmanship also. Goats in this category may not be shown as a meat doe or pygmy doe. They must be Scrapie compliant. Shown with collar only. The 4-H Dairy Goat Project books are entitled: Getting Your Goat and Stepping Out. All goat projects use the same record guide.
Pygmy Goats: These goats are also usually in your possession when you sign up for the project. Pygmy goats could also be classified as meat goats, but you may only show in one show. If you show them as a pygmy goat, you may not show in a meat class also and vise versa. This project also does not have a buck or wether class. Pygmies do not need to be disbudded or dehorned. Pygmy projects also participate in showmanship. If you are unsure of whether your goat is classified as a pygmy, please ask the superintendent. May be shown with a collar and lead. All goat projects use the same record guide.
Market Rabbits: Rabbits in this project are shown and sold at auction. You must have a pen of three. Rabbits shown as a pen of three cannot be shown singly. Meat breeds of rabbits are recommended. If you are unsure of what constitutes a meat breed, please consult the superintendent. The purpose of this project is to raise three rabbits as closely in weight and size as possible. Rabbits cannot be over 12 weeks of age at fair time and may be of either sex. Showmanship is voluntary. You must provide a means of transporting your rabbits to the show and sale (ie: milk crate, bucket, carrier, etc). The 4-H Project Books for rabbits are entitled: What's Hoppening?, Making Tracks, and All Ears. All rabbit projects use the same record guide.
Show Rabbits: These rabbits are shown as a single. There are categories for both bucks and does. Mini breeds and standard breeds show separately. Further classes will be decided as entries dictate. These rabbits are not sold. These are also usually already in your possession when you sign up for the project. Must complete a record guide for this project. Showmanship is voluntary. They must also have a carrier. The 4-H Project Books for rabbits are entitled: What's Hoppening?, Making Tracks, and All Ears.All rabbit projectsuse the same record guide.
All4-Hprojects (not just market ones) must complete a book and a record guide. No exceptions! All books and guides are due by Saturday of fair week. Please turn them in on time!PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR ACTIVITY SCORE IS ON THE BOOK!FFA books are due on Sunday after weigh-in to Mr. Dotson. Any questions can be directed to him.
Remember: All goats (dairy, pygmy, meat does, meat bucks, and all market goats) MUST have a USDA Scrapie tag in its ear to be on the fairgrounds. An official Scrapie tattoo, accompanied by registration papers, is also permitted for registered show stock as an alternative to the USDA tag. This is NOT ALLOWED for market animals. If you need Scrapie tags or more information please contact: 1-866-873-2824. These websites may also be of help: www.animalagriculture.org/scrapie or www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/scrapie. Please allow a lot of time for the ordering, printing, and shipping of Scrapie tags if you are ordering them for fair.
Use this link to go to a chart to see when to breed your goats and when bred goats might be due to kid.
Show Classes for Meat, Dairy, and Rabbit Shows:
We have enrolled in the KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS program. This is a voluntary fundraiser that is EASY! All you have to do is go to the krogercommunityrewards.com website and register your Kroger Plus card. You will need the following NPO number: 84130. Before registering your card, you will have to click on SIGN UP TODAY in the "new customer" box. Then, after your card is registered, everytime you make a purchase, a donation will be made to our club. We will receive our portion once every quarter, so this is an ongoing fundraiser. If you have any questions, call or email me and I'll try to answer them. You may also have your friends and family use our number and they can help our club also!
Fundraising Opportunities:
A note to those breeding your own goats for market goats for 2009-2010:
August 5, 2009, was the date to start breeding your goats for January 1, 2010, kids. If you do not wish to breed for then, please use the link at the bottom of this page to figure out when you need to put your buck in for the date you want to kid.
As always, now that fair's over, we have to start looking ahead for next year's fair. If you are planning on taking a market goat or know someone who is, please make sure you connect with a breeder and get on a reserve list for market goats for 2010. Many breeders' list fill up before their fairs are even over and you don't want to be scrambling for a market goat at the the last minute.
Some places to look for breeders:
Farm and Dairy--in the paper or online at farmanddairy.com
Google "Boer goat breeders" or "meat goat breeders"
Ask other members
All classes are the same for Open Class. Same clipping rules apply. Open classes must pay fairboard entry fee and fill out livestock entry forms.
Fundraising Update:
We have received a statement for our first quarter enrolled in the Kroger Rewards program. There are only four members' families enrolled, including mine. With us four we have managed to earn the club $28.92. Not bad, considering. Now imagine if all or most of our families were enrolled how much money we'd be making for doing nothing except our usual weekly shopping. This has to be the easiest fundraiser we have ever participated in.
Next Meeting: December 17, 2009, at The Barn
The updated Constitution and By-Laws will be mailed to everyone as soon as they are prepared. Thanks to everyone who came to the meeting and gave your input.
Be thinking about what programs you'd like to see done this year, as well as workshops, clinics, etc. Consider if you want to have an overnighter this spring and when would be a good time. Also start thinking about new t-shirt slogans. Please keep in mind that all programming takes a lot of time to arrange and implement, so think about whether you'll be able to attend before suggesting something.
All project books were returned at the last meeting. If you were not there to pick up yours, it was left at the Extension Office to be picked up by your club leader. If you do not receive it from your club leader, inquire about it. Once I give them to the office, I have no control over where they go and I cannot trace them.
In a few days you will be receiving your order forms for the covered pan bakeware fundraiser that was voted on at the last meeting. Please remember that deadline is December 1 to the Extension Office or to Carolyn. Her contact info is at the bottom of this page and will be on the letter you receive with your order form.
Click on the logo to link you to a page with the logo that you can print off and use for your Christmas card design idea. Remember: Deadline for designs is December 1!!
