Kiko Buck Test in the Southeast. Helping farmers to have a sustainable meat goat business.

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Commodities

• Animals: goats

Practices

• Animal Production: animal protection and health, feed/forage, grazing management, grazing - rotational, livestock breeding, parasite control, pasture renovation, range improvement, rangeland/pasture management, stocking rate
• Education and Training: decision support system, demonstration, extension, farmer to farmer, networking, on-farm/ranch research

The first buck test in Mississippi was developed in Greene County, under real commercial farm conditions. In the 2023 test, 45 farmers from 14 states took part, consigning a total of 89 in the test. For current goat farmers in the southeast and for those wanting to come into the goat business, buck tests give them the possibility of buying animals that adapt and perform better in their conditions, which makes their business more sustainable for the southeast. The objectives of the test are:

1. Identify meat goat genetics with resistance/resilience to the stresses present in the Southeast, including internal parasites, high temperatures, and the utilization of native vegetation and commonly planted forages.
2. Identify meat goat genetics that most efficiently convert pasture to a salable carcass.
3. Based upon polling of producers and input from industry experts, incorporate additional studies in future tests that will provide meaningful data for producers to improve their production efficiency and profitability.

By applying to this grant, we want to ensure funds for developing 2 more years of Buck tests in MS to increase the sustainability of the business, and revenue of farmers, and improve their quality of life.

The test will consist of 100 to 200 bucks in year 1, dependent on forage conditions, with adjustment in later tests based upon test site conditions.  The test site will be White Sands Research Center in MS.  Bucks for year 1 will be limited to purebred or 100% Kiko, born between December 15 and March 1 of the test year.  Beginning in year 2, the age range of consignments may be adjusted to lessen the variable of age differences during the test or to include an additional opportunity to consign.  The kidding window will be determined by polling so that as many producers as possible can participate in the test.  Two bucks per farmer unless all slots are not filled, in which case additional bucks can be added per farmer at the discretion of MSSTATE.  MSSTATE will determine the order in which to increase the number of consignments.  Bucks must be a minimum of 40 pounds with a 2% allowance for bucks traveling in from out of State.  The animals must have a Scrapie tag and a certificate of health from their veterinarian. The bucks must be weaned at least 2 weeks prior to the test, vaccinated for CDT, and pneumonia (Pasteurella multocida), and have one hoof trim.  Bucks will be required to have identified sire and dam, birth date, birth weight, and weaning weight.  Nominations will be open from April 15 – May 15. Funds will be used to cover farm labor, feed, hay and any necessary treatments.  Upon check-in, the bucks will be given an exam by a veterinarian, with any buck showing signs of communicable diseases being disqualified. The bucks will receive a tag with their test id, an initial health check-up, and a deworming with 3 classes of dewormer (Valbazen, Ivermectin, and Levamisole). They will also be orally drenched with a coccidiostat, given a shot of oxytetracycline for shipping fever prevention, and given a zinc sulfate solution hoof bath.  A blood sample of 0.5 cc will be drawn at check-in to determine PVC and preserved for future genome projects.  A fecal sample will be collected prior to deworming.  The use of copper bolus and hormone implants is strictly prohibited.  A two-week warm-up period will take place in the quarantine lot beginning June 25.  During this warm-up period, the animals will be fed a diet consisting of quality hay and commercial 16% goat pellets.  Bucks that show signs of having anthelmintic-resistant parasites (as determined by the FEC reduction test 10-14 days following initial deworming) will be disqualified. Isolation to the dry lot areas during warmup will allow the identification of anthelmintic-resistant parasites prior to the forage test, thus preventing the spread of those parasites to the forage test plots.  Animals with external abscesses will be isolated and disqualified from the test.  The forage test will be 84 days beginning July 9.  The forage test will be conducted on approximately 30 acres consisting of 3 forage plots and a handling facility.  The forage plots in year 1 will consist of warm-weather grasses commonly grown in the Southeast, including Bahia, Bermuda, and other forages as determined by the University Forage Specialist. The animals will have access to Sweetlix Meatmaker 16:8 Mineral or equivalent for the duration of the test. Prior to the forage test, samples will be tested from forage plots to determine parasite load for informational purposes.  During the forage test, the rotation will be approximately every 14 days, or as deemed necessary.  The bucks will be checked approximately every two weeks during the forage test and adjustment period.  Checkups will include Weight, ADG, FEC, FAMACHA, and BCS.  The animals will have an SC measurement, REA, and USDA Grading taken at the start and finish of the test.

Bucks that have a BCS of 1.5 AND an FEC of >2500 epg will be dewormed.

Bucks with a FAMACHA of 4 AND an FEC of >2500 epg will be dewormed.

Any animal that is dewormed will be disqualified from ranking in the final ranking. At the conclusion of the test, bucks will be dewormed if the farmer chooses, which will avoid withdrawal time complications for those bucks destined for slaughter.  Animals that are disqualified after drop off, for any reason, will be held for a two-week period to allow producers the opportunity to pick the animal up. After two weeks, any disqualified animals being held will be liquidated to a local livestock market unless other arrangements have been made with MSSTATE.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES

A clean needle will be used for each animal when giving shots.  The herd will be checked daily by trained personnel for early detection of illness including internal parasites.  Visitor access to barns and pastures will be restricted for the duration of the test.  Farmers who wish to visit the site during the test may contact MSSTATE to request an appointment and will be issued disposable shoe covers and escorted to the site.  Vehicle traffic at test sites is prohibited during tests.  Animals that display signs of sore mouth or pink eye will be removed from the test site and placed in a quarantine pen for treatment and fed individually, returning to the test site after the condition is cured.  Feed, hay, and minerals will be provided in troughs or racks.  Animals with signs of CL abscesses will be withdrawn from the test.  Pens, working facilities, tools and utensils, waterers, and service vehicles will be disinfected with potent disinfectant.  In case of death, the farmer will be given the option to have a necropsy conducted at their expense.