Goats breeders need to test their kids, the goat kids. The public schools will test the other ones. So why should a breeder test kids? Because breeders should want:
- to improve their herds by finding out areas needing improvement
- want to sell with integrity and not false promises
- meet other breeders who have livestock that complement their own herds
- better the goat industry by supporting those conducting the tests
We have bought goats from several sources over the years with all kinds of results; some good, some not. The animals that didn't turn out to be what we expected were not necessarily sold to us by people who were dishonest or mean spirited. Some breeders raised goats designed for the show ring and a nice barn between shows. The breeders just didn't understand our ranch and the rugged environment where our goats live. Some of the goats we bought came with assurances that were genuinely believed by the seller, although never fulfilled.
A dead goat is just as much a financial loss bought from a disingenuous breeder as it is from an honest breeder that doesn't know the limitations of his goats. If you want to make money in the goat business, you MUST have quality goats or spend a lot of time taking care of them. Pedigrees are not the same as genetics. Pedigrees are an indicator of genetics, nothing more. We have the papers of the dead goats to prove it.
People wanting to get into the meat goat business need to locate quality breeding stock: parasite resistant, sound feet, good foragers, and capable of raising more of the same. Forage tests help verify what breeders tell you and likely really believe to be true.
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