Goats gaining popularity at stock shows

WOODWARD, Okla. (AP)--Although a relatively new program in northwest Oklahoma, goat shows are rapidly increasing in popularity and number of participants.

The Woodward District FFA and 4-H Livestock Show first included a goat show only three years ago.

Marlin Trissel, co-chairman for the district show, said the program is flourishing, growing from only 35 goats in its first year to almost 180 at this year's show.

Trissel said part of the program's popularity springs from its novelty.

He said as a new option for show animals, goats are attracting both experienced showers and newcomers.

"It's involving a lot of kids that like goats that normally wouldn't show," he said.

The fact that the program reaches out to a new group of children is one of the main reasons the program began, Trissel said.

Some of these newcomers are younger children said Terry Nelson, Woodward County OSU Extension director.

He said because of the goats' ease of handling, even 9- and 10-year-olds are able to show them.

Part of what makes the goats so much easier to handle is their smaller size, Nelson said, which makes it easier to keep control of them in the show ring.

Beyond their behavior in the ring, he said the goats are also easier to handle financially.

Trissel agreed, saying it is a lot cheaper to feed goats than other show animals.

"It's a size thing and a cost thing," Nelson said, commenting that both these aspects add greatly to the popularity of showing goats.

Trissel added that the popularity also is fueled by the demand for goat meat.

"They're getting very popular as a meat," he said.

In fact, Nelson said the past 10 years has seen a dramatic increase in the production of goat meat.

Don Lenhart, a producer from the Freedom area, said that worldwide more goat meat is eaten than any other type of meat.

Lenhart said like goat shows the industry for goat meat is relatively new in Oklahoma yet quickly growing.

The growth of the industry seems to spur the growth of the shows, especially as the industry supports the shows.

Trissel said the Oklahoma Meat Goat Association was very active in starting the district goat show and continues to provide tremendous support for the show.

During the district goat show, four students learned just how competitive it could be and how good it can feel to come out on top.

Brandon Morgan from Newcastle had the difficult job of choosing these winners as he judged some 180 doe and wether goats.

Morgan said he looked at a combination of factors as he determined which goats were the best, judging them based on their muscle, balance and structural correctness.

However, beyond the thrill of competition, Lenhart said showing goats also can be a lot of fun.

"Kids have a lot more fun doing this than other projects," Lenhart said.

Morgan agreed, saying that the goats have a lot of personality which makes them fun and popular to show.

From personality to price, whatever the reason show participants like goats, Nelson said their popularity will continue.

With the number of goats already equal to the number of sheep being shown at the district show, he said he expects that number to keep getting bigger.

"We're going to have large numbers from here on out," Nelson said.

2 Star EK

3/26/07

14

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Date: 3/22/07

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