Bharti Deshmukh, Neeraj Kashyap and Revathy T.
Selection is the major tools in breeders’ hand to move their livestock herd towards desired direction as it improves the genetic potential by increasing the frequency of desirable alleles in the population. Judging facilitates the evaluations of livestock/goat based on certain criteria like conformation, and suitability to determine their suitability for various purposes such as breeding, showing, or commercial production of meat, milk and/or skin. Selecting animals involves consideration for various factors of the animal such as breed, age, health status, and intended use (milk, meat, skin, and fibre). Therefore, it is very important to know the fundamentals of selection of superior animals in terms of body confirmation as well as genetic performance.
Criteria for selection
While selecting goats, three main aids available to livestock keepers are:
- Visual characteristics: Selection based on visual characteristics is quick, efficient, and cost effective for morphological and behavioural of traits, particularly for the traits for which raw data or EBVs are not available viz. temperament, and confirmation traits.
- Raw data: Quantitative traits, being measurable, can be better improved using raw data as compare to the visual selection. The raw performance records on the animals reflects the effects of genotype and environment under which animal has been reared; therefore, combination of both would be a good criterion of selection. The selection using raw data thus may prove better than visual selection, however the response to selection can be satisfactory only for the traits having very high heritability. The traits having moderate to low heritability, have a good amount of influence of environment in it, thus the genetic rank may not be reflected well in ranks based on raw data.
- Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs): The raw data with pedigree and other environmental information may be utilized simultaneously in some specialized statistical methods, particularly BLUP to calculate actual genetic worth of the animals for the traits recorded. The calculated genetic worth is called Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs), and it helps breeders to make more accurate selection and breeding decisions for genetic improvement of animals. EBVs take into account the known environmental influences/factors that can influence a goat’s visual or measured performance such as birth type (single, twin), age of dam etc. Information from relatives and the heritability of each trait are also used to determine an EBV.
Selection of does
The selection of breeding females is a multi-step process that is based on breed, growth, reproduction, and production performance. The first screening begins with birth weight and breed characteristics, followed by body weight and growth rate assessment at weaning age (3 and 4 months), 6 to 9 months of age, then at one year of age. Only animals with physical fitness with good growth rate and high genetic merit should be kept. Based on the reproductive, productive performance as well as mothering ability upon first kidding, does should be further selected. The maintenance of breeding does should be based on higher reproductive performance in addition to good body confirmation and udder characteristics.
Selection of bucks
Accurate selection of breeding bucks is very important as they contribute more in the genetic improvement of the herd as compare to female, through selective breeding. A replacement male can be selected from the contemporary group at weaning (3 to 4 months of age) based on weaning weight. Subsequently, a postweaning growth evaluation can be made by 6 to 9 months of age. At 9-12 months of age, a buck can serve a small number of females in a herd. At two years of age, bucks are considered adults capable of serving a large number of does in heat. In general, a good herd sire should be selected based on structural and breeding soundness. Structurally, a good buck must present male characteristics such as the masculinity, adequate muscling, conformation of the head and neck, and standard buck vocalization.
Judging of goats
There are many ways by which animals presented for judging can be grouped. This obviously enables objective comparisons to be made during a judging session. First, animals are grouped or categorized into breed type (i.e dairy versus meat or dual-purpose types), depending on the primary product for which the breed is kept or is known/suited for. Judging of the animals requires a trained eye and an understanding of breed standards, as well as experience in evaluating various physical traits.
To know the right proportions for body parts of female and male goats is prerequisite for understanding the judging of goats. The animals can be judged for general appearance and the specific traits can be assessed as per following points:
- General Appearance: The general appearance of the goats includes breed characters, clear and bright eyes, stature, coat colour, well-groomed coat, hair length, vigor and gait.
Body Condition: The goat should be in good body condition, neither underweight nor overweight. Judges will evaluate the muscle tone, body proportions, and overall fitness of the goat. If we evaluate the body condition score of the goat on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being emaciated and 5 being obese. Ideally, the goat should be at a score of 3, indicating a healthy weight.
Coat and Skin: Clean, shiny coat with absence of parasites is desirable.
Eyes: The eyes should be bright, alert, and free from excessive discharge.
Nose and Mouth: The nose should be clean and moist, without any excessive discharge. Check for signs of respiratory issues or abnormalities in the mouth such as excessive drooling, foul odour, or lesions on the gums.
- Body Conformation/ Physical characteristics: This refers to the overall physical structure of the goat, including body shape, proportion, and muscling. Goats with overall balance, straight legs, a strong back, well balanced proportions and a level top line will be appreciated.
Balance: A well-balanced goat should appear proportionate with no exaggerated features. It should have a harmonious blend of body parts without any one part being overly large or small in relation to the rest of the body.
Head: The head should be proportionate to the body, with a straight or slightly concave profile. Eyes should be bright and alert, and ears should be of appropriate size and shape for the breed. Jaws should be strong and muzzles wide. Under or over-shot pallets are undesirable. However, many of the head characteristics are breed specific and thus breed characteristics need to be taken in consideration as well.
Neck: The neck should be long, strong and smoothly blended into the body. Throat usually is clean in does, whereas in males dewlap may or may not be present.
Shoulders and Chest: The chest should be deep, broad and well-muscled (not fattened). Shoulder blades should be set smoothly against body providing a sturdy foundation for the front end of the goat.
Front legs: No curvature should be there in the legs. Stronger legs indicate the animal’s capacity to support heavier mature weight, later in life. The knees on the front legs should also be smooth and in direct line with the front legs.
Front hooves and pasterns: Hoof angle and hoof health are very important criteria for animals used for breeding and productive purposes. Well-trimmed, symmetrical, proportionate to the body and healthy hooves (without any infection, bruises, wound etc.) with level soles are desirable as it provides comfort and balance to the feet’s which eventually enhances the performance of the animals.
Withers: Animals with distinct, wedge shaped and moderately muscling wither are desired.
Heart girth: Well-sprung anterior ribs and wide chest floor (area between the forelegs) and fullness at the point of elbows leading to make animals with moderate to wide heart girth are appreciated. Heart girth is positively correlated to live weight, and is used to predict animal’s weight.
Back and rump: Back of the animal should be approximately straight, wide, and level from shoulders to hips, and with moderate muscling. Rump should be long, wide, and smoothly blended into the tail, with a slight slope from hips to tail head which avoids difficulty in the kidding.
Rear legs: The rear legs should be straight, well-angulated with moderate rear leg space, strong pasterns and correct hoof alignment are the very important criteria with respect to rear legs profiles.
Thighs: The good thighs are incurving to flat from the side and wide apart when viewed from rear to provide sufficient space for udder.
Rear hooves and pasterns: Well-trimmed, well-spaced, proportionate to the body and healthy hooves (without any infection, abnormality, bruises, wound etc.) with level soles are desirable.
Vulva in does: Smaller size for non-breeding and younger animals and comparatively bigger size in older and freshened animals, with normal clear (during estrus) and colored discharge during post-parturient period is expected. Inflamed vulva with abnormal size and discharge is not desirable.
Tail: Tail should be small but hanging or bending upwards with tuft of hair at the end. Thinner tails are preferred over fattened or abnormal tail.
- Udder and teats in the does
Size of the udder: Long, wide and capacious udders are appreciated. There is positive correlation between udder size and milk yield. Capacity of udder is mainly determined by its shape. Udder should be carried well forward, be tightly attached and blend smoothly into body. Udder should be wide and high.
Udder balance: Both the udder halves should be similar in size with balance and symmetry. Earlier studies suggested that udder balance is related to testicular symmetry. Selecting bucks with symmetrical testicles result in female offspring with symmetrical udders and vice-versa.
Udder texture: Upon palpation, udder should be soft and pliable (without swelling/hardening/tissue/lump etc.). Elastic udder which can collapse after milking is appreciated over others.
Udder support: Medial suspensory ligament is the main support for the udder. It divides the udder into two halves and holds the udder to the body. The strength, elasticity and length of the ligament determine the udder height. Too tight and too loose udders are not desired.
Teat size: Both the teats should have equal size rather to have over long (prone to mastitis, injuries etc.) or over short teats (under developed/poorly developed). Blind teat, bulbous, or supernumerary teats are not desirable.
Teat shape: Cylindrical shape is preferred in many goat breeds but not in Beetals. Most does have bottle-shaped teats. Cylindrical shaped teats should be emphasized in dam selection and by so doing, this trait would gradually be improved.
Teat placement: Teats should be pointed straight downwards and slightly pointed frontwards. Teats pointed inwards or outwards are not preferred.
C) Muscling: It refers to the development and conditioning of goats. Muscling is an important aspect of overall health and productivity in goats, particularly in those raised for meat production. Well-developed muscles contribute to better body condition, growth, and meat quality. A goat should exhibit good muscle development throughout the body, particularly in the hindquarters and loin area. The conditioning of the goats should be in such a manner that animal has good body condition score (neither too fat nor too thin). Proper management practices, including providing adequate nutrition, veterinary care, and attention to genetic selection, can help maximize muscling in goats, whether for meat production or other purposes. Several factors influence the muscling of goats:
Genetics: Different goat breeds have varying genetic potentials for muscle development. Some breeds, such as Boer goats, are known for their superior muscling compared to others.
Nutrition: A balanced diet rich in protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals is essential for optimal muscle growth in goats. Adequate nutrition supports muscle development and overall body condition.
Exercise: Regular physical activity encourages muscle development in goats. Access to pasture or sufficient space for exercise can promote muscle tone and overall health.
Age and sex: Younger goats tend to have less muscle mass compared to adults. Additionally, male goats (bucks) typically have more pronounced muscling than females (does), especially in the neck and shoulders.
Health: Goats should be kept free from diseases and parasites that can negatively impact their muscle development and overall condition.
D) Movement: The goat should be able to move freely and easily, with a smooth, efficient gait. Movement should be balanced and coordinated, with no signs of stiffness, limping, or irregularity. It requires trained eye and an understanding of biomechanics, conformation, and athletic ability. By carefully observing and evaluating these factors, the goat’s movement, and its suitability for various purposes, whether it be showing, performance, or breeding can be assessed.
E) Breed Standards: It is important to be familiar with the specific breed standards for the type of goat being judged and evaluate each animal based on how well it conforms to those standards. Each breed has specific standards that outline desired traits such as coat colour, ear shape, horn configuration (if present), and other physical characteristics. Comparison should be made considering the breed standards.
F) Temperament of animal: It is not directly related to conformation; a goat’s temperament can also be assessed during judging. A calm, cooperative demeanour is often desirable, especially in show animals.
Judging needs very eager and trained eyes which can distinguished extraordinarily good features and those with gross faults. It helps to suggest the goat keepers regarding positive points and the areas that may need improvement. Judging criteria may vary slightly depending on the type of competition (e.g., breed shows, market shows, youth shows) and the specific goals of the event. Overall, goat judging involves a combination of subjective assessment based on visual inspection and adherence to breed standards.
