The Boer Goat
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The word Boer translates to English as "farmer".
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The Boer is an improved goat which is bred primarily for meat. The Boer goat is being used very effectively in combination with cattle due to its preference for browse and the resulting limited impact on the grass cover. When the primary feed source is limited to graze seven (7) Boer goats and their kids can be managed in the same area required for one (1) cow/calf pair.
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MATURE BOER BUCKS (RAMS) WEIGH BETWEEN 240 AND 300 lbs (110-135 kg)
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MATURE BOER DOES (EWES) WEIGH BETWEEN 200 AND 225 lbs (90-100 kg)
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Recent US performance tests demonstrate that exceptional individual Boer kids are capable of average daily gains above 0.94 lb/day (427 g/day) in feedlot. Performance of nursing market kids under range conditions can be expected to be 0.4-0.6 lbs/day (200-300 g/day) from birth to weaning age. The ovulation rate for Boer goats ranges from 1 to 4 eggs per doe. A kidding rate of 200% is common for this breed. The Boer goat also has an extended breeding season making possible 3 kiddings every 2 years.
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The South African Boer registry was established in 1959. Since 1970 the Boer goat has been incorporated into the National Mutton Sheep and Goat Performance Testing Scheme making it the first goat breed involved in meat production performance testing.
The American Boer Goat Association registry was formed in June of 1993 to record and certify the relative breed purity of Boer and Boer cross goats in the United States.
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References:
American Boer Goat Association
Boerbok Nuus, Official magazine of the South African Boer Breeders Association
Mason, I.L. 1988. World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds. Third Edition. C.A.B
International. 348 pp.
Angelo State University Performance Data
Photographs and graphics:
American Boer Goat Association
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