A perceived lack of response to breeder concerns by the existing registries has prompted a group of North Central Texas Boer goat breeders to form a new registry. The service, titled National Boer Goat Association, will be headquartered in Wetherford, Texas.

According to James Williams, spokesperson for the newly formed NBGA, the primary drawing cards for new members will be mandatory DNA testing of bucks prior to registration and a "score card" that show judges must use.

DNA testing services, available to members only, have been contracted through UC Davis at a member cost of $40 per test. Registration Certificates of tested bucks will be stamped "DNA Certified".

Registration, contracted through United Sheep Registries based in Milo, Ohio, will be open to does, 50% Boer influence and over, and fullbred/purebred Boer bucks.

The association has planned several "town meetings" over the next few months aimed at introducing Boer goat breeders to the new services. The first such meeting is scheduled for December 16th, 2006 at 9 am in the Days Inn conference room, Brownwood, TX. A second meeting, January 20th, 2007, will be held at the LaQuinta Inn in Wetherford, Texas, starting at 10 am. Additional meeting locations and dates will be announced through the media including the BoerGoats.com events calendar.

Two sales, featuring members-only stock, are planned each year. One is to be brood and replacement stock and the other to be high-producing/show bucks and show does.

The NBGA will implement an ennoblement program similar to that of the ABGA. 100 points will be required for ennoblement status. Points will be awarded based on class size; the larger the class the more goats will receive points. In a class of up to 10 entries the 1st place goat will receive 10 points, 2nd will receive 5. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th places will receive points in a class of 16 through 20 goats.

Two unique extensions of the ennoblement program are planned.
The Ennobled Percentage Doe program will require that the doe have two or more offspring receiving a combined 50 points to qualify for ennoblement.
Elite Wether Sire status will be awarded to the sire of wethers who have won 3 county shows. DNA testing of both the sire and the wethers is required.

Youth programs will be a very large part of the association. A Youth Hall Of Fame, similar to that of other breed registries, is planned. Youth who have won 20 championships will be nominated for the program. The nomination must be approved by a majority vote of the other youth in the association.

Clinics and conferences concerning goat management, featuring 4 or 5 speakers each, are also planned.

Additional information about the National Boer Goat Association may be obtained by contacting
Mr. James Williams, wranchboers1@sbcglobal.net, phone 817-599-3787 or
Mr. Jet Florence, jetflorence@hotmail.com, phone 325-998-2785.