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The Western Illinois University Goat Testing Facility

The 2009 Western Illinois University (WIU) Midwest Buck Test will be a confinement test designed and overseen by a consortium of midwestern states and meat goat associations (Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota) under the auspices of the American Meat Goat Association (AMGA). The test will be administered by the WIU School of Agriculture in Macomb, IL.

The 2009 test will evaluate and compare test bucks in a common environment for average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (FE), scrotal circumference, rear leg circumference, ribeye area (REA) and fat. In addition for 2009, the test will add parasite load evaluation (via fecal egg count and FAMACHA scoring) and a trial effort to objectively measure hoof growth.

The test interval will be a total of 90d comprising 6d of adjustment followed by 84d of testing divided into approximately 21d quarters. During this period of time the bucks will be provided with free-choice, complete, pelleted feed rations; clean potable water; and free-choice salt (with trace minerals). The test animals will be subjected to handling only during data gathering at the completion of each test division.

The WIU test facility is equipped with a FIRE (Feed Intake Recording Equipment) system that allows continuous recording of individual buck feed intake. (This is the system that allows feed efficiency to be determined for each buck.)