The American Goat Federation – *** PROVIDING a UNIFIED VOICE for ALL ELEMENTS of the GOAT INDUSTRY***

COVID-19 [CORONAVIRUS] AND THE GOAT INDUSTRY

Almost every goat producer is being affected by the current restrictions that have been enacted in efforts to control the spread of this virus. As livestock producers, those of us in the industry are familiar with biosecurity measures because we use them regularly. AGF urges everyone to be vigilant and take those biosecurity measures with them if traveling for groceries, or other necessities. Also, please self-quarantine when experiencing any respiratory symptoms, regardless of how minor they seem. Incubation time period is only 14 days - we all can survive that. At the same time, it is important that we all abide by the restrictions on gatherings, travel, and other activities. Because the timing of restrictions, and removal of these restrictions is uncertain, many events are being canceled with short notice. AGF will try to keep our information updated, but while we are in the throes of this virus, check before assuming an event is still taking place.

Be safe, do your best to be happy, and be thankful you have goats to help alleviate the stress of this uncertain time.

The American Goat Federation represents the interests of more than 150,000 producers engaged in the sustainable production and marketing of goat milk, meat, fiber, breeding stock, pack goat and grazing services across the United States. Members of member organizations can join AGF as Individual members at a discounted rate. Each member organization has an individual membership for one of their members or directors as well as the opportunity to have a representative serve on the AGF Board of Directors. Individual and Affiliate members of AGF can participate in government and research surveys that can affect the goat industry, receive reduced fees for AGF Seminars, access free marketing and other programs for AGF members, and help support various activities of other goat-related organizations. Read More

The AMERICAN GOAT INITIATIVE

AGF believes there is a significant need for a national center for goat research and education, similar to the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center. After extensive research and discussions with federal government officials it became apparent that federal funding like that that supports the NSIIC would not be available. In 2018, AGF received a substantial sum of seed money to establish a National Goat Center and that entity has been organized and registered with the Federal government. The name of the association is the American Goat Initiative (A.G.I.) and it is a 501 (c) 3 scientific research and educational nonprofit foundation able to accept tax deductible donations.

Mission: Advance the US Goat Industry through Education, Scientific Research and Collaboration.

Vision: Improve industry knowledge, vision and growth by educating producers, processors, distributors, marketers and consumers. Increase efficient production while ensuring product safety and food security by supporting and coordinating scientific research projects that meet the A.G.I. Mission.

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News of Note

USMAC (new North American Trade Deal) Clears House by a vote of 385 to 41.
U.S. Senate approves FY2020 Appropriations Bill, following the House of Representatives vote on Tuesday, marking final passage of the legislation and averting the possibility of a government shutdown pending the president's signature. Of Interest to the American goat industry the bill includes funding for Wildlife Services damage management and methods development at or above fiscal year 2019 levels, funding for the Scrapie Eradication Program through USDA/APHISat roughly 2019 levels, funding the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, and providing a delay on the implementation of Electronic Logging Devices for livestock haulers through Sept. 30, 2020.
Korean group of meat buyers to visit US sheep and goat farms this year. AGF member ranches will be included in the visit.
An international team of scientists has said that they may have identified the origin of mad cow disease. BSE belongs to a group of rare neurodegenerative diseases such as Scrapie that are caused by mysterious infectious pathogens that affect humans and other animals. For a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*, the team of scientists investigated the origins of BSE by injecting a particular variant of scrapie disease into mice which have been genetically modified with bovine DNA. The researchers say that, unexpectedly, the injection of the scrapie strain into the genetically modified mice resulted in the propagation of classical mad cow disease prions. These prions are present in natural form in the scrapie variant. Learn More
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced Nov. 15 an open period for grant applications to support development and approval or conditional approval of new animal drugs intended to treat uncommon diseases (minor uses) in major species - horses, dogs, cats, cattle, pigs, turkeys and chickens - or to treat minor species (MUMS). FDA said the individual award amount has been increased to a single funding level up to $250,000.
Reps Smucker and Craig introduced Bipartisan Bill providing regulatory relief to Livestock Haulers. AGF wrote letter of support outlining goat industry needs for this bill.
Goats and grazing cattle on different lands is paying off for producers in Iowa. Learn More
FDA Releases Annual Report on Antibiotic Sales for Animals in 2018 Learn More
Meat is Crucial for Feeding the Planet and Going Vegan is Not More Green, Say Scientists at Edinburgh University. "Often the argument is made that going vegan would minimize land use, and the modelling studies that have been done demonstrate that this is not the case." Professor Wilson said more research is needed.
Kansas State University is offering a Graduate Certificate Program in Animal Health Regulatory Affairs. The program provides 15 credit hours that combine knowledge of animal science and veterinary medicine with skills needed to navigate government processes and regulations.

2020 YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
$1,000 Scholarships Available for ages 17-21
$500 Scholarships Available for ages 12-16
[funded by a grant from USDA/APHIS]PURPOSE:
To encourage education and development of youth involved in the goat industry and who hold a current membership, or whose parents or guardians are members in The American Goat Federation or any of its member organizations. [MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS: Alabama Meat Goat & Sheep Producers, American Boer Goat Association, American Dairy Goat Association, American Kiko Goat Association, Cashmere Goat Association, Hawaii Sheep & Goat Association, North American Pack Goat Association, North American Savannah Association, Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers Association] Find out More and/or APPLY

MEMBER SERVICES FROM AGF

Free Marketing Page for Goats and Goat Products on the AGF Website that links to Goatzz.com where the information will also appear. AGF has partnered with Goatzz.com to create a stronger goat industry through our combined marketing efforts. On-site searching of member farms and member goats for sale is available. Each AGF member gets their own farm profile, plus other things and it is all free.
Free excel-based Goat Production Recordkeeping and Performance Program for recording information about members' goats. The program, GHIP-AGF (Goat Herd Improvement Program) was developed by Dr. Ken Andries of Kentucky State University, a member of our Advisory Council and Past President of AGF. The program is personalized for each producer, and the program includes all information required by the Scrapie Eradication Program.
Upgrade to Go360 bioTrack Program for discounted price, an advanced Recordkeeping & Performance Program designed and maintained by AgSights. AGF has partnered with AgSights to offer the Go360 bioTrack Program to our members for a discount off the price through February 28, 2020.
Opportunities to add opinions and needs to national surveys that determine how federal money is spent (money that comes from the taxes goat producers pay).
Opportunities to help find, initiate and support research that is beneficial to their operations.

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Upcoming Events

April 6-9, 2020:National Institute of Animal Agriculture Annual Conference - The Future of Global Protein, Manhattan, Kansas Learn More
June 8-12, 2020: American Boer Goat Assoc National Show, Grand Island, Nebraska. AGF will exhibit there.
June 9-13, 2020: Midwest Buck Sale, Sedalia, Missouri. AGF will exhibit there.
June 14-16, 2020: National Grazing Lands Coalition first ever Summer Bus Tour - Nebraska. Learn More
June 20-22, 2020: American Dairy Goat Assoc National Show, Grand Island,Nebraska. AGF will exhibit there. Learn More
July 16-18, 2020: American Meat Goat Classic Show and Seminar, Greenfield, Indiana. Learn More
July 17-19, 2020: Aggieland ATM Goat Camp, Texas, Learn More
August 14-15, 2020: Texas Sheep & Goat Expo, San Angelo, Texas. AGF will exhibit and be in attendance.
September 18-19, 2020: Pedigree International Seminar and 1st South African Savanna Goat Auction held in the USA, (seminar on the 18th, live broadcast auction on the 19th), Springfield, Missouri. AGF will exhibit and be in attendance. More Later
October 5-12, 2020: American Dairy Goat Assoc Annual Convention, Syracuse, New York.
October 28-31, 2020: National FFA Convention, Indianapolis, Indiana. AGF will exhibit and be in attendance.

Coxiellosis,Commonly Referred to as Q Fever

Q Fever is a highly contagious, chronic disease in goats, sheep and cattle. Although affected does become immune, they shed the bacteria at high levels for years afterwards, potentially infecting other goats before the producer realizes there is a problem. Q Fever is contagious to humans and that puts livestock producers, veterinarians and others who come into close contact with birthing small ruminants at risk. In addition, anyone can become infected just by breathing contaminated air, often miles away from the source. Although the acute form of Q Fever just causes flu-like symptoms in humans, the chronic form can be deadly.READ MORE about the Hidden Menace of Q Fever

Please Help Us Grow the Goat Industry

AGF needs your membership and support so we can continue to meet the needs of all producers and relay information about goat producers' concerns and challenges to the USDA and others who make decisions that affect our industry. With the exception of a few grants; sponsors, membership fees, and donations fund the programs we provide and the expense of representing the interest of all goat producers in the United States. Whether you are part of an organization with twenty or hundreds of members; or an individual producer; or a business or organization that provides products or services to goat owners.

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