American Dairy Goat Association

XIII. JUDGING DAIRY GOATS

A. SO YOU ARE GOING TO BE A JUDGE
One of the most disconcerting things that can happen to a club, state or district fair is to select one or more persons whom exhibitors or Directors have chosen to judge their upcoming shows, write said Judge, and await a delayed reply. If the answer is too long in coming or perhaps never arrives, it reflects on you and you may never again to considered by that group. Your first responsibility as a Judge is to send a prompt answer as to your availability on their date, as to your fee and to inquire as to projected size of their show, number of classes, etc. Being an official ADGA Judge is more of a responsibility than most Dairy Goat enthusiasts realize. Throughout its many years of service, the Training Conference Committee has learned that many who might have proven themselves to be excellent Judges have fallen by the wayside by accepting shows too large for them to handle in their first couple of years. Learn to walk with ease before entering a grueling relay race.
You have answered the invitation and accepted. We do suggest that if it is a private club show which will not have formal contracts for you to sign, be sure to request a letter from the club confirming the date and time and any financial agreements. From early fall or winter (when many clubs plan their shows) to the time of the show, officers, secretaries and/or shows do change.
Plan your arrival enough in advance of the time you are to go to work so that you alleviate the horrible fears of the show giving club that perhaps the Judge isn't going to show up. If you must have transportation provided from an airport or bus station, the show giving organization should not select an exhibitor to provide transportation and/or lodging. It casts a shadow on both you and the exhibitor from some who are always looking for flaws in your performance.
You are the "anchor man or woman" for ADGA when you are judging their show. We all love our comfortable jeans, bib overalls or shorts and can*t wait to get back to them once our task is completed. Hosts of NBC*s "Today Show" would not command our respect if they hastened to the show in the attire they had used painting their boat or planting their garden nor should we as judges trained and licensed by ADGA. Would you appear applying for a position of Executive Secretary to a top executive in an industry in tacky or "far out" attire? The fairly recent acceptance of smart leisure wear and sport clothes has been a blessing to us all. None of us would care to work all day long in the ring in a suit and tie. Even for a one-day assignment, it is a safety measure to have a change. Excited kids with scours or a burp of cud, a broken zipper or a weak seam might make it embarrassing to proceed the rest of the day. Moreover, if you are judging a Buck Show and traveling by public transportation, let us not add to some fellow traveler's idea that all goats stink.
Having checked in at the show site, it is wise to locate the closest rest room. In a show where every minute counts, one may have to make a trip between herds or classes. It is wise to check the list of classes sent to you by ADGA before you arrive, so if there are any questions regarding them, they may be answered before you begin. By all means, ALWAYS have your Guidebook with you. When a questionable evaluation arises, it is no disgrace to turn to it to verify your placing. It often assures exhibitors that you conscientiously want to be sure you are correct.
As you start your day, after having been introduced, give the exhibitors a little relaxed feeling that you will place their animals as you see them with regard to the competition they are up against. They are the same animals when leaving the ring as they were when they entered. It is no reflection on your ability if some of the lower placing individuals may stand at the head of the class the next week where their competition is not the same.
Tell your exhibitors you will establish a pattern of ring procedure in your first few classes and if they will observe it they will better understand how you will be working all through the show. This makes for a smooth running show. You will find, however, that some exhibitors never catch on and this is when you have to "keep your cool." Yes, Judges become irritated with exhibitors as well as exhibitors becoming irritated with Judges.
Hopefully, your show giving organization has at hand a tensor light or very bright flashlight with which to read tattoos. If you are in doubt, tuck your own in your luggage. Remember, you are the Judge and it*s your responsibility to read and be sure the secretary properly records those tattoos on both reports which you received from ADGA.
It is your responsibility before you sign the report as Judge to be sure it is completely filled out. Encourage the show secretary and chairperson to keep up that report as the show proceeds. It is very frustrating as a Judge with a plane to catch to find nothing has been done towards filling out the report until the show is over. On the other hand, if you sign it and in the ADGA office they find the number of milkers is blank, or the number of exhibitors is lacking, you are in the wrong and some of your championships may not gain a leg due to your signing before checking to see if the report is complete.
The Training Conference Committee sometimes receives criticism of a Judge probably being so relieved that the task was completed that he/she "celebrated" in the barn. The Training Conference does not want to dictate the life-style of our ADGA judges; however, let us remember that many of our shows are attended by large numbers of young exhibitors who hopefully will be the future of the Dairy Goat industry. They look up to us hoping that someday they will have "arrived" and be old enough and competent enough to be a JUDGE. Let us set the right example.
In 1977, the Official Judges Committee was formed which handles any complaints regarding the ethics or competency of a Judge. The Training Conference Committee hopes they will have little to do. If we do our part in presenting what we feel you should know and you do your part in studying and carrying out what you have learned, everyone will be happy and ADGA will continue to be a leader in the training of official judges.

Judicial Judging by George Proctor
When you receive an invitation to officiate, please answer it promptly and courteously. Try not to be over eager and accept an important, large entry show before you have worked a few smaller shows.
If you accept an invitation to judge, please arrive early. Be well groomed and neat in your appearance. It never hurts to have a spare wardrobe set in case of unpredictable accidents that could appear during your period of judging. Check the microphone connections. Be sure you have your proper tools, which should include an extra set of show rules and applications, plus a judging kit including your evaluation of defects and disqualifications for a sometimes needed quick reference. Confer with the Show Secretary, or Show Committee, for any unusual problems. Determine advisable times for lunch or any other breaks during the day. Don*t, repeat, don*t use your early arrival time to visit the various exhibitors and their animals in the barns.
When your show begins, perhaps a word of explanation is in order as to your own likes or dislikes as to ring procedures. Remember the problems some judges might have given you as an exhibitor and avoid the same pitfalls. Try not to confuse your exhibitors with unusual ring tactics. Attempt to standardize your ring examinations, such as starting from head to tail, tail to head, etc. Perhaps in setting the animals up for final placing your prefer head to tail, front to the audience, read to the audience. Try to display any unusual good point which might be described and explained to your audience. Remember that it is show and much can be done by you, as the Judge, to make it interesting and entertaining, as well as educational, to the audience and exhibitors.
Your reasons, again, should be concise and to the point, stressing the main reason for placing one animal over another. Avoid general descriptive terms. As a matter of courtesy move your placements up rather than down in line. Surely somewhere in your comments you can find some good quality in the doe that is standing in last place.
Your ring presence is most important. Be confident, but not arrogant. Be polite, but firm. Demand respect, but be humble. Be quick, but be thorough. Try hard to leave no doubt but that you are honestly placing the class as you see it today.
In conclusion, it is most important that you realize there are many factors and problems that arise in becoming a qualified and respected dairy goat judge. Many quickly reached decisions may sometimes have very far-reaching results. Please remember that your appearance, your conduct, your ability, and your integrity as an official representative of the American Dairy Goat Association gives you an opportunity to leave a sound and good image in the public's eye of the dairy goat and the dairy goat industry. Remember, and abide by our American Dairy Goat Association's Code of Ethics.
B. REASONS by Dr. Harold Kaeser, Professor, Department of Dairy Science, Ohio State University
What are oral reasons?
Reasons are accurate, concise statements that clearly depict differences between given pairs of animals.
Good reasons use comparative terms to point out differences and resort to description only when comparison will not bring out points desired. In the show ring the Judge should be comparing each animal, except the first, to the animal placed above. This differs from classification to the extent that in classification all animals should be compared to the ideal of the breed in question. On many occasions one will start a class with the animal nearest the ideal, but it may still be only slightly above average. You then must compare your next dairy goat to this one.
Why oral reasons?
Correct oral reasons make a good show more outstanding. People show livestock for several reasons: (1) Most people show to help promote and sell their livestock; (2) Many show to display the fruit of their efforts as breeders to demonstrate their contributions as a breeder, and/or (3) Others may merely enjoy good competition and gain satisfaction from competing with others.
Reasons are important to the above people because they will make a show more informative and help keep the attention of the ringside. We hope that some potential buyers are on the ringside. People who watch shows like to feel that they are second guessing the Judge while on the ringside. The Judge's reasons will support or discount their selections and can be informative if discreetly presented.
Reasons are most important to the Judge. Regardless of how many rules, regulations or guidelines are set for judging a particular species of livestock, it is up to the Judge to analyze and make final placings. No two people will see exactly alike in all situations. If this were not true, one major show per year would suffice. Animals change from week to week, particularly those coming into heavy lactation or going dry.
Most well-informed breeders know when they enter the ring (and get a look at the competition) about where they will stand. In my opinion, good breeders have to be accurate judges of their own livestock in order to make progress.
Accurate reasons permit the Judge to logically relay his/her thoughts and evaluations to the exhibitor and the ringside. As long as you judge animals and look for comparative reasons, as you judge, your reasons will have logic and people will follow you regardless as to whether they agree completely with your exact placings. One bit of philosophy to keep in mind when giving reasons is this: If you cannot find something good to say about an animal, let's not say anything; the meaning is implied.
What are the ingredients to make a good set of reasons?

1. Accurate observations of animals shown. Evaluate all animals before you start the placings. Quick analysis is essential but do not make a horse race out of a show. I do not advise taking so much time that breeders become worn out and the ringside loses interest. Keep in mind that the exhibitor has spent considerable time and effort preparing for the show and deserves the above courtesy. Select the animal that most nearly meets breed standards and by comparison build your line up. Stay with the same type until logical reasons require you to change.
2. Use proper terminology. Correct reasons require the use of specific terms relating to the area of the animal you are comparing. This requires a Judge to be familiar with the scorecard and the areas that belong in the respective breakdowns. Such terms as pasterns, withers, crops, and point of elbow refer to a definite area and are therefore very definitive when used properly in reasons.
3. Organization. When organizing your reasons try to put yourself in the place of the people listening. They are the ones who will either readily follow your reasons or become confused and/or even disgusted. Keep in mind that many people know a considerable amount about the livestock being judged and are interested only in the real differences. If differences and reasons for placing are in the mammary system, start your reasons in this area; this will hold true for body conformation, dairy character, feet and legs, style and symmetry and so forth. Use specific terms to drive home your points in any area and thereby avoid generalizations. Avoid opening yourself up to questions by stressing minor points which have little or no bearing on your decision.
4. Make your reasons forceful enough to attract and hold people's attention. Speak into the microphone, when one is available, with confidence. Remember if you are not confident of your placings, you will find it difficult to convince others. Satisfy yourself and you will satisfy others. A most important consideration is to judge the livestock, not the leaders. Occasionally Judges have been criticized for placing the leaders because their reasons were not forceful enough to convince people otherwise. An additional statement is in order; that it, never knowingly defeat good animals regardless of how many blue ribbons a breeder has won just to give someone else a chance to win a blue ribbon.
5. Poise. People soon evaluate a Judge as to whether he/she is a polished Judge or a livestock person by the way he/she goes about his/her job of judging. People like a sincere, confident Judge, but often despise smart alecks who bend over backward to impress people with their abilities. Never as a Judge lose your temper and resent questions from breeders or the ringside. Remember, you are the Judge for the day and are in the driver's seat. This does not mean you cannot and should not still respect other people's rights or privileges.
Reasons and Judges giving them are evaluated by the following points:

a. Accuracy of observation
b. Terminology
c. Organization do they make sense?
d. Forcefulness or confidence
e. Poise

C. SUGGESTED TERMINOLOGY FOR REASONS WHEN PLACING DAIRY GOATS
Good oral reasons for the placing of dairy goat classes are built upon comparative statements about pairs of animals. Most often, reference should be made to two major scorecard categories, i.e., General Appearance, Dairy Character, Body Capacity and/or Mammary System, with supporting statements giving the specific advantage in each major category. When advantage can be found in more than two major categories, reference should be made to the two highest point major categories for the strongest set of reasons. Use of three major category references is permissible with significant supporting statement for each, particularly if differences in the given major category are minor. At times, significant advantage can be found in only one major category. The pair comparison can then be restricted to one major category with adequate supporting statement.
The use of grants, or yielding advantage to the lower placing individual in a pair, should be done sparingly as it automatically weakens the claim of comparative advantage to the higher placing individual. It is appropriate when the lower placing individual has a significant advantage that a judge would like spectators to be aware has been noticed.
Words used to make comparative statements should be common usage standard terminology. Descriptive statements should always be avoided. Excessive flowery phrases of rhetorical posture should be minimized. Regional dialects, colloquial expressions, gut level humor, and veterinary diagnoses do not contribute to professional ambiance. Clear, concise statements of comparative advantage is the function of oral reasons.
Although reasons are most usually given with the placement line at rest and set up, reference to structural function on the move should be a priority in comparative statements. Summary introductory statement about the entire class at the beginning of a set of reasons is a good practice. As well, positive comment about the last animal should be included.
In selecting terms and phrases for use in giving good reasons, try to use word combinations from the scorecard as often as possible. Following are some possible combinations of wording to make supporting statements claiming advantage for the given major category:

SHE IS OR HAS:
SHE IS MORE DESIRABLE IN:
- 1. General Appearance and Walk
- 2. Stature
- 3. Head and Breed Characteristics
- 4. Front End Assembly
- 5. Back
- 6. Legs, Pasterns and Feet
- 7. Dairy Character
- 8. Body
- 9. Mammary System
D. WRITTEN REASONS PRACTICE SHEET

I have placed this class of_______________________________
(age) (breed)
____________________________________________________
(kids-yearlings-milkers)

ONE is placing over TWO because she is:
a.__________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________
(She does grant to TWO________________________________)

TWO is placing over THREE because she is:
a.__________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________
(She will yield to THREE_______________________________)

THREE is placing over FOUR because:
a.__________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________
She grants to FOUR___________________________________)

FOUR, while standing in last place today, must be commended for
her _________________________________________________
E. EVALUATION OF DEFECTS
(Also see Article XVII.)
Defects are structural shortcomings that can impair productivity and longevity. Some defects vary in degree on a comparative basis from slight to moderate to serious. As a result, the severity of each defect is often a subjective judgment call. A defect recognized as slight would have little or no impact on a placing. If moderate, a defect may cause a minor change in a placing. A serious defect should definitely be reflected in a placing.
The next two stages of defect are not subjective. Very Serious defects must have a significant impact on placing and cannot be ignored. A disqualification applies to structural impairments that inhibit productivity and longevity so severely that their presence bars the animal from competition. However, rather than removing an animal with such a condition from the ring, they can be placed at the end of the placement line. Judicious comments about the observed defect may be made during oral reasons. Disqualified individuals may not be included in the total count of individuals exhibited in the breed sanction. It is the responsibility of the judge to inform the show secretary of such individuals.
Defects can also be divided into two categories - general and breed specific. General defects apply to all breeds of dairy goats and are deficiencies that impair productivity and longevity. Reproduction is as important as lactation productivity. Efficiency in management should also be considered. Defects that apply only to the specified breed are most often cosmetic or aesthetic in nature. For example, variations in color, ear carriage, and nose bridge structure have virtually no impact on productivity or longevity. However, minimum height and weight standards can impact function and should be considered non-cosmetic. Structural correctness in any given area often leads to correctness elsewhere. Conversely, defects in one area often lead to defects elsewhere. This observation should be well considered when evaluating defects.
The details of general defects follow. First there are 21 defects that range from slight to moderate to serious depending upon degree.

Item 1 - Large scurs or stubs are not only unsightly, but can be destructive and dangerous when used in an aggressive manner, thereby causing management problems. (Note that natural horns are disbarred from the showring as per Rules Governing the Conduct of Official Shows, A.8.)
Item 2 - Undershot or overshot jaws, where the teeth of the lower jaw do not meet evenly with the gum of the upper palate, can lead to reduced feed intake and ability to browse, lowering productivity. A difference of one inch would be considered a serious defect.
Item 3 - Enlarged knees/non-disabling lameness impairs routing movement to feeding/browsing/milking areas and can contribute to lower productivity. This condition can be particularly detrimental to heavily pregnant does, where routing movement is vital for healthy fetuses. (Be sure when judging, that apparent lameness is not caused by too close hoof trimming.)
Item 4 - Bowed over front knees (forward in side profile at knee), buck knees (curve backward in side profile at knee), (knees that curve in or out in front profile are also considered here) can cause a lowering of the whole front end assembly in extreme cases and consequent movement abnormality. It will often be associated with item 5.
Item 5 - Small boned for body size indicates a lack of strength in skeletal structure that can be associated with frailty overall, more easily damaged bones and lowered productivity. Small boned animals are not necessarily short statured, but are usually narrow throughout.
Item 6 - Loose, winged or heavy shoulders are contributory to deficiencies in Front End Assembly. In extreme cases, the wither can drop well below the top of the shoulder blades and lead to disability in motion.
Item 7 - Narrow chest or pinched heart girth contribute to a lack of proportion and strength in Front End Assembly. In sever cases, reduced respiratory and pulmonary activity decreases productive potential.
Item 8 - Short, shallow or narrow body contributes to a lack of digestive capacity and consequent loss of lactating potential, as well as reproductive efficiency.
Item 9 - Low backed or steep rumped affects ease of motion, ruins general appearance of the back and, in the case of the latter, reduces potential for correctness in udder support and may cause birthing difficulties.
Item 10 - Broken or wry tail is generally a slight defect in dairy goats. If apparent defecation and kidding abnormalities exist, more severity in evaluation is merited.
Item 11 - Close in hocks is often associated with incorrectness in movement and interference with correct shape and support of potential mammary system. It can vary greatly in degree.
Item 12 - Swollen hocks are indicative of stress on rear leg structure and most often lead to movement disability.
Item 13 - Swollen stifle joints indicate stress on rear leg structure and consequent movement disability. (Note that items 3, 12 & 13 may be observable manifestations of Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis conditions. As a judge, it is not one's job to diagnose a diseased condition, but merely to note structural abnormality and place accordingly.)
Item 14 - Postiness is the lack of adequate rear leg angulation viewed in side profile at the stifle and hock. Early breakdown of locomotive function, i.e., ease of motion, usually is present. Items 12 & 13, swollen stifle and/or hock, may be concurrent. The opposite condition, i.e., overangulation, is called sickle-leg. It is generally not debilitating, but rather unsightly and may lower rear end height.
Item 15 - Hind legs close together is a condition different from close in hocks (Item 11), in that narrowness in escutcheon and close placement of lower rear legs and feet can be observed. Movement irregularity and inadequate space for mammary systems result. Most frail, narrow and light-boned animals will manifest the condition.
Item 16 - Sprung pasterns indicate structural weakness and early motion disability. The condition varies greatly in degree and may be associated with irregularity in foot structure, especially depth of heel. Remember that pasterns are to be strong, yet flexible, of medium length. Dewclaws at the same level as the heel would be serious.
Item 17 - Turned out or crooked feet contribute to early locomotive breakdown and management problems with more routing foot care and trimming. Such feet are more disease prone, particularly to foot rot under wet conditions.

The next four items relate only to mammary system.
Item 18 - Udder of beefy texture or with pocket reduces lactating potential. The "beefy texture," if observed to an advanced degree, may need to be considered under a more advanced stage of defect, such as very serious, "hard and swollen."
Item 19 - Front, rear or side udder attachment lacking contributes to an overall lack of udder support. Advanced cases of the defect, as in Item 18 above, would need to be considered under pendulous udder, a very serious defect. Of primary concern, as well, are consequent abnormalities in udder shape and overall capacity.
Item 20 - Separation between halves of udder or presence of scar tissue relate to udder support, shape and quality. Lack of adequate medial suspensory definition and/or cleft in floor of udder should be evaluated more severely than over division of halves, since this latter structure is functional but unsightly, and leads mostly to incorrectness in shape.
Item 21 - Teats that manifest seven subsidiary conditions, which inhibit milk flow and ease of milk out:

(a) set close together,
(b) bulbous,
(c) extremely large or small,
(d) pointed sideways,
(e) uneven in size,
(f) having small streams or otherwise hard to milk, and
(g) not clearly separated from udder.

The fourth stage of general defects are Very Serious. The presence of these structural blemishes severely restrict the productive longevity and function of an animal, and must be considered in a placement. First are nine itemized conditions of the udder:

a. Pendulous - such udders are prone to damage and disease and are not long lasting
b. Too distended to determine texture - often a result of over-uddering to show. Restriction of blood flow can lead to mastitis and consequent hardening of lactating tissue. When judging, do not ignore, but rather place soft, elastic correctly textured udders above hard ones.
c. Hard or swollen (except in does just fresh) - allow three to four weeks after kidding when evaluating (as in b. Preceding, over-uddering for shows can aggravate). Evaluate and place as presented in the ring.
d. So uneven that one half is less than half the size of the other is evaluated with balance, symmetry and quality of mammary system. Imbalance may be indicative of a low grade mastitis infection, lack of production and/or milk quality.
e. Udder lacking size is considered in proportion to size of doe and can reflect stage of lactation. Look for evident productivity in proportion to body size and frame.
f. Double orifice in teat of does usually inhibit milk flow and cause milking sanitation problems, i.e., milk everywhere.
g. Extra teat or teats that have been cut off on does are unsightly and, when cut off, may leave residual blind pockets in the udder, which are prone to bacterial problems and high count milk.
h. Leaking orifice can be temporary and caused by over- uddering. Still to be evaluated critically. When chronic, such orifices reduce functional longevity, because they are prone to bacterial invasion of the udder and general lack of sanitation and production.
i. Misplaced orifice is problematic in milkout and usually unsanitary.

1. Total blindness can often be seen in malformation and/or discoloration of the iris. A quick, on the spot, test is to move one's hand quickly in front of the eye, without touching the eyelashes, to check for eye movement or dilation. Lack of either response indicates blindness. (Certain conjunctivitis conditions, such as clinical pinkeye, cause ulceration of the cornea and temporary blindness. Such animals ought not to be presented in the ring anyway, because of contagious health considerations.).
2. Serious emaciation can be the result of advanced degenerative health conditions, such as advanced CAE or John's disease, and /or bad management, i.e., improper nutrition, housing or parasite control (worms, lice, etc.) Regardless of its origin, severely out of condition animals do not belong in the show ring and before the public's eye. This is the age of "animal rights" and dairy goat judges need to make public policy statement by disbarring emaciated animals from placement.
3. Permanent lameness or difficulty in walking is an advanced stage of condition 3 under slight to serious defect (enlarged knees, nondisabling lameness). Granting that some improperly set broken legs can cause the condition, it still does not belong in the show ring.
4. Blind or nonfunctioning half of udder obviously limits productivity, whether genetic or a result of severe mastitis. Udders that may be temporarily dry on one side due to mastitis complications do not belong in the show ring. Included here would also be does that have had mastectomy (removal of one or both halves) and does who have sloughed one half due to a severe infection of gangrene or blue bag mastitis.
5. Blind teats have no orifice and can be observed on junior does and bucks as well as senior does.
6. Double teat(s) are fused channels sort of like a Siamese- twinning effect.
7. Extra teats that interfere with milking is an advanced condition of the fourth stage defect of extra teat on does.
8. Active mastitis or any other cause of abnormal milk requires a judgment call. When drawing milk remember a slight thickening of the first milk at the teat end is not abnormal. Chunks and/or flakes after the first squirt would be abnormal. Excessively hot and/or cold udders, inflamed and hard udders are candidates for disqualification. Such does will usually exhibit general depression, raised hair coat, irregular ear carriage, lusterless eyes, etc.
9. Evidence of hermaphroditism or other inability to reproduce can most often be observed by examination of the vulva on junior does. Abnormality in structure such as severe enlargement, upturning and prominent, protruding clitoris may be present. Conversely, underdeveloped vulva is also possible. Other physical signs in junior does can be excessively small and underdeveloped teats and "bucky" appearing heads with excessive bone structure throughout. Be very wary in calling this one. Note that Rules Governing the Conduct of Official Shows X11, G.2 prohibits exhibition of does over 24 months of age who have not freshened (i.e., given birth to a kid or fetus after at least 141 days of gestation). This disqualification applies most often to junior does. However, bucks whose penile sheath has ben re-routed due to urinary calculi surgery would be covered by the statement, as well.
10. Permanent physical defect, such as navel hernia, should be cautiously evaluated. In young kids, navel ill can cause enlargement/inflammation of the navel which may decrease with time. True hernia exists when intestinal parts that are easily retractable can be pushed back though a definite opening, or break, in lower abdominal muscle layers. Tendency to herniate is considered hereditary, which is why disqualification is applicable.
11. Crooked face on bucks is a gender upgrade of the same conditions in does and considered genetic in transmission.
12. Extra teat(s) that have been cut off on bucks is another gender upgrade as in 11 prior.
13. Double orifice in teats of bucks is as 11 & 12 before.
14. Bucks with one testicle (cryptorchid) or with abnormal testicles will have lower sperm production and be lacking in reproductive efficiency, even if fertile. It is normal for testicles to hang slightly unevenly and vary moderately in size. Excessively crystalline or hard to the touch, excessively soft and spongy to the touch, and atrophied testicles should be considered abnormal.

The foregoing has concluded discussion of the first major category of general defects with its stages of defect from slight- moderate-serious-very serious-disqualification. The second major category of defects are breed specific. At times parallelism does not exist in the grading of such defect from breed to breed. For example, in the color set breeds. Oberhasli, Saanen and Toggenburg, most all minor color blemishes are of the same stage. Gender upgrade in severity usually, but not always, applies to males. The varying wishes of breed promotional clubs and their adopted breed standards within the larger ADGA structure are the source of these diversities in breed specific defect. Keep in mind that breed specific defects are largely of an aesthetic nature and do not impact productive longevity, exempting minimum height and weight standards. The stage of a defect is not greater or lesser for being breed specific or general category.

There are no first stage, i.e., slight breed specific defects. Minimum height and weight standards, gender raised for males, comprise the bulk of second stage, i.e., moderate, breed specific defect. Height is measured at the wither perpendicular from the ground. Weight varies greatly by season; females heaviest in late pregnancy and males out of rut. Remember that moderate stage defect has only a minor impact on placing and as well that animals ought not be penalized for deficient height or weight until full productive maturity is reached at four years of age. Very few animals in the population fail to achieve their minimal standards at maturity. In judging, a free moving, structurally sound individual meeting minimal breed standards often can and should be placed over much larger individuals who do not move as soundly and display structural incorrectness. There is no ceiling put on height and weight as size and strength are to be encouraged as long as the animal remains balanced and sound in structure and motion throughout. Excessively large animals in the general population tend to be genetically self limiting anyway due to reproductive complications.
Alpines, Nubians, and Saanens have uniform minimum standards:
does - height 30", weight 135 lbs.; bucks - height 32", weight 170 lbs.
Toggenburgs are allowed to be smallest: does - height 26", weight 120 lbs.; bucks - height 28", weight 150 lbs.
LaManchas and Oberhasli are intermediate, but not identical. LaManchas: does - height 28", weight 130 lbs.; bucks - height 30", weight 160 lbs.; Oberhasli: does - height 28", weight 120 lbs.; bucks - height 30", weight 150 lbs.
Note that the range difference in minimum height across all six breeds is 4" for each gender; range difference on weight across all six breeds is 15 lbs. for females and 20 lbs. for males. Such analysis demonstrates that breed specific variations in minimum heights/weights are rather modest and emphasizes that breed specific defect in these two areas is a moderate stage defect and usually will have little impact on placing. Other moderate stage breed specific defects vary in nature but are all aesthetic. Alpine females, while not a color set breed, are preferred not to look like Toggenburgs or Saanens. This does not necessarily indicate does with such color are severely penalized; rather that if all else is equal in judging a pair of Alpine does, the white or Toggenburg colored one could be second. I suppose however, that the color correct doe has very bulbous teats, a slight to serious defect under general category defects. In such a case, the non-preferred colored doe could equally be first. Toggenburg does with a few small white spots in their hair are similarly evaluated. In both breeds, males are to be evaluated more harshly for such color defect. A final moderate defect is a straight face in Nubians, i.e., lack of convex nose bridge structure. This defect is not gender specific and clearly cosmetic.
The next stage of breed specific defect requires a subjective judgment call as to degree. Roman noses, i.e., convex, arched nose bridge structure, can vary greatly in degree in the five breeds other than Nubians. The defect is moderate to serious depending on degree. Roman noses on breeds other than a Nubian are the only moderate to serious stage breed specific defects.
A third stage of breed specific defects are considered serious, i.e., ought to be reflected in placing, and all relate to color blemishes, an aesthetic consideration. These include:

1. Alpine bucks with Toggenburg color and markings or white bucks. (Note that cream color is not itemized here.)
2. Oberhasli does with small white spots in hair.
3. Saanens of dark cream color or with several small dark spots in hair, whether bucks or does-not gender specific.
4. Toggenburg does who are black, with white stomach with a large white spot (1«" or more in any direction), and bucks with a few small white spots in hair.

A fourth stage of breed specific defects are very serious defects and ought to be reflected in a placing, even though each is cosmetic. These three include, 1.) Nubians with a dished face, or concave nose bridge structure, 2.) Nubians with barely drooping ears, often called "airplane ears" and held straight out, and 3.) Oberhasli bucks with small white spots in hair.

The fifth and final stage of breed specific defects are disqualifications, i.e., defects which disbar an animal from placement, even though all these defects are cosmetic/aesthetic. The concept is similar to a leopard without spots not looking like a leopard. Individuals of a breed need to carry the distinguishing characteristics of their breed. Some parallelism exists here with regard to ears. Regardless of breed, ears not true to breed type are a disqualification. For Nubians, it is the stage beyond barely drooping or airplane ears, those that are upright. For Alpines, Oberhasli, Saanens, and Toggenburgs, pendulous ears are to be disqualified. LaManchas have a gender difference: bucks must be gopher eared, i.e., maximum length of one inch with little or no cartilage; does ears cannot be more than two inches in length. The remaining breed specific disqualifications are color blemishes. In Oberhasli, bucks may not be black (does may be black) and any color other than chamoisee, ranging from light to a deep red bay with the latter most desirable, in bucks and does. Large white spots (1«" in any direction) on either sex are also included. Saanens of either sex with a large dark spot in hair (1«" in any direction) should also be disqualified. Note that this spot is to be in hair and not a pigment factor on the skin. Large black or dark spots are common skin pigmentation on Saanens, particularly those exposed to much sunlight. Toggenburgs of either sex that are tri-colored (i.e., black, brown & white) or piebald (white splashings on face and nose beyond normal stripes on sides of nose to muzzle) are disqualified. Additionally, disqualification applies to Toggenburg bucks that are black, have white stomachs or have a large white spot (1«" or more in any direction).

In conclusion, evaluating defects while judging dairy goats encompasses a multitude of details. Only when any given defect reaches a stage of fourth or fifth severity, i.e., very serious or disqualification, does the defect necessarily need to be reflected in a placing. Most often defects are of the first three stages, slight to moderate to serious, and will tend to trade off and balance each other in pair evaluation. Obviously, the higher placing individual in any given pair should evidence the fewer defects. Since there really is no ideal goat in the population, one should look for the one with the fewest and least significant defects.

F. JUDGING MALES by Allan L. Rogers
The buck is indeed half the herd, and it is appropriate that he compete in the show ring. In judging does, we are assessing the worth of the individual herself. Judging bucks is different, however. While we assess his ability to be able to physically reproduce, we primarily judge him as an individual only on those features which will affect his offspring such as soundness, body capacity, and dairy character. Obviously, it is impossible to tell how much milk his daughters will produce, their butterfat test, or their length of lactation period.
Unfortunately, many bucks have not been raised properly; consequently when they are brought into the show ring, they may not present a true picture of their actual ability as a sire. Proper nutrition, freedom from disease, and good environment can affect a buck's size of body development, and a lack of exercise can certainly make his legs appear weak. When they are in the ring, however, we have no choice but to judge them as we see them and cannot say, "If this animal had been better fed, he would be large enough, et cetera."
Because he has no mammary development, the buck's appearance, dairy character, and body capacity are all allotted more points than they would be on an adult doe. In addition we must also assess evidence of abilities to reproduce. We should always remember, however, that the worth of a buck in the ring is the sum of his good qualities and not a sum of his bad ones.
Appearance
He should display strength and masculinity without coarseness. His lines should be clean cut, his parts should fit together properly, and he should move alertly.
Dairy Character
He should display angularity, general openness, freedom from beefiness, and animation.
Body Capacity
He should be large in proportion to size providing ample strength and vigor.
Reproductive Organs
Testicles should be approximately the same size and both carried in a strongly attached scrotum. He should have two cylindrical teats of medium size, space well apart.
G. JUDGING GROUP CLASSES
Group classes may present various problems for the judge. He/she should be looking for uniformity of good type. Color or color patterns should only concern him/her with judging the Saanen, Toggenburg, or Oberhasli breeds.
Remembering how the individuals placed in their respective classes helps to speed up group class judging. In so doing it helps to remember whether it was a strong or weak class in which the individuals placed. An animal who placed fifth or sixth in a strong class may be of better type than one who was first in a weak class. Normally age and maturity have an advantage. However, if a group of animals meets these requirements but is inferior in conformation and breed characteristics, a judge is well-justified in rejecting the group in favor of others that are outstanding in type even though somewhat lacking in age and maturity.
Each animal in the group classes should be a better than average one in order to make an outstanding group. In these classes there should be no weakness common to all the individuals in the group, but rather uniformity in the strong points.
In placing the Get of Sire class, some considerations should be given to the number of dams represented in the group. Likewise when judging the Produce of Dam class, consideration should be given to the number of sires represented in each group. Triplets or repeated breedings of the same dam and sire do not tell us from which parent the strength or weakness is coming.
In judging the Dairy Herd group the entire emphasis should not be placed on the group the Judge feels has the most milk that day. The group should consist of animals of uniformity good type, excellent mammary systems and animals which will be able to produce over the years without breaking down. Good aged does with udders that have stood up well have an advantage over young does. However, a Dairy Herd of three or four does including a strong milking yearling with good udders, should have an advantage over a Herd of mature does with weaker mammary systems.
In any group class where a Judge feels he/she has close decision, he/she should feel free to ask the exhibitors to line their animals up head to tail or to move them as a group.
H. GUIDE FOR JUDGES OF DAIRY GOAT SHOWMANSHIP

I. The Job of Showmanship Judge is twofold not only to make placings as accurately and honestly as possible according to merit, but also to help and encourage by example, suggestion, and friendliness the development of finer showmen and finer citizens.
II. Start of Show. If you feel it necessary, call the exhibitors together for a word of instruction before the competition begins. Then take your place in the center of the ring as the contestants lead in their dairy goats.
III. Ring Procedure. As exhibitors lead in, direct them in a circle then into line side by side. Examine the goat carefully up and down the line. Request that the goat be led in lines or in circles, singly or together. Have the contestants about-face the animals and occasionally put them into head-to-fail sequence. Request exhibitors to exchange animals for a few minutes.
IV. Scoring. Be sure to examine the goat thoroughly before scoring "Appearance of Animal." In scoring "Appearance of Exhibitor," take into consideration such things as how long he/she has been showing goats in other classes already that day. Do not consider conformation of the exhibitors* animals in a Showmanship Contest.
Preference should be given to the showman who shows his/her animal to the best advantage while remaining relatively inconspicuous himself.
V. Courtesy. Be courteous and helpful to the exhibitors at all times. Be sure that directions are understood. Try to avoid getting exhibitors into awkward positions.
VI. Reasons. Be sure to keep in mind the reasons for your placings and explain them thoroughly at the end of the contest.
VII. Remember the most important person in the ring is not you or the blue ribbon winner but the one you can help the most.

I. JUDGING OF 4-H GROOMING AND SHOWMANSHIP by Vivian Proctor
Judging of the Juniors is going to be asked of you with increasing frequency. It demands more in many respects than does the open division. Your attitude, accuracy of reasons, and your appearance all gain in magnitude when working with youngsters. Your decisions, whether right or wrong, will be far-reaching, affecting the 4-H*er, their parents, their leader, their club and the American Dairy Goat Association.
Judging of 4-H Grooming and Showmanship is not left to your personal preferences, likes or dislikes. If this were so, it would be like judging the Breeds without an ideal or standard. Just as we have the Conformation Score Card and the Evaluation of Defects to guide our judging of conformation and breed specifics, so we have the Showmanship Score Card to guide our judging in that division. By its use, and only by its use will the judging throughout the country ever approach uniformity. You must judge by the Score Card. It is the basis for all successful dairy goat Grooming and Showmanship judging. It is, however, just that! The rest is up to your ability and integrity as a Judge.
Don't judge the animal's conformation in the Grooming and Showmanship classes. Don't overlook the importance of the white uniform. Do remember to check the small details that are so important yet so often overlooked such as the hooves, inside the ears and the tail area. Do have the youngsters change animals with one another in the ring or they cannot qualify for the ADGA certificate. Do ask questions of the 4-H'er scaled to his/her age and years of experience with dairy goats. Don't award a blue ribbon for any other reason than that it is well deserved. If possible, before the class, speak to the leaders in a group to learn what their problems have been and what they would like stressed.

American Dairy Goat Association ®
209 West Main Street - P O Box 865
Spindale, NC 28160
Ph. (828) 286-3801 - Fax (828) 287-0476
E-mail: info@adga.org