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Fairgrounds to host dairy goat show

Dairy goat breeders from across the Southeast will converge at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds Friday, May 31 - Sunday, June 2, 2019, for the annual Evin Evans Spring Spectacular Dairy Goat Show. Coordinated by the NC Cooperative Extension and volunteers, this event is sanctioned by the American Dairy Goat Association, headquartered in nearby Spindale, NC.
"At first glance, a dairy goat show looks like a beauty pageant for goats," says county extension director Greg Traywick. "But the purpose of a show is for the judge to select animals which come closest to the industry's definition of the ideal dairy goat."
Several different dairy goat breeds will be exhibited over the weekend, including Alpine, LaMancha, Nigerian Dwarf, Nubian, Oberhalsi, Saanen, Toggenberg, and Sable.
"Fewer than 150 people in the United States and Canada are licensed to judge shows sanctioned by the American Dairy Goat Association," says Traywick. "The judges for this year's event are coming to Shelby from Tennessee, Arizona, Missouri, and Illinois."
Judges evaluate animals in each class on the basis of general appearance, mammary system, dairy strength and body capacity, and make their placings accordingly. First-place winners from each class compete for the title of Champion.
"Awards and publicity from shows encourage breeders to improve the quality of their herds through breeding and selection programs that strive to produce the 'ideal' animal," says Traywick. "Shows also put quality dairy goats in the public eye to improve their public image and give dairy goat breeders recognition for long months of work in the barn."
The show also gives the breeders an opportunity to talk shop with fellow breeders, according to Traywick.
The shows will be held in Weathers Livestock Arena on the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Shelby and are free to the public. A Youth Doe Show will be held on Friday, May 31, beginning at 6 p.m. Open does and bucks will show on Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2, beginning at 8 a.m. each day.
For more information, contact the Cleveland County Extension Center at 704-482-4365.

By April Hoyle-Shauf, Special to Community First Media


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