Membership to the SA Boer Goat Breeders’ Association is open to Boer goat breeders, who commit to be loyal to the association. Applicants have to fill in a membership application form to join the association.
Breeders have to keep strict growth and reproduction records of their animals from the birth of the animals and use the prescribed identification measures for the identification of animals. Animals have to conform to strict standards in terms of reproduction, fecundity, the raising of offspring and growth to be accepted in a stud. They also need to be free from any deformities or diseases.
The SA Boer Goat Breeders' Association gives a clear description of the features to which goats have to comply in terms of conformation, pigmentation and hair colour and cover to be accepted as stud or flock animals.
In summary a goat should visually have a fine head with round horns that are bent backwards, according to the SA Boer Goat Breeders' Association. Its skin should be loose and supple with folds, especially in rams, with short hair, as this type of skin is more adaptable to the warm climatic conditions of South Africa and also less susceptible to external parasites.
The body parts should be well fleshed and in perfect balance. The ewe must be feminine, wedging slightly to the front, which according to the association is a sign of fertility. The ram should be masculine and heavier in the head, neck and forequarters.
The goats should ideally be white with a red head and ears, a white blaze and fully pigmented skins to protect them against sunburn. Shadings between light and dark red are permissible.
South Africa is a relatively minor goat producing country, possessing approximately 3% of Africa’s goats and less than 1% of the world’s...