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Kentucky-bred goats excell at State Fair

August 30, 2007|Staff Report

Kentucky's growing goat industry received some valuable affirmation at the Kentucky State Fair when judges chose goats with Kentucky bloodlines as grand champion and reserve grand champion. In fact, both goats came from the farms where they were born and raised.

Alison Fister of Georgetown exhibited the grand champion goat, and Cody Jenkins of Muhlenberg County showed the reserve grand champion. At the Sale of Champions on Thursday, Fister's goat attracted a winning bid of $10,100, and Jenkins' goat fetched $7,500.

"This proves Kentucky has one of the very best goat industries in the nation, in quality as well as quantity," Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said.

"It's exciting that we have such a quality genetic base in Kentucky," said Ray Bowman, executive director of the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office. "Someone looking for a market wether next year can find one close to home. We are producing champion and world-class animals right here in Kentucky."

Bowman said the state fair results show that Kentucky also is developing a base of young breeders who are dedicated to the business and understand what it takes to produce quality goats.

"This goes hand-in-hand with what Commissioner Farmer said at the Kentucky Farm Bureau Country Ham Breakfast: Kentucky's No. 1 crop is its youth," Bowman said.

Kentucky's goat industry, virtually nonexistent less than a decade ago, today is fifth in the United States at 74,000 goats, according to the Kentucky field office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Bowman believes the actual number is much higher.

"This is a really, really new enterprise," Bowman said. "For Kentucky to take such a leadership role is really encouraging."

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