Santa Ana, a mixed Boer goat, stood in the center of the exhibition ring in the Cattle Barn at the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds yesterday, a curious look in her eyes,as an auctioneer rattled off bids. About 200 people, some in the stands and others on the sidelines, watched the nearly 2-year-old doe sell for just over $500 at the East Coast Thanksgiving Extravaganza Boer Goat Sale and Show.
Todd McLeod, the owner of Jackson Creek Boer Farm in Trinity, who was selling Santa Ana, had hoped that she would fetch a higher price.
"You always hope you'll make a little more, but buyers dictate that," said McLeod, who also put on the event.
The sale featured 46 Boer goats from six breeders.
McLeod said that the event showcased some of the top genetics around, many of which would be sold to breeders to raise goats for meat and to be used as show goats.
The Boers, know as the "meat goats" of the goat industry, were brought to the United States from South Africa in the early 1990s. They typically have a white body and a red head.
"Meat goat is the most consumed meat in the world," McLeod said.
Amy Thomas, an area livestock agent for the Agricultural Extension Service in Forsyth and Stokes counties, said Wednesday that the market for Boer meat has been growing since the 1990s, and recently peaked at its production level in the Triad.
She said that most of the demand for Boer meat comes from ethnic groups, including Hispanics and Muslims.
Betsy and Ed Sarver traveled from Newport, Va., to buy several goats to add to the 62 they have on their Stillwater Farm for breeding. They typically sell their goats to homeowners who want them as pets or to 4-H Club members for projects.
The couple paid $600 for EMBL Ponchantas, a doe that is just more than a year old.
I don't have to wait," Betsy Sarver said. "She's ready to breed."
Goats weren't the only animals getting attention at the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds yesterday.
The Forsyth Fowl Fanciers, a club that promotes the breeding and exhibiting of purebred bantams, large fowl and water fowl, held its winter show in the Poultry Building.
The show featured 1,278 contestants competing to be top bird. There were buyers and sellers who conducted business outside the Poultry Building.
James Eaton, the secretary of the club, said that owners of show birds put a lot of time and effort into getting them ready for judging.
"You have to clean them, especially white birds," Eaton said. Some people use baby oil, for example, to shine a bird's comb.
"You want the bird to look the best it can for the judges," Eaton said.
Donald Hartman, the president of the club, said he enjoys raising poultry as a hobby even though prices for feed are high.
"I do it for the fun of it," he said.
fdaniel@wsjournal.com
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