Programs & Research
The research function of the American Goat Federation (AGF) is carried out within the guidelines of the by-laws and policy positions of the Federation. The Federation works hand-in-hand with the American Goat Initiative and makes recommendations to influence the research agenda of land grant universities, USDA agricultural research service and other institutions or agencies to focus on biological, economic and social issues that impact on efficient production and profitable marketing of goat milk, meat, fiber and vegetation control services, as well as the safety of goat products.
This effort is part of the Mission of AGF to help grow the goat industry and assist producers in ways that improve production, decrease input cost and gain recognition when it comes to programs, research and funding for goat producers.
The USDA ARS division (Agricultural Research Service) has been very responsive to American Goat Federation requests for research that will assist American goat producers. Thanks to their efforts we have Scrapie Resistance Genetic Testing available to the goat industry - the same type of testing that allowed the sheep industry to eliminate scrapie-susceptible sheep from their flocks. AGF is working with ARS and other entities on development of a vaccine for Coxiellosis (Q Fever) for goats. It has become apparent that Coxiellosis is endemic in goats and can cause the loss of an entire kid crop and the goats that become infected recover but continue to shed the bacteria in large amounts making it possible to infect other goats and humans. ARS is also working on a vaccine for worms in sheep. These are just a few current things ARS is doing for the goat industry.
USDA-APHIS Cooperative Agreements
Currently, AGF is operating the following projects made possible by grants from USDA:
AGF Member Organizations, Individual Members and Affiliate Members were given the opportunity to provide feedback on vaccines needed for the goat industry. The results are shown below.
Vaccine Needs Survey Results
Meat/Fiber Industry Vaccine List
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Haemonchus (Barberpole worm)*
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Coxiella (Q Fever)*
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Sore Mouth
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Foot Rot
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EEE
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Mastitis
Dairy Industry Vaccine List
Highest Priority
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Coxiella (Q Fever)*
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Haemonchus (Barber Pole)*
Priority
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Respiratory disease
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Johnes
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Toxoplasma
General Vaccine List
Vaccines that would be welcomed but pose specific challenges that may not be overcome
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Coccidia
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CAE
Vaccine Development Roundtable
American Goat Initiative
Tom Boyer, President - AGF: Director
Randy Dusek, Trustee - AGF: President - American Boer Goat Assoc: Director
American Goat Federation
Bob Buchholz, Past President & Director - Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers Assoc: Representative
Dr. Gary Newton, Vice President - International Goat Center - Prairie View Univ: Head
Jan Carlson, Director - American Dairy Goat Assoc: Representative
Tammy Fisher, Director - Public Policy Committee Chair
Anita Dahnke, Executive Director
Dr. Reid Redden, Advisory Council - Texas A&M Agri Life Extension Svc:
Dr. Stephen White, Advisory Council - USDA/ARS; Research Geneticist
Dr. Natalie Urie, Advisory Council - USDA/NAHMS; Veterinary Medical Officer
Dr. Roselle Busch, Advisory Council - UC Davis Univ: Extension Sheep & Herd Health Prod: Specialist
American Sheep Industry Association
Peter Orwick, Executive Director
Benny Cox, President
United States Animal Health Association
Benjamin Richey, Executive Director
Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers Association
Victoria Powers, Executive Director
Idaho Wool Growers
Naomi Gordon, Director
Canadian Sheep Federation
Corlena Patterson, Executive Director
Allan Ribink, Chairman
Colorado Serum Company
Dr. Randall Berrier, Senior VP; Scientific Affairs
Dr. Joe Huff, Founder
Moredun Research Institute
Dr. David Smith, developer of the barberpole worm vaccine
National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance Research & Education
Dr. Paul Plummer, Executive Director - Iowa State Univ: Assoc Professor
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Dr. Diane Sutton, USDA/APHIS/VS; Assistant Director RHC Small Ruminant Health
Kim Royer, USDA/Farm SVC Agency; Executive Director - Idaho Sheep & Goat Health Board
Universities
Dr. Joan Dean Rowe, UC Davis University; Professor of Population, Health & Reproduction
Dr. Jim Miller, Louisiana State University; Retired
Dr. Cynthia Wolf, University of Minnesota; Assistant Professor of Veterinary Medicine
Larry Campbell