Slaughter Goat Grade Standards:

[mikey]

There are 4 grades,Choice,Good,Standard,Utility
Listed below is for Kid and Yearling Goats:
Slaughter Kid Goats:
CHOICE:
choice slaughter kids will exhibit superior meat type confirmation and posses a high degree of finish.Choice slaughter kids are smooth over the top and the backbone is well covered and smooth,when the hand is pressed down on the back.Choice kids will also posses prominent briskets.The hair coat of choice kids will be smooth and lustrous indicating a high level of nutrition and freedom from sickness and parasities.
GOOD:
good slaughter kids will exhibit average meat type confirmation and posses a moderate amount of finish in the brisket and over the back.The hair coat of Good kids is smooth and clean in apperance.The backbone will be moderately prominent to touch when pressed down on.
STANDARD:
standard slaughter kids will exhibit at least average meat type confirmation,but will posses only moderately thin to thin finish in the brisket and over the backbone.The backbone will be very prominent when pressed down and feel "knobby" to the touch.Standard grade kids will be healthy in apperance and have the potential to reach the choice grade.
UTILITY:
utility kids exhibit symptoms of poor management including nutrition,parasite control or genetic deficencies.Kids are very thin fleshed with a rough dull hair coat.
SLAUGHTER YEARLINGS:
grades will be the same,or nearly so, as for slaughter kids.

From: Meat Goat Production Handbook
By: William Drinkwater
:

[mikey]

Similar to other livestock species where the majority of the animals are in the middle grades and fewer are found at the extremes.Prime animals were the youngest and Utility animals were the oldest,\.Body weight was similar for all 4 grades,however,it tended to increase with decreasing grade.As our goat meat industry progresses,a superior product means,high edible product to bone ratio should fetch a premium price.If a grade is associated with higher ratio then that should translate into greater returns for the producer,meat,for its consumer dollar.Prime animals can have a edible product to bone ratio 3.63,this means that for every pound of bone there is 3.63 meat produced,Standards could insure a standardized product for every link of the marketing chain from producers to consumers.Producers would be able to compare their animals with the grade standards,allowing them to modify their management system to meet market demands.Consumers want better value for their money and want a product with less waste for their consumer peso.
mikey:Independant Producer Region 7