Most Common Questions - Bringing Clarity to the Issues

Are the Spanish Goat Association and the Spanish Goat Registry Connected?

The Spanish Goat Association and the Spanish Goat Registry are no longer connected.
DNA Registration is not a requirement for listing on the SGLLC Website — only Verification and Breeder Agreements.
SGR will DNA Register goats sold by verified and listed breeders so long as they fill a Required Bill of Sale with the complete data provided by the seller.
Spanish Goats, LLC owns and operates the Spanish Goat Registry (SGR), the Spanish Goat Gathering, and the Spanish Goat Roundup.
SGR is committed to safeguarding the genetics through verified DNA Registrations and promoting the breed through Live Auctions and Educational events and the Spanish Goats, LLC Website.

To support our efforts to address the issues we are facing.
To assist us in verifying Spanish Goat Herds and tracking goats.
To bring confidence to the prospective buyers of Spanish goats.
We believe it is in the best interest of the future genetic diversity of Spanish goats.
To support our efforts to promote Spanish goats as a viable meat goat option.

People confuse Spanish goats with “Goats born in Texas,” and “brush and brier” goats.
Large numbers of percentage Spanish goats are being bought and sold, creating confusion over percentages.
The population of Spanish goats is not growing; we need to pay attention.
The attributes of the Spanish goat are recognized by commercial meat producers, and they are crossing large populations of Spanish does with their other breeds for an optimum meat goat.
Spanish does are known for their mothering and milk and are beings used as recipes for other breeds rather than for breeding Spanish.
Traditional management practices of other breeds are habits hard to break by breeders getting into breeding Spanish. The genetic diversity and traits of the Spanish are falling to the wayside as producers drive for a meatier, bigger goat. This drive is also driving out what makes Spanish goats such a treasure!
Goat brokers are going to Sale Barns/Auction Houses and purchasing known Spanish culls and selling them as Spanish breeding stock.
Because we did not issue Herd ID’s in the Spanish Goat Association, or ask folks to send ear tag numbers on goats, we have no real way to track goats or herds.
Following the established verifying system is antiquated for the number of breeders and buyers at this time, and therefore, their is a need for an updated system.

Breeder/Herd ID applications give us the information we need to track breeders and their herds.
Breeder/Herd ID listed on the Bill of Sale, as well as the individual goats’ listed Scrapie and/or farm Ear Tags will help us track the goats and verify their origin was not the sale barn as a cull.
Micro chips will greatly help us follow goats and support buyers to trust their purchases.
A photo of your herd and a paragraph write up can be viewed on the site, facilitating a pairing of right producer to right buyer.

It is our goal to safeguard the genetic diversity of Spanish goats.
We have worked hard to determine a way to do this and DNA collection has been the answer.
DNA collection gives us the information we need to track and monitor Spanish goats and their genetics.
A private UC Davis Professor has agreed to undertake the task of the feasibility of creating markers to determine Spanish goat DNA.
It helps us build pedigrees and DNA information on our database for all to see.
Everyone will be able to view a full side view photo of the goat, it’s pedigree, and learn about the breeding farm.
We believe that verified DNA registration will Bring more confidence to your buyer.
We understand and respect that large herds and commercial meat producers will not register all their goats due to the expense, time, and energy in getting it done. However, we do hope they will register a sample of their most treasured. This is the reason for the SGR Certified Spanish Breeder Certificate — 5 female and 1 male DNA sample on file with SGR.

Submit a Breeder/Herd ID Application and $30 Annual Breeder Fee.
Once the Spanish goat(s) have been VERIFIED then the steps for DNA Registration will begin.
We will walk you through the whole process and give you everything you need to get the job done.
Five DNA registered females and 1 DNA registered male meets the qualification for an SGR Certified Spanish Breeder Certificate.
The total cost to achieve the Registered Spanish Breeder Certification and have 6 DNA Registered goats, including 1 year’s fees, all material, supplies, and shipping is $320.

The Spanish Goat Registry has been operating at a loss since inception in 2017.
The fee schedule was set low to make it as affordable as possible for Spanish breeders.
We have recently increased our fees from $40 to $45 to pay someone to enter the data.
The Administrator/Registrar has been volunteering, but at this point in time the SGR has grown to the point of needing to pay someone to enter the data.
Making sure the Registry is self sustaining rather than profitable is the goal.
Any residual monies after expenses are put back into conservation and promotion of the breed.
Breeder/Owner Partners are not taking dividend.

Spanish Goats, LLC is a privately owned organization owned and operated by Spanish Breeders.
There are eleven Breeder Advisory Board Members. The Advisory Board is the voice, eyes and ears of the Breeders.
There is a five member Technical Advisory Board.
As Spanish goat breeders we take our responsibility to the breed preservation and promotion seriously and put aside individual interest for the overall good of the breed.
Creating and maintaining a DNA Registry takes great commitment and care.
As Spanish goat breeders we ensure the DNA samples are verified as pure Spanish breeding. We have the commitment and passion to ensure the results are clear and in integrity.
We all value and treasure the diversity of the Spanish goat.