NEW to the showing and judging circuit, Pygmy goats are rapidly gaining a strong following with the recent Korumburra Show in South Gippsland the location for Australia’s largest-ever Pygmy goat show.
Taking place on February 7 judging was a four-hour process, with 11 studs represented and 64 goats under the spotlight and on display.
Overseen by the NPGAA (National Pygmy Goats Association Australia), Victoria is the only state to host competitions at this stage, with the breed still in its relative infancy in the country.
It was in 2013 that the first genetics were imported into Australia to Victoria.
Owner of the Trinity Stud in Berwick and founder of the NPGAA, Paul Hamilton introduced Pygmy genetics into the country under his business Semtech, implanting embryos into boer goats and miniatures as the initial carriers.
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“In just 12 years, we now have up to 3000 cute little goats the size of a Corgi dog in every state,” Paul said.
“They are popular because they don't eat much, are genuinely little and have an endearing personality and they also come in quite a large range of colours and combinations.”
As the goats grew in popularity, the need arose for a national association to oversee the development of the breed in Australia.
And so in 2019 the NPGAA was formed, affiliating with parent organisation the National Pygmy Goat Association in the USA.
“It was thought that since the USA had been operating from 1975 and has a wealth of knowledge, we best emulate what they were doing,” said Paul.
“Three highly trained USA judges - that also breed their own animals - were invited to run clinics to teach our members the finer points in breeding, showing and preparing the goat for show.”
Sponsored by the NPGAA, the judges flew to various states around Australia imparting invaluable first-hand knowledge to breeders and for association members who were interested providing the opportunity to sit exams to pass the judge training classes.
“It has proven highly beneficial to have our unique breed of goat now judged uniformly across the nation,” said Paul
“Beforehand, some animals were given champions if they had a big udder or towered over their competition.
“NPGAA judges now have a thorough understanding of the breed standard.”
It was two of the newly trained judges who oversaw competition at the Korumburra Show.
“They performed admirably to bring the champions to the top,” said Paul.
Trinity Roger Moore, the main sire at BullerRoo Pygmy Goats in Barwite located in the Mansfield Shire, was one of these champions.
Taking out the title in his class – four years old and over, 90 plus percentage Pygmy – Roger may have been the only contender, but his impressive pedigree and long-list of accolades had already defined him a champion.
This was evident when alongside the ribbon in his class, he was also awarded Reserve Champion Buck at Korumburra.
Trinity Roger Moore is Trinity Stud progeny.
Purchased in December 2021 by stud principals Ed and Vickie van der Hoeven, Roger is a grey-toned agouti, a type of fur colouration in which each hair displays two or more bands of pigmentation.
Standing at a diminutive 42 centimetres at the withers, the tiny goat has been an incredible investment for the Barwite-based stud, his genetics defining BullerRoo’s foundation herd.
Adult Pygmy goats range in height from between 41 and 58 centimetres, making the four-year-old buck on the shorter side of the scale which has proven ideal for BullerRoo’s breeding goals.
With the short legs and head characteristic of the breed, Roger at 100 per cent Pygmy exemplifies the breed with his stocky well-muscled body, broad forehead, wide-set eyes, erect ears and a nose that is short, wide and flat.
Prior to Korumburra, Roger had taken out more than his fair share of awards over the years both domestically and internationally.
However, competition had always been virtual with the South Gippsland show representing Roger’s first dalliance into the world of parading and being judged.
A striking little chap, Roger sports an impressive beard and flowing mane, and had he not let the team down at the recent Korumburra Show with his reluctance to walk on the lead, Ed believes he had a strong chance of taking out the title of Grand Champion.
“We’re still very happy with Reserve Champion,” said Ed.
“The Pygmy goat community is such a warm and friendly one, and the show itself was just really enjoyable, which is significantly more important to me,” he said.
Ed also commended the opportunity to benchmark his goats.
“I’m in the business of breeding stud-quality animals, and this is an important part of building that profile and reputation and ensuring we’re on the right track.”
The right track for little Roger means he is a bit more amenable to the lead.
He is now in training, however as it is currently rutting season any attempts to harness the stud’s main sire have been met with strong disapproval.
BullerRoo runs at a 100 per cent pregnancy rate with Trinity Roger Moore taking his duties quite seriously.
“I approached him with the lead, and he almost ran me out of the enclosure,” Ed said with a laugh.
Also competing at the Korumburra Show was one of Roger’s progeny, on-farm bred BullerRoo Bear making his debut in the ring.
Though an equally strapping fellow, Bear was disqualified during judging as a result of his asymmetrical testicles.
One larger than the other meant that despite his impressive pedigree, conformation and commanding presence, he was no longer a contender for the title.
“He is going to make a spectacular wether,” Ed said of the young buck’s future in the paddock and in the ring.
Ed who is relatively new to the whole showing gig as the stud enters its fifth year, was unaware of this criteria.
“It all benefits the future direction of BullerRoo and I’ve gained a much stronger comprehension as to what makes a goat, prize and stud worthy,” he said.
Alongside these insights, Ed also gained on-the-job training in showing animals.
“Swanpool local Gloria Kees who runs her own small Pygmy goat stud offered to show my goats for me as I had no understanding or experience,” said Ed.
Having moved onto caprines after a successful career in pedigree dog breeding and showing, Gloria came with all the tricks of the trade.
In the week prior to competition both Roger and Bear were treated to a make-over.
After full-body shampooing using a selection of products, trimming of the goats’ hair around their hooves which were then clipped and blackened for the event, and the application of a little powder on each of their noses, the goats were deemed show-ready.
“It was good fun and Gloria was amazing, I can’t thank her enough,” he said.
He is now looking forward to taking on the challenge himself next time.
That next time looks like it will be the Whittlesea Show in November, with both Korumburra and Whittlesea slated as the two significant events in the NPGAA calendar.
Trish Joyce who organised the Pygmy goat show at Korumburra said the show committee were thrilled with the response and anticipates it will be an ongoing feature at the event.
“This year marked the 129th Korumburra Agricultural Show and moving forward the committee has warmly welcomed the Pygmies back every year if they wish to do so," she said.
“It was so terrific having another wonderful attraction for many to come and enjoy.
“It was very well received by the public being able to be amongst the animals, nice and close to the action.”
Trish praised the Korumburra Agricultural Society for adding the section to this year's program.
“They moved the actual show festivities to Friday night to accommodate us,” she said.
Previously the show had run only on the Saturday, but with Pygmies now in the ring, the show has embraced a two-day schedule with little goats followed by fireworks on the Friday night.
On the night, judging began at 5pm and finished at 9.30pm and Trish said going by the vibe in the pavilion people absolutely loved it.
“Many stood and watched for a very long time while others walked through observing all the different colours and personalities these gorgeous creatures have,” she said.
“It was a challenge to walk from the arena to the pen to get your next Pygmy for the next class.
“It was absolutely great,” she said.
For the little goats with such big personalities, their growing presence on the Australian show circuit promises a bright future for the breed.
