Pygmy Grading System
ELIGIBILITY
Animals with Pygmy genetics entering the MGBA database must be DNA verified against parent’s DNA record(s) and traceable back to USA purebred imports who must have appropriate import documentation. Animals will be registered with DNA verified percentage (imported bloodlines) listed.
RECOGNITION
HERDBOOK PUREBRED 100%
Derived from overseas Purebred Pygmy goats as embryos, born in Australia from 100% Purebred parents or from imported semen.
HERDBOOK PUREBRED - 15/16 = 93.75%
Animals derived from the use of overseas Purebred Pygmy semen or Australian Pygmy Herdbook parentage.
GENETIC RECOVERY
(GR) Australian Pygmy goat stock less than 15/16ths (93.75%) percentage.
PYGMY GRADING SYSTEM
HERDBOOK PUREBRED (15/16) = 93.75%
- Animals must conform to breed type of parents and be DNA verified against parent’s DNA record(s).
- Does not exceeding 57.0cm. Bucks and Wethers not exceeding 60.0cm at 3 years.
- Height verified by Qualified/Certified MGBA measurer(s).
- Animals should be microchipped.
PUREBRED (7/8) = 87.5%
- Animals must conform to breed type of parents and be DNA verified against parent’s DNA record(s).
- Does not exceeding 57cm. Bucks and Wethers not exceeding 60cm at 3 years.
- Height verified by Qualified/Certified MGBA measurer(s).
- Animals should be microchipped.
SECOND CROSS (3/4) = 75%
- Animals must conform to breed type of parents and be DNA verified against parent’s DNA record(s).
- Does not exceeding 58.5cm. Bucks and Wethers not exceeding 61cm at 3 years.
FIRST CROSS (1/2) = 50%
- Animals must conform to breed type of parents and be DNA verified against parent’s DNA record(s).
- Does not exceeding 59.7cm. Bucks and Wethers not exceeding 62.2cm at 3 years.
MGBA recognised animals with less than 50% Pygmy genetics, these animals require DNA parent verification for their percentage to be recognised and used in the Pygmy genetic recovery breeding program and recording for registration purposes. Eg. 25% (DNA parent verified) X 75% (DNAPV) to produce 50% offspring.
MGBA recognises percentages outside the standard crosses above (eg. 62.5%) these animals are also subject to DNA test requirements.
The use of both male and female herd book purebred ensures that sex-specific genetic material is accessible (Sponenberg, 2002)D
DNA REQUIREMENTS FOR WETHERS
Nigerian Dwarf & Pygmy wethers (not used as bucks) to not require routine DNA parent verification testing for registration purposes with the MGBA, with the provision that – wethers will not be exempt from DNA parentage audits (where required) and Show Wethers must be DNA parent verified to be shown.
PYGMY GENETICS IN AUSTRALIAN MINIATURE BREEDING
First cross (50%) animals are equivalent to Grade B for Australian Miniature Goat (AMG) breeding purposes.