CGS 2021 West National Goat Show
Cowichan Fairgrounds Cowichan Bay, BC, Canada

Today would have been the day we all get together to share our love of goats. Sadly Covid19 has interfered with those plans. Our hope is to win the bid to host the 2021 CGS West National. Continue to share our page with your goat loving friends and the folks you sold your kids to this year. They will do you proud in the ring. ... For now, hug your goats and make plans to come to the island next year. Stay safe everyone!

A message from the Chairperson. We’ve made the decision and I regret to announce that we are cancelling the West National Show this year and will reapply this fall to hold the show next year. Ted Brooks 2020 West National Show Chair... We will reapply to host next year is the good news! Due to expenses we have incurred, we hope that all our sponsors will stick with us and come through next year. Should we be successful in our bid to host the 2021 West National, we will be once again be looking for items to auction off. Plan to head west and visit our beautiful island and show us your goats! Be safe, be healthy and hug a goat

MEET THE BREEDS Toggenberg This goat is from Toggenburg Valley of Switzerland at Obertoggenburg.... The Toggenburg is among the most productive breeds of dairy goat and is distributed world-wide, in at least fifty counties in all continents. They are also credited as being the oldest known dairy goat breed. Slightly smaller than the other Alpine breeds this goat is still known for consistently good udders and it’s persistent milk production over long period with a fat content of 3.56% Colour varies from deep chocolate brown to pale fawn and the goat is generally short and fine with white or cream markings on their face and legs. Toggenburgs have a decided personality and character, are very alert and extremely active. As a breed, they tend to group together and respond well to training, so therefore adapt easily to machine milking.

MEET THE BREEDS Saanen This breed finds its origin in the historic Saanenland region in Western Switzerland.... These lovely white goats are one of the largest, standing at about 35 inches tall, and calmest breed of Swiss goat. They are one of the top milk producers yielding an average of 2500 pounds of milk per year with 3-4% milk fat. A true Saanen goat will always be white or light cream with few to no spots on their fur. Their fair skin and hair means that they do do not do well in hot climates. They are extremely sensitive to sunlight and will perform better in cooler climates.

MEET THE BREEDS Oberhasli Oberhasli goats produce a sweet-tasting milk with a butterfat content of around 3.5 to 4%. Originating in central Switzerland, all purebred members of the breed descent from five Chamois coloured goats imported the the US in 1936, although it wasn’t until 1978 the the breed was recognized by the ADGA. ... Oberhaslis are prized for their chamois-coloured coats. They range from light to deep red, with darker reds being the preferred colour. They have black bellies, black legs below the knee, black muzzles and facial stripes, and a black dorsal stripe. They have straight faces and low-set, upright ears. Their disposition is docile and excellent milk production along with handsome colouring makes this goat an upcoming favourite among dairy goat farmers and breeders. Hardy in cold climates, friendly, not easily startled makes them easy to live with as well as their strength makes them excellent pack animals.