The Grade System

Australian Miniature Goat Association Inc
(AMGA)

Official Breed Association of the Australian Miniature Goat

The Grade Registration System

Type 1 - AMGA Standards

Type 2 - AMGR Standards

Kid Recording

Miniature bred kids are only recognised as Australian Miniature Goats after they have been height verified at three(3) years of age and meet the height requirement for the grade. Any animal that does not meet the height requirement for a grade, will be moved to the appropriate lower grade for which it does meet the height requirement.

Miniature bred kids will only be listed in the AMGA kid recorded section provided they have at least one registered miniature parent. Kids will be eligible for transfer to the Grade section of the Australian Miniature Goat registry upon height verification and type classification as three year olds. Animals who exceed the height requirements may be transferred to the over height reference section of the studbook. The AMGA Registry will maintain a reference goat register for all other normal sized goats and cross breeds of such used in the development of the breed.

To ensure visibility of miniature bred stock and to ensure integrity in the registration process, kids should be registered as early as possible after birth.

Miniature Registration
Progeny will be one grade higher than the lower graded parent provided they meet the height requirement for that grade. Progeny not meeting the minimum requirements of the grade will be put in the relevant lower grade unless they exceed the maximum height limit. All animals in the Grade section of the Stud Book may be crossed with any type, the progeny will be classified according to the following Grade rules and according to the type standards to which it conforms.

As of 31st March, 2007 breeders may nominate to upgrade/register an animal using Type 1 or Type 2 (or both) classification at 3 years of age. Type 1 standards represent the AMGA breed standards that were agreed by members on 1st July, 2005. Type 2 standards represent the AMGR standards. This is to enable breeders to register all animals with the one registry without having to accept a lower grade for AMGR registered animals.

Type 1 - AMGA Standards

Grade – D
Grade D of the Stud Book is open to any adult goat not exceeding the maximum height of 63.5cm (25”) at maturity and stock can be of unknown / unregistered parentage. Alternatively, offspring produced by crossing a registered miniature parent to an unregistered parent or reference registered parent may be registered into the grade D section provided they do not exceed the maximum height of 63.5cm (25”).

Grade – C
Grade C stock will be accepted provided both parents are registered miniature with the lower graded parent being no less than grade D. Grade C animals must not exceed the maximum height of 58.5cm (23”) for both male and female.

Grade – B
Grade B stock will only be accepted where both parents are registered miniature with the lower graded parent being no less than Grade C. Grade B animals must not exceed the maximum height of 55.8cm (22”) for both male and female.

Grade – A
Grade A stock will only be accepted where both parents are registered miniature with the lower graded parent being no less than Grade B. These animals should conform to the ideal breed type conformation standards and must not exceed the maximum height of 53.3cm (21”) for both male and female.

Purebred
Pure Bred stock will only be accepted where both parents are registered miniature with the lower graded parent being no less than Grade A and with both parents of the same breed type i.e. Minikin x Minikin, Nuwby x Nuwby or Sheltie x Sheltie. These animals must conform to the ideal breed type conformation standard and must not exceed the maximum height requirement of 50.8cm (20”) for both male and female.

Why are there are so many grades up to pure status? Because we are starting out with crossbred stock, we need to produce a true breeding animal that "breeds true" to type (and height). Once the Purebred status is reached, the grading up process will be shortened and the grading system will be Purebred (50%) and Herdbook Purebred (100%).

Herdbook Purebred
Herdbook Purebred stock will only be accepted where both parents are registered Purebred miniature of the same breed type. These animals must conform to the ideal breed type conformation standards and must not exceed the maximum height requirement of 50.8cm (20”) for both male and female.

Reference - Over height
Reference - Over height stock exceeding the maximum allowable height of 63.5cm (25”) will be recorded as reference animals. Such animals may be used in the development of the miniature breed with their progeny being eligible for inclusion in the grade section provided they meet the height and type requirements for the breed.

Type 2 - AMGR Standards

Grade – D
Grade D is open to any adult goat not exceeding the maximum height of 63.5cm (25”) at maturity and stock can be of unknown / unregistered parentage.

Grade – C
Grade C Does will be accepted provided at least one parent is a registered, minimum Grade D, miniature and does not exceed the maximum height of 61cm (24”). Bucks must have two registered, minimum Grade D, parents and not exceed 63.5cm (25").

Grade – A
Grade A stock will only be accepted where both parents are registered miniature with the lower graded parent being no less than Grade B, both of the same type. Grade A animals must not exceed the maximum height of 58.5cm (23”) for does and 61cm (24") for bucks.

Purebred
Pure Bred stock will only be accepted where both parents are registered miniature with the lower graded parent being no less than Grade A and with both parents of the same breed type. Purebred animals must not exceed the maximum height of 57cm (22.5”) for does and 60cm (23.5") for bucks.

Note1: A 2.54cm (1") allowance applies to Nuwby bucks.
Note2: Graded Nuwby bucks exceeding 63.5cm (25") will not be accepted as a graded parent in Elf, Munchkin, Pixie or Sheltie breed types.

Reference - Over height
Reference - Over height stock exceeding the maximum allowable height of 63.5cm (25”) and 66cm (26") for Nuwby bucks will be recorded as reference animals. Such animals may be used in the development of the miniature breed with their progeny being eligible for inclusion in the grade section provided they meet the height and type requirements for the breed.

Why adult height verification is done at three years?
Based on data gathered by the AMGA Registry, adult animals are still growing until at least 3 years of age, although most of their height has been achieved by that age. Bucks are more likely to continue some growth until 4 years of age which is why they should have their height re-verified at 4 years of age. Any animal can have their updated height recorded at any age if submitted by the registered owner. Given that this is a 'height' breed, it is critical that the actual mature height of the animal is used when grading.

Should a parent not be height verified (for any reason including death) the progeny can only be graded on the verified parent's registration i.e. the young can only be accepted as grade D with one registered height verified parent or where no parents have been height verified.

Measuring your goat.
As this is a height breed, it is compulsory that an accurate height measurement be done when the animal has reached full maturity at three (3) years of age or over. The AMGA also requires height re-verification for all registered buck's upon reaching four (4) years of age.

Measurement may be done by any AMGA breeder member or veterinarian. Height is measured at the wither with the animal standing squarely.

To download detailed instructions on materials required and how to make a goat height measuring stick, click here to

All text and images contained herein are owned by and are copyright © 2005-9 Australian Miniature Goat Association Inc (AMGA). None of the contents of this site may be reproduced or republished except where written permission is given by the AMGA.

	Height measurement must be done on a flat surface with the animal standing relaxed and squarely. Measurement is taken at the highest point of the wither using a right angle measuring device set perpendicular to the floor. The animal’s head should be in line with its body, to achieve this it is recommended that you give the animal some feed in a container that can be held to achieve the correct level. AMGA recommends two people are available when measuring your animal, one to do the measurement and one to hold the feed container to ensure the head is at the correct level.

	It is recommended that the cannon measurement is also taken and is used as a general guide to the overall potential height of the animal. You should use a set of Vernier Calipers, plastic ones can generally be obtained from most hardware stores for under $10. Take the measure of the front right leg as show.