Body Structure/Conformation

•                 Fleshiness throughout the year
•                 1×1 Teat Structure and good udder that completely retracts after weaning kids.
•                 Strong thick brisket/chest area – Straight top line -Thick rear end
•                 No split scrotums – round and secure
•                 Good Bite – No over or underbites
•                 Maintains a good FAMACHA score

•                 Minimal to No Kidding Assistance
•                 Get their kids up in under 30 min. and nursing.
•                 Raise their weight in kids.
•                 Raise twins every year or better starting at 2 years of age.

•                 Zero Mastitis
•                 Zero Hoof Root – Minimal Trimming
•                 Minimal medical intervention
•                 Little to no deworming – Parasite Resistance
•                 Growth on forage and minimal to no grain

What do we use to track data? 

Kin-tracks Animal Breeder

How do we track the current year’s kid performance, doe, and buck performance?

We use our Goat Kidding Tracker that we made and can be found in our online store.

                  We feed endophyte fescue pasture during the spring/summer/fall months with a loose mineral buffet. In the winter months we feed quality hay that has been tested and a good quality protein tub. If the winters are harsh enough, grain can be supplemented, but typically we have the quality hay and protein tubs necessary for the dams to grow and grow those babies for spring kidding.

                Breeding takes place towards the end of November. We start planning out months in advance on which bucks will pair with what does, and if we will be AI-ing any does for that current year. We look to kid out on pasture to minimize input costs and increase milk production. Kidding in the spring reduces the risk of freezing and smothering instead of the winter months. This typically prohibits us from participating in the university buck tests however, it is not worth the risk, stress, and health of our goats to push kidding into the winter months. We perform our own on farm testing.

                Once birthing takes place, we will tag, weigh, and document the kids information on the day they are born. The next time we get them all together will be at 30 days for their first CD&T and CL vaccination. We will follow up in 3-4 weeks with their final booster shots of CD&T and CL. At 90 days, we will pull the bucklings off the dams and place them in a separate paddock along the same fence line with their dams. This is called fence line weaning and it reduces stress. Anytime stress can be reduced we take it. This limits the risk of coccidia. The doelings are then pulled at 120-150 days depending on the dam’s body condition. The longer they can stay on the better for their growth.

                The doelings will start a 2-week weaning period. After those 2 weeks they will be put on low endophyte fescue that is infected with parasites to weed out and select the best doelings for breeding stock. The ones that do not make it are sent to the sale barn. No single kids are retained for breeding stock. We strive to produce the best breeding stock possible. They will need to grow on forage and loose mineral only.