Take a Breath

Morning Little Goatropers,

Let’s have a chat from Quarantine.

Everything is a little scary and uncertain right now. We get it. Rations at the grocery store, unemployment, shelter in place. Etc.

Our first instinct might be that we need to buckle down and get back to the land. Become rugged homesteaders. Become self sufficient.

Yall. I say this with all sincerity.

You can not become farmers overnight in a pandemic.

Goats (or any livestock really) have a steep learning curve with good resources and unlimited movement in regards to getting feed, hay, and veterinary care.

Right now is the absolute worst time to try and start a farm. The worst.

My dairy goat friends and I are being inundated with requests for does in milk or about to kid from people who have never even lived outside suburbia, or seen a goat out side a petting zoo. I am not saying yall aren’t capable in normal conditions. But times are far from normal.

Please don’t put yourself and animals through the stress of trying to start a farm in the backyard of some 2 acre HOA house right now. You need housing, predator protection, feed, hay, water….it’s more than just buying goats and chickens and having them live off your grass.

This will pass.

The rations will lift.

Find a local farm that is selling milk or meat or eggs. They need the support, and maybe some toilet paper or detergent.

We ourselves have been doing research and feel comfortable selling milk soon.

Just…think about it. Deep breaths everyone. It’s going to be ok. But not with a dozen chickens and some starving dry goats in your backyard next to the swing sets.

Changes

Ten years. Ten years we’ve been at this goat life.

Most years have been good. And we love to share those and the moments of joy and happiness.

But the last few…the last few years have been a struggle. The last year has been hell.

I know other farms that never share the Hell moments. “People don’t want to see that. They only want the happy parts on their feed”

I can’t argue with that. Who wants to know about death and injuries and the hard part of animal husbandry.

But I know when I first started it seemed like everyone was having perfect farms. Perfect kids. Nothing went wrong. I thought this would be easy from everyone’s posts.

All farms have terrible days, months, years. If they say they don’t, well. I have a goat that makes 5 gallons a day to sell you if you believe that.

I always blame myself when we lose an animal. I over examine every step. I question my ability and my faith. Yesterday as Garnet died in my arms, just as her mother did a year earlier, I felt like the future of this farm died with her.

We had ultrasounded her and saw two kids. I don’t lead feed so the does don’t have issues with large kids or milk fever. Roadie has always thrown normal sized kids in the past. And all our 2020 babies have been normal to smallish sized.

“It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life.”

Life is hard. And Unfair. And as I was sobbing on the floor, holding her, I gasped out “I don’t want goats anymore. I can’t do this any more. I can’t”

And my Family quietly let me sob, knowing nothing they would say or do could heal my broken heart.

Joshua brought me a klonopin and a water. Drew sat with me until I cried it out. My father did what daddies do and hugged me until I felt safe.

We took Garnet and her buckling for necropsy.

Then we made a big decision.

No we aren’t selling out. I for one don’t have the spoons to find perfect homes for all my babes.

However in 2020 we will not be breeding like we did this year. Instead of 19 maybe 5. Kids from Levi, Mugwort, and Paprika will be our only goal. Everyone else will be milked through. We will take no reservations. Kids will be kept or sold as they come. We may add does to our purebred obie herd, but they have to obligations to us except to grow and be happy.

We need a break and space and time. And I know the “hardcore” farmers will scoff at us and gossip behind their virtual hands. “How can you be a farmer without a breeding season? What a lazy city slicker. I always knew she wasn’t for Real”.

Honestly? I don’t give a flying…well. You know. I used to but I’m too old and too tired to care.

So that’s it. Goat momma is pretty broken right now. There isn’t enough gold in the world to piece my heart back together. But there is time and the love of my family and friends and remaining beasties.

10 years.

Stars in our Eyes!

In addition to our September pending star achievers, Pearl (2*m) and Fantasia (6*m), We are pleased to announce that Amber earned her pending star in both butterfat and protein to become a 1*M!

Tatiana and Jane could earn theirs in our November test to become 5*M and 1*M milkers respectively. Good job ladies ❤

One day Test results

Our one day test results are in! And while we didn’t get any stars (have to earn those the slow way this time), we are actually really pleased.

The supermodels have been moved across the state, dealt with scorching temperatures, a new herd heirachy, and a change in milking routine. It’s amazing they haven’t dried up completely, nevermind still giving at least half a gallon each on test.

And our Golden Child Amethyst was only a month fresh, still nursing, and a toot on the stand. Still came out with half a gallon and 11.4 points total (18 is needed for a Star)

Thanks to G3 Farm – Golden Girls Goats for sponsoring the test, I hope your little gals did as well or better! and to the The Caraker Farm for trusting us with these pretty ladies.

Current Milk Testing Summary

Even in this sudden heat wave, our girls are doing pretty well. The overall production has gone down, but the butterfat is way up! Good job ladies. I see possible stars in the futures of Pearl, Jane, Smokey, Heidi, Amber, Fantasia, and Tatiana! Sherry might squeak on in on Butterfat, which would be miraculous considering the terrible mastitis she freshened with. Gotta love those persevering Obies ❤Untitled

Toggenburgs For Sale

We are selling our entire Toggenburg herd. We would prefer them to go as a group. This would be an excellent starter herd for someone.

Located in central Arkansas. Clean and tested herd. Cash, card, and PayPal accepted-the last two with a slight service charge. Can deliver for an additional fee.

Will sell as a Group for $1100.

Please visit our Toggenburg page for Pedigrees and more information.