Mineral Adventures

Because of the way I feed my herd, it's hard to give an individual "dose" per animal, but when I first started using the EZ Pelz I substituted about 1/8 of the ration for one feeding, with the EZ pelz. So in essence, 1/16th of the ration for that time was EZ Pelz. I did that for about a week, and then I went back to the normal ration, putting a top dress of EZ Pelz on the regular feed and then mixing that in. I continue to do that once a day, though sometimes I forget. I don't double up the next day though.

I have seen my bucks get much stronger colors in their coats. Rut was extended by a couple of weeks, though with the warmer weather they are much calmer now. Does that had trouble conceiving, seem to have settled, though again, it may just be the end of breeding season. We'll see in a couple of months if that's true or not.

The strongest evidence that we have an improvement is that I have two does that now look very similar. Before, Timpatience was as white as a Saanen. Her past brothers had often been white, and she, at two years old, had never shown any sign of any other color. Now she's a heavily roaned white with red guard hairs. Her half-sister, Mithral, is very much the same color, and since both are now bred, it can be very hard to tell them apart.

We still find that the herd wants kelp, as there is still a race to the bucket when we fill it up, so obviously the EZ pels isn't the complete solution here. But those are organic minerals, so they are naturally chelated. We still have one doe with a problem, but we're working on finding that solution. Hers is not as simple as a lack of access. It's more one of personality. Hopefully we'll find the answer to her problem soon.

But in this herd, EZ Pels has made a big difference. As with anything else, I don't think there's ever any Easy Solution to every problem, but it's a big step toward a solid baseline. Hope that helps.

We're Making Waves

The USDA announced today that it will be holding "listening sessions" throughout the nation for the next six month. What are they listening for? Ways to make NAIS more acceptable. Congress is getting frustrated with the lack of movement on this program, which many of us see as unnecessary and intrusive. Sec. Vilsack has stated that he wants to hear as many voices as possible about how to make NAIS more palatable. I think we need show him how many different ways it's unacceptable.

The USDA has also announced that it will be reopening the Federal Registry for comments in coming weeks. They will be posting the question and the "listening session" schedule pretty soon. You can read more about this announcement at

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/04/0108.xml

A Question of Why

Lately I've been thinking a lot about the directions goatkeeping are taking, and what my plans are for my own farm. It has gotten me into some very interesting conversations, though safe ones because I often speak with people who have the same philosophy I have. But a talk with my son this morning (car rides are great for real conversations, I'll miss them when he graduates), and we were discussing the value of hearing different opinions.

With the loss of so many newspapers and the rise of the Internet as a source I worry that the ability to read multiple sides to an issue will be lost. It's only natural to want to be with people who agree with you, but I do'nt think it's actually the wisest way to live. So, I'm asking here, understanding that there are a variety of answers to these questions: Why do you keep goats? What is the herdsize you think is ideal? What are your goals in goatkeeping?

Personally, I can say that my goal has always been to create a line of goats that prosper on average feed, without heavy duty supplementation and survive in the New England hills without a lot of pampering. To me, that specifically means that the animals coming from this herd should be identifiable as "Hames & Axle goats." To that end we have purposefully chosen select stock with certain traits, not necessarily from the most "popular," herds. That doesn't mean that they aren't great herds, just that they don't necessarily have the means to show often, or perhaps their farmers are shy and don't socialize well. It is well documented that we "goat folks," are a unique lot, and don't always "play well with others."

My herd, of about 50, including kids, bucks and does, is a little bigger than I'd like, but I've decided that if we're going to make it as a real farm, and not a petting zoo, we have to be able to make enough product (ie soap, etc.) to meet the year round demand. If we are going to expand our knowledge of cheesemaking, kefir and yogurt, we need extra milk around beyond the soap and drinking needs. That means the herd had to grow. However, I know my land's limits and that we are reaching that level quickly, and choices will have to be made.

I see so many herds explode into the "goat scene," buying more than a few bred does, collecting bucks, and growing really quickly, I worry. I'm glad that we took the time to learn about goatkeeping before we entered the world of "goat selling." It was even longer before we entered that scary domain of "goat showing." While I was more worried about my behavior in the ring, I've since learned that it is the behavior out of the ring that is of more concern.

So, I'm wondering, why do you keep goats? How do you feel about small or large herds? Are you more interested in raising competitive show goats, or productive contributors to your farm? There are very few wrong answers, (I can't say there aren't any, that's a matter of opinion.) But I hope that this is a conversation that we can build on. I'll probably bring this to the next issue of Ruminations, with people being invited to post here or in writing to me at home. I hope you'll share your ideas.

By the Way, just a word of clarification for those who might think that Ruminations is a big operation. We have lately gotten some very confused phone calls. Ruminations is run from my house, with contributors all over the country. When you call us, I don't answer Ruminations, I just say Hi. Why? Because I'd have to answer "Stewart Family, Hames & Axle Farm, Surfing Goat Soaps, Small Holders Alliance and Ruminations, How can I help you?" I don't have the patience for that, so "hi" will have to do. Call when you have to, it's fine if it's late at night. But don't be surprised if you hear a groggy answer if it's after 8:00 p.m. on the west coast. We'll answer, but we don't guarantee we're totally awake yet. Take care,

Next Issue Closing Soon

Issue #65 of Ruminations will be coming out next month. Do you have a Quad Corner picture to share? a story? an event to announce? Let us know. This issue is supposed to be based around the "Business of Goats," so if you have a goat based sideline, or full time job, let us know about it.

Thanks,