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Welcome to the boer-goat-blog
My name is John Payne and I am a Boer Goat Breeder. You can never have to much practical and useful information in this business. It is a fast changing and fast growing demand industry. This blog will cover Goat Industry News, Goat health issues, goat marketing, goat care, goat breeding news, who is doing what in the world goat scene. The Boer-Goat-Blog – All the latest news. Bookmark this page now and stay tuned for future Goat Updates. The boer-goat-blog – The latest news on breeding, buying, selling, raising meat goats and all about goats in general
Goats Used in Snail Control
A herd of goats from Vason Island is being used to assist the Port of Tacoma combat an invasive species of snails. The 80 goats are from "Rent-A-Ruminant" and they are used to eat brush and grass on 17 acres of property. When the vegetation is eaten out the port will put down poison to kill the snails.
Goat Napping Incident
The Three Most importnat Goats from Annapolis - Bill XXXII, Bill XXXIII and Bill XXXIV, are the three angora goats that are the Naval Academy’s team mascot, and they are now are safe and back home. West Point cadets “goat-napped” the three Bills on Nov. 17 but returned them Sunday to their home at the U.S. Naval Academy Dairy Farm. They raced back to West Point, N.Y., slapped together some photos and created a YouTube video that detailed "Operation Good Shepherd" -- the theft of the Naval Academy's unguarded and defenseless mascots.
SEATTLE GOATS WIN
As those who have followed this story know that pygmy goats are now legally pets in Seattle. The City Council has voted unanimously to reclassify the goats, which are also known as dwarf or miniature goats, as small animals rather than farm animals. The testimony rightly put forward was the dog-sized goats are great companions, enironmental responsible weed eaters and also milk producers. One great quote is "One small step for man, one giant step for goatkind," The goats grow up to 60cm tall and weigh 20kg to 45kg and must have pet licences, just like cats, dogs. However, they must be dehorned and males must be neutered to reduce musky odours. They are not allowed outside the owner's yard - but other people can borrow them for grazing. The measure was put forward by Jennie Grant, president of the Goat Justice League, which has 100 members.
Malaysia Goat Breeding News
The state of Terengganu has publicised plans to become an established goat-breeding state. The switch in emphasis from growing melons to breeding goats is a move that augurs well for the socio-economic uplift of those with low incomes in Terengganu. It was reported that 15,000 to 20,000 tonnes of mutton and 50,000 to 60,000 goats were imported from Australia.
Due to our level of consumption, it will take a very long time to reach self-sufficiency in goat production. Due to their high cellulose-digesting efficiency, goats have a better ability than cows to thrive on coarse fibrous vegetation, commonly found on sandy soil in the coastal areas of Terengganu. They are ideally suited for grazing on land with marginal agricultural potential, where they could improve the soil texture and fertility with their droppings.
Britains Defense Department will Let the Goats Live
The Ministry of Defence is considering abandoning deep-diving experiments which induce agonising decompression sickness in live goats after complaints from animal rights groups. Quite right too! Live testing was suspended in March and a review committee of six experts is now examining alternatives such as computer-modelling techniques to duplicate the effects of "the bends" - the often lethal effect of nitrogen bubbles in the bloodstream. The tests, previously carried out by defence research company QinetiQ at a facility in Gosport, involve subjecting goats to various pressures in a hyperbaric chamber.
Malaysia Goat robbery
A Boer goat farmer, who lost 35 goats in a robbery, is offering a reward of RM5,000 for their return. Boer Stud Farm owner Lai Kee Kin imports Boer goats from Australia and breeds them in his farm in Tanjung Keling here to be sold as stock goats. "Most of the goats they took were pregnant and four of them were Kalahari Boers." Lai said Kalahari Boers are rare in the country.
News from LekkerBokkie Farm
We have just had nearly 200 kids drop from our commercial herd and no less than two sets of quads all who have survived, which says something about fertility. Our kalahari Red bucks have done well with several Boer X Kalahari Red kids, and we can already see excellent meat comformation. Our prize winning stud does have also just dropped two sets of doe kids, with good birth weights and they are thriving
Goat Rustlers Caught
Police became suspicious when they observed a minibus with 23 goats as passengers and this lead to the arrest of 3 suspected goat thieves in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The goats are believed to have been stolen in the previous 2 weeks and all carried the same ear marks.
Goats in Latest Movie
Some goats make a cameo appearance in the new movie Stardust alongside Michelle Phiefer, lucky goats!
Goat Tragedy in California
More than 200 goats have suffocated to death in an overturned livestock trailer and all because the police would not let their goat herder free them. The herder is reported as saying "They were screaming, screaming, screaming to get out,' says the owner of Goats R Us, an Orinda, California, company that rents out goats for grazing brush in fire hazard reduction. The 243 goats died on Friday when the four-tier truck trailer flipped making a sharp turn in Marin County north of San Francisco. The local police were more concerned with traffic control than humane animal issues, the owner had herding dogs etc however the police never listened and some 150 goats survived. Sue their sorry butts off I say and make them accountable for the suffering in court, truly disgraceful episode. The police claim truck was going too fast.
Australia - National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) trial for Goats
A goat National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) trial to assess the suitability of a range of tag designs for use on goats is underway with all goats involved in the trial now tagged. The primary focus of the trial is tag retention.
Depending upon the results of the trial, modifications to the provisions on the current Standard governing the tagging of goats may be made. The four enterprises involved in the trail cover the agricultural and rangeland production areas and include dairy, fibre and meat production systems. Monitoring is being conducted on an ongoing basis with final results to be available in early 2008. The results of the trial and subsequent recommendations will be communicated via the MLA website.
Goat Frequent Flyers?
In an Australian goat industry first, 3,490 head of goats were air exported to Jakarta in Indonesia by a Qantas freight 747 aircraft, The export company Halleen Australia Pty Ltd, were said to be very happy with the shipment outcome and all the animals arriving in good condition. The goats were contained in special designed crates that were sprinkled with ’Stable Plus’ a non toxic compound that absorbs ammonia molecules. As a factoid in 2006, Australia exported some 57,000 goats worth more than $7.1 million and the major destination being Malaysia
Sarawak Gears up for Commercial Goat Production
Sarawak has big plans to commercialize its goat breeding so as to reduce mutton The State Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture (what a sensible position to have), has stated that goat breeding now was on small scale, with around 10,000 animals. He also stated that they imported around RM7.5mil of mutton a year, and that equates to around 30,000. A spin-off to0 this plan is the possibility of exporting halal meat to other countries
Unique Albino Goat Sighted in Italy
A rare albino, never before known, mountain goat has been sighted in the northern Italian, and aptly now named "Snowflake." The rangers photographed the albino capra ibex climbing the mountain slopes with its mother about 10,000 feet above the Les Laures valley in the northwestern Val d'Aosta region. Evidently this is the only one ever documented and albinism is rare in any species. The capra ibex is a species of wild mountain goat with large curved horns that lives in mountainous areas. (I have been fortunate to see these myself while up in the alps some time a go)
Meat Goat Prices Easing in Australia
This article was sourced from an MLA report. Goat meat prices still remain at historically high levels however they have eased after strong demand in the second half of 2006. Weather plays a part in demand. Goat meat consumption in Australia’s two largest markets, the USA and Taiwan are directly affected by weather. If the winter is both cold and long then goat meat consumption also rises, and in warm winters it falls. The severe drought has played its part and supply has been reasonably good even though demand is subdued. The rangeland goats contribute some 90% of Australian goat meat production. These rangeland goats tend to come to water points when there is drought so capture is easy and this will alter with significant rainfall as they are harder to harvest and can find both water and good feed. This causes prices to increase. The significant rise in the Australian dollar against the US dollar will impact exports. Some 95% of goat meat production in Australia is exported and demand is still there but as a producer one wonders when the price threshold is reached where exports are affected. Current prices are forecast to be relatively subdued until the spring seasonal demand kicks in.
Q Fever Cause by a Goat Abbattoir in Australia?
A report in Australia has found that a relatively small small cluster of Q fever cases has been identified in a South Australian town. This has lead to vaccination warning for livestock handlers and abattoir workers. A more concerning finding was 4 confirmed cases detected within a 1-kilometre radius of the goat abattoir, that was not related to the meat or livestock workers. It is being said that the infections are may be the result of inhalation of contaminated dust emanating from the abattoir. Tighter dust control and containment of livestock will be required. This is an interesting HSE issue for those of us with larger herds as when working in large yards with our stock kicking up dust this may be an issue to look at.
Poachers in West NSW Australia Hurting Goat Farmers
Goat poachers are significantly hurting goat farmers the Far West State of NSW, and its reported that some may be losing up to A$20,000 a year in potential income. The poachers also add to the costs by vandalising fences and other property infrastructure. One grazier runs some 3,500 rangeland nannies joined to Boer bucks. He reports that is goats are all raised behind wire in an electrified rotational grazing system and all goats have a registered earmark. This year he has had to demolish 3 sets of yards erected by poachers
The Philippines is an Emerging Export Market
The Philippines is emerging as a good market for Australian Boer goats. There is a proactive expansion to increase the quality and size of the country’s goat meat industry. The demand for the next 12 months quantified at 30,000 head! Within the last 12 months, Australia has supplied about 4000 breeding goats and it is predicted Philippine demand will exceed supply for another 3 years. Malaysia is the largest importer of goats, with an predicted 2007 requirement of some 40,000 head. The main demand will be in the next 3-5 years of quality animals for herd improvement with also genetics potential in frozen semen and embryos. Prices per goat is in the range AUD$400 to $1500,
Namibia Goat Rustlers
Police investigating the theft of 149 goats from a farm have arrested a Namibian resident across in South Africa two weeks ago. They recovered 77 of the stolen goats. The theft occurred near the South African border and it was combined Namibian Police and the South African Police Service operation. The total value of the stolen goats was N$126 000.
Have you lost some goats in Cedar Grove, Florida
Cedar Grove police have a big case on their hands, where is CSI when you need them? 2 goats are incarcerated the back yard of the Cedar Grove Police Department since Sunday after they were picked up from Everet Avenue by police (there is a joke there isn’t there, Mmm police picking up goats?) They are appealing for the owner to come collect them. call Cedar Grove police at 747-0209.
Taiwan Goat Killer Captured
Wild dogs have been identified as the Linkuo goat killers, and a dog was caught in a trap cage with 2 others escaping
Goat Study Course at Fort Valley
Fort Valley State University is to offer a hands-on clinic for agriculture teachers and some 25 teachers from Georgia will be at FVSU on Monday at the school's Georgia Small Ruminant Research and Extension Center. The FVSU professor of animal science and extension specialist stated this was the first clinic on goats for agriculture teachers. This is in keeping with the growing demand for goat meat. Georgia currently has around 100,000 head of meat goats and ties with Tennessee as the second largest goat-producing state in the USA behind Texas.
The participating teachers will visit a local farm to work with goats, view demonstrations including shelter and fencing. They will also tour the Small Ruminant Research and Extension Center, where goat meat is processed for the public and where dairy goats are milked with a computerized milking system. Another important topic is parasite control, one of the biggest goat raising problems. Contact Wayne Crenshaw, 478) 923-6199, ext. 235.
Goat Killer Loose in Taiwan
A Taipei Magistrate is leading a group of 23 people in the Linkou mountainous area in northern Taiwan for an unidentified animal that has been killing domestic goats. The local police had reports from a local Linkou goat farmer that 8 of his 100 goats had been mauled to death by an animal resembling large feline, the beast was also likened to a tiger by one eye witness. Local officials hope to catch the animal alive.
NSW Australia Biennial Goat Conference
The NSW Farmers Association has invited goat producers to attend their Biennial Goat Conference in Dubbo in Central West NSW. The theme is "Goats from production to profit - the whole supply chain", and would look at the many issues the goat industry faces. Topics and speakers include feedlotting goats, goat meat meals, live export, goat fibres, dairy goats and also about product integrity by processors. The event will also have a variety of sponsor stands. The organisers state that the Biennial Goat Conference is a period when members can set the direction for the goat industry for the next 2 years.
Where and When? Wednesday, June 20, 8.30am - 4.00pm at the Savannah Room, Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo. (which is pretty poor short public notification to goat producers like myself who choose not to bememebers of the farmers association. If they wonder why attendance isnt up to scratch perhaps they need to improve communications. There will be an informal dinner at the Pastoral Hotel the same night. To register, call 1300 794 000 for a registration form or register by phone. Registrations close on June 13. (thats just 4 days notice!) I guess I will go in 2 years from now instead and get on with my goat farming.
Malaysia Goat Expansion
Kota Baharu based company Jihad Ternak aims to be the largest Jamnapari goat producers in the region by 2010. They commenced operations early this year with 2,000 Jamnapari goats in a 100-hectare area in Rong Chenok and already are having enquiries from Saudi Arabia, Brunei, Taiwan and China. They also aim to produce 200 litres of milk, one metric tonne of meat and increase herd by 100 goats a month next year to reach 8,000 goats. With facilities that include 2 large barns and 4 smaller ones, they will expand to breed more goats with target of 20,000 animals by 2010 to supply increasing demands. A new born Jamnapari kid costs RM1,000 and an adult goat of 150kg can be sold for can be sold for RM20,000.
Meat Goat Workshop
Oklahoma goat producer J.J. Jones is to host a workshop on meat goats from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday 2nd June on his goat farm near Ada. They farm around 80 Boer goats on a 35-acre ranch. His workshop program will focus on his own experiences, basic care, fencing and marketing. Oklahoma meat goat production has doubled between 1997 and 2002. Telephone for information at 647-9123.
New from my LekkerBokkie Goats Farm
Well my autumn (fall) kidding has started, and with 20 kids on the ground include a set of triplets things are looking good and 200 or so to come the next 3 weeks. Last year my kids were devastated by foxes and already 2 kids have gone. The alpacas I put in as herd guards didnt seemingly help however they were sighted chasing a fox out so there is hope yet. The first frosts have come and its time to get some winter quarters set up, but at least my place has lots of feed unlike many drought affected places
REWARD - California Goat Massacre
3 non profit organisations have posted a reward of $13,500 for information leading to conviction of those responsible for killing the 15 young brush clearing goats. Anyone with information is asked to call Oakland Animal Services at (510) 535-5640.
California Goat Massacre
No end to gun madness it seems. The state authorities are hunting for the perpetrators who killed the 15 goats being used as put of fire prevention brush-clearing exercise. The bastard who did this shot them all with a small-caliber gun inside a portable corral in Oakland's King Estates Recreation Area.
Bio Friendly Clearing
It is a fact that 60 goats can clear off brush faster than people and machinery and so companies such as "Rent A Ruminant" provide eco-friendly services and they save on emissions, noise and its much cheaper by around 80%
Goat Weed Control
More goats are being employed as weed killers at a northern Nevada lake and of course this is all natural with a 100 goats were due to arrive on site to help reduce noxious plants and weeds such as whitetop. Goats love it! Goat herders will use a portable electric fence and a guard dog.
Goats vs City Hall
Fact is more people would use goats as environmental sensitive weed control however many places have by-laws that prevent it.
So we still have lawn mowers ruling our lives.
Friends of the Goats to Meet
The group known as Friends of the Goats will hold a public meeting to discuss the wildlife and flora of the Valley of the Rocks. Where? Barbrook Village Hall at 8pm on May 17. The topic is the decision by Lynton councillors to cull the feral goats which roam the area. Meeting organisers want to develop a management plan to control goat numbers without culling
Goat Fire Fighters
Evidently confusion surrounds the imminent (or not) arrival of the annual herd of goats from Oregon that are used rather efficiently to do fire prevention work by grazing a 12-acre piece of Peck Park Canyon in San Pedro in California. Los Angeles parks officials stated that no goats required as they say lack of rain meant little material to eat off. The Chief goat herder Sarah Bunten from Nanny & Billy's Vegetative Management disputes that assessment and says weeds grow with and without rain. Of course the New Zealander report above may claim that eating weeds and reducing fire hazard contributes to global warming, although one short wild fire will release an awful lot of carbon into the atmosphere. All you need to know is in the boer-goat-blog
Goat Cheese Making Course
The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture is to run a 2 day hands on goat cheese making course this Friday and Saturday 4th and 5th May. The course teacher will be Linda Smith from Sherman Hill Farm in New York. Course fees are $125 for PASA members and $175 for all others. Course location is Fallsdale Farm in Tyler Hill, Wayne County, in northeast Pennsylvania. AS the course is limited to 12 participants for quality teaching so you best call the PASA at 349-9856 if you wish to enroll. All you need to know is in the boer-goat-blog
Indian Goats are TV Stars
The cricket world cup has just concluded and TV sports coverage rights have come out of India rather than ESPN, and whilst the advertising blitz was just terrible two adverts had goats featured. One advertisement for motorcycles had a concluding scene with a rather large Boer doe being led across a pedestrian crossing with its head being sheltered with a wicker basket from the "star motorcycles" and all very strange why the goat was in downtown area but who am I to wonder about such detail. In another mobile phone advert the directors reverted to stereotyping goats and had nice cute kid munching bunch of flowers that guy was about to give to cute lady, lucky guy got them both! I think! All you need to know is in the boer-goat-blog
Goats Mutilated! What is wrong with People?
A pet goat was killed in Warwickshire England with another 3 poor animals mutilated while in their stable this past evening.
One goat died after being stabbed in the eye and had its horns hacked off. The 3 remaining goats in the shed were badly injured, with one having had both horns cut off and stab wounds to neck and eyes, another poor animal had a gash on the neck and a last one slashed along the spine. Warwickshire Police say the surviving goats are being treated by vets and they working with the RSPCA to trace the attackers. Sadly any punishment will not fit this crime! All you need to know is in the boer-goat-blog
How Namibia are Trying to Cripple their Goat Meat Export Industry
Namibia has postponed the introduction of a 15 per cent export levy on goats. The proposed levy would have had greatest affect on communal farmers in southern Namibia. The postponement is also on the condition that the Meat Board ensures the availability of alternative markets when the grace period expires. Thats good move, make the goats too expensive and put your farmers out of business. All you need to know is in the boer-goat-blog
Goat in a minivan?
Up in Wyoming there is a story about a woman who is keeping a goat in her minivan and various animal rights are complaining but as she isn’t technically violating laws then there is little that can be done. As a goat house, well unconventional but get real lady goats deserve to be out walking and grazing and keeping it the van so it will not escape is a poor excuse. All you need to know is in the boer-goat-blog
Goat Deaths in Nepal
Around 700 sheep and goats have died over the last 2 weeks following an outbreak of Peste Des Ruminants ( PPR) in the Kalikot region, which lies around 400 km west of Kathmandu. Reports state the sheep and goats died just 4 -5 hours after the disease hit the animals. They say the goats contracted this disease after they were grazed in a remote part of the region. PPR is an acute or sub-acute viral disease of goats and sheep that is characterized by fever, stomatitis, gastro-enteritis arid pneumonia. This looks to be very scary virus! All you need to know is in the boer-goat-blog
Environmental Californians use Goats
The City of Menlo Park near San Francisco is using goats to eat away unwanted undergrowth in 2 urban parks. The program has been running 7 years. And its as we all know environmentally friendly alternative to toxic chemicals and the polluting mechanical equipment that is usually used to control tall weeds and grass. The service is provided by Ecosystem Concepts, Inc., The way it works is that a goat herder visits the 2 parks at the end of April to assess the grass condition and then 200 male and female goats of all ages are transported in to do the job. When on the job the goat have a shepherd 27/7 to take care of them. Portable electric fencing and herding dogs complete the package. All you need to know is in the boer-goat-blog
Goat News From Uganda in Africa
Goat farmers have laid blame on the Ugandan National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) Secretariat for imposing dairy goat breeds on them. Most who received goats state they wouldn’t have chosen dairy breeds as some 70% of their milk with little market for the milk, so it goes to waste every day due to lack of cooling facilities. All you need to know is in the boer-goat-blog
Under an agreement a company was contracted to supply 395 improved goats to farmers' groups within the district. This contract was for enhancement in technology multiplication and capacity development of the farmers. The breeds included Boers and savannah meat breeds as well as alpine, Saanen and Toggenburg dairy goats. The suppliers constructed goat houses and then stocked them with the breeds, but most farmers complained that they never received adequate goat management training with the result that most ofthe goats died. The goats were also distributed without the consent of the district veterinary officer, so no health checks and assessments were made. Evidently many NGOs within the district do get animals checked however the goat supplier Ssembeguya Estates did not do so. Ssembeguya Estate has a herd of 3,500 adult goats, 60 pure female Boer goats, 20 pure Boer bucks, 1000 Boer crosses at various levels of crossing ranging from 50% onwards, 40 savannah bucks, four saanen bucks and four alpine bucks. The alpine and saanen were recent arrivals. All you need to know is in the boer-goat-blog
Australian Mohair Prices Are Up
Mohair sold for AUD$24.38 cents a kg this past Friday. The Australian Mohair Marketing Organisation (AMMO) sold 34,757 kg to reach an average of AUD$12.05 per kg greasy. The best fleeces ranged from 22.9 to 24.7 microns.
The top price went for a 24.7 micron bale that had a yield of 87.1 per cent. All you need to know is in the boer-goat-blog
Namibia Market Report
A report from The Namibian in Windhoek states that goat prices are satisfactory. Being a Kalahari Red goat breeder and having had the good fortune to visit Namibia the story caught my eye. My suggestion is GO! Before the tourists discover the place. I digress! The Namibia Livestock Agency (NLA) has stated that they are happy with the supply and condition of goats at its auctions even though rain has been scarce. Folks this is one fry country I can tell you! The prices offered for goats remained relatively good however sheep prices were a source down due to oversupply as farmers offloaded stock. Most of the goats are live exported to neighbouring South Africa, and go to Kwazulu-Natal province In January the average goat price ranged around N$13,50 per kg and older goats are around N$10. In March average price was around N$12,50. Farmers continue to offload over concern for deteriorating grazing conditions due to poor rainfall. Ten Namibian dollars = USD$1.40 All you need to know is in the boer-goat-blog
Goat market Evolution in the Kansas
Demographic changes and the arrival of several diverse immigrant groups is expanding the previously small Kansas goat meat industry. Demand for the goat meat is increasing in line with Middle Eastern, Asian, African, Latin America and Caribbean population growth. The Kansas Meat Goat Association was created in 2000 and now has some 100 members. At Jan. 1, 2006, the total number of milk goats and kids in Kansas totaled 23,000 animals which was 5% up on 2005. national statistics for 2006 totaled 2.8 million head, and that is up from 2.5 million 2005. If you are in Kansas then send me some news and updates. read the boer-goat-blog
Smart and Free Goat farming Tools
South Dakota State University have made available a new budget spreadsheet that assists goat producers calculate the costs of producing goats for the meat goat market. I have tried this out and its very useful tool
You can find the Excel spreadsheet by going first to the SDSU Economics Web site South Dakota State University
Then use the pulldown bar under “Extension,” then click on “Management tools and links.” The Boer-Goat-Blog – The latest goat news
Goat Meat in Malaysia
Malaysia has plans to develop the country as a major centre for south-east Asian Halal goat slaughtering. Australia exported 42,759 live goats to Asia in 2006. Australian goat meat producers are well positioned to benefit form this given the close geographical location and the fact that Malaysia, in spite of a goat industry expansion plan, can not meet the ever increasing demand. In February 2007 Australian export showed an increase of 3pc over 2006 at 1464 tonnes.
Goat meat shipments to the United States and Taiwan increased nearly 50% and then US still remains the largest Australian goat meat market, taking around 50% of all exports. The Boer-Goat-Blog – The latest goat news
Goat Kid Rustlers
Some goat farmers in Kansas say that someone has been stealing new borne kids, some 25 in 5 weeks. They are certain its not feral animals such as bobcats and coyotes and believe its people who are taking and hard feeding then ritual slaughter as this is a popular period for goat consumption. Given they are worth up to $50 a head that is hurting them badly.The Boer-Goat-Blog – The latest goat news
Zimbabwe Goats losses
Evidently a pride of lions is hunting at nights around villages and they have killed 22 cattle, 10 goats and five sheep in the past 2 months. The Boer-Goat-Blog – The latest goat news
Corny Goat-Jokes
Okay you sick people asked for them so here they are!
What do you call a goat at sea? Billy Ocean!
What do you call an unemployed goat? Billy Idol
Why is it hard to carry on a conversation with a goat? Because they're always butting in.
Doctor, Doctor I feel like a goat". "How long have you felt like that"? "Since I was a kid".
Who did the goats vote for as president? Billy Clinton
What is a Does favorite t.v. show? The Nanny
Gay Sheep and Goats?
It has been reported that scientists at Oregon State University are carrying out research on physiological factors in sheep that perhaps can explain why around an estimated 8% of rams seek sex exclusively with other rams instead of ewes. This has lead to animal rights activists and gay advocates protesting and calling for a stop to the research. The logic is evidently that these scientists may find a cure for the homosexual rams that may be used to other species, i.e Humans! The Boer-Goat-Blog – The latest goat news
Bookmark this page now and stay tuned for future Goat Updates. The Boer-Goat-Blog – The latest news on breeding, buying, selling, raising meat goats and all about goats in general
Even the Camels are Thirsty
The worst drought in over 100 years is also causing grief for the million feral camels in Australia. Plans are being prepared for a massive cull of these environmentally destructive imports. They compete for scare food, wreck fences, water bores and dams, as well as native plants. The population can double every 8 years so it’s a big problem, and they share the outback with another 7 million feral goats as well. The camels have become mad with thirst as water holes and dams are all dry and they recently rampaged through a remote community damaging toilets, faucets and even air conditioners as they tried to find water. These single-hump camels, or as they are correctly known as dromedaries, came into Australia for use as pack animals carrying supplies into vast outback in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, and they came with their experienced Afghan herders. The list of feral animals that are of significant concern are feral camels, horses, donkeys, pigs, European wild rabbits, European red foxes, cats, goats and cane toads. As all these beasts have few natural predators and some very large tracts of sparsely-populated real estate in which to range, the various animal populations have soared. The Boer-Goat-Blog – The latest goat news
Goat News From Sweden
They say that a herd of goats is responsible for starting a major fire last Sunday near the Swedish city of Gavle, and where they burn a straw goat every year at Christmas. A police spokesman said the goats had most likely chewed on an electrical cable until Sunday's fire started. "The fire is thought to have been caused by some of the goats gnawing through an electricity cable," he said, jokingly adding that police decided not to arrest a particularly guilty-looking goat. What a load of BS this is scape-goat more likely, I am an electrical engineer and it’s more likely an electrical fault and mice or rats chewing cables, but goats I don’t think so. The old lie that goats eat everything. Show us the evidence I say to these keystone cops. The Boer-Goat-Blog – The latest goat news
Promoting Goats Milk in the UK - Thank Goodness For Goats
A 2 year-old boy has been selected as the face for a national campaign to highlight the health benefits of goats’ milk. We goat lovers and goat raisers already know this of course. The 2007 national publicity drive, has the great slogan of Thank Goodness For Goats. This campaign is to be launched by St Helen’s Farm, which are the UK’s leading supplier of goats milk products, and this is also to coincide with Food Intolerance Week starting January 22–26. The boy will help promote the health benefits of goats milk and he was switched to goats milk after discovery of a lactose intolerance to traditional cow based dairy products. Food intolerance and food allergies are an increasing concern in UK and US and some 20 to 30 per cent of UK adults and children suffer from some food sensitivity. The Boer-Goat-Blog – The latest goat news
Goat Rustlers in South Africa
Four men, two of who were already out on bail, were arrested after they were found with 18 stolen goats in their bakkie (pickup truck) they were evidently selling the goats in KwaZulu-Natal for about R800 each.The Boer-Goat-Blog – The latest goat news
Quad Goats in Tennessee
One report a couple of weeks ago from Rhea County was about a goat birthing quadruplets. I had my first same quads from one of my Boers this past season, while triplets are also relatively common quads are not. The Boer-Goat-Blog – The latest goat market news
Smart Use of Goats in Colorado
Organic gardeners have receeved a $10,000 grant to bring goats back to eat weeds around Bear Creek Regional Park's chemical-free garden. The grant coms from the Colorado Garden Show Inc. and will allow the Bear Creek Garden Association to rent a herd of about 500 goats to graze on 18 acres around the garden for seven to 10 days in the spring and also a similar period in the fall. Smart thinking and happy goats. The Boer-Goat-Blog – The latest goat news
Goat War Casualties
Several goats were killed by an Israeli cluster bomb in South Lebanon on Thursday. Lebanese security and a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon investigated the incident, and found that fields in the area strewn with these deadly devices, all left over from the summer 2006 war with Israel. Residents of the village called for work on removing cluster bombs and other forms of unexploded ordnance to be accelerated. All us goat lovers fully support that call I think. The Boer-Goat-Blog – The latest goat news
Goat Shortages in India
Over in Mumbai many muslims had to go without sacrificing a goat on Bakri Eid due possible backlash from animal welfare activists. The Deonar slaughterhouse has been forced to turn away many prospective customers as traders had not supplied the abattoir with enough animals. Many activists along with police had stepped up patrols all over the city and detained over 10 trucks carrying animals. After that, many suppliers stopped sending trucks. Good quality goats could not make it to the market because owners feared they would be confiscated. The Boer-Goat-Blog – The latest goat news
The Boer-Goat-Blog – The latest goat news
John Payne
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