Oh wow. I am so sorry. I know she was your love, she started this whole thing and you have her memory to carry with you. It sure hurts to lose one that you have so many years with, so many good times and so much love for. Big hugs.
Thank you for all the condolences, it was hard to go to the barn this morning...I know in time it will get easier.
Mia has pups due in 9 days. So far no problems so wish us both some luck. She lost her pups at 7 weeks gestation last time and she is just past that right now.
Breeding season is in full swing and I have too many bucks...anyone need a Lamancha or a nigi?
Looking at making ice cream in the dairy. @Devonviolet I know that you use your cream separator a lot but what do you use the low fat milk for after taking the cream out? I want to add extra cream to the ice cream but I don't want to just waste all that milk.
@HomeOnTheRange are you still considering mini Alpines? I am selling all of mine as it is just too hard to own multiple breeds during breeding season. I have 5 does that I am milking that are F1, 5 does that are this year kids that are F2 and one mini F1 buck that is 1.5 years old. He is the sire of the F2 kids and I will be breeding him back to his daughters as I have no other options...another reason I am selling. I have people that want bottle baby minis next spring so I will breed a few of my does for minis again and that will be the end of it.
Sorry to read of your loss. That is a nice picture of her. She will of course live on as your inspiration for the major lifestyle change you took on to build and operate the dairy. Is that an old age for a goat? I really have no clue how long they normally live. At 12 a cow is getting into the "old age" group although there are some breeds that remain productive into their mid and late teens; but on many farms a cow is considered old by the time she is into the double digits.
That is a shame Babs..........she has been instrumental in the building of your dairy and is truly worthy of being immortalized in your logo....she has help to give ya a solid foundation to build on and lots of great memories too. Maybe one of her offspring will attempt to fill her hooves.