rachels.haven's Journal

[rachels.haven]

Parentage can be critical for breeding traits.

I kind of wonder if that's why the ND breed hasn't been improving dairy-wise as much as it could be. That and general contention/counterproductive competition.

That's also why I want to have DNA on file for all the goats we keep to breed. Kids can be matched to their parents and we can have the highest chance possible that people are bringing in the traits they intend to if they buy from us.

It's funny how I can't go more than a few months into owning the breed again before I run right back into this familiar nonsense AGAIN.

 

[Baymule]

Riker looks so happy!

 

[SageHill]

DNA -- ah yeah-- in dogs as well - sort of. Both Zo and Ree had DNA done to register in Belgium where they were born. I registered them here with the AKC all fine and dandy. Bred them and the AKC wants THEIR DNA test BEFORE they will let me register the litter. Only because they were not born on US soil. GRRRR added costs.

 

[SageHill]

Such cuties!!!! Happy Riker!

 

[rachels.haven]

*gulp* emailed Rockin-CB. Maybe they'll have time for me. Hopefully I won't be perceived as a pest with all the post national champion business and get taken for "a walk" for amusement due to lack of consequence because I'm no one. You never know what you'll find in the show dairy goat industry lately. People have kind of had their fighting teeth out-maybe due to inflation and rising costs or competition or breakdown of the feelings of community bonds and common ground. (I wish I had a shirt that said "I'm not a threat" and "Leave me alone" some days)

Fencing work has continued.

More winter insurance round bales are being delivered tomorrow. My winter alfalfa is coming this Saturday.

Riker is screwy in the head and can't be with the puppy after either of them have eaten in the last 30+ minutes. He tries to kill her. Not impressed. Other times he's sulky and subordination to her. He may wind up sent to the buck pen as soon as I think I can trust her due to loose screws (and his cidr pulling/consuming habit). They need an LGD too and they're actually a little nicer to LGD's than the catty does. Things may even out when she's older and able to hand his bum to him on a platter like Bailey was.

My farm neighbor to the rear of our property has a working pair of pyrs too. Yay!

The neighbors on our lane approve of the fence. I think they appreciate it not being dilapidated electric by their walkway. I'll put "don't pet my screwy dog" signs of some sort when the fence is done.

I'm really glad I'm not in FL right now.

 

[Ridgetop]

That's why they're requiring DNA on all bucks born after like 2021 if I remember right. And they probably wanted to do does too before they started having software issues.

Tennessee Walking Horse Association has required DNA for many years. There was a cutoff date to submit DNA after which you could no longer DNA type a horse. Probem wth DNA is that if a breeder is unethical they can lie on the DNA forms.

If you are having problems wth the NDs' registrations I woud probably just sell them and concentrate on your LaManchas. But that is just my opinion as I get more "Prime". LOL Definitely sell the White buck since he is not the bloodline you wanted.

 

[rachels.haven]

@Ridgetop , funny, I was just thinking about that. The best most reliable source of milk and meat (on the side) I've ever had is a herd of well raised, adult Lamanchas. They just do what they do quietly and well.
Totally if the ND project becomes too much of a pain in the bum and pocket book I'll just quit. I was hoping to boost my cheese yields, but ND are expensive and where there's money, there's corruption.

 

[Ridgetop]

If you are looking to make cheese, volume of milk is necessary. Full size dairy goats will give you that. Higher cream value (NDs?) is not necessary for most cheese.

 

[farmerjan]

In cattle, the SNF... solids non fat..... are what increases the money paid by the cheese plants.. we do not get paid for it here in this federal milk marketing order...because nearly all our milk goes to "fluid milk sales"... but they do pay for it in the area near Wisconsin and all... more cheese plants. There is a factor in the bull stud catalogs and it is cheese yield$$.... based on snf as well as butterfat...

 

[Baymule]

I don’t have goats, never had goats and probably won’t ever have them. But if I was to get struck by lightning and my scrambled brains decided I needed goats, they would be full sized, not itty bitty cutesy bits of a goat.