We went to an AI Refresher course in Georgia with Cam Fairchild. We synced and bred two does. He told us when we start we will have a 50% success rate. When we are good, it will increase to 70%. Well, Alexa came back into heat, but it looks like Scandal is bred. We will draw blood shortly to know for sure. Most of the herd is going the natural route and we are using a few young Oldesouth bucks. Rain-Beau boys are looking great and Amber's son Crimson Tide will breed most of the does.
We have been to the Alabama National Fair and won the milking classes and brought home Grand and Reserve Champion does in milk. SG NC Promisedland BHP Scandal 4*M AR, 5*D took the Grand and our baby Oldesouth SR Cuppuccino took the reserve as a yearling. Rain-Beau took the Best Of Breed and later won BEST IN SHOW. This is her third BIS for the year. Rain-Beau has really turned out to be an awesome doe. I purchased her as a brood doe, fat and furry. She cleans up really well...
Most of our milking string is into their 8th month of milk and many are pregnant. All that milking pays off at the fall shows when most herds have either dried their does off or the does are fading in their milk. It is really important to milk the first fresheners as long as you can stand to. Then as second fresheners... and beyond, they are magnificent.
(above are the 4 Best In Show wins for 2013. One is from our buck Oldesouth Blue Blanc Sabr
and the other three are from Rain-Beau.)
Wins for the year so far with the Peanut Festival our final show:
2 AGS does Finished Champions
2 ADGA does Finished Champions
9 Grand Champion titles
3 New Stared Milkers
1 SG doe
We have been selling off sheep, have our calves sold with cows due in December and the pigs will be heading to Freezer Camp next week. Two of the Tom Turkeys born in the spring will be heading to Freezer Camp and a couple of lambs. Our freezers will be full.
The hay is bought and delivered with the only thing to do is plant some rye grass for winter in one pasture. It will be a nice addition to the hay for both the goats and cattle. The goats can graze it when it is small and the cattle when it grows tall.
It has been a fast and furious year and we are thankful for the wins and wonderful goats we have been blessed with.
