We've got our goats all washed up and clipped. Headed back to the fair in the morning to show them.

We have ordered 4 straws of semen from TST1 Windy Acres Strategic Power.  We will be putting CIDRs in our does mid October to the first of November, so we will be AI-ing mid November.  We are SO excited about this, and can't wait until April.

We are making head way with our entries to the fair.  We still need to learn how to clip our goats, and give them a bath without freaking them out.  4 weeks out, seems like forever, but that wont be long enough.....
Hope to see lots of friends there! Come find us, and we'll talk goats!

How do we end up losing our Spring so fast (Winter is just too long)? We are getting within days of having more kids on the ground.  I'm hoping these next ones have tons of color that we can add to our herd.  I'm in the process of making plans for breeding this fall.  This is sad that I have to plan this far in advance, but when you work where you aren't sure when your next days off are, you start planning that far ahead.  We are planning a trip to our Vet in Wyoming around Thanksgiving to do our AI work.  This is going to take a lot of planning, we have to order the semen to go directly to our Vet with only a few days of sitting.  I have to plan days off, which around the holidays, I'd better ask for them right now! And then planning 28 days backwards to get the CIDR's in so they are all synchronized and ready to breed with my days off and the AI arriving. But we are going to get it done!!!
And we are going to go the Utah State Fair this September.  Hopefully we will be taking our two bucks Colossus and Grouse, and a few doelings from last year, and a kid or two from this year.  I'd better start practicing

I've been considering doing some Artificial Insemination with some of my better does for a few years now.  I've gotten to where I'm considering it seriously! I'm afraid of killing all the semen while unthawing the straws, but if I have a team behind me, that isn't afraid of trying, I think I'll be doing it in the next year.  The next problem is who?  

Throughout the last few years, I have been traveling 150 miles to Rock Springs, Wyoming to get care for my goats.  Dr. Paul Zancanella, and Dr. Schmidt have been a tremendous help to my operation.  Large Animal Technician Cheryl Nilson is never too busy to answer a question or send medications when needed.  This last week I had my first case of Pregnancy Toxemia.  Not knowing how far the doe can go before the point of 'No Return' I loaded her up and away I went for another long trip.  By the time I got there O Y Knots Espresso was so far gone, her kidneys were shutting down.  We waited a bit to see if she'd come out of it, but she didn't make it.  Much to my surprise when we cut her open she had quads. Another first for me.  2 red paint does, 2 traditional bucks.  The does were already dead, started to be absorbed, but we still weren't fast enough to save the bucks.  Knowing when the doe is past the point of being saved, I won't hesitate next time.  Thanks to Mountainaire Animal Clinic and all the people that work there.  You're not afraid to try to help someone with a goat.  Espresso will be missed very much, she was good producing doe.

We are hoping to be expanded by this summer. We will have two divisions of Anderson Boer Goats, JKF11 and 4BSA. We will still be collaborating on the website.  Same emails and phone numbers, we

If any of you are interested, this is very informative video.  Its amazing we don't do more grazing this way, but it makes sense to me.  I know its a little long, but if you've got time, watch it...

http://youtu.be/W6HGKSvjk5Q

I know everyone has their own program that works for them, but I like exploring what works for everyone else.  I feed the best alfalfa hay I can find, with barley as a winter/lactation supplement.  I've recently come across some information on soybeans.  Soybeans aren't a crop raised in Utah, so I didn't think much of it until I read the article.  Soybeans contain up to 44% crude protein, and 30% fat.  What could be better to feed to lactating does?  High fat should bring up the fat in the milk production and maybe producing more milk at the same time.  Too bad its not at my disposal!!!  This feed could be gathered up at pennies for some one in the Midwest compared to my dollars out here in Utah.  I can get the same amount of protein from barley if I increase the amount I'm feeding, which, after doing the math......I'm only $.03-$.10 cheaper per pound of crude protein by feeding barley. Only because soybean is not in great supply here.  So, I'm still feeding alfalfa and barley.  But it could be a cheaper way to feed for someone that is near an over abundance of soybean crops.

We are trying to add some more fullblood does to our herd this year.  We will be weeding out most of our commercial does after this summer.  We might have family packages available in the spring, early summer.  We are expecting to have quite a few spotted kids that will be available in the summer. We are going to keep a few wether does that will be bred early for 4-H ers.  We will also try to keep the lambs on the ground early in the year for those youth that want lambs. 
Again... Watch for our kids and lambs at the Breeders Select Sale in Heber, Utah April, 26th.  Hope to see you there.