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The Nigerian Dwarf goat has become a staple breed in the American Dairy Goat Association, and it has only grown in popularity since first arriving in the US from Africa in the 20th century. But how did these wonderful goats climb the ladder from relative obscurity to high demand?

In today’s episode, we are talking to Karyl Dronen, an ADGA Pioneer who worked tirelessly beginning in the late ‘90s to get Nigerian Dwarfs accepted into the American Dairy Goat Association. Karyl relays the story of how she, along with several others who were equally as passionate, lobbied to have the breed accepted into ADGA as a dairy goat breed. She also touches on how the induction of the breed into ADGA in 2005 has gone on to support the organization into the present day.

Though Nigerian Dwarfs are so well-known today, there was a time when they were little known and out of favor against the bigger dairy breeds. Karyl’s story of how a group of people saw their potential and worked relentlessly to bring them into the limelight is truly inspiring and one that any lover of the breed should hear.

See full show notes here >> https://thriftyhomesteader.com/nigerian-dwarf-goats-in-adga/

To see the most recent episodes, visit ForTheLoveOfGoats.com

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Show goats are held to strict conformational standards, but we often overlook the fact that our own herds would benefit from those same conformational standards. Extra teats, bad legs, weak pasterns, and crooked faces may sound as though they aren’t that big of a deal outside of the show ring, but those standards have practical reasoning behind them. Ultimately, they produce a strong, sound specimen that can live a long, productive life. Don’t we all want that for our goats, even those that will never see a show ring?

In this episode, we’re talking to Emily Thompson who has been an ADGA judge for 24 years, co-chaired several committees, served on the Linear Appraisal Committee, and raises Alpines and Toggenburgs with her family under the Kara Kahl Alpines and the Legendairy Toggenburg herd names. Emily offers clarification on breed standards in the ADGA Guidebook, the two areas that award the most points in the show ring and why, and the importance of a good mammary system.

She also covers what to look for regarding good conformation when purchasing a new goat, defects that will never go away (and some surprising ones that may), as well as some serious defects that should immediately land a goat into either the non-breeding pet or freezer category.

See full show notes here >> https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-conformation/

To see the most recent episodes, visit ForTheLoveOfGoats.com

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No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information. Click here to learn more about our Goats 365 membership.

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Delve into the business of goat landscaping, also known as targeted grazing, goatscaping, and even rent-a-goat. In this business, your herd is hired by a landowner to clear off an overgrown plot of land. This has the potential to create a triple win as the goats could get some great browse, the landowner is able to clear land in a holistic way, and you can pocket some extra cash.

Today, Margaret Chamas, the affiliate network support person for Goats on the Go, is joining us to cover the ins and outs of this intriguing and potentially lucrative market. She discusses the number of goats you need to get started, startup costs, overhead costs that may surprise you, and what you can expect to charge for your services.

She also covers potential pitfalls such as seeing your herd’s body condition slip when the available browse is lower in quality, dealing with escaping goats, and the most difficult part of the job.

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No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information. Click here to learn more about our Goats 365 membership.

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Have you been considering getting a guard llama for your herd? You may have many questions such as: where can I find a good guard llama? How much should I expect to pay? Are there traits I should look for? What about the importance of age and the castration status for males?

In this episode, Deborah is talking to Carol Reigh of Buck Hollow Llamas, an expert who has been raising and breeding llamas for 27 years and selling guard llamas for around 20 years. Listen in as she offers sage advice on choosing a good guard llama, identifying behavioral problems you should watch out for and what can lead to them, how to introduce your new guard to your herd, and why you should always avoid purchasing llamas from auctions. Plus, learn about Berserk Male Syndrome and why bottle-fed llamas could be dangerous.

See full show notes here >> https://thriftyhomesteader.com/guardian-llamas/

To see the most recent episodes, visit ForTheLoveOfGoats.com

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No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information. Click here to learn more about our Goats 365 membership.

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Goat owners should be well-versed in the art of the FAMACHA check. We know that bright red mucous membranes of the eyes are a good sign while pale or white mucous membranes could indicate a heavy parasite load and anemia. But if your goat is anemic, outside of administering a dewormer, should you offer additional treatment? Did you know that your goat may also be anemic from causes other than a heavy parasite load?

In this episode, we are joined again by Dr. Robert Van Saun, professor of veterinary science at Pennsylvania State University and a specialist in ruminant nutrition. Dr. Van Saun covers various other ailments that could lead to anemia in your goat. He also discusses those oral iron supplements and the science behind whether or not they are actually effective in treating an anemic animal. Plus, should you be worried about anemia if your goat eats kale?

See full show notes here >> https://thriftyhomesteader.com/anemia-in-goats/

To see the most recent episodes, visit ForTheLoveOfGoats.com

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No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information. Click here to learn more about our Goats 365 membership.

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Does attempting to select the right minerals for your herd make your head spin? Do you know which three minerals are the primary keys to your herd’s health? How about the proper levels that should be included in a good mineral? Is there an easy way to know that the mineral you selected is appropriate and worth your money?

In this episode, I cover the nutrients that goats are most likely to become deficient in and what you should look for when shopping for a great loose mineral. I also touch on mineral antagonists and how balance really is key in your nutritional program. Stop throwing your money away buying minerals that are mostly salt. Learn the whats, whys, and hows for choosing a good mineral.

See full show notes here >> https://thriftyhomesteader.com/choosing-goat-mineral/

To see the most recent episodes, visit ForTheLoveOfGoats.com

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No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information. Click here to learn more about our Goats 365 membership.

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Welcome to the world of showing goats! Have you ever dreamed of picking the perfect breeding pair that produces such a successful combination of genetics that you wind up with a doe that wins the title of Grand Champion at the National Show? It is likely that more than a few of us have, and the reality is, with the right education on goat conformation and breed standards coupled with an exacting eye, it is possible to produce that winning goat.

In today’s episode, we are talking to Ed Jodlowski, the breeder and owner of this year’s ADGA Grand National Champion doe. He is also the owner of Kickapoo Valley Dairy Goats and the current president of the American Dairy Goat Association. Having personal experience with all dairy goat breeds except Guernseys, Ed tells the story of the evolution of his own winning herd, and whether luck, skill, or both played into his success.

He also fills us in on the pros of being a judge in the show ring, confirms the significant benefit of attending goat shows now even if you aren’t yet ready to show your own goats, and shares his surprising plans for the future.

See full show notes here >> https://thriftyhomesteader.com/champion-goats/
To see the most recent episodes, visit ForTheLoveOfGoats.com

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No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information. Click here to learn more about our Goats 365 membership.

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If you’ve ever wondered about the importance of forage and hay testing to ensure your herd is receiving maximum nutrition, today’s episode will provide you with lots of valuable information. We are talking to Cassy Streeter, an expert in near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIR) who directs Dairy One’s NIR affiliate network of more than 30 members in 16 countries. She also holds both Bachelors and Masters degrees in animal science from Cornell University.

Understanding hay quality can help you optimize animal nutrition and productivity, whether you’re raising goats for meat, dairy, or both. Forage testing can be a component in balancing and managing your herd’s nutrition, and even keep you from spending money on unnecessary supplements or expensive feeds.

Wading into the world of hay testing can feel overwhelming. Cassy clarifies the entire process–from collecting a sample, choosing which test best fits your needs, how to send your samples to the lab, and what to do with your results once you receive them.

Cassy also offers some great advice on accessing hay bale corers, also known as hay probes, for sample collection without having to make a costly investment. More importantly, she outlines how to use them correctly. She also pulls back the curtain on how forage testers process and analyze hay samples for accurate results.

See full show notes here >> https://thriftyhomesteader.com/hay-testing/

To see the most recent episodes, visit ForTheLoveOfGoats.com

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Head over to -- https://thrifty-homesteader.ck.page/products/love-goats-tip-jar

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No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information. Click here to learn more about our Goats 365 membership.