Spring 2011 Goat School Day 1

Does this post sound familiar? Are you thinking, "didn't I read this about a year and a half ago"?
You are right! I went to Goat School at Stony Knolls Farm in St. Albans Maine October of 2009. Janice and Ken Spaulding have put on this very informative program twice a year in the spring and fall for several years. They have been breeding and caring for goats since 1989. Together they have a wealth of information to share and share they do with Goat School. Why did I feel the need to attend this program again? Well, there was just so much information to take in the first time around. We still call Janice and Ken with questions and problems about the goats. Secondly, Ted did not attend the previous session and he needs to develop his knowledge base too . We work this farm together. This is the Goat Bible of sorts. This manual has a wealth of information. I refer to mine all of the time.The Table of Contents is easy to follow. Your goat has a problem, the answer is here. Janice and Ken are not Veterinarians nor do they portray themselves as such. Life experience here. What works is here.

I love getting here early just to look around and see who is new. Ted found the kids first. A whole bunch of lovin in this pen.

We got started at 10am sharp. The pace is easy so questions can be asked and answered. Nutrition is subject near and dear to Janice's heart. She has a tendency to get on her soap box....

Literally...about goat nutrition. "You don't feed goats sheep food, and you don't feed sheep goat food. EVER." This said she introduced Andrew from Poulin Grain. He makes the subject of nutrition understandable. It has to make sense to put it to use.

We had lunch provided by Janice. Her recipes are so delicious. We had goat chili, salad with goat feta cheese, corn chowder with goat milk, noodle casserole with cheve and oh my goodness goat milk fudge. If you notice I didn't take pictures of the food? I think I got carried away and forgot. Janice has a cook book coming out on Amazon.com and I will be pre-ordering this book. I feel it coming on. After lunch we had some sweet talk time with Velocity. This handsome gentleman is the father of our Annie. Just look at that sweet widdle face. Smooch. Yes folks, I did kiss this goat. I love goatie kisses. Don't let Ted know that I said this, but, he does too.

We aren't the only ones with this past time. Janice is guilty too. Yep, she is a goat kisser.

I want one of these. It is a special edition covered hay feeder made by Ken. It keeps the hay and goat dry while they eat. Now, if you know anything about goats you know they don't do water. Not puddles, snow, or the dreaded rain shower. Best of all it keeps the goats out of the hay.

We spent time learning how to tattoo ears. This baby required extra lovin after the trauma of having her ears tattooed. Remember DRAMA QUEENS!

Finally, we could see it in action.

Next. A subject that I don't plan on putting into action unless necessary. The emasculator. Just looking at it make me have sympathy stomach cramps.

Janice and Ken demonstrated how to apply and when to apply the band.
Don't worry. This guy was left intact.
Again, there was so much information provided. At least this time we have some experience and know what questions to ask. Day 1 done. Before we left I had the chance to ask Janice what to do about Isabella not putting on weight. We have de wormed her but she just isn't snapping back. After we got home Isabella and Corina got de wormed with Valbazen. Sometimes it takes a different de wormer to get the job done. I don't think the girls appreciated the Goat School. Sometimes you just got to do what's best. Like it or not.
Back tomorrow for Day 2 of Goat School. More subjects to cover and questions to have answered. Thank you Janice and Ken.

I'm tired and need a shower.

Much Love and Prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm, the home of many caprine friends.

Feel free to visit Janice and Ken's website to find a Goat School near you. They do Goat School on the road. www.goatschool.com

Goat School Part 2

Today was the second day of Goat School with Jan and Ken Spaulding. We hit the road at about 8:30am after feeding our animals and of coarse making coffee for the trip. There is no Dunkin Donuts between here and Saint Albans. We had a beautiful trip as the sun peaked out from behind clouds. The autumn colors were bright and intense with these bursts of sunshine.

Up and down winding country roads with peaceful views of lakes and woods.

We arrived to a breakfast feast of homemade muffins, chevon sausage and egg bake, coffee, tea, and apple cider. After we ate and socialized with our new friends class began in earnest.

Jan and Ken started with a discussion of vaccinations specific to goats. There is so much information available on the Internet that it is easy to become confused and not know which way to turn. I like to keep it simple. Limit our selections to medications that are specific to goats and are effective in our climate. Jan introduced the class to the vaccinations that goats need on an annual basis. CD&T (Clostridium Perfringens Types C&D with Teetanus Toxoid) is one of the main vaccinations for goats. It protects them against Tetanus and Overeating Disease. Then Jan got on her soap box, literally. She is a strong proponent of providing the correct and necessary nutrition for goats. Not using the same feed for all livestock. Goats dietary needs change through out the year as the season changes, gestation occurs and after delivery.

We welcomed Mr. Andrew Beals, Technical Manager- Speciality Feed for Poulin Grain. He discussed how to obtain a hay analysis, how to understand and apply the information to your herd. We learned how to supplement with the proper minerals specific for goats. Sheep and goats are not interchangeable. Sheep are very limited on how much copper they can ingest, goats need this included in their daily feed. Mr. Beals discussed where Poulin Grain obtains feed components, how the mix is done. I think we may be switching to Poulin Grain in the near future. They work pretty hard to meet the customers needs and provide a valuable service in a rural setting.

All questions were answered and I think we all went away feeling that we had a better handle on goat nutrition.

The weather was cool but not as windy as the previous day. We were all bundled up and sitting in the sunshine.

The farm is located at the bottom of a ridge surrounded with woodlands. It was so peaceful.

Jan works very hard canning all sorts of vegetables from pickles to salsa. She even makes goat milk soap. What a treat to the senses. They sell these items along with chevon, baked goods and cookies at local farmers markets in the area and at the Common Ground Fair. This fair is a unique fair that occurs every year in September. It is sponsored by MOFGA. Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. MOFGA is the oldest and largest state organic association in the country. No midway just agriculture and green technology. Our kind of fair. We love it but didn't get to go this year. We had to work. Next year we will have that weekend off.

Before we knew it lunchtime was here. Again Jan went to great lengths to provide a healthy and delicious menu to please all. We had chevon with cabbage which was a comfort food to warm us

Chevon with noodles in a tomato sauce.

Macaroni with cheese made with goats milk. It was so rich and creamy. Goat milk is an excellent base to start with.

Chevon lasagna. What can I say. It tasted wonderful. No we did not stop with just one. I tried to get a little of everything.

So when desert came, I took a small white brownie. I couldn't hold another bite. There was the goat milk fudge calling to everyone, cake with that bowl of whipped cream. It all disappeared with such speed.

Even the goats were taking it easy in the sunshine.

As promised we got pictures of our new girls. Please meet Isabella, a registered Nubian with long flowing ears. Isn't she a dream? Her personality is as sweet as her face.

She is a rich brown with that typical Nubian nose. I just love those eyes.

This gorgeous lady is Corinna. She is a registered Alpine complete with beard and wattles. Wattles are little pieces of skin complete with hair that are located just under her jaw. They are soft and she looks great with them. Both girls will remain with Jan and Ken at Stony Knoll Farm until the are bred. We didn't think we would have kids next spring. Sophie and Bella are still too small to breed this year. What a treat we will have with new babies.

Alex the Alpine buck was still in a tither over this Toggenburg doe. We were able to observe a breeding at the farm. Time will tell if she took or not. If not she will come into heat again in about 3 weeks. To have milk you must have a baby. That is the goal of this whole process. It's is nature and we try real hard not to make it complicated. Keepin' it simple. We had another question and answer session after all was done. We feel that we left with so many more answers than questions. We may take the class again when we find out that we have so many more questions than answers again. It's a process. Learn, do, learn, do and repeat.

After class we headed over to Skowheagen, Maine where our favorite store is located. Tractor Supply. We needed to pick up a heated water bucket for the goats inside the barn. Our water freezes solid in the winter and the animals must have a fresh, clean, and continuous supply of water. They are not good at eating ice pops. You never just pick up one thing at that store, we also got more goat minerals, new feeding buckets, a big tank water heater for the sheep. New Toys! We stopped at Thunder Road Farm on the way home and got winter squash.

To much to resist. We were exhausted when we finally arrived home. We fed all the animals and tucked them in for the night. I am going to tuck myself in now. And by the way, the acorn squash was so good. Fall is such a comfort time of year. Warm and cozy inside and chilly out. I love Maine. Thank you to all the new friends we made at this years Goat School. We will keep everyone in our thoughts and prayers for a safe trip home whether it was close or far away. With the internet we hope to keep in contact with everyone. Much love and prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm. Goodnight to all.

Kelly