 |
 |
|
||||
|
||||||
|
|
|
Meat Goats in the Texas Panhandle? Article from Meat Goat News September, 1999 |
|
|
|
|
What originally began as an experiment with improved pasture (WW Spar) has become an environmental boost for Jim and Dana Morris of Childress, Texas
and their grandsons, Jance, Zane and Clayton Morris. Starting with 15 commercial Spanish does – mostly grandson's pets – the Morris' now have accumulated 108 Boer/Spanish cross does. Their livestock
production experience had been limited to cattle for the last thirty years. |
|
|
|
One field of 40 acres has
been available to the goats since 1993 and has been cleared of most noxious weeds with no application of any herbicide. A comparable field planted at the same time but not fenced for goats is still infested. While the
Morris' are not opposed to properly handled herbicides, they see little reason for the further expenditure. After the wethers are grown and slaughtered, their pasture clearing efforts are estimated to produce a $2 per
acre economic gain as opposed to expenditures for chemical management. |
|
|
|
After the Boer Goat prices declined, the Morris' invested in two percentage bucks and realized the dramatic increases in weight and hardiness of their
market wethers. They have since purchased 3 fullblood bucks – Cactus Jack, KD Hercules and Doemaker lines – in an effort to produce quality show prospects. They keep all their doelings and hope
to achieve a registered purebred herd. They are members of IBGA and the North Texas Boer Goat Association.
|
|
|
|
|
They have maintained the philosophy that any additional feed cost quickly cuts into the goat ranching profits. They fertilized their improved pasture and provide protein blocks or tubs for easy access for the goats. Other than a little whole and wintertime supplemental hay they keep their feed costs to minimum while constantly improving their pasture |
|
|
|
Dana, who is a health care professional at Family Clinic in Childress engaged the services of the medical staff when experiencing her first difficult delivery. She rarely requires professional services from a real vet after her years of experience but is quick to call on a DVM for medical emergencies. She credits proper buck selection and a rigorous culling process. |
They are advocates of diatomaceous earth and mix it in the daily corn rations. They alternate worming medications. All newborns are immunized and the
adult does are given annual booster immunizations.
|
|
|
|
The Morris' have penned their bucks in July and released them in September in recent years but intend to pen them in June and
release them in October this year. After reviewing their electrical expenses for heat lamps, they feel this is another expense that can be eliminated with a later kidding season. |
|
|
|
They feel the learning curve was the most difficult obstacle they encountered and unfortunately lost many goats at the beginning of
their got ranching venture. They stated that many area ranchers and farmers are missing the boat when most could easily integrate goat ranching into their programs and maintain environmental friendliness
for the price of one or two year's chemical costs. |
|
|
|
[Home] [Ranch Life] [Goats for Sale] [Meat Goat News] |
|
|
|
|
Pitter Patter Ranch |