In my many years of raising livestock, I have had the opportunity to witness hundreds of animals breathe new life. Each time I deliver a baby, I marvel at the miracle that has taken place and am grateful for the opportunity to share time in this animal’s life. This summer has been no different. Near the end of July, my sow Peyton was due to farrow. She farrowed right on time, and I was there with her every step of the way. I can usually tell when a sow is getting close, and the more sows I have farrowed, the better I have become at predicting when she will start.…

The last month has been pretty busy around the farm. All of the remaining does with kids were weaned, which means the beginning of the milking season. To make things easier I did order a basic milker. It takes a long time to milk seven goats, but thankfully the vacuum pump milker helps to save my hands. It also allows me to do other things such as feed while I am milking. Right now the majority of the milk is either being frozen for future use, or fed to the pigs to help them gain weight. It’s a lot of milk to handle every week, but it’s very important for…

It’s no secret that I love the show ring. I love the smell of shavings, preparing goats, the anticipation and the concentration required in the ring. I love to see the number of youth increase, and I love to see all people, young and old, competing with animals they love. My first show of the season was rushed, and didn’t go as well as I had hoped. However, these shows happen, and all you can do is pick yourself up and move on. I debated for a few weeks on whether I wanted to make the drive to Torrington, Wyo., for the Wyoming Dairy Goat Association Fuzzy Show. It was…