HOW WE AVOID DISEASES

Many common goat diseases create ongoing management problems. Once a farm is contaiminated, some disease vectors can survive for years in the soil, reinfecting clean animals. Fortunately, most serious diseases are avoidable.

We recommend starting with disease free stock. However, this is not enough. Visitors with muddy boots, flies from neighboring farms with CL (absesses), and wild animals can infect clean stock. For this reason, every goat should be inspected regularly. Be on the alert for anything unusual, especially absesses. Early detection of a disease outbreak is critical.

We have a closed herd with new genetics entering via embryo transfer only. Our foundation animals tested CAE free. We have never had a case of CL, footrot or soremouth. We spot test for Johnes and all have been negative. We undergo annual USDA inspection, as well as regular veterinary herd health checks.

We are one of only two USDA Scrapie Export Monitored Kiko breeders in the USA. Our USDA flock ID is OR120, and our status date 2/28/07. Beginning in March 2012, we expect to be certified to export does to any premises in Canada.