Looking Forward to 2017!

Our 2016 Kidding season is complete and we are so happy with the quality of kids we produced this year. We are so excited for 2017! We have retained 6 doe kids and we are looking forward to seeing them grow and mature.

Our 8 mature does are on milk test and we are looking forward to them earning their milk stars. 

We are adding another buck, Parrish Farms Royal Flush *B*S, to help continue to improve our herd.  He will be coming from Parrish Farms, out of ARMCH/GCH Pelican Acres LPD Fern *D*M AR VEEE FS90 LA 2016 (Pictured Below) and Rosasharn CB Prince Caspian *B. (Photos courtesy of Parrish Farms)

We have added another KuneKune gilt to our little piggy herd. She is out of the rare Tutanekai lines and we are excited to see what she will bring to our pig herd. We will have our first litters of KuneKune this year. We will also be processing our first KuneKune this year as well!

We hope that you will follow us on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram!

To see more photos of our goats and pigs and to check out the

pedigrees of our animals go visit our website! 

DHI Testing Supplies Have Arrived!

Our supplies to get started on DHI test came from Dairy One today!

The following pictures show what was included in our shipment.

The sample dipper, sample tubes, freezer packs and shipping container.

Dip Sampling must be done in a manner

that assures a representative sample from the

entire milk volume collected.

When milking twice a day you fill

half of the sample tube with the

first milking and the second half with the

second milking of the day.

If only milking once a day,

a full sample will be taken

from the single milking.

Be careful not to fill the sample tube to the very top.

There should be a little space (1/2 inch) from the top.

Samples should be kept at room temperature

and out of direct sunlight.

Samples should be shipped so that they arrive to the lab

no later than six (6) days after the test is performed.

The color of the sample tubes is random and in no way

does it matter which color tube you use.

When you ship your milk back

be sure to label the top of the sample tube

with the corresponding

sample # for that Doe.

You only send back sample tubes that contain milk,

keep your empty sample tubes for later use.

Dairy One Certification Exam

When we decide to go on milk test we had so many

questions, one of which was where do we send the milk?

Well you send the milk to an outside lab,

from recommendations from a few friends we decided to go

with Dairy One for our milk test lab.

So I got in touch with Dairy One,

they were very helpful and sent me the

Dairy Goat Technician Handbook

along with the Certification Exam and Instructions.

Let me just say that I feel like I am a

fairy intelligent person but

this test and handbook are so confusing.

I have reached out to others on milk test

and they have relayed to me that it's not

just me, its the handbook and the test.

Most people on milk test are milking cows

and so some of the information is geared more towards cows

so you have to get over that aspect of the test.

The other thing about the test that is frustrating is

that it seems the test was written by someone

that has been doing milk test for years so they

know the answers and the answers probably seem like common sense.

But if you  have never done milk test before, let alone seen how

things are done, the test and handbook can seem like

they are written in a completely

different language.

There are questions on the test that

the answers can not be found in the handbook.

My best advice is to reach out to someone that is on

milk test and have them help you if you find yourself

utterly confused.

The test consists of 17 questions,

mostly fill in the blank with a few true/false.

Then there is also a part where you

practice filling out the barn sheets and charts.

You are given a list of does and what is going on with

each doe and your supposed to chart each does milk weights

and any conditions affecting their record.

Another complaint I have about the test

is the size of the font on the charts.

It's really difficult to read the CARs and Status Codes

on the pages that were sent with the test.

When you send in your exam you have to send in payment

for the test which runs $20 if sent in prior to March 16th or

$25 if sent in after March 15th.

This is the prices and dates for 2016.

You have to re-test every year and

certifications expire in April each year

regardless of when you tested the year before.

For pricing with Dairy One look here. 

Or contact:

Kayla Turcsik: 1-800-344-2697 Ext: 2120

Email: kayla.turcsik@dairyone.com

Or

Kevin Henry: 1-800-344-2697 Ext: 2159

Email: kevin.henry@dairyone.com



Target and Snap Dragon Confirmed Bred!

We did ultrasound pregnancy checks on Target and Snap Dragon and
they have both been confirmed pregnant, each with at least twins!


Both of these girls are due beginning in August.
Target is bred to Riser.
Snap Dragon is bred to Fletcher.


There are open reservations for kids on both of these does.
Check out our website to see the pedigrees on both sire and dam.
www.archersacres.com

LITTLE TOTS ESTATE ON TARGET

SOME DAY CAME MTZ SNAP DRAGON

Starting Milk Test- It's So Overwhelming!!!

I am taking the next step in proving my herds worth and

starting on Milk Test DHIR.

If you haven't looked into doing DHIR let me tell you

it is so overwhelming!

ADGA does have a checklist on their website but

I am planning to write up a really complete step by step

instruction blog post once I figure it all out myself!

So far what I have is the following,

(and not in exact order either):

• Choose a testing lab, we are going with Dairy One, based on a recommendation from a friend.
• Decide which testing program you want to do
• The test plans are in the ADGA guidebook starting on page 56 in the 2016 guidebook. The guidebook is on the ADGA website under publications.
• We are going with OS 40 AR, it seems to be the easiest for most newbies and is better than OS 40 ST because if for some reason you don't make 240 days/8 tests, you can always switch to ST... But you cannot switch from ST to AR.
• Get in touch with said lab and get a handbook
• Take the test to become a certified tester
• Find someone else willing to become a certified tester so they can do your verification testing
• Buy a Scale, don't make the mistake we made and just buy any ol' scale, make sure you get one that says "Legal for Trade", otherwise it can't be certified, at least not here in Georgia.
• Have said scale certified, we found a someone here.
• Get your herd enrolled with ADGA DHIR program

So, that's what I have so far.

I plan to make a more complete list with detailed steps,

but I honestly don't understand what I'm doing enough

at this point to give you more than this!

If your already on milk test please let me know if I have missed anything!

If your going on milk test or thinking about it let me know

and we can learn together!

One place that has been really helpful is a Facebook group I found, DHIA Goats.



Our Newest Addition, A KuneKune!

We are SO EXCITED to be adding the KuneKune Pig to our little homestead!

 

"The KuneKune Pig is a delightful breed of swine once near certain extinction.  They were only found in New Zealand and kept by the Maori people.  They are known for their extremely laid back, docile, friendly personalities." The American KuneKune Pig Society

 

 

She is registered AKKPS and AKPR

Jenny/TeWhangi lines

 

 

"The Kunekune Pig (pronounced "cooney cooney") is a breed known as the "Maori Pig" having been developed by the first people of New Zealand.  Being near extinction in their homeland during the 1970's, two animal preservationists, Michael Willis and John Simister, are credited with their conservation.  Since that time, the breed has gained recognition on both the North and South islands of New Zealand, in Great Britian and Europe, the United States, and, most recently, in Canada. The Kunekune Pig in America is finding a serious niche market for small farms, in sustainable farming systems, for permaculture, and with chefs, charcutiers, caterers, and in home butchery.

 

UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS - Kunekune Pigs are relatively small in size with boars rarely reaching much over 250 pounds.  They are varied in hair color and hair texture with ears that are pricked or semi-lop.  Extremely docile in temperament, the breed is suitable for first time pig growers.  For a comprehensive description of physical characteristics, see BREED STANDARD.

 

FEEDING - Kunekune are known to many as "the Grazing Pig" being extremely efficient on grass and not prone to root or roam.  Pasture grasses work well with very little needed in the way of supplementation. Hay can be fed when pasture is scarce or unavailable. " The American KuneKune Pig Registry

 

 

http://americankunekunepigsociety.com/

 

http://www.americankunekunepigregistry.com/

 

Some Day Came GR Cahuita

 

 

 

 

CH La Ca Dos RM Prop Me Up Photo Courtesy of Some Day Came Ranch

CH The Ella's Babe Photo Courtesy of Some Day Came Ranch

CH The Ella's Babe Photo Courtesy of Some Day Came Ranch

CH The Ella's Babe Photo Courtesy of Some Day Came Ranch
 



Desertnanny BR Catch Me

GrCH
and Best of Breed Senior Doe
Doublegate PAL Carrie Me
              

GrCH
and Best of Breed Senior Doe
Doublegate PAL Carrie Me
             

 



Some Day Came GR Cahuita Some Day Came CM Baby Grand Desertnanny BR Catch Me *B DF FARMS HD BARNEY RUBBLE DESERTNANNY ICY BLUETAILFLY CH The Ella\'s Babe BETTER BLUES KC DUDLEY DORIGHT GOTTA B KID N SUGARIS GOLD CH La Ca Dos RM Prop Me Up AGS Twin Creeks Fax Renaissanceman *S *B 1xGCH 1x Best of Breed TWIN CREEKS WB SHADOWFAX TWIN CREEKS MIDSUMERNITEDREAM Doublegate Pal Carrie Me PIDDLIN ACRES DANCER'S LIBIDO NEW HORIZONS FORTUNE COOKIE

Pedigree generated by PedigreeQuery.com