News article from ABM Ministries

A look at goats from a “Cattleman’s” View

We started a new project at ABM over the summer – raising meat goats. In August 400 does (female goats) and 12 bucks (male goats) were delivered to the ministry.

I am a cattle-man myself, and don’t know anything about goats. But I am learning. The differences between cattle and goats are like night and day to me; with cattle being much easier to take care of. Cattle eat grass (graze) and stay put in their pasture. Goats eat weeds and leaves before they touch grass (browse) and tend to get out of the fence to find other stuff to eat in the woods.

You also have to trim goat’s hooves all the time and with cattle you don’t have to do that. Dealing with parasites is also very time-consuming with the goats.

Many of the goats were bred before they came to us. We have had some does give birth to premature kids, which could have been because they were bred too young. So we are very excited at the births of our full-term kids. They are healthy and full of energy. We hope to have more kids so we can build our herd.
By: Nick

Note from staff: Nick has been a great help with the goats. He is committed to giving them proper care and is also a hard worker. He does, however, remain a cattle-man at heart!