|
|
|
We heat treat colostrum,
pasteurize milk, and hand raise kids for CAE prevention |
Goats at 2008 ADGA Nationals |
We rotational graze with 5 different woods and mixed grass improved
pastures |
Our History:
Riven Oak Nubian Dairy Goats began as a 4-H project for our children. In
the beginning, there were several breeds on our farm: Alpine, Toggenburg,
Oberhasli, and of course, the Nubians. As our children grew up,
a goat would be sold to fund mission trips, spring breaks, and college
tuition. It seems the “kids” never left the farm,
even though our children did! Chris and Vicki now devote their
time and efforts to their kids on the farm.
What we’re doing today:
Now, there is only one breed, the pure bred Nubians. Riven Oak
Nubians are raised with several factors in mind.
First and foremost, is the health and well being of the animals. As
a Food Animal Veterinarian, Chris sees the problems caused in many
herds by disease. We maintain a Johnes free herd. Every
Johnes test has been 100% negative, on every fecal culture. All
animals are Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL) free and raised to prevent Caprine
Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE). All of our does are vaccinated for CDT
(clostridium perfringens types C&D tetanus toxoid). Riven
Oak goats are on a rotational grazing system and have access to improved
pastures. They are raised by “hand” and make wonderful
pets, as well as productive does.
Secondly, one of our main interests is in milk production, not just “showing
goats”. Our goal is to produce excellent goat cheese. Vicki
is a cheese maker and having goats with high levels of Alpha s1 Casein
makes the firm curd possible for a wide variety of different cheeses. Some
of these cheese-making techniques she learned in Italy. Nubian goats
produce milk that is high in fat and protein, so there is a rich, smooth,
quality product when making cheese.
Kids are raised without fence contact with does
|
Our Breeding:
Our goats are bred, not only for quality milk production, but also
for 4-H show goats, commercial herds, and breeding stock. We
use artificial insemination to introduce desired characteristics into
our herd and improve breeding lines. We keep some bucks
from our herd for breeding as well.
Linear Appraisal is used to evaluate the program. Our goats are
Alpha s1 Casein DNA tested and most carry genes proven to increase
protein levels in the milk. Offspring of homozygous goats will
be 15% higher in Alpha s1 Casein than their dams. With the need
for an economic edge in the dairy industry, these are definitely the
goats to have in a herd. Even though we are not on Dairy Herd
Improvement Registry (DHIR) testing, many of our does are in milking
competitions at shows and are star milkers.
We are always happy to have visitors at Riven Oak Farm.
Chris Duemler, DVM
& Vicki Duemler
Designed by Web Billy