Monthly Archives: November 2009

A Parasite Control Seminar was given by Todd Gunderson, DMV of the University Of Idaho Caine Veterinary Teaching Center. Also attending and assisting with comments and answering questions was Dr. Wayne Ayers, also of the Caine Center. This was an excellent, informative and much needed presentation. Dr. Gunderson went over the types of worms, their life cycle and how to control exposure. He then went over types of wormers and when to use them. He emphasized that worming programs need to be implemented with the assistance of a licensed veterinarian as most wormers are not labeled for goats. He will put the power point presentation he used into a pdf format and email it to me and I will email it out to our members for their information and use. He emphasized that if your local vet can’t help you with your herd management problems to contact the Caine Center and the staff would do their best to assist you. He sympathized with us that goats are not very high up on most veterinary’s priorities. One of the most important things he stressed was having fecal samples analyzed, either a composite of your herd or of individual animals. The test at the Caine Center costs only $10.00 and should be done before worming and after to see how effective the wormer you are using is working in your herd.

Dr Ayers said he would be glad to put on a seminar about Johnes Disease and CL if we wanted to schedule it. We just need to decide when and where.

After the program, a short meeting was held. First item discussed were the notes from a meeting of the Mountain States Meat Goat Association taken by Evelyn Simon. I have attached those notes for your information. They would like to merge with us to have a larger marketing base. Further discussion was tabled until all members could read the notes.

We received a letter from Kim Hellums telling us that Canyon County is going to cut their market wether program unless they get $1000 by the first of the year to pay for it. After discussion, motion was made and seconded to give them up to $250. Motion was also made and seconded that we will donate a matching amount each year on a rotational basis to each county fair board that has a meat goat program. Members residing in each county were encouraged to make donations. I have attached a copy of Kim’s letter.

We received a flyer from DVAuctions regarding their fees and services. It will cost between $3000 and $4000 to have them video our auction for the internet next year. It was moved and seconded that we would go with this and consignors will be charged a $35 to $40 per head non refundable entry fee, $5 a head of which will be due at the time consignors sign up for the sale. Whether we have to charge a commission on top of this would depend on the final cost of the sale. We would still have to pay for the buildings at the fairgrounds and an auctioneer. It was decided that we would still allow 10 animals per consignor, 2 of which can be bucks. Sign up for consignors will begin immediately, with a limit of 125 animals. Papers of consigned animals and the balance of entry fees will be due by July 15, 2010. If you sign up for 10 animals and then find out you can’t bring that many, you need to let me know as soon as possible so we can let others get in on the sale. Consignors who have participated in our production sales since they started will be given priority. I will call DVAuction tomorrow and get our date confirmed. Right now it stands at Saturday, September 18, 2010 .

Next we discussed election of officers for next year. A motion was made and seconded that we would take nominations at the meeting, but would also accept them by email from members who are unable to attend the meetings. Ballots will then be sent out to all members, with stamped self addressed envelopes to vote for the nominees.

So, anyone wishing to nominate members for the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, and 2 board members please email me at foxtailfarms@hotmail.com within the next 10 days.

Nominations will be closed at that time and the executive committee, consisting of the current officers and board members, will verify the nominations and ballots will be sent out to all members to vote. Nominations made at the meeting were President – Wayne Gifford, Vice President – Dave Poe, Secretary/Treasurer – Clare Askew

Also, FYI the dates for the Boers De Mayo show next year will be May 1st & 2nd . There will also be a show put on by our Magic Valley members in Jerome, Idaho, June 26th & 27th. More information about both will be coming up, but keep those dates in mind.

Clare Askew
Secretary/Treasurer