OUR INTEREST IN DAIRY GOATS goes back to Melissa's first encounters with these special creatures in the 1970s when her brother Steve lived at the Iowa State University Dairy Farm while majoring in Dairy Science. ISU had a dairy goat operation, and Melissa remembered the dairy goats fondly. Melissa’s undergrad degree from Illinois State University includes a minor in Agriculture with coursework in livestock nutrition, management and genetics. Joe grew up in northeast Iowa spending summers helping his Uncle Byron on the family grain and livestock operation (including dairy and beef cattle, sheep, pigs and chickens (but no goats!))
We started raising dairy goats in 1994 in Sanborn County, South Dakota. We had a nice pasture and acquired 4 crossbred does – Lucy, Ethel, Sarah and Nellie. We first used a registered Togg buck, and enjoyed the kids’ temperament and appearance. Then we bought a purebred Nubian buck, and fell in love with the noble Nubian head and those gorgeous floppy ears. Those first years were invaluable, learning about kidding and the basic nutrition and health needs of dairy goats. We’re proud that in our herd today, we have descendants of our original does!
Once we tried a few dairy goat shows sanctioned by the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA), we were “hooked” – and have learned so much about the value of showing to evaluate our stock and meet others who enjoy the same interest in dairy goats. We have shown at fairs and club shows in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. In 2003 we were excited to bring back ribbons from our first ADGA Nationals including the First Place Senior Togg kid! In 2004 we finished 3 permanent champions – a fun show season. In 2005, we finished 2 permanent champions and earned Grand and Reserve Grand Championships on several other does. 2006 was a "banner year" -- as we finished 4 more permanent champions (3 Toggenburgs and 1 Nubian), had two Toggenburgs in the Champion Lineup at ADGA Nationals in Indianapolis, and earned Toggenburg Senior Grand and Reserve Grand Champion and Junior Grand Champion at NAILE (North American International Livestock Exhibition) (as well as 1st-Place Nubian Junior Get-of-Sire!) . . . and met and renewed friendships with lots of great dairy goat people!
We milk all of our does, and hand-feed all kids heat-treated colostrum and pasteurized milk by bottle and later by lambar-bucket. This prevents CAE and Johnes disease, and we enjoy seeing the healthy and loving kids this method of kid-rearing produces.
We’ve invested in quality foundation stock, carefully studying pedigrees and records. Although we may enjoy bringing in a new doe line to our herd, we're not in the business of buying and showing other folks breeding. It takes time, but we want to continue to breed quality dairy goats. At the 2003 ADGA Convention in Nashville, we both took the 1-Day ADGA Judge’s Pre-Training Conference, and Melissa successfully Audited the 2-Day Judge’s Training, including placing classes and giving reasons – intense training which continues to be invaluable in evaluating our own animals. In 2004, 2005 and 2006, we participated in the Linear Appraisal program sponsored by ADGA -- a marvelous tool that we plan to continue using.
In our 2007 sales list, we will list does in order by age, including ADGA Pedigree #. To research pedigrees further, go to the ADGA (www.adga.org) website and click on the ADGA genetics link www.adgagenetics.org/PedigreeSearch.aspx where you can type in a registration number and click on names of animals for more detail.
BUYING KIDS: Please reserve kids by clearly stating your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices. We don’t ask for a deposit – but contact you when the kids are born. You’ll have three (3) days to confirm whether you will take the kid and promptly send 50% of the price and arrange pickup or delivery. Otherwise, we contact the next person on the list. Additional costs of delivery and health papers are the buyer’s responsibility. Our kid prices generally begin at $250 and up. There may be discounts available for multiple sales, or for 4-H’ers – please feel free to ask.
“SOAKING WET” BUCK KIDS: Some folks newer to dairy goats start looking for a good-quality buck so that they do not have to arrange for stud service. We make good-quality bucklings available to folks who are willing to hand-raise the buckling themselves. (If you’re new to owning a buck – it’s best to have a tame, hand-raised buck who you’ll be able to handle when he’s a big guy.) A limited number of quality buck kids will be available at the “Soaking Wet” Price of $100 if you pick up the buckling within 6 days of birth. He’ll be tattooed, disbudded, CD/T vaccinated, and comes with a registration application ready to mail to ADGA. He will have been fed heat-treated colostrum and started on pasteurized milk. If you’re interested in a “Soaking Wet” buck kid – let us know early!
We love visitors! Let us know if you would like to visit Dry Creek Acres. We’d love to show you our stock and help you select dairy goats that will be right for your needs.
OUR CONTACT INFORMATION:
Joe Skoda & Melissa O'Rourke
PO Box 51 Rock Valley Iowa 51247
Phone: 712-476-9288
Email: drycreekacres@hotmail.com
