This is a picture of Cade. He's one of the colts we raised when we first moved here. We sold him to some of our best friends, and I'm glad to know he has such a good home!

Now that spring is in full swing, I am remembering the animals we have raised here in the past, and thinking about things to repeat and things we have learned never to do again!

One thing I love is watching the birds raise their own young. Nothing like a hen or duck trailing babies around behind her wherever she goes. I love watching Mamma Barn Cat with a litter of kittens. Having them climb up my legs and harrass me when I'm milking the goats is actaully alot of fun. (I only to pretend to be annoyed!)

My very favorite thing is having rambunctious goat kids. They are the most fun to play with, and the most fun for visitors. The horses were fun for us, but too dangerous for visitors, so the goats score higher for "kid friendliness". Pun intended.

In July I am hoping to buy two calves to raise for 18 months. The plan is for our own meat to be raised here, and with extra goat milk from my own goats, I can raise the calves for not too much money in the beginning. Of course, as they get older they will eat more grass, and we ca't water our pasture due to the lack of water rights for our property. The winter will require very much hay to feed the cattle, but I have also been informed that they don't require the same quality as the horses and dairy goats. Any opinions here?

I am getting my poultry chicks next week before I go to the Above Rubies retreat, and Doug and the kids are working on the yard and garden this week. I need to work on finishing up plans for the next school year and budgeting for the new books. (we homeschool our children) I also need to restock for a late kidding season, and decide on new living arrangements for the critters. I will have three to four goat bucks after the summer is over, and I'm retaining all my doelings born this year too. I had a really nice buck for breeding, and would like to see what he did for my herd! I also traded for a lamb wether to butcher this fall, and he will probably live with the boys for the summer and fall. I still have to deal with one of the younger horse's violent tendencies to smaller animals than himself, so I have to pen him up whenever I let the goats out.

My goat herd tested negative for CAE again this year. Praise the Lord! That news, coupled with the beautiful buckling I got from Sand Bur Kids this year really makes me happy! May 10th my buckling (hopefully) will be born on the Logman ranch, and I can't wait to see what Aurora delivers! It's just like Christmas!

In the next two or three years I hope to have a good herd of gorgeous milkers. More people are aware of the dangers of store-bought, dead milk than ever before, and they are wanting their own source for wonderful, fresh, raw milk. That's what got us hooked. I'm proud of my goaties, and I'm proud to give my beautiful children healthy, raw milk to drink!

It's time to get out to the barn and milk- so I'm signing off. Anyone with experience raising beef calves though, please leave any helpful suggestions on my comments!
Thanks in advance!