We are a small farm located about 25 miles southwest of Peoria, Illinois. When we purchased this property in 1985 the pastures were so overgrown that you couldnt even walk through them. The multiflora rose bushes and other weeds were more than 6 feet tall. We mowed off what we could which killed many of the weeds, but for the roses it was like getting a good pruning.
A few years later someone told me that if I wanted to get the rose bushes out of my pasture, I should buy some goats. I was skeptical, but went ahead and purchased 2 cheap bottle wethers. Well, it didnt take long to get hooked. Those 2 wethers grew into a couple of the sweetest animals Ive ever had. We expanded from those 2 wethers with about 10 does of various breeds. And the pasture you say? Its so clean you can see for miles. It looks like a manicured park. No rose bushes and the trees are pruned up as far as the goats can reach.
In the late 90s while attending the Illinois State Fair, I just happened by the Boer goat show. I was so impressed with the size and muscling of these goats, that I went out and bought a 50% doe and a buck 2 weeks later. Within a year or so I purchased an additional 10 does. I have been raising goats mainly for the commercial meat market, but have now decided to branch out. This fall I purchased a very fine young buck that Ill be showing and 2 fullblood does to add to my herd of 80. Most of my herd is percentage does but with one more generation I will have bred up to American purebreds. Please visit the Ranch page for a view of our place and some of my favorite companions.
