Disease & Biosecurity
is of the utmost importance on our farm.
We annually screen for Caseous Lymphadenitis, Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis, and Johnes, and sometimes biannually if new livestock may be quarantined and introduced to our herd. |
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We call ourselves a "closed herd" by our own standards and not by any organization or official recognition. Our definition of "closed herd" is thus: 1) that we only introduce stock only from other trusted breeders who have up-to-date clean test herd results and fresh test results of the goats of interest, 2) we have a guarantee purchase agreement of disease free livestock available for our entire herd. We achieve this by culling any animals that test positive for disease, period. Any new goats purchased for developing our genetics are quarantined for 6 weeks in which they have primary and secondary confirming fully negative test results for CAE, CL, and Johnes.
In our early first year of goating we had a scare of Johnes which was a blessing in disguise that taught us to never underestimate and take these diseases lightheartedly. Our first purchase of a 100% New Zealand doe had shown borderline titers with two consecutive tests saying it was possible she had Johnes but the pcr test done by WADDL wasn't positive. (Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory) We sent a fecal sample to confirm our doubts that indeed she was absolutely positive, but not in the shedding phase of the disease. We culled her immediately, sanitized the quarantine site, and six weeks later retested the entire herd. We then retested the entire herd a third time six months later. This was by the book, the best possible outcome for the worst scenario. If we had not quarantined and tested to the highest standard of practice, we would have quickly and effectively infected our entire herd and soil - requiring our entire herd to be culled and letting the ground to rest for at least 2 years before introducing new clean stock again. We are glad we listened to the sage advice that disease is not a matter of IF but WHEN.
*OUR CLEAN GUARANTEE*
We do not vaccinate our goats for CD&T or CL and do not have any goats with any vaccines on our farm. If you come to our farm as a guest with livestock, we will ask you to park on the road off of our property and ask you to bring and wear cleaned shoes that are not used in your pastures or paddocks. We have guest farm boots or booties to go over your shoes if you forget which will help prevent any possible cross contamination between farms. We promise that if you buy one of our goats and test it within six weeks of purchase, that if you see positive results for CAE, CL, or Johnes, we will refund the difference of what you will have made on the sale at the auction house of your choosing. We thank you in advance for helping to build the trust of purchasing a healthy clean tested AHF Kiko.
Please ask about viewing our most recent herd WADDL lab report results
In our early first year of goating we had a scare of Johnes which was a blessing in disguise that taught us to never underestimate and take these diseases lightheartedly. Our first purchase of a 100% New Zealand doe had shown borderline titers with two consecutive tests saying it was possible she had Johnes but the pcr test done by WADDL wasn't positive. (Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory) We sent a fecal sample to confirm our doubts that indeed she was absolutely positive, but not in the shedding phase of the disease. We culled her immediately, sanitized the quarantine site, and six weeks later retested the entire herd. We then retested the entire herd a third time six months later. This was by the book, the best possible outcome for the worst scenario. If we had not quarantined and tested to the highest standard of practice, we would have quickly and effectively infected our entire herd and soil - requiring our entire herd to be culled and letting the ground to rest for at least 2 years before introducing new clean stock again. We are glad we listened to the sage advice that disease is not a matter of IF but WHEN.
*OUR CLEAN GUARANTEE*
We do not vaccinate our goats for CD&T or CL and do not have any goats with any vaccines on our farm. If you come to our farm as a guest with livestock, we will ask you to park on the road off of our property and ask you to bring and wear cleaned shoes that are not used in your pastures or paddocks. We have guest farm boots or booties to go over your shoes if you forget which will help prevent any possible cross contamination between farms. We promise that if you buy one of our goats and test it within six weeks of purchase, that if you see positive results for CAE, CL, or Johnes, we will refund the difference of what you will have made on the sale at the auction house of your choosing. We thank you in advance for helping to build the trust of purchasing a healthy clean tested AHF Kiko.
Please ask about viewing our most recent herd WADDL lab report results
Permaculture family farm with Kiko goats, poultry, sustainable forestry, and hospitality in West Michigan
(616) 322-8611
961 W M-20 New Era, MI
Est. 2016
(616) 322-8611
961 W M-20 New Era, MI
Est. 2016