Why Natural?

Why natural/organic caprine production? Shouldn't the real question be "why not"?!

Here's a little background: I have been as of this year, 2011, been raising goats for over 20 years, actively breeding for 19 of those years. For the past 10 of those years I have run a large commercial herd, just in the last 4 years transitioning to more “registered” stock in 4 goat breeds. I've kidded out literally thousands of goat kids over those years!

Not at any time in all of those years have I used any sort of chemicals on my animals as a regular part of their lives. I have productive does that are well past 8 and 10 and still happily and healthily bearing children without any sort of chemical assistance. An 8 year old Boer doe kidded with quads with no human assistance, all 4 healthy and vigorous at birth, in April 2009. She's never had a chemical in her body, never had a vaccination of any sort – and still going strong!! This was her 10th kidding, by the way. The oldest goat I've had was a wether that lived to the ripe age (for a goat!) of 17 years. He too had never had any chemicals nor vaccinations in his body.

Our chickens, produce, etc. are also grown organically. So are our livestock guardian dogs (LGDs), our guard llama, and all other sources of food. When I was an active breeder of Quarter horses, they were treated no differently. All naturally.

That said, I have had a handful of emergencies over the years that required chemical assistance to save the life of the animal. That assistance was provided, and the animals were removed from the production of organic meat and milk permanently. Regardless of what the government uses as a guideline for "organic" nowadays, my requirements for my food animals are far more strict - once a chemical has gone in, that animal is no longer producing food animals. Show or pet, possibly, but I won't sell it or its progeny as meat or dairy animals.

I'm asked repeatedly at clinics, seminars, workshops, etc. what got me started with organic production. My basic reasons are simple – first, I was raised in a time when farmers and ranchers did not focus on chemical intervention as the answer to every possible issue. I come from a long line of “organic” farmers – my great-grandfather never used any chemical fertilizers, herbicides, etc on his fields and never used any sort of chemical on any of his livestock, and he earned more than enough from his crops and stock to feed his family (which was large!), to feed the families of all of his workers, and to retire comfortably in his late 80's. That was my main exposure to the ways of farming, that's how I learned, so that's what I did.

The other reason is also simple – I have lupus. Handling chemicals of any kind is risky for me. What doesn't bother me today could possibly kill me tomorrow!! That risk is not worth the price in my mind. I also have a daughter and potentially a granddaughter with lupus. Therefore I do not want any sort of possible irritant in our meat nor in our milk. I am very sensitive to many things that the FDA labels as “safe” – such as food colorings, food flavorings, food preservatives, etc.

As a naturopathic doctor, I also have many patients who have noted particular harmful issues with chemical sensitivities, particularly those with various cancers, tumors, psoriasis, eczema, IBS, MS, Crohn's, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, a wide variety of allergies, COPD, rheumatoid arthritis, and the list could go on and on for pages. These patients actively seek chemical free foods for themselves and their families.

I've been told over and over for years that there is no way to keep a goat alive without chemical wormers, vaccinations, penicillin every time one kids, antibiotics injected for every little possible symptom (please don't anyone come here and tell my goats that!!). If that were indeed true, how did we ever end up with goats in the United States?? They came into existence long before this country did! Take a deep look into history and you'll find goats have thrived for many centuries, and all that time without any chemicals! Just the natural plant support and natural nutritional support that they knew how to find.

Most likely this is not a production method for everyone. It requires diligence, observance, knowledge, and a willingness to do what others tell you constantly “can't be done”. Lazy producers don't want to look at their herds on a daily basis to determine if all is well. Lazy producers would rather turn to a huge arsenal of expensive and potentially hazardous drugs to treat things their goats don't even really have “just in case”. Many producers rescue every possible animal with a plethora of drugs (and still have it die!) instead of allowing Nature to cull the weak as she has for millennia.

There are many producers who firmly believe their goats will die without monthly worming. She's not eating? Worm her!! She had a baby? Worm her! She's got a fever? Did you worm her? With the latest and greatest chemical wormer at double or triple or quadruple the dose rate listed?? He's not breeding? Worm him! Urinary calculi? Worm him! Does anyone consider what all the chemical worming might be doing to liver and kidney function in that poor animal? And hey, worms don't cause every ailment goats can pick up!

I fault no one for their choices for their personal herds (and yes, I do still help goat producers who need real, usable chemical information!). However, at some point in time, it has to be understood that all those chemicals are NOT good for the people who consume the end product, milk or meat. Residues build up. Cancer patients are adversely affected. The health of small children is jeopardized.

Natural is a personal choice, obviously. Not everyone is willing, few can break their old habits, many consider organic food to be a “hoax”, and there are plenty of goat producers out there who will tell you that all goats will die without chemicals. All I know is that I can tell, with my affliction, what happens to me when certain items are in my food, and how I feel and can function in a day when there is NOTHING in my food except the good nutrition Nature intended. All I know is that many of my patients around the world can tell the difference when something has been treated chemically.

If it isn't the right choice for you and your management style, then please, stop trying to run those of us into the ground who are trying to provide a safer alternative to chemicals in food. Who knows, you just might be the next cancer victim!!! And if you knew that you could add just 1 year to your life if you cut out all foods with additives, preservatives, flavorings, colorings, ate only meat that was raised without chemical intervention, can you honestly sit where you are while reading this and say you would not desire to add that year to your life to enjoy your loved ones?

Natural. Goats adapt to it better than most livestock. Goats are one of the most adaptable species!!! Just look how long they have survived as man's companion and food provider!!!

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