Derry Fair 2012 - 4-H Goats

 Recognize these two buff boys?

How about now?

 And here at days old with their triplet sister on the left.

Yes! Its the former Bingo and Boris, now winners Geo and Cash, at the Derry Ag Fair with their 4-H owners Elizabeth and John Clark.

Congratulations!

I am so impressed with how these goats look!

 Elizabeth and "Cash" won first in showmanship.

No wonder why. 

Enthusiasm alone!

 We still can't agree who looks better in the hat.

 Tough call.

And why are small dogs in the goat pens?

I had to wonder.

Then I moved to take another photo and realized that these are 4 month old Angora goats. 

I think I have a new love!

Putting Our Best Foot Forward

Bingo, one of Twee's triplets born January 9.

 Its time for the kids to look their best to be chosen to compete in this year's agricultural fairs.

4-H participants have been emailing and calling and the visits have begun. They are looking for stocky, square kids that they hope will make good weight gains. 

They also look for a goat that already keeps his tail up and head high.

Britches has grown fast from his February 22 birth

A natural stance doesn't hurt at all.

And attitude!

 Belle, the triplet doeling, may be sold for future breeding purposes.

 Ariel is ready to breed and actually was exposed to Alex, but we need a little more time to see if she is bred. We will keep her Reserve Champion twin Adeline to show again. She also may be bred already.

 Abi is a favorite of mine and has really matured as a yearling.

Here she is behind her twin Ali, who was the 4-H Blue ribbon winner at Westmoreland Fair last August.

I expect most of these goats will find new homes this year as the summer goes on.  We started kidding with 14 goats and had 12 kids - so far. We still are waiting for Saba. We like to reduce our herd by winter for barn purposes, and for our sanity. Going into the winter with a dozen goats would be ideal, but by next year, the count will be up again!