up, putting your hat back on, fixing how you distribute hay and laugh- ing about it later.


Or maybe you throw your hat because the guardian dog is chas-


ing the goats. You wind up and pelt it at the ground as hard as you can in an absolute vexation as you watch the dog sprint around with no sign of stopping. It’s not that satisfying, but it helps. That same dog does a drive-by just to scoop it up … and eat it.


Your favorite hat. I don’t have some kind of lesson for that one; I just think it’s funny. I’ll never forget the flabbergasted look on my dad’s face.


The point is a lot of hard work goes into building anything of value. More important even than the exhausting, sometimes down- right disheartening physical work of the daily is the science and re- search it takes to not just let your herd survive but excel. As much as it may have looked like impulsive, shoot-from-the- hip and ask no questions behavior from my perspective, my dad had a clear and thought-out plan from the start. He’d done the research and understood the science, and it showed when he put it to use start- ing his breed-up program.


The results are some of the finest livestock in all of America, tried and proven in field tests. We currently have more than 400 head running on our land, all purebreds of that strong American Kiko breed and some 100% New Zealands too. Maintaining an operation on that large of a scale while being able to say with full integrity that every animal sold is one you can be proud of is not something just anyone can do. The fact that we can inclines me to believe my dad has accomplished something special here.


I’m what some people might call “all grown up” now, about to start my sophomore year pursuing a degree in Computer Science at Kansas State. I’m definitely not the same little girl that was allergic to all footwear except boots but being back at home this summer to reclaim title as my dad’s right-hand woman has brought me to some important realizations.


I’ve come to realize the incredible amount of work and effort my dad put into his herd, and that seeing that helped me to develop the skills and work ethic I use to succeed today — both academically and in every area of my life. I don’t think I’ll ever be crazy enough to be a farmer, but I’ll always look up to my dad for the incredible success of what he’s built and accomplished here at Slavens Family Farm.


(Slavens Family Farm is located in Euroda, Kan. They can be contacted at Lslavens@answerkc.com or visit their website at www.slavensfamilyfarm.com.)


NKR Indiana meat goat conference free and open to the public


The meat goat industry continues to grow each year but


many producers still have difficulty making a profit with their goat operations. The annual Corn Country Commercial Meat Goat Con- ference will tackle that problem this year with a focus on issues that can turn farmers’ red ink into black.


The conference, sponsored by the National Kiko Registry


returns to the fairgrounds in Corydon, Ind., October 1-2 and features some of the top small ruminant professionals in the country, as well as the opportunity to visit with dozens of experienced goat breeders. This year the whole conference will be devoted to helping producers make their goat operations, large or small, more profit- able. The conference is open to all who are interested in meat goats and there is no registration fee.


No matter if you are new to meat goats, an old hand, or a meat goat wannabe, this team of educators has the experience and the knowledge to help you take your meat goat production to the next level. At the conclusion of the conference, all those present will be treated to a free goat meat lunch.


If you are not familiar with the area, Corydon, Ind., is located across the river from Louisville Ky. Located in beautiful and historic Harrison County, attractions include wooded scenery, natural cav- erns, a civil war battlefield and a picturesque fairgrounds. To help get the most out of your trip, visit the county website at www.thisi- sindiana.org.


After the conference on Saturday afternoon, a group of Kiko goat breeders from across the country will be holding the 14th


Annual


Cream of the Crop Production sale, offering approximately 100 head of New Zealand, purebred and percentage Kikos. This is the longest running private Kiko sale in the nation and features some of the best genetics available anywhere.


All goats in this sale are registered with the National Kiko Reg-


istry. All consignments will be DNA tested and parentage-verified. For more information on the conference or sale, contact Chris- tian McGill, 317-376-0951 or christianmcgill4@gmail.com. Website: www.cocsale.com.


SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Friday, October 1st


9:00am - 9:50am Dr An Peischel - Goats Unlimited Predators & Predation


10:00am - 10:45am Dr An Peischel - Goats Unlimited The Kiko - Selection Criteria


11:00am - 11:50am


Kylie Sherrill M.S. Livestock Entomology - Cowboy Kikos Integrated Pest Management on the Goat Farm


Lunch Break 44 Goat Rancher | September 2021


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