Herd Health
We strive to maintain a healthy herd and take disease prevention seriously. We developed our test policy based on research and personal experience. Our policies may seem strict, but it's for the protection of both our animals and yours.
Do you offer health guarantees?
Yes, for CAE and Johnes. See "guarantees" section of sales policy for more info.
Where can I get testing done? Draw blood yourself or have a vet do it. Send to: WADDL, BioTracking, Sage Labs, Pan American, Texas A&M, Integrated Dairy
- We keep a closed herd. No goats in or out except for (1) "Life or death" situations requiring a vet (2) Every few years we bring in some new bloodlines, but only buy from tested herds.
- We do not allow visitors in barn area. This is for insurance liability reasons and also herd health.
Do you offer health guarantees?
Yes, for CAE and Johnes. See "guarantees" section of sales policy for more info.
Where can I get testing done? Draw blood yourself or have a vet do it. Send to: WADDL, BioTracking, Sage Labs, Pan American, Texas A&M, Integrated Dairy
Diseases & Test Policy
NEXT TEST DATE: October 2024
CAE (Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis)
CAE is a contagious, viral disease with no cure. Goats can carry the disease and not test positive. This happens because the disease must be active at the time blood is drawn to receive a positive test result. Primary method of transmission is from mom to kid through milk. There are different forms of the disease. To learn more about CAE, click here and here
TESTING: Does- Every two years.
Johnes
Johnes is a fatal, contagious gastrointestinal disease. It is caused by a bacteria. It can be transmitted in feces, possibly in milk or in utero. Once infected, a goat will test positive; however, signs may not show for months, years, or never. To learn more about Johnes, click here.
TESTING: We have never seen signs of Johnes in our herd. After two consecutive negative test results, we do not regularly test for it.
CL (Caseous lymphadenitis)
CL is highly contagious but rarely life threatening. There is a vaccine available, but it will make your goat test positive. CL forms lumps near lymph nodes (common) or on internal organs (rare). When the lump bursts, the discharge is odorless and super thick like cottage cheese. To learn more about CL, click here
TESTING: All of our goats have tested negative for CL. With keeping a closed herd and never seeing signs of CL, we no longer regularly test for it.
CAE (Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis)
CAE is a contagious, viral disease with no cure. Goats can carry the disease and not test positive. This happens because the disease must be active at the time blood is drawn to receive a positive test result. Primary method of transmission is from mom to kid through milk. There are different forms of the disease. To learn more about CAE, click here and here
TESTING: Does- Every two years.
Johnes
Johnes is a fatal, contagious gastrointestinal disease. It is caused by a bacteria. It can be transmitted in feces, possibly in milk or in utero. Once infected, a goat will test positive; however, signs may not show for months, years, or never. To learn more about Johnes, click here.
TESTING: We have never seen signs of Johnes in our herd. After two consecutive negative test results, we do not regularly test for it.
CL (Caseous lymphadenitis)
CL is highly contagious but rarely life threatening. There is a vaccine available, but it will make your goat test positive. CL forms lumps near lymph nodes (common) or on internal organs (rare). When the lump bursts, the discharge is odorless and super thick like cottage cheese. To learn more about CL, click here
TESTING: All of our goats have tested negative for CL. With keeping a closed herd and never seeing signs of CL, we no longer regularly test for it.