Idaho Gems

23/06/2024

There have been some new arrivals and additions to the herd. Introductions to come soon!

05/06/2024

*Update 6/22* our sweet little old man was found. It was where the last bit of sun would be at the end of the day and he looked peaceful. I'm just relieved it was not a violent or painful passing. He knew it was time but we weren't ready. We never really are, are we?

Our senior grey fluffy kitty, Little Guy, has gone missing. Last seen late in the morning yesterday. On good days he normally naps on the porch or in the hay and rarely wanders beyond our yard. The rest of the time he lives inside. We have looked everywhere and in places he doesn't normally frequent. He is wearing his collar with his name and our number on it. It is so unlike him. I really hope nobody took him. All other kitties here.

Near Yukon Ave in Post Falls, ID

03/05/2024

Morning milking routine may or may not include an audience.

26/04/2024

This cat. He has been with us since the beginning and is one of the best little helpers.

21/04/2024

Nevermind the expensive smorgasbord bags of grain I have purchased only for her to go back to the original cheap stuff 🙄 😂😆
Seems to be a theme. Does turn their noses up at the grain they have been eating forever, I buy varieties of grains in hopes of finding something else they like, and they come full circle to the cheap stuff.

13/04/2024

Would anyone like to guess how many kids our girls are carrying? Information about each doe under their picture. They are both due anytime after April 26!

11/04/2024

This fella entered the world last night 4/9/24. A very big buckling from our new American Alpine yearling "Goodie."
He will be available as a wether only; no registration papers. (He was not sired by either of our bucks)

06/04/2024

Do you have a caption for this?!

Spesh was rather annoyed I was one minute late for her hay this evening. Pregnancy hormones are on full blast and she is never comfortable. Her due date....soon!

04/03/2024

Super excited to announce the addition of this lovely bred yearling from Treasured Sunrise Acres.
Very sweet girl and we are still working on a name!

Dam is Treasured Sunrise Contessa (09-07 EX91 VEEE)
Sire is Treasured Sunrise Boomerang *B

She is bred to Treasured Sunrise Columbo *B for April kids!

01/03/2024

Woah! I mean woah! Our younger buck Percy has really become a looker. I'm super pleased.
Pharaoh the pony didn't know goats could get this big whatever shall he do?

07/01/2024

Announcing confirmed breeding of our flagship doe, who was Best of Breed and Best Udder of Breed x2 at the 2023 NEWDGA show to one of the bucks we acquired: Soldier-Mtn Shock. We expect kids from this pairing late April/early May!

11/12/2023

Farm Direction Update.

I didn't fully realize it at the time, but a choice was made when I brought these exciting bucks home.

I hunted hard for a buck. He would not only have to improve our flagship show doe, but bear the responsibility of building a dairy herd that would produce well in the milking parlor and be competitive in the ring. I bought two.

I knew with limited space I would have to choose between dairy goats and miniature dairy cattle eventually.

There is no way I can raise both herds to a productive level without compromise. While the miniature jerseys have been delightful, they haven't been the most practical for our life. This post is not a dig against miniature dairy cattle owners, this is more of an announcement for our future and why we came to this decision. For me, there were moments that I could not ignore.

1. When it was time to leave the State Fair, my folks came to hang out with me. They stayed with our goat while I cleaned the chicken cages. When I returned to the goat barn to clean up, I saw my own mother with her hand on the wheelbarrow packed with equipment and holding our doe at the same time. My mother was a horse show mom but that was some time ago. I couldn't get it out of my head as to how easy it was for my mother to handle her. I literally paused to watch her when I walked in. That would not be possible with a string of cattle no matter how gentle or well trained. Miniature cattle are still large animals to people who do not work with them on a regular basis. My mother is not a wimp either but I'm sure you can imagine my point here. (And I did not expect or ask her to do any "work" except to just be company for me while I cleaned). I later asked her if she would have felt comfortable doing all of that if I had brought show cattle instead and she said, "No. I would have waited for you."

2. Cream separators are not that expensive anymore and some can fit on a kitchen countertop. Goat milk is naturally homogenized and cream needs to be separated for several products. This was not an option for me years ago.

Sold. I'm sold on goats. I'm hooked on the showing. I'm loving the practical side of them. They do have downsides, like they are much more wasteful with food and they need heavy fencing. But it balances out for us. I can trim their hooves. I can dehorn them.

You have to do what's right and best for you. If you're trying to decide which dairy animal is ideal, time will tell you. Yes this means our cattle are looking for new homes and that is a journey I'm taking for the next little while. The cows have been wonderful, just not the right fit for us anymore.

02/09/2023

Harvest time!

21/06/2023

What a weekend! Spesh was First in her class, Best of Breed, Best Udder of Breed under two of the three judges (fantastic judge lineup) at the NEWDGA show in Davenport, WA. We really had a good comeback from our first show. Now where to?

This is all for fun. Winning is nice and it's great to add value to our "work-in-progress homestead" line but not the most important.

02/06/2023

"Spesh" got a health checkup, CAE testing and inspection for travel for the upcoming Davenport show!
Super easy girl to transport in the truck and she behaved so well at the office. They even weighed her 😂 great vet thanks Doc Holly!

18/05/2023

There is a reason why farm artwork includes kitties at milking time! Chip had a snack after doing important work.

** Info disclaimer: this milk was not used in the making of any products

30/04/2023

Button says hello on this glorious day!

27/04/2023

Our herd name is registered and here is the logo to be featured on our banners at future shows!

22/04/2023

Farm fresh Eggs available now! Note ours compared to store bought! Sometimes we get double yolks! $5/doz

Taking orders now for llama manure $20/bag. No need to go to Spokane or near Sandpoint. Limited supply as we only have one llama this year. She has been fed clean hay her entire life and never grazed on sprayed pasture.

21/04/2023

16/04/2023

Nice day in the sun with kitties

08/04/2023

Our Mini Alpine yearlings Boots, Socks and Little Bit enjoying the weather.
They will need new homes this summer! They will each come paired with a wether

30/03/2023

Farm Fresh Eggs anyone? We have several dozen that need new fridges! Our hens have started laying again! Eggs are washed, dried and refrigerated.

$5/dozen, $1 off if you bring back our carton, 50 cents off if you bring any carton. Post Falls, Idaho

27/03/2023

Enjoying the weather while they can! They're all in production right now, each doing at least a gallon/day. Left to right: Pinky, Special, Feather

23/03/2023

Is it truly spring yet? Dare we hope?

23/03/2023

Nothing like spending time with the herd in the evening after chores

21/03/2023

And that concludes the 2023 kidding season. Triplet girls!

19/03/2023

Our older "mini" jersey cow Tessie is confirmed pregnant by our little bull Stanley for an August calf!