Get Goat Wise | Meat Goats, Dairy Goats, Self-Sufficiency, Sustainable Farm, Homesteading, Off-Grid, Livestock

Regenerative agriculture can feel like a buzzword, a badge, or a list of practices you’re supposed to follow. But in real life, and especially in a challenging climate, regeneration is a process of learning, comparing ideas against your own environment, testing small changes, observing what your land and animals are telling you, and adjusting as you go.

In this episode, I’m sharing the decision-making loop we use on our ranch with both goats and cattle, and why I see multi-species grazing as a long-term benefit—even though it adds complexity in the beginning. I also walk t...

Coccidiosis is one of the most common kid-health problems goat owners face, and it’s one of the most misunderstood. Some herds battle it every year. Others hardly see it. In this episode, I’m breaking down what coccidia actually is, how it functions inside the gut, which strains are the most dangerous, and why stress and environment play such a big role in outbreaks.

I’m also sharing the major shifts we made in genetics, kidding season, and management that completely changed our coccidia situation. After years of losing show goats to coccidiosis, we haven’t had a si...

This week on the ranch, we’ve got our young hens working half the barn, scratching through the bedding and cleaning up after the goats. They’re doing what chickens do best—turning packed areas into loose, manageable bedding. Watching them work reminded me how often I get asked whether goats and chickens can safely live together, so that’s what we’re diving into today.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the real benefits of keeping goats and chickens together, the legitimate risks you need to manage, and the simple guidelines that make mixed housing safe. I’m al...

In today’s episode, we talk about the mindset that actually makes farming, homesteading and livestock work sustainable. Not ease, not perfection — but gratitude, grit, and learning to find the good even when the hard days hit. I’m sharing two real-life stories from our ranch that shaped how I approach challenges, and practical ways you can apply this mindset on your own homestead.

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about the transition from conventional agriculture and livestock production to a regenerative or restorative system.  I spent two days in the truck, listening to Will Harris’ book, A Bold Return to Giving a Damn, and it gave me some great insights into the decades-long journey of White Oak Pastures, as well as a look into the future of our ranch.  If you’re considering a production system that is closer to nature’s design or if you’re in the messy middle like we are, this episode will help you see the possibilities, problems, and...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about goat fence, specifically, a night trap which is one part of a big fence project we’re working on.  A night trap is a pen that is used to keep goats in at night and when they can’t be out grazing during the winter.  It’s designed to easily contain the goats as well as protect them from outside predators.  We’ve built a few of these over the years, and I’m going to give you the overview of how to do it with very little tools like we did in the beginning...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about internal parasites, or worms, different species, the problems they cause, and how you can help your goats resist parasites, how to monitor your herd, and how to treat them when you need to.  Internal parasites are one of the biggest problems that goat owners face, and being armed with some strategies to monitor, support, and treat your goats is the best defense against these little invaders.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

https://kinderground.org

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about breed registries, making decisions based on performance data, livestock industry problems created by breeding for maximum production, hybrid vigor, and what you need to know before you decide if you should raise registered or unregistered goats.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Related Episodes:

22 | What Is the Perfect Meat Goat? How to Choose the Right Breed for Your Farm or Homestead PART 1

23 | Boer vs Kiko, What Meat Goat Breed is the Best Fit f...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about weaning goat kids, different methods for weaning, timing to prevent unintentional breeding by buck kids, if you should wean wether and doe kids at all, and how to decide what weaning strategy will work best for your goat herd and management system.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

46 | Early Banding vs Late Banding in Buck Kids: Will Your Goats Be Healthy if You Band Them Early?

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14...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about youth livestock programs, gaining wisdom by learning from experience, and the importance of teaching kids about livestock and where their food comes from.  Whether kids are involved in a formal program or have their own projects on the homestead, farm, in the back yard, or even a rented space at a nearby farm, raising livestock can be a life-changing experience for kids.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Related Episodes:

12 | Raising Kids and Livestock? Teach Life Lesso...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about winter grazing and the different ways you can feed your livestock in a sustainable, regenerative way while meeting their needs and promoting nutrient cycling and land improvement.  We’ll define terms like swath grazing, bale grazing, cover crop and residue grazing and discuss how each of them could benefit your management system.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Related Episodes:

28 | Winter Feed for Livestock: Calculate How Much Hay You Need and a Strategy Save Money

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about preparing for winter on the ranch and homestead, and what we do to make sure the animals and people are taken care of through the cold winter months.  We’ll talk about livestock feed and water, general fall clean up that makes winter work easier, and a quick overview of what we prepare for our family that supports us through the winter as well as the rest of the year.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Related Episodes: Duration: 00:13:46

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about selecting replacement bucks, the criteria we use to qualify bucks as breeding stock, and we’ll walk through the sorting process and how we handled it this year.  I’ll also be sharing some interesting things we observed while sorting and how it’s going to affect future decisions and data collection.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

46 | Early Banding vs Late Banding in Buck Kids: Will Your Goats Be Healthy if You Band Them Ear...

Hi friends!  Today’s episode is a little different.  I’ve been deep in thought as I’m sure many of you have been also, reflecting on all that has happened recently.  I want to share some of what I’ve been thinking about, particularly as it relates to why I care so much about raising livestock, healthy food, and self-sufficiency, as well as what’s coming up for our ranch, the meat business, and this podcast.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

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Hi friends!  It’s time for a chicken episode! Today we’re talking about what to do with all those roosters you ended up with after buying straight run chicks this year – because that was all you could find, right?  We’ll talk about options to deal with this year’s roosters as well as long-term strategies for your flock, including rooster management and setting goals for meat and egg production.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

41 | What Type of Meat Bird Should...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about handling stress before butcher, and how it can affect meat quality.  We’ll talk about the meat science behind stress and I’ll give you practical tips you can use to make sure you and your animals are prepared for hauling on butcher day.  You’re already putting in the work to raise your own meat, and with a few management practices you can make sure that meat will be the highest quality possible.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Related Episo...

Hi friends!  Today I’m going over the numbers from our 2025 kidding season!  We’ll talk about our challenges, victories, and the things we learned this year and I’ll be sharing the actual production numbers from our herd.  We’ll comb through the data, pull out the important stuff, and talk about what worked great and what we’ll change for next year.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

26 | Is My Goat Old Enough to Breed?  How To Decide When Your Does Are Ready...

Hi friends!  Today I’ve got an update from County Fair, and then we’re talking about a management decision we’re making to sell some of the goat herd.  We’ll talk about the factors influencing the decision, which goats we’re selling and why, and how it will help us improve our herd long term.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Related Episodes:

30 | Livestock Decision-Making: What to do When You Make a Wrong Decision and How to Use that Information to...

Hi friends!  It’s almost time for County Fair here, and with that comes a lot of reflecting about the kids and their growth doing livestock projects.  Today we’re talking about the power of animals and livestock in the lives of our kids, and how responsibility, work ethic, and good mentors can launch kids into a new level of self-confidence doing hard things even when they don’t want to or think they can’t.  Whether you are interested in 4-H, FFA or giving your kids the responsibility of raising livestock outside of a formal program, this episode gives insig...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about another way to make money with goats – grazing for hire.  We’ll talk about the infrastructure you need and different ways you can use the goat herd you already have to bring in some extra income while grazing your goats for other people to help clear out overgrown forage or mitigate fire risk.  I’ll talk about our experience grazing for hire, what was challenging, what we loved, and what I think the future holds for this income option.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Hi friends!  Last week we talked about all the reasons to start with terminal livestock if you’re a beginner or just getting started raising farm animals.  Today I’m going to dive into that a little deeper and talk about why you should start with smaller livestock like sheep and goats instead of cattle.  We’re going to talk about meat and dairy and risk management, especially through those beginner phases where lots of mistakes and learning happen.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

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Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about all the reasons to start with terminal livestock if you’re a beginner or just getting started raising farm animals.  I’ll explain the advantages to starting with meat animals rather than breeding stock, and how those animals will be your best teacher and set you up for success with your future breeding herds.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Related Episodes:

06 | What Livestock Should I Get First? My Top Pick for Your First Homestead...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about what’s happening in the beef market, and what that means for future meat prices.  I’m sharing advice from a local rancher on how to build a good relationship so that buying directly from a farmer or rancher works long-term.  Mostly, though, I want you to make a plan now to take at least some control over your food supply so you can weather whatever storms come your way.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Related Episodes:

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about what to watch for once you’ve gotten your baby goats through that first critical week.  We’re talking about the most common problems we see in the first month after goat kids are born, what to watch for, and what to do.  I’m also sharing about a big loss we had this year, what we learned from it, and I’m reminding myself that it’s only a failure if you don’t learn something.  Listen in and learn how to keep those goat kids healthy until they’re ready to wean.  Let’s get...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about how to avoid overwhelm and make real progress on your journey to healthier food, self-sufficiency and homesteading.  We’ll talk about the power of focusing so that your progress is sustainable over the long term, creating real impact and lasting change in your life.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

04 | Avoiding Homestead Comparison:  The “Good, Better, Best” of Homesteading and Your Definition of Best

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47 | How to A...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about the unique way we got started with our own livestock, and how you can do the same.  Spoiler:  We didn’t inherit anything!  We’ll talk about ways to get creative and start increasing your self-sufficiency no matter where you live or what resources you have.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

10 | 5 Tips to Raise Bottle Goat Kids That Thrive

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47 | How to Adjust to the Flavo...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about the buck effect, what it is, why it happens, and why we didn’t see it in our meat goat herd this year.  I’m walking you through my thought process evaluating why it didn’t happen, how it has affected our kidding season, and what that means for our goat herd.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

Buck Effect Instagram Reel (ranch humor and lots of marking paint)

Relat...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about off grid water and digging a little deeper into the options you have for a solar water system.  We’ve had our system going for nearly 5 years, and it’s pretty much maintenance free, which is really nice.  Water is so important in every aspect of our lives, and the last thing you need is to have water issues when you’re trying to do so many other things to get your off-grid place up and running.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Hi friends!  We’re in the thick of kidding season, and today I’m sharing about a new kidding experience I had a couple days ago, assisting a doe with a posterior (breech) kid.  We’ve had lots of breech kids before, but never one that I couldn’t safely get the back legs repositioned, so this was a new one.  Goats never stop teaching me new things.  I’m also sharing some tips on how to be prepared for emergencies before they happen, which is vital.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about getting ready for kidding.  We’ve already done the early preparations – ordering tags, making sure we have the needed supplies on hand, and now it’s time to get everything organized and in place so we’re ready when that first kid is born soon.  We’ll talk about the details – the little things that make caring for kids and keeping good records easier, and the things that keep frustration away, which helps us all win in the long run.  Over the years, I’ve found this detailed preparation makes a huge difference in the ov...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about within-breed variation and how it affects the way you select your livestock.  This will help you avoid a common mistake when choosing your first animals – focusing on breed only.  Getting clear on your goals, deciding what traits are important to you, and asking questions to figure out if the livestock you’re looking at will fit your goals and management plan will help you get to success faster when raising livestock.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

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Hi friends!  Today we’re answering a listener question about butchering meat goats.  What is the best age and size to butcher, and how to feed them so the meat quality is amazing.  We’re going to talk about commercial weight and age standards or, rather, the lack of standards, and what I have found works really well to meet our goal of premium quality meat.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

Fill Your Freezer with Premium Meat:

https://dry...

Hi friends!  Last week we talked about building fence for goats, and today we’re talking about how to manage your goat herd so that they respect your fence.  Goats are notorious for challenging fences, usually by jumping or shimmying under, but it doesn’t have to be that way.  I’m going to share what we’ve learned about dealing with problem goats, and what you can do to prevent problems in the first place.  If your goats respect your fencing, you’ll have a much better goat-raising experience.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about building fence for goats.  Fence is one of the biggest investments in owning goats, and I’ve heard it many times that if your fence won’t hold water, it won’t hold goats!  That sure seems true sometimes, but today I’m going to share some strategies we’ve used to successfully fence our goats, keep them contained, and keep them safe from predators.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

07 | Should My Goats Have Horns or...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about how much meat you can expect when you butcher livestock.  We’ll go over averages for the common species, and I’ll also share how our last goats performed as far as meat yield, comparing Boer and Spanish breeds.  If you’re raising your own meat or hoping to in the future, this episode is packed with valuable information.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

Get your Goat Meat here:

https://drycreekhe...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about big picture management and goals for your farm, ranch or homestead.  It doesn’t matter if you have a few acres or a few hundred, it’s important to have a plan.  I’m going to walk you through our plan for livestock and land, talk about why we’ve made some of the decisions we’ve made and our plans for the future.  This is and will always be a work in progress, so I expect I’ll be doing updates every so often as we learn more and apply that knowledge to our p...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about preparing for kidding goats, specifically, what I have in my kidding bucket and what I like to have on hand in case of an emergency.  This episode will give you a great place to start getting your supplies together for kidding, as well as some ideas to put on your list to have around when things don’t go as planned.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

NEW Ground Beef Bundle:

https://dr...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about meat, ground beef specifically, and what it really costs to buy a burger at the drive through.  We’ll talk about things you need to look for when purchasing ground beef and the options you have to feed your family one of the most nutritious foods on the planet – red meat, in the form of ground beef.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

NEW Ground Beef Bundle:

https://drycreekheritagemeats.com/groundbeef

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about getting your tags ordered for kidding season.  We’ll talk about tagging laws, and we’ll walk through the step-by-step process I use to decide what tags to order and how many we need.  We have lots of goats to tag, but I’m also going to give you a simple, affordable, and legal way to tag if you only have a few goats.  Let get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

Get your 50th Episode Double G...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about freezer meat storage and how to make the best use of bulk meat you either raise or purchase.  I’m going to share three different strategies we’ve used to make sure we utilize everything in our freezer, eliminate waste, and take the stress out of dinner time.  No more staring in the fridge at 5:00 p.m. wondering what to cook, and no more freezer overwhelm! Let’s dive in!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

Dry Creek Heritage...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about trimming hooves on goats.  This is really a simple task most of the time, but it’s one of the hardest to start because of the fear of doing it wrong or hurting your goats.  Today I’m going to talk you through hoof trimming, factors that affect hoof growth, the tools you need, how to do it, and a couple pro tips that will make trimming easier and may even reduce the frequency of hoof trimming required for your goats.  Let’s dive in!

All the Best!

Millie...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about homegrown food – meat and eggs specifically – and why they taste different than what you buy at the grocery store.  Some people have a hard time liking homegrown food, so we’ll talk about some tips and strategies to help you adjust to the taste of home grown.  If you’re getting ready to raise your own eggs and meat, this episode will help you avoid the ultimate homestead disappointment -- not liking the food you raise.  Let’s dive in!

All the Best!

Millie

M...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about early versus late banding of buck kids, things you should consider, the pros and cons of early banding, and the results of our experiment we did last year testing out early banding on a handful of kids.  They’re 11 months old now, so it’s time for an update!  Let’s dive in!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

Dry Creek Heritage Meats Gift Card for podcast listeners:

https://drycreekheritagemeats.com/podcastspecial

Joi...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about goat meat and other ruminant meat vs monogastric meat, the health benefits and the “why” behind it all.  I’m going to dive deep into ruminant digestion and show you why ruminants are magical!  Ruminant Nutrition is my specialty and I’m excited to share how the uniqueness of the ruminant digestive process positively impacts the meat they produce.  This is a good one!  Let’s dive in!

All the Best!

Millie

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Happy Birthday!  Double-Your-Gift-Card Special, 5 days only...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about the benefits of starting out your livestock raising journey with small ruminants like goats and sheep instead of starting with cows.  We’ll compare the investment and risks, and the reasons why getting started with goats might be a good decision even if your ultimate goal is to raise cattle.  There’s a lot of valuable insider tips in this episode, so let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

Online goat meat sales open today, Feb...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about entropian or inverted eyelids in goat kids and how to treat it.  We’ll go over what causes it to happen, how to recognize it quickly, and the options for treatment, both with a veterinarian or on your own at home.  This episode will teach you how to easily handle what can be a scary situation, so let’s dive in!

All the Best!

Millie

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Wound Clips and Forceps:

https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/wound-c...

Hi friends!  A couple weeks ago, we talked about how to help goats thrive in winter, and right after that, a good portion of the United States started experiencing extreme cold temperatures for their typical climate.  So, today, I want to talk specifically about how to support your livestock during extreme cold when you and your animals are not accustomed or adapted to it.  Let’s dive in!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

40 | How to Help Your Goats Thrive in Winter

https://p...

Hi friends!  It’s time for a chicken episode!  Today we’re talking about meat birds because it’s time to order if you’re going to raise chicks this year and you want to be able to get the exact birds you are looking for.  We’ll be talking about the different types, pros and cons of each, and by the time we’re done, you’ll be ready to decide what is going to work best for you whether it’s Cornish Cross, a hybrid, or a dual-purpose heritage breed.  Grab a pencil and notebook, and let’s get to it!

 ...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about how goats adapt to winter weather, things you can do to help them thrive in winter, and some things you shouldn’t do that seem helpful, but end up being problematic.  We’ll talk about winter coats and shelters, and how other animals compare in their ability to tolerate cold and snow.  In ranch-terms, we use the word “winter” to not only indicate the season but as a term to indicate how an animal performed through the winter.  You’ll hear phrases like “How did they winter?  Are the cattle wintering well?” and “That goat winter...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about the social needs of livestock and why they need to be raised with others, preferably of their own kind, to make sure they are happy, healthy and productive.  Listen in to find out why you don’t want to raise animals alone whether you’re raising them for food or breeding purposes.

All the Best!

Millie

Related Episode:

24 | What Is That Smell? The Bucks are In Rut! Should You Buy a Buck to Breed Your Does or Is Leasin...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about breeding season and buck management.  I’ll share our management plan for bucks through the year, some mistakes we’ve made and tips to avoid making the same mistakes, as well as some simple things you can do that make a big difference when dealing with common buck problems.  With adequate space and good fencing, you can have a great buck experience.

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

"The 12 Week Year" by Brian Moran and Michael Lennington: (affiliate link)

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Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about replacement does and how and why our management system has changed over the past couple of years.  Should you breed your does to kid as yearlings or 2-year-olds or something in between?  It’s a question we hear a lot, and every breeder does it differently, so I’m going to walk you through the evolution of our breeding plan and what we’re doing now.  By the end of this episode, you’ll be able to plan your doe management with confidence.

All the Best!

Millie

...

Hi friends!  It’s been a while since I did an off-grid living episode, so today I’m going to give you the big picture of our off-grid move and then talk about what we miss the most after 2+ years living here and what we’re doing to remedy that.

All the Best!

Millie

Episode Mentions:

09 | The Most Important Nutrient for All Livestock is WATER, Time-Saving Tips for Meeting Animal Requirements, and How We Do It Off-Grid

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Hi friends!  In today’s episode we’ll be talking more about winter hay feeding, monitoring your feed and waste, and how to determine if you’re meeting the nutrient requirements for your goats.  I’ll go through the process I use to evaluate our hay feeding and how to make changes if things aren’t working the way you planned.  This one’s loaded with details, so grab a pencil, and let’s jump in!

All the Best!

Millie

Episode Mentions:

28 | Winter Feed for Livestock: Calculate...

Hi friends!  In today’s episode we’ll be talking about animal loss in livestock herds, how to prepare for it, how much death loss is likely to happen, and how to get your expectations in line with the realities of raising animals and the losses that come along with it.  It’s important to understand that success isn’t necessarily keeping them all alive, because that’s not possible, but you can have realistic expectations that help you define success in a better, more meaningful way.

All the Best!

Millie

Mention...

Hi friends!  In today’s episode I’ll be answering some questions that came in after last week’s dairy goat episode.  I’ll be focusing on the actual milking process including stand training your does, milking equipment, and milk handling the way it works for us.  We’re a little unconventional in our dairying practices, so listen in if you lean towards doing things your own way.

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

Instagram Reel – Milking: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cov7E3wAKf8/?igsh=MTd6bmFvaTgwc2JzbQ%3D%3D

Hi friends!  In today’s episode I’ll be sharing why we got started with dairy does, how we manage them in a very unconventional way, the challenges we had, why it works for us and our busy life, and how you can do it too.  If you’re thinking about getting dairy goats for your own milk consumption or to feed bottle babies, this episode is for you!

All the Best!

Millie

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Sage Ag Labs for testing: https://sageaglab.com

Join our email l...

Hi friends!  In this episode we’ll be talking about preparing your coop and chickens for winter.  We’ll talk about the changing nutritional needs of your birds as they molt and how to meet those needs, some options for easier water, requirements for their shelter and bedding, and the big question, heat lamps.  Should they be used or not?  I’ll also share my strategy to avoid a winter egg drought, and touch on some ways to store eggs for winter use.  Let’s dive in!

All the Best!

Millie

Join our...

Hi friends!  In this episode we’ll be talking about making livestock decisions on the ranch or homestead, how to evaluate your decision-making process, and how to use that information to make a better-informed decision the next time.  To help explain this, I’ll be sharing about a frustrating and slightly embarrassing problem we faced on the ranch recently.  There are lots of nuggets of knowledge in this episode, so grab your notebook and pen and let's dive in.

All the Best!

Millie

Join our email list and be first to...

Hi friends!  In this episode we’ll be talking about evaluating your goats to see if they’re healthy, need any hoof work, and if their body condition is right for the season they’re in.  I’ll talk you through determining Body Condition Score, why it’s important, and how to use it to improve the overall health and productivity of your goat herd.

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

Body Condition Scores in Goats by Langston University

https://www.in.gov/boah/files/Goats_BCS...

Hi friends!  In this episode we’ll be talking about winter feeding, how to calculate how much hay you need, the best way to store it and a strategy that will help you thrive even when hay prices are volatile or the weather gets extreme.  This information will apply to all species not just goats.  I’ll also be sharing some exciting news and some fun things coming up, so grab a notebook and pencil and let’s jump in!

All the Best!

Millie

Join our email list and be first to...

SHOW NOTES:

Hi friends!  Last week we talked about does, age of breeding, and I briefly mentioned keeping replacement does out of the top 1/3 of the doe kids, but what I didn’t tell you, is how to determine which doe kids make up the top third or how to rank the does.  So today, we’re going to break this down a little more as well as talk about goat breeding plans and strategies.

All the Best!

Millie

Join our email list and be first to...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about does, different options on when to breed them, and I’ll give you a strategy to use to determine whether your does are ready to breed or not.  I’ll also be talking about replacement does, expected replacement percentages and how to use those numbers to reach your goals of herd improvement and growth.  You might want to jot down some numbers today, so grab a notebook and pen and let’s dive in!

All the Best!

Millie

Join our email list and be first...

Hi friends!  We’re harvesting animals and stocking the freezers, so what better time to talk about the food system, food storage, and how to build your food security, specifically as it relates to meat and protein.  We’ll be talking about simple ways to get started building your food storage, things to consider when it comes to buying and storing meat, and how to build a relationship with a local rancher so you’ll still have access to food if we see another large-scale failure in our food system.

All the Best!

Millie Duration: 00:11:20

Hi friends!  The bucks are in rut and smelling ripe, so today we’re going to talk about what you need to know about buck management and selection, if you should own a buck or not, the options you have to get your does bred without owning a buck, and how to select your buck if the time is right for you to own one or two.  Let’s dive in and figure out the best breeding option for your farm or homestead!

All the Best!

Millie

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Hi friends!  Last week we started talking about how to choose the right meat goat for your climate and environment, and the things you need to consider.  This week we’re talking about the five most prominent meat goat breeds, and we’ll wrap up with tips on where to get your first meat goats and how to get them off to a great start.  This episode is loaded with information, so grab a pencil and notebook and let’s talk meat goats!

All the Best!

Millie

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Hi friends!  In the next two episodes we’re talking about how to choose the right meat goat for your climate and environment.  Today we’ll discuss things to consider, and next week in Part 2 we’ll talk about the five most prominent meat goat breeds, and we’ll wrap up with tips on where to get your first meat goats and how to get them off to a great start.  This episode is loaded with information, so grab a pencil and notebook and let’s talk meat goats!

All the Best!

Millie

Hi friend! 

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about sustainability, how to evaluate options to determine which ones are most sustainable long-term and how that will help you increase your future self-sufficiency.  We’ll be talking about a sustainability mindset as it relates to your home, food, and especially livestock.

All the Best!

Millie

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  Duration: 00:11:36

Hi friend! 

Today we’re talking about lessons learned raising 4-H livestock over the last decade, and how those same lessons apply to raising livestock for food, homesteading, and self-sufficiency.  We’ll be talking about the way we approach the 4-H livestock program, which tends to be quite different than others, but it’s resulted in a lot of success for us, and how we use those same things we’ve learned to fast-track our progress raising livestock and growing the homestead.

All the Best!

Millie

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Hi, friend!

Today I have a special guest on the show, my oldest daughter, Sage, who turned 18 in March and is finishing up her last year in 4-H.  We talk about the lessons she’s learned raising livestock, how it has affected her and her life view, the way it opens communication as we work together, and she even has a bit of advice for parents who want to give their kids the same experience.  This is part 2 of 2, and the first part aired last week.  You don’t want to miss this!

Al...

Hi, friend!

Today I have a special guest on the show, my oldest daughter, Sage, who turned 18 in March and is finishing up her last year in 4-H.  We talk about the lessons she’s learned raising livestock, how it has affected her and her life view, the way it opens communication as we work together, and she even has a bit of advice for parents who want to give their kids the same experience.  This is part 1 of 2, and the second part will air next week.  You don’t want to miss this!

Hi, friend!

Today we’ll be talking about mineral for goats, why they need it, what works best, how to keep from wasting expensive mineral and the short- and long-term benefits.  I’ll tell you about the mistakes we’ve made, the lessons we’ve learned, and what we’re doing now that is working really well for the goats and for us.

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

Replamin Gel Plus: (affiliate link)

https://amzn.to/42lo3Aq

Ke...

Hi, friend!

Today I’ll be reporting in on the 2024 kidding season for our commercial meat goat herd.  I’ve been crunching the numbers and I’m going to share them with you, along with how they’re calculated and why we do it the way we do.  I’m also giving quite a bit of detail on our management decisions, production goals, and lots of explanations on terminology related to livestock.

All the Best!

Millie

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Hi, friend!

Today we are talking about the most important lesson we learned going off grid, and how you can learn from our experiences and mistakes to make your own off-grid journey much smoother.  We’ll talk about changing your expectations about power, thinking differently about electricity to find alternatives, and modifying the way you live to make your power system serve you in the best way possible.

All the Best!

Millie

Connect with me:

Email: drycreekgoats@gmail.com

S...

Hi, friend!

Today we are talking about the annual production cycle we follow with our goats, timing of breeding and kidding, why we do it that way, and lots of other things we’ve tried.  I’ll also share other options that are popular and successful in other areas.  This episode will be a high-level walk through of our production calendar, and the big picture view of our production system.

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

"The Meat Goat Handbook: Raising Goats for Food...

Hi, friend!

Today we are talking about electric netting for goats, different types and their uses, when it works, when it doesn’t, and how to use it effectively.  I’ll be giving tips for success and things to be aware of when using electric netting with goats.  This episode is packed full of tips I’ve learned from 6 years of experience (and some failures) with electric netting.

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

Backyard Green Films YouTube Video:  https://youtu.be/U4myLanaDc0?s...

Hi, friend!

Today we are talking about raising kids with livestock, the skills and life lessons they’ll learn, and how it will benefit them for the rest of their life.  I’ll be sharing tips on age-appropriate work, motivating kids to do their chores, teaching them to be self-motivated, and how to strengthen your relationship with your kids while working alongside them.

All the Best!

Millie

Connect with me:

Email: drycreekgoats@gmail.com

See what’s happening on...

Hi, friend!

Today we are talking all about tagging goats for identification, what the USDA rules are on tags and how we do it here at Dry Creek Livestock.  I’m sharing all the information you’ll need to make a decision on tagging that is right for you and your situation.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

How to obtain a Premise ID:  https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-disease/traceability/pin

Animal ID and Recordk...

Hi, friend!

Today we are talking all about bottle goats!  Pros and cons of bottle kids compared to dam-raised kids, and I’ll be sharing 5 tips to help you successfully raise your bottle goats: Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mention:

Pritchard Teat: https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/pritchard-teat?criteria=Pritchard+Teat&species_id=0&cat_id=0

Connect with me:

Email: drycreekgoats@gmail.com

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Hi, friend!

Today we are talking about the most important nutrient for all livestock… WATER!  It seems simple enough, but keeping adequate water available to your animals through all the seasons can be quite challenging.  I’ll be sharing some tips to manage water efficiently as well as explain how we do it off-grid!

All the Best!

Millie

Connect with me:

Email: drycreekgoats@gmail.com

See what’s happening on the ranch: www.instagram.com/dry.creek.livestock

Hi, friend!

Today we’re taking a hard look at our livestock and evaluating to see if we should keep going or change directions with each herd or animal.  I give you six areas to evaluate and then walk through the process with our show goat herd.  Do we keep the show goats or sell them?  You’ll leave with a plan to assess each of your livestock animals and decide their future on your farm or homestead!

All the Best!

Millie

Connect with me:

 <...

Hi, friend!

Today we’re going to talk about disbudding goats – should your goat herd have horns or not?  We’ll talk about the purpose of horns, risks of removing them, challenges with leaving them on, building fence depending on what you choose, can you mix horned and disbudded goats, and all the things you need to know to make the best decision for your herd

All the Best!

Millie

Connect with me:

Email: drycreekgoats@gmail.com

See what’s h...

*** Top 3% Global Podcast! ***

Hi, friend!

Today we’re going to talk about what animal I think is the best for beginner homesteaders to start with.  We’ll be talking about evaluating your resources, risk management, experience and safety, and how raising this animal will help you be better prepared to add in your next ones.  We’ll talk about all the things you’ll learn raising CHICKENS, and how that will apply to future livestock success!

All the Best!

Millie

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Hi, friend!

I often hear aspiring homesteaders ask “How do you pay for all of this?  It’s so expensive!  I could never afford to do that.”

There’s some truth in those statements, raising livestock CAN be expensive, but if you get creative and stick with your plan, you can make some adjustments in what you’re already doing that will make a BIG financial difference.

Today I’m sharing a strategy that we have been using for years to cover the costs of raising livestock for food, and eve...

Hi, friend!

Hello!  Today we’re going to talk about homestead comparison and my view of “good, better, best” when evaluating your progress.  I’ll give you some examples and tips to help you feel good about your own homestead projects, and avoid the comparison trap.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Connect with me:

Email: drycreekgoats@gmail.com

See what’s happening on the ranch: www.instagram.com/dry.creek.livestock

Hi, friend!

Ready for goats?  In this episode we are going to cover four steps to help you prepare and shop for your first goats.  You’ll learn what needs to be ready at your farm or homestead, the importance of knowing what you want, how to locate a reputable breeder, and what questions to ask to make sure your first goat experience is a good one!  I’ve also included some tips on what to avoid when buying goats.  Let’s Get Goating!

All the best,

Millie

Hey, Friend!

In today’s episode, we talk about how to avoid homestead livestock overwhelm using my 4 step process to successfully add the right animals to your homestead.  I also give some some practical tips on choosing the right type of livestock to start with.  Whether you’re interested in goats, chickens, rabbits, sheep, pigs, or cattle, you’ll leave this episode with a plan in hand, knowing what your first animals will be, and how to move forward from there.

Join me in planning the livestock for your homestead, even if your st...

Hey, friend!

In this first episode, you’ll get to know me a little better!  We’ll talk about my journey from ranch kid to homesteader, raising our own livestock for food, why I don’t rely on the broken food system, and the purpose behind this podcast and how it came into existence.

I hope this encourages or helps you!

Millie

Connect with me:

Email: drycreekgoats@gmail.com

See what’s happening on the ranch: www.inst...

Hey, friend!

Hi, I’m Millie Bradshaw, Animal Scientist, cattle girl turned goat rancher, co-owner of Dry Creek Livestock, Homesteader, and simple living enthusiast.

In this podcast, you will find simple instructions for sustainable, small-scale livestock husbandry, how to develop management systems that will keep you and your animals happy and healthy, and a plan to create food freedom by raising your own livestock for food.  My mission is to teach you how to confidently raise livestock and give them the best life possible while fulfilling their ultimate purpose -- nourishing your family.  Let’s ditch...