A quick update since it’s been a while: All of our goats have kidded! It’s been rejuvenating, fun and amusing to watch all the little ones hop around and chase their mothers for milk. Late last year we had a “life on the farm” experience when two babies lost their Mom. We are happy to report that they are very resilient. Miss Ruth says “any teat in a storm,” they soldier on. They will try to drink not only from their adopted mother, Pregunta, but, try to sneak some sucks from other lactating goats – this is not usually well-received!...
Standard Blog
September 5, 2017December 26, 2018
5 September 2017 Farm Update
An exciting time! Pregnant goats and delivering goats. Four baby goats were born in the past week. Three to Glenda –two girls (Gabby and Polka Dot) and a boy. Glenda has reliably delivered three babies for each of the three breeding seasons of the Farm’s life. She’s a large goat by Jamaican standards and a voracious eater. She’s always ready to eat! Yet, her milk production is not high. Well, we can’t have everything! We’ll see how Glenda does this year. Many are curious – when are the goats who have babies/kids milked? Our system, based upon limited space and...
December 24, 2018December 31, 2018
Mentioned in Modern Farmer
Our friends Chris and Lisa Binns at Stush in the Bush have been featured in Modern Farmer, with mention of Ruby Goat Dairy working with them to supply thoughtfully sourced local Jamaican goat cheese. Read more at https://modernfarmer.com/2018/12/stush-in-the-bush/
December 31, 2018January 2, 2019
Goodbye 2018!
We hope the holidays have treated you well! As we prepare for the New Year ahead we have lots of exciting news to tell you! Our new website is up and running, please feel free to give us feedback on it. We are featured in the latest edition of Indulge Magazine (Vol II, Issue 5 / Fall 2018) which we are thrilled about. You can view the article on the website. Another publication, Modern Farmer, has an article about our dear friends at STUSH in the BUSH and we were kindly mentioned. You can also find the link to this on our...
February 20, 2019March 31, 2019
Our special project!
We are so excited to tell you about our Semen and Embryo Transplant Project at RGD! We have been working on the importation of semen and embryos from Canada for the past year and, at last the special shipment has arrived! The NutraMix feed company has been invaluable with their assistance to make this happen. We’ve also had the support of the Small Ruminant Ass’n of Jamaica, Fulcrum Agricultural Consulting in Ontario and an array of interested individuals. We are grateful to all! History: Although there have been dairy goats in Ja for some time, there has been little active...
March 31, 2019March 31, 2019
Our special project – Phase 2
A few weeks ago, CIDR (Controlled Internal Drug Release) vaginal progesterone inserts were placed in the does. The inserts were recently removed and a second hormone administered via injection (picture below). The vet, from the Nutramix feed company, was a highly competent pro. The animals were comfortable, the injections with nary a flinch. The does are now synchronized, all 13 are in heat. Hormonally enhanced, it’s a circus. Tails “flagging”, strange bellows and moans, the does herd in uncharacteristically tight groups yet head butt and occasionally furtively mount one another. February 21st is to be the BIG DAY. Ten does...
April 5, 2019March 31, 2019
Our special project – Phase 2 1/2
We are pleased to report that the goats responded well to the procedure with minimal discomfort! The next step is that three does will receive Canada’s finest, first class, even more expensive milk goat fertilized embryos. Stay tuned! (Warning: Graphic pictures ahead.) Semen is stored in a liquid nitrogen Dewar flask. Sample taken out and warmed in water bath. Once warmed to proper temp, semen then drawn into “straw”. As straw moves to goat, the smallest residual from that sample is put on a glass slide and placed in the microscope. Screen shot of highly mobile, active sperms, which is good. The operating gurney. Note...
July 17, 2019July 17, 2019
Our Special Project – Phase 3
We are getting very excited! In about two weeks our first “batch” of Saanen babies, known as goat kids, are to be born. Eight moms all seem ready. . .they are serenely lumbering about the farmyard – all now “wide-bodied!” The eight pregnant goats will have 10-12 babies according to the results of the ultrasounds done! Each goat kid born will be half Saanen – representing the Canadian Saanen semen used to impregnate our goats. Saanen goats are white and tan in color. The semen are from one of three creatively named Saanen rams: Touchdown Taser, Cloverleaf or Turbo Whiplash....
March 25, 2020March 25, 2020
Farm Update – March 2020
The goats are happily oblivious to what is going on all around us – They are still producing milk. So, we are still milking the goats and making cheeses and yogurt! Our dilemma – lots of delicious milk and we want to get it to you!! Just ask – WhatsApp/Email are best: 876-344-8611 or Goats@rubygoatdairy.com Please let us know if you want any of our products and we’ll figure it out with you! Since our inception we have been compliant with the Bureau of Standards & Ministry of Health regulations. The Ministry of Health has established additional requirements to address COVID-19. We are...
October 25, 2021October 25, 2021
Grass – Farm Update
Much of the currently available Guinea grass is mature with thick stems. The goats are leaving a noticeable portion of this tough grass in the feeding troughs. They aren’t going hungry but they’re not eating as much as we’d like. Guinea grass is free but low protein. Be it meat, or especially dairy goats, protein in determines protein out. Below our experiment with the chaffing machine. It chops the 3-4’ grass into 1-2” pieces. We thought that would help with our tough stemmed grass problem. We also added a handful of bag feed with a spritz of genuine Jamaican molasses...