Nigerian Dwarf Kids

This is a picture of one of the Nigerian Dwarf dairy goat kids that has been born during the past couple of weeks here at the farm. He is a black and white roan pinto with tan moonspots on the left hip and blue eyes born December 14 to Bella.

All the new kids have their pictures posted on our web site except for some twins born last night at 11PM.

Daisy's Dog Soap

DAISY MAY

I've created a new Buffalo Gal's soap - - Daisy's Dog Soap!

This goat's milk soap is a woodsy soap. It contains the saponified oils: soybean, olive, safflower and canola, oatmeal, borax, sugar, glycerine, aloe vera, eucalyptus, lavender and cedarwood essential oils.

It is available at the farm only or thru our web-site!

Llama & Beef Cattle Veterinary Edition of Drugs.com

A good drug reference for beef cattle and llama owners is the Veterinary Edition of Drugs.com. You can view the cattle drug reference and llama drug references to help you better understand the medications being prescribed for your animals.

Save this web site to your Favorites for future reference.

Monday

Well it is time to get settled back into the "old routine".

Snow is almost gone. F-I-N-A-L-L-Y. Wish we could do something with all the mud that is left.

We're hoping to get back onto the fencing work this week. There is no rain forecasted here and it should be sunny and warm (50's) in the afternoon. We have all the wire up, just need to run the barb wire, hang the gates and trim off the corner braces and we'll be done! Then, it will be time to pick another project - - probably splitting wood.

Germanton Antiques & Consignments

Germanton Antiques & Consignments has taken over Do You Remember? operated by Christina Calloway in "downtown" Germanton at 3561 Highways 8 and 65 in the old Germanton Merchantile Building. Howard Dowell is the new owner and can be reached at 336.969.2190. Howard's antique store is open from 9AM until 6PM Tuesday thru Saturday with longer hours scheduled in the summer months. You can continue to purchase Buffalo Gal's Soap and Dinner Time Chimes' windchimes at the antique store. Look for Valentine soap gift sets coming soon! Support stores in your local community!

The Day After

Today is the day after Christmas. We got a lot of rain yesterday on top of all the snow that we had last week. At least it wasn't freezing rain and sleet!

We all enjoyed eating together and seeing the "little red-headed kid" open her presents from Santa and the family. She was thrilled with the paper and the boxes.

Today the search was on for our 2009 Hallmark ornaments. We've always bought ornaments for us and each of our children since they were born. When they married, they each received an ornament that dated back to the year they were born up until present time to begin the tradition with their families. Each year we continue the tradition of buying an ornament for each family and for ourselves. This year, our newest kid, will start a collection to be received when she is married or has a place of her own.

On Christmas Eve we had two Nigerian Dwarf kids born to VW and CarsonCity. One is a big, black bucking and the smaller doe was a dark gold color. Both are doing well.

We also had six new guinea pigs born overnight too!

Merry Christmas

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Wishing You a Warm And Merry Christmas From Our Barn to Yours!

JOHNNY AND ROBIN BLAKLEY

BUFFALO CREEK FARM, GERMANTON, NC

Christmas Eve

We've been doing the last preparations for Christmas today.

We loaded up the log rack on the porch so we will have plenty of wood for a couple of weeks for our wood stove.

Moved all the goats around to their new pastures and made sure everyone had lots of hay since we are supposed to get rain today and tomorrow. The snow is still hanging around from last week.

My bred Nubian does came back up to the big barn to stay until kidding in March. They were thrilled to be back close by. The Zebu's got to take over their pasture along with Bubba, the llama, and a few Hawaiian Black sheep. I also trimmed hooves on the Nigerian Dwarf does that are to begin kidding soon. I trimmed out their tails and dewormed them in preparation for the "big event". Put several of them into their kidding pens with heat lamps for the night hours. I disbudded a couple of Nigerian kids today and one of the bucklings got spared - - - he is naturally polled. Tonight we will be having a Christmas Eve dinner for our family. Santa came by about dark and picked up guinea pigs and rabbits for his deliveries tonight!

Christmas Magic

Christmas is drawing near and we are about as ready as we can be.

Johnny has been making party mix, oatmeal cookies, peanut butter cookies, lady fingers and unbaked chocolate cookies. Our Moravian sugar cake is rising so that we can bake it and eat it hot out of the oven. We've got a special recipe that has been passed down several generations and always wins at the local fairs. I bought some sugar cake from Dewey's last week because I had forgotten the taste of the purchased product. This is much better! You can put all the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon on it that you like - - plus it is hot! Hopefully, we'll still have some goodies left for when all the big kids come home Thursday.

Santa will be stopping by tomorrow and picking up guinea pigs and rabbits for lots of little boys and girls - - and some grownups too!

We've got three new four-legged "kids" who are excited about Christmas (or maybe they are just excited about getting fed). I'll be posting their pictures on our website soon - - two bucklings and one doeling.

And, we have a petite little 5 month old brown-eyed "red headed kid" who will experience her first Christmas this year.

Buy Stokes NC

Check out this blog which is a listing of merchants and businesses in Stokes County, NC. This site is also a location for businesses to post specials, find out about other Stokes specials and to share what makes Stokes County businesses unique and dynamic. It will also complement other efforts for customers to find what they need in Stokes County.

The Snow Is Hanging Around

The snow is still hanging around. It is 32 degrees here this morning - - not as cold as they thought. It is s-l-o-w-l-y melting. Our driveway is finally getting into pretty good shape. I got to venture out to Wal-Mart yesterday afternoon so all is right with the world now.

The Nubians that are being bred to kid in March finally left their shed yesterday afternoon to go to their hay feeder to eat. They don't like walking on top of the snow and falling through. All they have wanted to do since the snow fall was scream when they saw me for me to bring them their grain. Nubians are the most vocal of all goats. Don't they look pitiful?

We're putting out a couple of round bales this morning for the Nigerians, hope we can get the gates open wide enough for the tractor!

Townfork Produce Holiday Gift Ideas

Having trouble finding the perfect gift for the Holidays? Try a visit to TownFork Produce in Walnut Cove. They have custom made baskets, fruit baskets, homemade jellies, country ham, hoop cheese, Case Knives, old timey candies, chocolate, and a large selection of collectibles in addition to a great selection of fresh meat and seafood. This is a family owned local business. See Lauren or Tommy Webster or give them a call at 336-591-3120.

Thought For The Day

"Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed you and your family and to nourish your servant girls."

Proverbs 27:23-27 NIV

The Carol of the Goat Bells

The Carol of the Goat Bells, a popular holiday production by the Cast of the Biology of the Goat, is back for the Holidays. Playing here now. Enjoy!

Snow

We've had lots of snow just in time for Christmas over the past two days - - about six inches worth. It's almost up to the Nigerian Dwarf's bellies. Nine of them, including Ebony left and Tocus right, will be kidding in just a few days. Tomorrow they will be moved to the pasture nearest the barn to kid where there are kidding stalls and heat lamps available.

Hoof Trimming

Hoof trimming is part of the basic care required for goats. Lack of hoof trimming leads to the goat's inability to walk and increase of hoof disease. I wanted to share two valuable web references for the task of hoof trimming. Both of these websites include step by step 'how to' directions with pictures. They will help you learn to trim your goats hooves correctly. Hoof Trimming 101 Hoof Trimming

Ronnie's Country Store

Stop in and visit Ronnie's Country Store on the corner of Seventh and Cherry Street in Winston-Salem, NC. You may reach them at 336.724.5225. This neighborhood country store was opened by W. G. White in 1925. Rural Piedmont residents would come by wagons and mules to purchase items they did not grow themselves. When Mr. White died in 1991, two of his family members continued to operate the store. Ronnie and Carolyn Horton later purchased this popular downtown attraction in 1994. This was the first time that someone other than the White family owned the store. The country store looks and feels the same as it did many years ago. Ronnie's has fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, old-fashioned candy, jams, jellies, preserves, chow chow, sauces, country ham, sausage, country side meat, sugar-cured country ham, molasses, plants, flowers, dried beans, hoop cheese, Happy Home flavorings and more. Ronnie's operates Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 7AM until 5:30PM and Saturday from 7AM until 2PM. During November and December, Ronnie's is open from 7AM until 5:30PM on Wednesdays too. This is a great, old-time store to pick up your Christmas nuts, fruits and candies.

Conservation of Natural Resources

In 2004, we worked with the Forsyth County Soil & Water to restore a stream crossing in our front pasture. Because of this work, we were awarded Conservation Farm Family of the Year for Forsyth County.

To learn more about how they can help assist you technically and financially with soil and water concerns, visit their website.

What's Happening On The Farm?

We've been busy these past couple of weeks with fencing, craft shows, etc. The fencing is coming along well for a new paddock. We got all the corners set in two days, cemented and braced. Next came the wire. We are only fencing in the afternoon doing a few hundred feet a day. With it getting dark around 5:00 PM, that just gives us a few hours to work. So far, we have the entire front line done. Today we will be stretching more wire. Between the rain and days that we can't work, it seems like it is moving slow but at least now you can see that progress is being made and the end is in sight. Last Saturday afternoon, at Round Peak Vineyard, we sold lots of soap. It was the coldest day of the year so far. That morning, it was 18 degrees in Mt. Airy. The wine tasting and craft show was outside at the vineyard and it made for a very long, cold day! That evening a Nigerian Dwarf doe was delivered to me from Pennsylvania and two of my doe kids and a buck kid went back to her farm. Bella is a pretty one year old "blue" doe with blue eyes. Yesterday some Nigerian Dwarf kids born. I've got nine more does due beginning January 1 from my buck Dude. This is the first time that I have used Dude for breeding and I'm anxious to see his kids. I've got two first timers in this group who will be kidding. Rabbit and guinea pig sales are up. It seems that Santa will be bringing lots of rabbits and guinea pigs this year. Santa will be picking them up from our farm on Christmas Eve for delivery later than night. That's it for today! On to the chores for today - - - feeding, fencing and winterizing.

Llamas and Coyotes and Dogs

During the past few weeks, we have been reminded of the on-going problem of coyotes in our area. A neighbor has had many of his chickens killed by coyotes during the daylight hours. He was successful in killing several of the coyotes. Nightly, we hear coyote calls and see groups of them walking through our back pastures during the morning hours. Because of this, we use llamas as livestock guardians in all our paddocks with a couple of Great Pyrenees livestock guardian dogs in another. Llamas have a natural dislike of canines (domestic and wild dogs, coyotes, and foxes). After the llama bonds with its herd of livestock, it takes over as a protector and leader. Llamas become aggressive only if a predator advances toward their new family group. Llamas show aggression by chasing, biting, and kicking. Guardian llamas can stomp to death a canine that will not retreat. To read more about llamas as guardians, see our web site.

Christmas Bird Count

Join the Forsyth Audubon Society on December 16 to participate in the Christmas Bird Count. It will be held at Hanging Rock State Park, from 8:00 am until 5:00 that evening. The Christmas Bird Count is a national event in which thousands of people across the country collect data to assess the health of bird populations. Please wear sturdy hiking shoes and be prepared to be outdoors in any weather conditions. No experience is necessary. Bring binoculars if you have them. The park has a limited number of pairs that can be borrowed. Counters will need to meet at the visitor center by 8:00am. A $5 fee will be collected from each participant over 18 years of age by the Audubon Society. This money is used to cover the costs of the Christmas Bird Count. If you plan to participate in the event, please pre-register by calling the park office at 336-593-8480.

Goat Veterinary Edition of Drugs.com

A good drug reference for goat owners is the Veterinary Edition of Drugs.com.

Save this web site to your Favorites for future reference.

Color Genetics of Nigerian Dwarf Goats

I wanted to share a good article that I found regarding color genetics in Nigerian Dwarf Goats. I've found this information to be extremely helpful when determining the proper name for a Nigerian Dwarf goat's coloration when filling out the registration paperwork with AGS and ADGA.

Round Peak's Annual Winter with Wines Holiday Market

We will be selling our goat's milk soap and gift sets at Round Peak's Annual Winter with Wines Holiday Market on Saturday, December 12. At this sale, we will be showcasing one of our newest soaps, Last of the Summer Wine. It is made with grapeseed oil and dried grape hulls. We will also have all of the other soaps available too.

Round Peak’s Annual Winter with Wines Holiday Market Local Wines, Artisans and Crafters Holiday Market Saturday, December 12th, 12-6p.m. Round Peak Vineyards 765 Round Peak Church Road

Mt. Airy, NC 27030 PH 336-352-5595 'Tis the season for Round Peak’s Annual Winter with Wines Holiday Market. Featuring wines by some of Yadkin Valley’s most talented winemakers and unique artisans and crafters, this holiday sale is an ideal opportunity to find original handmade gifts for all the special people in your life. No need to brave the chaos of shopping malls and department stores—come get your holiday shopping done early while warming up with hot spiced wine and enjoying tasty refreshments surround by the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains! Participating Wineries Include: Round Peak Vineyards; Old North State Wine; McRitchie Winery; Stoney Knoll Vineyard; Surry Cellars Participating Artists: Lylou – Handbags; Buffalo Creek Farm - Handmade Goat's Milk Soap; Linda Marco – Jewelry; Bry Chapman – Photography; Dawn Sadler – Aprons/Wine Bags; Joseph Owens – Carolina Copper Creations; Yadkin Art Guild; Lill –Jewelry; Jan Atkins - Painter and more. For more info, directions, and samples of work contact lyloudesign@gmail.com or at 706.224.1820.

Walnut Cove Parade

The Walnut Cove Parade is Saturday, December 12, beginning at 2:00 PM. (The attached picture is of our float in the 2008 parade with our float riders, the Andrew Blakley's. In the cage on the front, we put some of our kid goats for all to see when the parade starts. ) The parade begins at Southeastern Stokes Middle School and ends at Oldtown Road in Walnut Cove, NC. We have participated in this parade for the past two years. This year I have a scheduling conflict with a craft show that I'm doing at Round Peak Vineyard in Mount Airy so we will not be able to participate. Come see us at Round Peak! If you can't travel to Mount Airy, go to Walnut Cove to the parade for some family fun. This is one of the few parades that allow riders on floats to toss candy to kids and young at heart! Hope to see you in 2010 and we'll have a new float rider along too for her first parade!

Interested In Forsyth County 4-H?

Follow this web site to keep up with 4-H in Forsyth County. Learn what is happening in the county, with your 4-H friends, and in the 4-H world. See pictures of the 4-H adventures and enjoy 4-H access in your home! We give 4-H discounts to youth on our dairy and meat goats.

Forsyth County Extension Services

For information on classes and events offered by Forsyth County Extension Services, see their on-line calendar. Some of the past classes offered were rain gardens, pruning trees and shrubs, color in the winter landscape and wildlife friendly landscape.

Interested In Stokes County 4-H?

Follow this blog and web site to keep up with 4-H in Stokes County. Learn what is happening in the county, with your 4-H friends, and in the 4-H world. See pictures, add comments, and just enjoy 4-H access in your home! We give 4-H discounts to youth on our dairy and meat goats.

New Cost of Feedstuffs Calculator for Cattle

The cost of feeding an animal is by far the most expensive part of dairy and livestock production. The list of feedstuffs available to feed animals has been fairly constant (grain, forages and protein supplements). However, with the advent of the ethanol industry and the further processing of grain, the co-products resulting from these processes has opened up a whole new area of feed sources. Even though there are many feedstuffs available, it has been a challenge for producers to compare these different feedstuffs as they can vary in dry matter, protein and energy. Creating a bigger problem is the same feedstuffs from different processing plants can vary in their nutrient value. Also, with moisture ranging from dry 10-15% up to moderate of 40 to 60% and even some high moisture products in the 70-80% moisture, it is nearly impossible for producers to come up with the cheapest sources of feedstuffs. To further complicate things the storage losses on some of these feedstuffs can range from 5 or 10% up to 30 to 50% or more. A new program called the "Cost of Feedstuffs Calculator" on the Farm Analysis Solution Tools (FAST) web site at the University of Illinois can assist producers in comparing the different costs of feedstuffs. This tool can be located on FarmDoc at the University of Illinois and can be secured by going to http://www.farmdoc.illinois.edu/pubs/FASTtool_special_feedstuffs.asp. Access to this program can be found at other locations including the University of Illinois Illini DairyNET and Illini BeefNET web sites. Also, the program is posted on the Illinois Value Added Sustainable Development Center – Co-Products – at Western Illinois University. The Cost of Feedstuffs Calculator allows livestock managers, consultants, and veterinarians to compare the cost of purchasing, transporting and storage losses for different feedstuffs. The feedstuffs library includes 120 different feedstuffs comprising: 22 company co-products; 25 by-products; 5 new generation co-products; 27 forages; 11 grains; 9 crop residues; 12 silages; and 9 supplements. In addition, producers can add additional feedstuffs available on their farm. Each of these feedstuffs can be compared to the default feedstuffs comprised of number two shelled corn; 44% soybean meal and mid-bloom alfalfa hay. Groups of 5, 10 or 15 different feedstuffs can be compared at one time with the feedstuffs ranked on a "Cost per Pound of Energy" or "Cost per Pound of Protein" basis. Support for the development of this computer program was provided by the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, University of Illinois Extension; and Departments of Agricultural and Consumer Economics and Animal Sciences. Programming for the Cost of Feedstuffs Tool was done by Brooks Schaffer, graduate student in the University of Illinois Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics. For additional information on the Costs of Feedstuffs Tools calculator please contact: Dr. Mike Hutjens, Dairy Extension Specialist, University of Illinois (217-333-2928); Dave Seibert, Animal Systems Educator, University of Illinois Extension (309-694-7501); or Dr. Gary Schnitkey, Farm Management Extension Specialist (217-244-9595) at the University of Illinois.

Mitchell's Nursery's National Poinsettia Display

Mitchell’s Nursery & Greenhouse is hosting a National Poinsettia Display at 1088 W. Dalton Rd. in King, NC on December 6, 2009 from 12:30-4:30 PM.

There will be a sea of color with over 9,000 poinsettias with about 70 varieties in colors of red, white, plum, peppermint, burgundy, pink, and combinations of these colors.

There will be free refreshments and door prizes. They are one of three in NC and one of 33 in the US and Canada to be a part of these displays.

If you can't go this year, mark your calendars for December 5, 2010.

Just in Time for the Holidays!

Buffalo Gal's has two new goat's milk soaps available just in time for the holidays! The first is 'Cocoa Butter', which is already proving to be very popular in it's first day of being available for sale. It mild tropical soap, with the amazing smells of cocoa butter. Cocoa butter, in many ways, is the ultimate moisturizer in that it is highly concentrated. Cocoa butter has been ranked by modern scientists as an outstanding skin protectant because of its superior soothing and healing properties and its ability to help the skin retain moisture. The second soap is 'Last of the Summer Wine,' which was created especially for the Holiday Market at Round Peak Vineyards (Mt. Airy, NC) on December 12th. It is a good soap for moisturizing your skin. As you can see in the close-up below, it contains dried grape hulls and oil from grape seeds. These bars are currently only available at the farm (and online), but will soon be available at the stores selling our soap. Round Peak’s Annual Winter with Wines Holiday Market Local Wines, Artisans and Crafters Holiday Market Saturday, December 12th, 12-6p.m. Round Peak Vineyards 765 Round Peak Church Road Mt. Airy, NC 27030 PH 336-352-5595

Santa Visits Cricket's Nest

Santa visits the Cricket's Nest on Saturday, December 5 from 11 AM until 1 PM. All children receive a treat and may have a free picture made with Santa. For more information, call 336.659.4315.

Hanging Rock State Park: Organized Hikes

Sat, December 5, 2009 CCC History Hike Join a park ranger for a short hike to the lake bathhouse and learn about how the park was founded in the 1930s. Meet in front of the Hanging Rock State Park Visitor's Center at 2:00. Program length: Approx. 30 minutes. Sun, December 6, 2009 Hike to Tory's Den Meet a park ranger at 2pm at the Tory's Den parking lot in Hanging Rock State Park for a short (0.3 mi.) hike to the cave and learn about the history and legend surrounding the area. You will also stop by a small waterfall. Program length: Approx. 30 minutes.

17th Annual Southeast Invitational Miniature Art Show

The 17th Annual Southeast Invitational Miniature Art Show will be at Germanton Gallery on December 4, 5 and 6. The show will hang until January 1. There will be over 70 artists participating including Susan Lyon, John Seery-Lester, Matt Smith, Rosetta, Louis Escobedo, Larry Riley and Luke Beck. The entire listing is on Germanton Galley's website. Germanton Gallery exhibits and sales fine art by premier painters and sculptors of the United States. Hours for this show will be: Friday, December 4 - 6PM - 8PM Reception Saturday, December 5 - 10AM - 4PM Sunday, December 6 - 1PM - 4PM

NC Poinsettias

N.C. poinsettias brighten up the holidays. The poinsettia is a decorating staple for the winter holidays. The plant makes a beautiful addition to any event or household with a multitude of shades - red, pink, white and marble - that can match any décor. But many may not know that North Carolina is the second largest producer of poinsettias in the United States. “North Carolina produced about 4.6 million poinsettias in 2008 and generated cash receipts of $17.9 million,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Overall, floriculture contributes more than $207 million to our state’s economy, and poinsettias play an important role in that industry.” Poinsettias are grown in greenhouses across the state under specific climatic requirements. The plants must receive a balance of sunlight and darkness to produce quality plants for the holiday season. “In addition to being useful in your own holiday decorating, poinsettias make great gifts,” said Troxler. “You can purchase poinsettias at nurseries, farmers markets, garden centers, florists and even grocery stores.” Numerous informational events will take place across the state in the coming weeks with information for both growers and consumers. Homewood Nursery and Garden Center in Raleigh will host a poinsettia open house on Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mitchell’s Nursery and Greenhouse in King will host a poinsettia open house Sunday, Dec. 6, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. The N.C. State University National Poinsettia Trial Open House will be held at the Horticulture Field Lab next to the J.C. Raulston Arboretum on Wednesday Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for growers, and for the public on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information about any of the open house events or where to find locally grown poinsettias, go to www.ncflowers.org or www.ncfarmfresh.com.

Sustainable Agriculture Conference

If you are a farmer, gardener, food professional, extension agent, teacher, community activist...or just care about where your food comes from, check out Carolina Farm Stewardship Association's 24th Annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference in Black Mountain, NC from December 4 to 6, 2009. An amazing array of farm tours, workshops, panels, networking sessions, keynote speakers, exhibits, seed exchange, silent auction, and children's program can all be found here. Register at pre-conference rates were through Wednesday 11/25 . Registration at the door costs 20% more-- if any spots are open. Affordable on-site lodging is currently still available at Blue Ridge Assembly, a comfortable historic retreat center with great amenities. And the all-local and organic meals are the best! Housing registration. Any questions? Contact the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association office at 919-542-2402. Next year's Sustainable Agriculture Conference will be in Winston-Salem!