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Almosta Ranch AMR Boer Goats -
Matt & Summer Duman 
August 2019
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1. How did you get started in the Boer goat industry?
Both my husband and I were actively involved in 4H livestock as kids and raised on small farms with cattle, horses, pigs, chickens, etc. When we purchased our property in Cottonwood, ID it was smaller than we would have liked but we still wanted to focus on giving our children the same experience as we had growing up. My husband had raised goats in the past and suggested we give it a try again. I thought he was crazy but I reluctantly agreed under the condition that he would manage the herd and my role would be bookwork and sales. We purchased a small herd of bred does from Rochelle Troyano that were Savanna and Savanna X and that was it. We were sold on the meat goat industry pretty much the minute those babies hit the ground. We changed gears early on to focus on Boers for the availability of showing options and marketability of the breed but those Savanna’s are still the foundation of our percentage herd today.
2. What does your operation look like today?
Our operation today has changed gears to focus on show quality purebred and fullblood stock in the last year or so. We still maintain a percentage herd to raise whether style goats for our local 4H and FFA kids but our passion is growing maternal show correct breeding and show stock. We did our first flush and embryo transfer this year and I am learning to AI as I go. We currently have approximately 40 head total but truly I lost count a couple years back.
3. Who was an inspiration to you or assisted you in improving your heard and how did they help you.
We owe a lot to Karen, John, and Dillon Kellar who sold us our first buck and were always there for advice. I wouldn’t be anywhere in the show ring without Ashley Roles showing me how to fit a goat at my first show. Maddie and Trevor have always been open ears when I had a question and helped us with our first FB buck purchase and Flush this year. There have been so many in the industry who have helped us grow but I would also like to thank Google because man I would be lost without it!
4. What has been your biggest challenge as a producer?
I think as a producer the biggest challenge we have faced is a market for our goats. North Central Idaho really hasn’t caught on to the goat craze like other areas of the country. We live in a heavy cattle market area. The auction barn in our home town doesn’t even do small animal sales. The closest drop off for culls is an hour away and they only do a small animal sale once a month. We are relatively isolated in terms of location and we haul a significant distance to all shows. This has improved over the last year or so with closer shows and we are very grateful. We are also thankful to be ahead of the times in terms of marketing and raising goats here and know it’s popularity will grow over the next 5-10 years.
5. What are you most excited about in the coming year?
We are excited to make it to more shows next year. That is my #1 goal! We seem to hit a couple each summer but my husband farms for a living and I work full time for an insurance company. So it’s hard to explain why you need every Friday off all summer but I am going to work hard at it. We also hope to attend National’s next year as participants.
Both my husband and I were actively involved in 4H livestock as kids and raised on small farms with cattle, horses, pigs, chickens, etc. When we purchased our property in Cottonwood, ID it was smaller than we would have liked but we still wanted to focus on giving our children the same experience as we had growing up. My husband had raised goats in the past and suggested we give it a try again. I thought he was crazy but I reluctantly agreed under the condition that he would manage the herd and my role would be bookwork and sales. We purchased a small herd of bred does from Rochelle Troyano that were Savanna and Savanna X and that was it. We were sold on the meat goat industry pretty much the minute those babies hit the ground. We changed gears early on to focus on Boers for the availability of showing options and marketability of the breed but those Savanna’s are still the foundation of our percentage herd today.
2. What does your operation look like today?
Our operation today has changed gears to focus on show quality purebred and fullblood stock in the last year or so. We still maintain a percentage herd to raise whether style goats for our local 4H and FFA kids but our passion is growing maternal show correct breeding and show stock. We did our first flush and embryo transfer this year and I am learning to AI as I go. We currently have approximately 40 head total but truly I lost count a couple years back.
3. Who was an inspiration to you or assisted you in improving your heard and how did they help you.
We owe a lot to Karen, John, and Dillon Kellar who sold us our first buck and were always there for advice. I wouldn’t be anywhere in the show ring without Ashley Roles showing me how to fit a goat at my first show. Maddie and Trevor have always been open ears when I had a question and helped us with our first FB buck purchase and Flush this year. There have been so many in the industry who have helped us grow but I would also like to thank Google because man I would be lost without it!
4. What has been your biggest challenge as a producer?
I think as a producer the biggest challenge we have faced is a market for our goats. North Central Idaho really hasn’t caught on to the goat craze like other areas of the country. We live in a heavy cattle market area. The auction barn in our home town doesn’t even do small animal sales. The closest drop off for culls is an hour away and they only do a small animal sale once a month. We are relatively isolated in terms of location and we haul a significant distance to all shows. This has improved over the last year or so with closer shows and we are very grateful. We are also thankful to be ahead of the times in terms of marketing and raising goats here and know it’s popularity will grow over the next 5-10 years.
5. What are you most excited about in the coming year?
We are excited to make it to more shows next year. That is my #1 goal! We seem to hit a couple each summer but my husband farms for a living and I work full time for an insurance company. So it’s hard to explain why you need every Friday off all summer but I am going to work hard at it. We also hope to attend National’s next year as participants.
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