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Dust Devil Ranch - Maddie Fenton
April 2018
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1.) How did you get started in the Boer goat industry?
I got started in the Boer goat industry when I was given my first Boer doe from my grandmother, Terry Brown. I named her Rosie Goatie, and raised her on a bottle. I loved showing Rosie and she ignited a passion within me for the Boer goat! I bred her several times and eventually started my own herd, Dust Devil Ranch, with my mother Crystal.
2.) What does your operation look like today?
Today, our team consists of my mom, my boyfriend Trevor Clemens, and myself. Dust Devil Ranch has grown to upwards of 140 head of Boer goats. Our focus is on quality Boer goats who can compete in the show ring and be productive in the breeding pen. We love the traditionals and always will but have thrown in a little color here and there too!
3.) What do you enjoy the most about the Boer goat industry?
One of my favorite things about the Boer goat industry is educating others. I love sharing my knowledge with other breeders as well as learning new things from other breeders. I really enjoy mentoring the youth of the association, and I think helping young people or mentoring new breeders is one of the most important and meaningful things I can do to better the industry. I also really enjoy meeting new people and making new connections. I have met many life long friends in the industry and made memories that I will cherish forever.
4.) Who was an inspiration to you or assisted you in improving your herd and how did they help you?
The biggest inspiration to me and my operation is my grandmother. Without her help, I never would have even gotten a start in the Boer goat industry. She continues to help me make my goals achievable to this day by mentoring me, always teaching me new things, giving me advice, and partnering with me on multiple animals. The success of Dust Devil Ranch would also not be possible without my mom and Trevor. They have a love for our animals just as I do and without their constant hard work, willingness to help, and input, our program would not be where it is today.
5.) What has been your biggest challenge as a producer?
One of the biggest challenges that we face as producers is ensuring that our herd is profitable. Because we have such a high number of animals, our feed bill is also high, and we have to make sure our sale animals sell for enough to make up for these expenses. Selling quite a few show quality animals in multiple production sales every year has helped us to achieve a profitable business.
6.) What are you most excited about in the coming year?
In this upcoming year I am most excited to be hosting a large flushing and Laparoscopic AI event in the Pacific Northwest. This is something that a lot of breeders in our area do not have the pleasure of being involved in unlike breeders in other parts of the nation. I think with this event breeders in the northwest will have the opportunity to improve their genetics exponentially, and this is really exciting to me!
I got started in the Boer goat industry when I was given my first Boer doe from my grandmother, Terry Brown. I named her Rosie Goatie, and raised her on a bottle. I loved showing Rosie and she ignited a passion within me for the Boer goat! I bred her several times and eventually started my own herd, Dust Devil Ranch, with my mother Crystal.
2.) What does your operation look like today?
Today, our team consists of my mom, my boyfriend Trevor Clemens, and myself. Dust Devil Ranch has grown to upwards of 140 head of Boer goats. Our focus is on quality Boer goats who can compete in the show ring and be productive in the breeding pen. We love the traditionals and always will but have thrown in a little color here and there too!
3.) What do you enjoy the most about the Boer goat industry?
One of my favorite things about the Boer goat industry is educating others. I love sharing my knowledge with other breeders as well as learning new things from other breeders. I really enjoy mentoring the youth of the association, and I think helping young people or mentoring new breeders is one of the most important and meaningful things I can do to better the industry. I also really enjoy meeting new people and making new connections. I have met many life long friends in the industry and made memories that I will cherish forever.
4.) Who was an inspiration to you or assisted you in improving your herd and how did they help you?
The biggest inspiration to me and my operation is my grandmother. Without her help, I never would have even gotten a start in the Boer goat industry. She continues to help me make my goals achievable to this day by mentoring me, always teaching me new things, giving me advice, and partnering with me on multiple animals. The success of Dust Devil Ranch would also not be possible without my mom and Trevor. They have a love for our animals just as I do and without their constant hard work, willingness to help, and input, our program would not be where it is today.
5.) What has been your biggest challenge as a producer?
One of the biggest challenges that we face as producers is ensuring that our herd is profitable. Because we have such a high number of animals, our feed bill is also high, and we have to make sure our sale animals sell for enough to make up for these expenses. Selling quite a few show quality animals in multiple production sales every year has helped us to achieve a profitable business.
6.) What are you most excited about in the coming year?
In this upcoming year I am most excited to be hosting a large flushing and Laparoscopic AI event in the Pacific Northwest. This is something that a lot of breeders in our area do not have the pleasure of being involved in unlike breeders in other parts of the nation. I think with this event breeders in the northwest will have the opportunity to improve their genetics exponentially, and this is really exciting to me!
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