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Windy River Boer Goats - Mat & Dana Riste
Oct 2018
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1.) How did you get started in the Boer Goat Industry?
Mat and I had three acres and no plans to do anything with it. In the spring of 2015 we decided to get a couple of doelings. We enjoyed them so much that same fall we purchased our first buck, that’s how it all got started and we slowly began building our herd.
2.) What does your operation look like today?
Today, three short years later we now have 21 doe’s, 11 doelings, 3 dairy goats and 4 bucks. Our herd consists of fullbloods, purebreds and percentage goats. During this last year we were given the opportunity to utilize an additional 25 plus acres which has given us more room for growth. We look forward to expanding our herd in 2019.
3.) What do you enjoy most about the Boer Goat Industry?
We both really enjoy the people and goats. The people are so friendly and down to earth. We were able to visit several farms this year and found that people in the goat industry are happy people and always willing to help others, we want to be a part of that. People that have goats can talk for hours and you don’t even have to know the person that’s how friendly they are.
4.) Who has been an inspiration to you or assisted in improving your herd and how did they help you?
Mat and I both looked at each other on this question and simultaneously said Steven and Heather Peterson. They were the first people we met in the goat industry and we purchased our first goats from them. While we didn’t know anything about goats at that point, they helped us to select some really great ones. As many of you know they have an amazing herd of boer goats so it’s a fun farm to visit, but every time I leave there I find I’ve learned something new.
They have shared so much knowledge with us on how to care for goats, from immunizations how to and when to do them, hoof trimming and feed the list goes on and on. Steven and Heather even helped walk us through delivery of our first kids born on the farm.
They really assisted us in improving our herd last year when thy gave Mat and I the opportunity to purchase their herd sire (SHUSH ARTISAN) he has already contributed so much to our herd. Steven and Heather are not only a great inspiration to us but our mentors and now great friends.
5.) What has been the biggest challenge as a producer?
Our biggest challenges have been both time and money. Mat an I both have fulltime jobs so all of our so called FREETIME is spent farming. Mat has taken on the challenges of fence and feeder building not to mention all the honey do’s and he does such an amazing job. And the money part – you should see the new barn I have picked out! Can’t wait.
6.) What are you the most excited about in the coming year?
We are excited for Spring of 2019. We’re planning to participating in a couple of shows and auctions. We will be gearing up over the next few months to make it all possible. (poor Mat) We look forward to seeing all of you in the show ring and look forward to your council on how we can improve with our show stock and also how we can become better exhibitors.
Mat and I had three acres and no plans to do anything with it. In the spring of 2015 we decided to get a couple of doelings. We enjoyed them so much that same fall we purchased our first buck, that’s how it all got started and we slowly began building our herd.
2.) What does your operation look like today?
Today, three short years later we now have 21 doe’s, 11 doelings, 3 dairy goats and 4 bucks. Our herd consists of fullbloods, purebreds and percentage goats. During this last year we were given the opportunity to utilize an additional 25 plus acres which has given us more room for growth. We look forward to expanding our herd in 2019.
3.) What do you enjoy most about the Boer Goat Industry?
We both really enjoy the people and goats. The people are so friendly and down to earth. We were able to visit several farms this year and found that people in the goat industry are happy people and always willing to help others, we want to be a part of that. People that have goats can talk for hours and you don’t even have to know the person that’s how friendly they are.
4.) Who has been an inspiration to you or assisted in improving your herd and how did they help you?
Mat and I both looked at each other on this question and simultaneously said Steven and Heather Peterson. They were the first people we met in the goat industry and we purchased our first goats from them. While we didn’t know anything about goats at that point, they helped us to select some really great ones. As many of you know they have an amazing herd of boer goats so it’s a fun farm to visit, but every time I leave there I find I’ve learned something new.
They have shared so much knowledge with us on how to care for goats, from immunizations how to and when to do them, hoof trimming and feed the list goes on and on. Steven and Heather even helped walk us through delivery of our first kids born on the farm.
They really assisted us in improving our herd last year when thy gave Mat and I the opportunity to purchase their herd sire (SHUSH ARTISAN) he has already contributed so much to our herd. Steven and Heather are not only a great inspiration to us but our mentors and now great friends.
5.) What has been the biggest challenge as a producer?
Our biggest challenges have been both time and money. Mat an I both have fulltime jobs so all of our so called FREETIME is spent farming. Mat has taken on the challenges of fence and feeder building not to mention all the honey do’s and he does such an amazing job. And the money part – you should see the new barn I have picked out! Can’t wait.
6.) What are you the most excited about in the coming year?
We are excited for Spring of 2019. We’re planning to participating in a couple of shows and auctions. We will be gearing up over the next few months to make it all possible. (poor Mat) We look forward to seeing all of you in the show ring and look forward to your council on how we can improve with our show stock and also how we can become better exhibitors.
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