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Whiskey Rae Homestead - Jackie Rae
March 2018
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1. How did you get started in the Boer goat industry?
In 2012 I rescued a small herd of 10 boer crosses from a very bad place. I had always wanted goats and at the time had horses. What could ever go wrong with someone who has never had a goat before rescuing 10 sick, emaciated goats right? EVERYTHING! Goat, polio, sore mouth, and foot rot. I mean goats can eat anything right? Just feed them the horse feed right? After all that I educated myself by connecting with knowledgeable goat breeders in my area. In 2015 I purchased my first FB boer, a buck Named Blondie from Tanya Baker @ Lazy G Boer Goats and the boer goat crazy only grew from there!
2. What does your operation look like today?
Boer Goat fever hit me hard. I was addicted. In 2016 I made my first big purchase and move into the show side of things. I purchased my herd sire Boomer (2JW Smokin Gun's Boomstick) from Josh & Johanna Weir @ Double J Farms in OK. In 2017 I purchased my core breeding stock does @ the CBGA sale from some of the best farms around and the greatest people, Culver Family Farms & Dash Acres. Now with a handful of great does the breeding can begin! Well, that handful is now more like a couple handfuls. I have about 25 does, and 3 bucks and kidding season has started!
3. What do you enjoy the most about the Boer goat industry?
What I enjoy most about the boer industry is the showing and connecting with other producers. I love watching the kids, their showmanship skills and their devotion to these animals melts my heart.
4. Who was an inspiration to you or assisted you in improving your heard and how did they help you.
I’ve met some of the greatest people in the world in this industry. To start, Tanya Baker of Lazy G Boer Goats, Roy WA. If it wasn't for Tanya all of my goat's would likely have died and I’d have given up. I knew nothing about goats and Tanya was kind enough to befriend a total stranger who messaged her on fb. She taught me the majority of what i know about goats. Today she’s one of my best friends. Nicole Hernandez of Champions Livestock, Yelm WA is another life saver and educator. Nicole has been there for me on middle of the night goat emergencies to transporting my goats to and from shows. Nicole and Tanya are two women that got me to where I am today. Richard & Sandy of RNSH Boer Goats, Graham WA, these are the kindest most giving people on earth. They took me under their wing and have guided me in every right direction. Sandy, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I hope to fit & clip like you some day! Rachel Burke and family.. I've never met a more inspirational gifted caring young lady in my life. Rachel showed Boomer for me and under her hand, he earned 11pts in only 3 shows. Culver Family Farm & Dash Acres, thank you for breeding such well-built animals. I'm proud to say my foundation breeding stock is from your herds.
5. What has been your biggest challenge as a producer?
My biggest challenge as a producer is to improve the breed. I spend my time researching bloodlines and studying confirmation in boers over age 5. I'm a farrier so my attention is drawn to the foot first and then everything above it. As a producer and farrier I'm looking to improve longevity, soundness and strength.
6. What are you most excited about in the coming year?
I'm most excited about the next show season coming up and to see the rest of the kids hit the ground!
In 2012 I rescued a small herd of 10 boer crosses from a very bad place. I had always wanted goats and at the time had horses. What could ever go wrong with someone who has never had a goat before rescuing 10 sick, emaciated goats right? EVERYTHING! Goat, polio, sore mouth, and foot rot. I mean goats can eat anything right? Just feed them the horse feed right? After all that I educated myself by connecting with knowledgeable goat breeders in my area. In 2015 I purchased my first FB boer, a buck Named Blondie from Tanya Baker @ Lazy G Boer Goats and the boer goat crazy only grew from there!
2. What does your operation look like today?
Boer Goat fever hit me hard. I was addicted. In 2016 I made my first big purchase and move into the show side of things. I purchased my herd sire Boomer (2JW Smokin Gun's Boomstick) from Josh & Johanna Weir @ Double J Farms in OK. In 2017 I purchased my core breeding stock does @ the CBGA sale from some of the best farms around and the greatest people, Culver Family Farms & Dash Acres. Now with a handful of great does the breeding can begin! Well, that handful is now more like a couple handfuls. I have about 25 does, and 3 bucks and kidding season has started!
3. What do you enjoy the most about the Boer goat industry?
What I enjoy most about the boer industry is the showing and connecting with other producers. I love watching the kids, their showmanship skills and their devotion to these animals melts my heart.
4. Who was an inspiration to you or assisted you in improving your heard and how did they help you.
I’ve met some of the greatest people in the world in this industry. To start, Tanya Baker of Lazy G Boer Goats, Roy WA. If it wasn't for Tanya all of my goat's would likely have died and I’d have given up. I knew nothing about goats and Tanya was kind enough to befriend a total stranger who messaged her on fb. She taught me the majority of what i know about goats. Today she’s one of my best friends. Nicole Hernandez of Champions Livestock, Yelm WA is another life saver and educator. Nicole has been there for me on middle of the night goat emergencies to transporting my goats to and from shows. Nicole and Tanya are two women that got me to where I am today. Richard & Sandy of RNSH Boer Goats, Graham WA, these are the kindest most giving people on earth. They took me under their wing and have guided me in every right direction. Sandy, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I hope to fit & clip like you some day! Rachel Burke and family.. I've never met a more inspirational gifted caring young lady in my life. Rachel showed Boomer for me and under her hand, he earned 11pts in only 3 shows. Culver Family Farm & Dash Acres, thank you for breeding such well-built animals. I'm proud to say my foundation breeding stock is from your herds.
5. What has been your biggest challenge as a producer?
My biggest challenge as a producer is to improve the breed. I spend my time researching bloodlines and studying confirmation in boers over age 5. I'm a farrier so my attention is drawn to the foot first and then everything above it. As a producer and farrier I'm looking to improve longevity, soundness and strength.
6. What are you most excited about in the coming year?
I'm most excited about the next show season coming up and to see the rest of the kids hit the ground!
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