ThunderStruck Meat Goats

We currently own:

2 Fullblood Savanna Bucks & 2 Fullblood bred Does

We are looking to add to our FB Doe herd in 2009

2-50% Savanna/KikoX Does bred to War Chrome (FB Red Boer)

Many 50% Savanna doelings will be bred in April 2009

75% Registerable Savanna kids will be available in November 2009

Taonga Pedigree.html

"Taonga" arrived in January '08 from Phillip & Sandra Murry/Alva, Oklahoma

Baby Huey Pedigree.html

"Huey" came to us from Ray Evans of War Lance Farms/Schell City, Misssouri

Huey has consistently put strong, meaty kids on the ground. When used on boers and Sale Barn, he throws solid white kids.

A plus for herd consistency and appearance.

Doe is currently bred to Huey

This savanna doeling is one week old

Doe is currently bred to Taonga

We are expecting the arrival of our first 2009 FB kids the end of February

50% Savanna doelings for sale now

Can be bred this spring.

Savanna Kiko Cross Doeling - 2 days old

Savannas registered with Pedigree International

Member # 482

Why Savannas? Production… Production… Production

According to Penn State Agriculture Science Department, goat meat is the most highly consumed meat in the world. To be able to compete in the market the goat rancher must be able to market a quality carcass with less input. The Savannah goats fit the bill. It is not uncommon for a savanna buck/wether to reach 70 pounds in 100 days with little care or feed. Savannahs are largely disease and parasite resistant. They have good mothering ability and are excellent milk producers. Not only does this increase the goat rancher’s kid crop percentages per year. If you can increase kidding percentages and lower your input the general estimate for profit will be higher.

Using Savannas in the equation you can reduce your output due to milk and feed not being required. Therefore, your profit will be increase. Studies have shown that kids will grow better if provided creep feed while still nursing. But your profit margin is still evident. If the market is calling for 50 pound kids, you can reach your target market quicker and without the necessary creep feeding. Also, this allows does to rest longer between kidding cycles. Early weaning enables the rancher to produce 3 kid crops in 2 years.

Cross breeding to produce meat goats is highly recommended. It is important to note that high-dollar seed stock is not for the novice. Seed stock should be healthy, good quality and have production records. If the rancher’s goal is to produce meat, the animals must be able to perform in any condition. It is imperative to keep your expenses to a minimum. A meat goat rancher must concentrate their money on animals that produce kids that make it to market. Savannah crosses do possess many of the same traits as the sire and dam. A savannah cross doe generally shows increased fertility, better survivability of kids, increase milk production. When a savanna is crossed with an animal with the greatest genetic difference hybrid vigor is expected. When a savannah is crossed with a genetically similar animal desirable traits are maximized. Savannah goats have been selected for growth and carcass quality. As a terminal sire they will aid the goat rancher by increasing

profitability.

Uniformity is also a key to profitability. If the rancher plans to sell directly to the public, a uniform pen of goats will generally sell higher than those who lack uniformity. Savanna cross goats will generally be uniform in color, type and sex related characteristics. Savannas tend to be long bodied, wide and smooth through the loin. Bucks and does have a strong level back with smooth shoulders. The animal also tends to have great depth of body. A commercial animal of any breed should be structurally correct with an emphasis on muscle volume.

In conclusion, if buyers are wanting a uniform group of 45 to 50 pound kids then why pay the extra money to feed them to that weight. Let the does do your work for you. Savanna goats as commercial stock produce kids at the 50 pound weight earlier with little input. Also, goats do not marble; extra fat is simply waste, and is very expensive to put on the goat and also expensive to remove from the carcass. Attention should be paid to Savannas. They are the meat goat with all the right marketing characteristics. This is a commercial animal that is able to produce and show survivability.