Here it is, middle of October and our herd is at the number I need it to be

in order to afford feed for the winter.  Now, we are breeding. 

Seems odd to cut our herd so drastically in order to INCREASE it! LOL. 

This week Chattahoochi went in with MCH Lost Valley ML Asher while

CBF CS Paint Th'Sky with Stars went in with 

the very handsome Ironwoodranch A Good Intrigue*S/*B

Stars breeding will be a repeat of what produced CBF AGI Wish Upon a Star (below) 

and we already have two doeling reservations for this pair. This pair will also boast 3 Superior Genetics animals in their pedigree : SG Nizhoni's Joie de Vivre*D/*M, SG Ironwoodranch SJ Pecan 2*D/2*M and 

SG Esperanza MB Smarty Jones +*B/+*S

Wishes also went to visit her intended out at Nizhoni's.  Nizhoni's bred Nizhoni DW Tirzah 

and SG Nizhoni's Joie De Vivre *M/*D (Stars - is Joie's granddaughter)

Wishes went to visit Esperanza BF Blue Sunfire.  

This is a Smarty Jones linebreeding and should be super milky!  

Right now - we are retaining all that result from this breeding. 

Recently CBF Nigerian said goodbye to some of our animals.  This year, the parting was more difficult than normal.  In reflection, I think it's because as we improve as a herd, I see more value in each animal and 

when I am letting go of one these days, I'm letting go of something that I see merit in, not a 

"cull" animal generally.  But my perspective has changed a bit.  We are letting go of some really good animals who are going forth and doing things we could not do here. 

Like letting SG Nizhoni's Joie de Vivre *D/*M go to Pecan Grove - 

she would not have earned her Superior Genetics title here because we have not 

been able to Linear Appraise.  

We just sent CBF CS Hope Diamond (above) 

And CBF CS Special Dark Chocolate, go to Pixie Hollow Nigerians in Florida. 

At first, it was really hard - these girls were supposed to help further MY herd but the more I thought about 

it, what a great way to get my name out there! What if these girls do really well for Pixie Hollow?  

So, Thank you Pixie Hollow for taking my precious girls!

We also let go of Cleo this year.  Another difficult one to let go.  She is a FF, with a stunning body and lovely udder.  She has always done well in her classes and am pretty sure she could earn her milking stars. 

But a small new herd wanted a really good doe, and I have her daughter and am getting the daughter of her half sister out of the same sire next year soooooo, I reluctantly let her go. 

We are down to 9 goats - 7 does and 2 bucks.  I'm really looking forward to seeing what next year brings for us.  We are just now starting to breed the does and we are going to do 305 milk test again next year. I'd really like to do the Linear Appraisal if we can get a stop next year as well but we'll see if the money is there to do it.  

A bittersweet day for me here at CBF - saying good bye to some great girls but looking to the future and what it holds........