des Ruhigestelle/Tempo

Saanens  Alpines  LaManchas

Fern and Laurie Acton   9915 S. Wildcat Rd, Molalla, OR 97038   503-829-2927

 

Last updated Feb 10, 2008

Download herd list (1.6 mb pdf)

 

Hello and welcome to our website.  We have been breeding dairy goats for 45 years, but are still new at the computer.  Truthfully, I’d rather be in the barn cleaning stalls and trimming feet, but have finally acknowledged the need to move into the 21st century.    It has been a slow road for me to get this done.  So, this isn’t a website so much as just a list of our breeding herd.  All of the info is official, and verified w/ the ADGA links (that’s what took so long).  To view this list, click on the ‘download herd list’ at top.  Perhaps next year will see us with an improved version, but as kidding season is nearly upon us, my time will be spent in the barn.  If you have any questions, I can now be contacted by email lauren (at) ruhigestelle (dot) com, although it may take me awhile to check for emails.  Please remember this site is about our goats and not a place to ask veterinary questions.  I will be happy to answer vet questions at my clinic at 503-982-2421 (Tues/Wed/Thurs), but prefer to speak with your vet.  Remember, I do mostly surgery and anesthesia, so other questions are pretty much out of my league.  The fastest way to contact me is still by phone at 503-829-2927.

However backwards we are in technology, we do breed for a modern type of doe, one that is long boned and dairy, and is a true total performer.  You won’t find mature show goats giving ‘a gallon a day’, or ‘2 gallon’ milkers with poor udders in our pens.  Nor will you find obese goats, frail goats, or goats with severe structural faults.  What you will find are sound, strong, highly productive does that milk well wherever they are, and rarely get stressed.  We take pride in producing genetic foundations for commercial dairies, as we feel they should be the backbone of our industry.  Our does are not pampered, rarely do we milk three times a day, and with a veterinarian’s unpredictable work schedule, they frequently must wait 16 hours between milkings.  Pasture is an important part of our management, so our goats must be able to walk several hours a day.  While we have our favorites, nobody gets special treatment, or special feed.  Some of our more well known does have traveled over 5,000 miles every year of their lives, and continue to produce over 3,000 lbs of milk.  This year, we went to Gillette, WY, followed a week later by Santa Rosa, CA, followed three weeks later by Sacramento, CA.  Each of these shows were far enough to require at least one overnight stop enroute.  (And this doesn’t include the 7 ‘local’ shows we attended in the Northwest…)   I would like to thank all the hardworking people that make all this possible, and congratulate our fellow travelers on their success as well.  For our part, we finished championships on 8 does, brought home 11 BIS wins, and had many top ten placings at Nationals, including 4 firsts, 3 seconds, and 2 first udders.  A highlight for us was the beautiful District 8 Saanen Specialty at the California State Fair, where our Saanens won the coveted Supreme Best Three Females in show!  We ended our season at the competitive Western Washington State Fair, where Tokay was BIS, Llyonesse was BUIS and our Alpines were named Best Dairy Herd in Show, with our Saanens a close runner-up.

Production is equally important to us.  We are always working toward our herd average goal of 3500 lbs milk with 100 lbs protein.  This seemed like a lot ten years ago, but we have been at or near it frequently in the last few years.  We are as proud of Top Ten does as our champions, and congratulate Elessea and Vonetta on their 2006 records.  Several years ago we came up with our own formula to rank each mature does total performance.  This has been a valuable tool for us, enabling us to identify where we were lacking in our goals for each breed.  It also helps us to place a value on type vs. performance for each doe.  No doe is perfect, but we like to think that each individual brings a strong component to our total picture.  None of this could be possible without the use of ADGA’s performance programs, and we would encourage all breeders to use the programs- they certainly can open your eyes to the true value of any goat.

Lastly, but most important, we enjoy our goats.  I strongly believe in “coffee management”- that is simply taking the time to just watch the goats do goat things.  If everyone took the length of time it takes to drink a cup of coffee (or tea, or beer, or whatever…) doing nothing but watching their goats every day, my work as a veterinarian would diminish greatly!!   While we love our goats and their achievements, we do have other interests, especially during the “snow” season.  To keep a balance between work and play, and to keep burnout limited to kidding season, we do dry off many of our does early, and only milk a select group through the winter.  We attempt to keep January as free of goat activities as possible, choosing instead to spend this time with each other.  While this makes it tough to reach our herd average goal, we value the freedom and freshness the time away gives us.

We enjoy visitors, but ask that you call ahead to make sure we home.  Please do not wear clothing or shoes that have been in other barns, including your own.  The coffee is always on, in fact I think I’ll take a cup out to the barn right now…

 

 

 

TERMS AND HEALTH CONDITIONS-

 

We do not knowingly sell animals with health or reproductive problems.  We follow CAE prevention with annual testing and pasteurization, and are abscess free.  The prices listed include an interstate health certificate, but do not include shipping or kennel, etc.  Prices are negotiable, and may change depending on the quality of the dam when she freshens, but preordered kids with a deposit will not increase.  A $100 deposit will hold a kid, and is refundable if an acceptable kid is not born.  We do reserve breeder’s right to first choice of all kids.  Kids must be picked up/delivered by 4 weeks of age unless other prior arrangements are made.  We do charge $12 per week boarding fee for kids held after 4 weeks.  This includes being raised on pasteurized milk and vaccines/parasite control as per our treatment schedule.  Adult animals must be picked up at the farm unless delivery arrangements are made prior to purchase.  Please refer to the last page of the sales list for current breedings and prices.

 

We do live in the wet Pacific Northwest, so parasites are a problem.  Animals are treated before they leave, and we recommend treating again after they are purchased.  We do our best to disclose any known health issues prior to an animal being sold.  We value our reputation more than any of our awards, and try to be as honest as possible.

 

Our kids are raised on pasteurized milk and alfalfa hay.  Grain and pasture are introduced at weaning, usually about 12 weeks old.  Coccidia is treated by regular, monthly treatments of Albon, and kids are vaccinated with CDT at monthly intervals until 4 months of age.  We do experience problems with too rapid growth, especially in the Saanens, so we do not free feed.  In our experience, early freshening is detrimental to does bred for high production, so we wait a few extra months to breed yearlings.  We will not be responsible for any doe which freshens prior to 16 months old.  Just because they can grow fast and freshen young does not mean they should!!!

 

We strive to breed sound, healthy, productive goats.  We work from a simple management plan that allows does to produce well without pushing them.  We have our favorites, but nobody gets special treatment or feed.  (okay, nobody under twelve years old!)  We feed a moderate amount of good quality alfalfa, and the does have free access to pasture.  Milkers are given 3 lbs daily of 16% goat dairy ration, does giving over 18 lbs get 4 lbs daily.  Dairy cattle minerals and trace mineral salt blocks round out our feeding program.  No extra vitamins, kelp, sunflower seeds, or foo foo dust are given to increase production or components.  We do employ working dogs, both Border Collies for herding, and Anatolian Shepherds to guard against two and four legged predators.

 

 

 

SEMEN-

 

We do have semen available from most of our sires, both foundation animals and our more contemporary bucks.  Our semen list is usually available on request.  Most of our bucks are available through Frozen Assets (Karen Lewis).  We do have a $100.00 minimum on semen purchases.  I will admit to not liking to hassle with semen, especially at Nationals.  Also, paperwork is my least favorite activity, and semen paperwork is last on my list, so please be patient, or try Karen first.

 

HISTORY-

Our herd stated in 1962 when Wayne, oldest of 5 children, needed a 4-H project,  He purchased a grade Nubian, and a registered Nubian.  As the four older boys worked with the goats a few other breeds and grades were added.  In 1970, when Laurie was old enough for 4-H, an Alpine doe was purchased so she wouldn’t have to compete with her brothers.  About the same time, a Saanen doe, Roln’hils Cora, was taken in trade to help finance the co-purchase of a well-bred Alpine buck.  The Alpine doe never grew, so she was replaced by her twin by her breeders, Hal and Alice Caples, and Little Creek Acres Rhonda (aka “Aquila”) came home.  During this transaction, a Saanen doe kid, Little Creek Acres Connie, was also purchased.  The following summer, a battered, tired old Saanen doe, Bonzi’s Hazel, was rescued and became part of our small Saanen herd.  These does were Fern’s own, rather than the kids’ 4-H projects.  When Wayne went college in the late sixties, the Nubian does were transferred to Fern.  She then maintained them until the early nineties. She did achieve some success with them, and had a few GCH, Top Ten and FS90 Nubians to her credit.  A few champion Toggs also occasionally graced our farms, but none that lasted more than a few years.  Laurie and husband John moved the main herd from Washington to its present location in Molalla, Oregon in 1994.  Fern does maintain a small Saanen group at our original home, and Ardis, David, and Mariah have a beautiful herd of LaManchas at the farm in Washington.

 

Bonzi’s Hazel rewarded us with three living kids.  GCH++*B des Ruhigestelle Jury Duty and GCH des Ruhigestelle Desiderata 2*M were born in 1972, and GCH des Ruhigestelle Puppis 2*M was born in 1973.  Both Puppis and Desi were outstanding show does, winning consistently in the Northwest for several years.  Puppis was able to attend the 1978 National Show in Del Mar, CA, where she was named National Champion and Best Udder by Norman Austin.  Little Creek Acres Connie only lived long enough to produce des Ruhigestelle Capella *M, but she in turn produced dR Constellation 2*M.  Constellation was bred to Jury Duty, and their daughter, ConJurEo was born in 1978.  GCH dR ConJurEo 3*M went on to be the 1980 National Champion and Best Udder, scored FS93, and became the matriarch of our herd.  Nearly every Saanen doe on the premises traces directly to this incredible champion.  While Cora’s progeny didn’t have the lasting impact, she did produce some fine young does whose early successes inspired us to seek out the best available bucks, while the slower maturing lines were developing.  This not only taught us to go for the best, but gave us invaluable knowledge about waiting for the slow ones to grow up.  In 1981 Laurie saw a show stopping Saanen doe while judging a small show in Eastern Oregon.  GCH Snobo-Iris Rosee was owned by Loreen Bird of Snowbird Saanens.  A friendship soon formed with the feisty, warm and generous Loreen, and arrangements were made to purchase a son, and to exhibit Iris at the following National show in Salem, OR.  Iris went on to 1st/1st 4 yr old, and her son, ++*B Snowbird New Star, was soon to revolutionize milk production and mammaries in our herd.  Bred to ConJurEo and her daughters, he sired GCH dR Eta 4*M, GCH dR Eme 5*M, and GCH dR Emma 5*M, all three Top Ten does over 4,000 lbs.  Triplet sisters to Eta, but sold and not on test were CH Ea and CH Eocene.  Loreen became close friends with other Northwest Saanen breeders, and it was one of our most cherished moments to win the 2005 National Show Premier Breeder award dedicated in her memory. 

 

In the meantime, Aquila was taken back to Caples to be bred to their exciting new buck, *B A-I Ho’s Foundation, an A-I son of GCH++*B Laurelwood Acres Westward Ho.  GCH dR Astarte 2*M was born in 1974, and Laurie’s Alpines were off to a champion beginning.  Astarte was the quintessential foundation doe- she was a trusted showmanship doe, a multiple times champion, and top milker.  Laurie saw an ad in the Dairy Goat Journal for a buck she liked, and a lasting friendship with Jan Palmer (now Weiser) developed and extended to other Northwest Alpine breeders.  I cannot express the impact these people had, from inspiration, to self-confidence, to perseverance, to simple camaraderie.  I would not be the breeder I am today, nor would I be the person I am, without their friendship and influence.  Saanens may be our most important breed, and LaManchas the most fun, but from this beginning, Alpines will always hold my heart.  Astarte produced many excellent daughters (12 in 5 years, without any sons until she was 8 years old!!) and finally 2 outstanding sons as her last kids.  Simply tired of writing out des Ruhigestelle on every entry form and registration application, Laurie changed her herd name to Tempo in 1980.  The “Aquila” was added to any does which trace directly to the original foundation doe.  Tempo was chosen as it is part of an ancient family crest/motto-“Il Tempo Passe.”  The crest, which dates back to the 8th century, has a goat on it! College for Laurie meant selling most of the goats every year for tuition, but the one doe which stayed was a black and white RWH Reverie daughter (great granddaughter of Astarte), GCH Tempo Aquila Free Spirit *M.  Free Spirit was bred AI to Astarte’s son, GCH++*B Tempo Aquila Amor to produce GCH Tempo Aquila Free Love, dam of GCH++*B TA Free Radical.

 

Laurie saw her first LaMancha doe kid born while at a show in 1976.  It was love at first sight.  She wasn’t able to find an available doe from a herd without health issues, so initially bred an Alpine to get a fun pair of experimental doe kids.  These didn’t last during the ‘college cuts,’ but did inspire her to keep her interest.  After finally graduating and ‘settling down’ ( well, maybe not settled, but at least with some of the bills paid…)  Laurie purchased Singing Hills Sadie Hawkins at the 1992 Spotlight Sale.  Okay, there might have been a little champagne involved, and Sadie really was a group purchase for a good cause, but the little “no ears” goat came home and started both Laurie and niece Mariah (then 4 years old) on a love affair with the mischievous little demons.  It also started Laurie’s addiction to national sales, and two years later GCH Aspen Hills Karoline was purchased in partnership with Cindy Silva at the 1994 Colorama Sale.  Karoline stayed at Cindy’s, but was the dam to GCH Tempo Katya 4*M.  The last foundation doe, GCH Windstar Notta Shy Anne 2*M was purchased from Sylvia Prouty, bringing in the high production we demand in our herd.  Sadie’s best known daughter was GCH Tempo Audrey E *M, together with Katya and Notta they captured many awards both locally and nationally.  All three does have produced excellent, GCH and Top Ten daughters.  In addition, they provided the foundation animals for the Barnowl herd, owned by Laurie’s sister-in-law Ardis Lyons and her daughter Mariah.  The LaManchas have provided a unique, close relationship between Laurie and Mariah as they traveled together to nearly every show for 12 years.