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MANAGEMENT

All animals are cared for with compassion and respect. From our feeding program to our penning assignments every effort is make to allow each animal the opportunity to excel. All animals are managed as individuals according to their age and specific genetic potential. NUTRITION Calling upon modern technology and the intergrity of ingredient selection we strive to provide the highest quality feed produts formulated. We believe that proper nutrition, along with sound management practices are the best ways to allow each animal to achieve its genetic potential. Current Herd: Over a dozen Fullblood Bucks and over 60 Fullblood Does - the largest herd of South African Boers in Missouri. TRI-QUEST also has over 150 Percentage Does. In the Summer of 1998 ( and once each year prior to our Embryo transfer program) the entire herd was again CAE tested. Currrently all animals within our herd have tested CAE negative. Objectives: Meat Production: Meat production is our number one purpose for raising Boer and Boer cross goats. To that end we feel that correct breed standards are essential for success, therefore, our matings are paired with these standards in mind. Our animals are maintained on pasture and must perform under range conditions. Embryo Transfer October 21 1998 was the date of our first 'on site' Embryo Transfer program. Eighty One embryos were transfered out of five of our top Fullblood Direct South African Does to Direct South African Bucks. Recipients being used are those Percentage Does that have been produced on our farm. All animals are CAE tested prior to their placement into the embryo program. Since then Embryo Transfer has been an annual event at Tri-Quest. Breed Standards: All of the recognized breed standards are taken into consideration as animals are selected or bred on our farm. Mouth:We are conscious of the desire for a smooth, strong Roman nose on Boer and Boer crosses, however, we believe that excessive arching of the nose contributes to the uneven bite that is showing up in many animals, therefore, although we will continue too breed for the standard of a Roman nose we do not advocate 'excessive arching'. Feet:Strong feet and legs are an important criteria in our program. We select for animals that are upstanding with strong legs, pasterns and sound hooves. Fertility:     - Bucks are selected with scrotal size and texture in mind. Although a two inch split is 'acceptable' according to breed standards, our preference is toward bucks that show a firm , full , unsplit scrotum. - Does must display tight mammary systems with heavy milk production. Weaning weights are used to determine milking ability. Here again, although multiple teats are accepted in the breed standards we breed towards producing animals with only two teats (one teat per side). Multiple births are expected from our Does and twinning is strongly considered in our culling process as is general mothering ability and ease of kidding. Herd Health: A regular working relationship is maintained with our veterinarian. All animals are vaccinated with CD/T toxoid at least twice a year and strategic CAE testing is done. Parasite control is viewed as one of the single most important health issues facing caprine. We have studied under Dr. Robert Corwin, head of Veterinary Parasitology at University of Missouri at Columbia, and maintain our own lab for fecal / parasite testing. To insure healthy, productive animals we feed, free choice, a fully balanced proteinated vitamin and mineral supplement formulated especially for goats. Our nutritionist specialized in Caprine nutrition, and products used are selected for quality and performance results.   Research We are currently involved with the University Extension Program , assisted by Dr. Robert Corwin and Dr. Brent Lower, to do a progressive study on alternative parasite control. In late Winter and early Spring of 1994-95 our herd and farm served as the research facility for AgRestore. During this program we raised over 80 half blood Boer Kids on a colostrum 'replacer' and a new milk replacer made especially for goats. Both of these products proved successful and our now being marketed across the United States and are in use on our own farm. In 1994-95 we also served as the research center for a joint study, with an international testing facility, involving a product that had shown potential in the control of CAE . Although the early stages of the test showed favorable results it was determined that the program would not be cost effective in an actual farming operation and at the end of the first year of study the project was terminated by mutual agreement.  Herd Protection: Komondor Guardian Dogs are run with our herds. We have been quite satisfied with the effectiveness of these incredible animals. Puppies are available as litters permit. EXPORT Because we feel a responsibility to each animal under our care and because we want every customer to receive healthy well adjusted animals we have in place an intensive PRE EXPORT CONDITIONING program for all animals scheduled for export.   SALES: Breeding stock from our herd has been purchased from producers in Missouri, Florida, Iowa, Indiana, Colorado, Kansas, Texas, North Carolina, Mississippi, Kentucky,  and SEVERAL other states, Canada, Haiti and Taiwan.  THE FUTURE  As the goat industry continues to grow at a fast pace and both breeding and butcher stock are at an increasing demand it is our goal to provide both quality breeding stock and healthy well-developed slaughter animals. In 1996 TRI-QUEST was invited to participate in a very select embryo transfer program, allowing us the use of some of the top studs in the nation on our top quality, very correct does. Several offspring from this embryo program are being retained at our farm for use in our herd development program.

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