CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE
Dear Members,
I am writing to bring you up to date on current NDGSA Board activities and to inform you of future activities which will be undertaken by the NDGSA in support of the ND breed in Australia.
I apologise for not keeping the members better informed. Almost immediately after the 2022 election a series of illness and other family problems affected several Board members and several monthly meetings had to be cancelled. Arrangements have now been put in place to avoid similar issues impacting in the future.
Although we have been quiet Members of the Board have been working on a number of matters that will affect members. They include:
- Appointment of Megan Brennan as a new Director – This has been confirmed by the Board out of session and Megan has commenced work on what will become a monthly newsletter to Members from December 2022.
- Membership Fees – A proposal was presented to the December 2022 Board regarding a lower cost of membership and a higher benefit return to members. Further information will be found elsewhere in the December Newsletter.
- Australian Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Database – A sample of the proposed database can be found at the following link – Australian Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat Database . The page is a snapshot of data from the main database. It reflects what the database will look like and how it is proposed to present information when it goes live before Christmas. Members & other breeders will receive separate correspondence regarding voluntary participation in the database. We welcome member participation in the final design and implementation of the database. The December Board meeting will discuss who gets access to the available data. There is no cost of access to members.
- Proposal for a National NDGSA Award System for all 50%+ NDs recorded in any Australian Registry- Requires further development. A proposal will be sent to Members when the Board has considered the options.
- Discussions re Vaccination package sizing – These discussions are ongoing with Veterinary suppliers and manufacturers to obtain smaller package sizes for small breeders.
The Board of the NDGSA wishes everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please stay safe on the roads if you are travelling over the break.
Feel free to contact me at wayne@ndgsa.org.au or contact any member of the NDGSA Board if the we can be of any assistance.
Yours Sincerely
Wayne Graham
Christmas Bonus for NDGSA Members
The NDGSA Board has approved:
The following new fee structure for Membership of the NDGSA:
Junior Membership $5.00 (was $10.00)
Full Membership $20.00 (was $50.00)
Stud Page $50.00 (same)
Product Promotion Page $100.00 (was $150.00)
Sponsor Promotion Package $500.00 (was ($1500.00)
AND to celebrate the NDGSA Board has also approved a FREE bonus year of membership for all current Members.
Australian Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Database
Members of the NDGSA, breeders and ND owners are invited to participate in the Australian ND Dairy Goat Database. Participation is voluntary and NDs registered with any organisation are welcome for inclusion. IT IS NOT A REGISTRY.
The database will provide Australian ND Industry participants with a single source detailing Australian NDs, who owns them, their pedigree. important ancestors and their potential impact on the Australian industry will also be included. A wide range of historical data on early USA and Australian breeders and a range of ND ancestors will also be available.
Inclusion of your NDs in the database is free of charge and a basic version of the database will be made available as a free public information resource via the NDGSA website. It is intended the Database will provide the Australian industry with wide ranging access to information regarding the Australian ND herd bred in various States and registered with various organisations.
A snapshot of the proposed database can be found at the following link Australian ND Information (ndgsa.org.au)
The linked page is a snapshot of data from the development database and reflects what the database will look like and how it is proposed to present information when it goes live before the end of the year. The NDGSA Board is now liaising with members regarding the final design and implementation of the database. If you would like to provide any input to the project you can do so to database@ndgsa.org.au
Members of the NDGSA will have access to the basic data plus a range of links as an education, promotional & marketing tool. Data available to Members will include pedigrees and wide ranging information on Australian NDs, their ancestors and breeders – all of which should be helpful in making breeding decisions.
The public will have access to the same database but without access to the Pedigree and Information pages which will remain limited to Members. This will allow Members to use the database as a marketing tool, publicising the animals they have bred and where the public can find your stud to seek more information.
It is proposed the public will only have access to links to Member Facebook and Member Website pages where they have one and wish it to be publicised. As an NDGSA Member you may wish to have input to what other data should be made available to the public.
Your comments on the proposed database are welcome at database@ndgsa.org.au
BUILDING THE BREED
DAV-LYN FARM
As one of the original foundation USA imports to Australia by First Fleet Dairy Goats, Victoria, the name Dav-Lyn Appolossa is well known to the Australian ND community. However, we doubt that many of you are aware of the Dairy origins of Dav-Lyn Appolossa in the USA or the history of Dav-Lyn Farm.
Dav-Lyn Farm commenced raising Nigerian Dwarf Goats in 1989 at Alvarado a few minutes South of Fort Worth Texas. They remain on the same farm in 2022 making them one of, if not, the longest continuous ND Breeders in the USA. Dav-Lyn started with 2 Nigerian Dwarf goats, Willows Black Gold and Willows Toodle Lou purchased from Shaula Parker meaning the original goats bred by Dav-lyn were perhaps 2 generations away from the original West African imports.
All Dav-Lyn goats were triple registered with AGS, ADGA, and NDGA. Conformation and mammary structure were always the utmost priority in the Dav-Lyn breeding program. Some showing was done, although not to a great extent but when Dav-Lyn did go to a show they were usually successful.
The herd was tested annually for TB and Brucellosis. Dav-Lyn has been a State of Texas certified free herd since 1998. CAE has been vet certified free on the farm as the State of Texas does not offer CAE certification.
Owner Lynn McAdoo sat on the American Goat Society (registry) Board of Directors, founded the American Nigerian Dwarf Organization (ANDO) and sat on the founding Board of Directors for the Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association (NDGA) in the USA.
Lyn spent 2 years assisting Michael and Ulreke Garwood of Australia to start up First Fleet Dairy Goats as the first Nigerian Dwarf herd in Australia,. Lyn says, “I proudly contributed Dav-Lyn Appolossa to this endeavor and assisted in negotiations with Chinook Winds to purchase CHW #9s Werewolf of London for the Australian herd”.
Dav-Lyn remains a highly respected breeder in the USA and Dav-Lyn genetics are still found in modern USA pedigrees. In recent conversations Lyn discussed how the ND breed is being changed to suit the Dairy Show community and she does not believe the changes in structure and height will be good for the ND breed in the long term.
Dav-Lyn Appolossa himself was well regarded in the USA industry with a number of milk related awards to his name.
AGS: +S
ADGA:+*B AR2010
NDGA: +DAR Milk Awards
The Sire of Dav-Lyn Appolossa was the Master Champion Buck Little Rascals American Hero E by Flat Rocks Romanov+S out of Piddlin Acres Flashdance 2*D VG and as can be seen from the data this family is far from ordinary.
Little Rascals American Hero himself was Classified Excellent and had the following awards to his name:
ARMCH/+*S (Master Champion)
ADGA:++B AR2010 ST2010NDGA
NDGA+DAR PGCH MILKING AWARDS (Permanent Grand Champion)
ADGA Superior Genetics (SG) Award (ADGA Superior Genetics)
Advanced Registry Master Champion
ADGA Superior Genetics 2015 Award
NDGA Milking Dar/PGCH+*S
Further information on the ancestry and Milking/Appraisal performance of Dav-lyn Appolossa and his ancestors can be found in the NDGSA Dairy Goat Database.
His well established and proven Milk & Appraisal genetics were exported to the Australian program commenced by Michael and Ulreke Garwood to form the country’s first Nigerian herd. The influence of Dav-Lyn Appolossa in Australia has been prolific and it is unusual to find an ND in Australia without Dav-Lyn Appolossa in the pedigree
Lyn is currently coauthoring a book detailing the ND history in the USA with Shaula Parker of “Willows” fame. The book should be available early 2023.The NDGSA Board will look at a bulk purchase if there is enough Member interest. If you are interested please contact us at newsletter@ndgsa.org.au.
Further information regarding Dav-Lyn Appolossa and his influential dairy ancestors can be found on the Australian Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat Database on the NDGSA website.
NDGSA KNOWLEDGEBASE
TOPIC – Kidding Kit – What’s in yours?
A recent post on the NDGSA facebook page prompted us to think about what we would recommend to be included in the kit. Here’s the list we came up with. Have we missed anything? Let us know your thoughts.
A mentor
….especially if you are new at this.
Have the phone handy and let your mentor know you may need to call them.
You should also keep your vet phone number hand.
Environment
Breeders generally use either straw or wood shavings to cover the floor of the birthing area. As shavings and wet kids result in live “lamingtons” it is suggested straw be used for intial stages and move kids onto shavings when they are dry and can stand.
Empty feed bags
Birthing is a messy business and feed bags can be useful to deliver on. They can be quickly removed once they’re soiled and replaced with dry bags.
Paper Towels
Lots per doe. Use these to get the initial goop off the babies and dry them. Good for removing goop off noses immediately after birth.
Old towels
Lots of old towels are handy to wipe down wet kids and rub cold or lethargic kids to stimulate them..
Puppy training pads (wee pads)
Some people use these extensively as they absorb some of the moisture from the babies. However, be aware they are very slippery and move around a lot when baby tries to stand on them.
Big garbage bag
For the soiled towels, bags and afterbirth. You can also use a feedbag.
Flashlight or headband light
Use the light to check that the kid is in the correct position when the bubble first appears. I hold the flashlight behind the bubble and shine it through the bubble. This lights up the whole thing and you can see much better how the kid is positioned.
Scissors
To pop the bubble and cut the umbilical cord, if necessary. It is not always necessary to “pop the bubble”, but it is good to be prepared.
Themometer
To monitor High or Low temp if required..
Surgical gloves
No talcum powder. Used if you need to go in.
Surgical scrub
So you can wash up just in case you have to go in. You can use Betadine as a Surgical Scrub.
Warm water
Just in case you need to wash up.
Lubricant
Just in case you have to “go in”. Water soluble with no chemicals.
Iodine 7% tincture
To sterilize the knife or scissors, if necessary.
To dip the kids navels. Do this as soon after birth as possible. Dipping the umbilical cord and naval in 7% iodine keeps out naval ill and any other bacteria that may travel up the cord. It also helps the cord to dry faster.
Small containers
To put iodine in to dip the navels.
Dental floss
To tie the umbilical cord, if necessary. Not usually required.
Nasal aspirator
Similar to a Tennis Ball with a tube on it. Used by some breeders to suck mucus out of a kids nose and mouth. – careful when you squeeze it you dont blow mucus back into the nasal pacake.
Bottle and nipple
To give the kid their first meal if they are having trouble feeding on their own but can still nurse. Lots of choices on this one. Listen to your Mentor.
Disposable syringes
To feed the kid if they are too weak to nurse on their own. Hardly ever needed but you should have one for emergency use. A small piece of silicone tube will assist you to get the contents into a small mouth.
Hair dryer
Preferably a quiet one. Can be used to dry off wet kids if it is cold and you wish to put jumpers on them. In some cases the warmth can kick start weak/cold kids.
Goat jumpers
Only use if kids are VERY cold as a jumper will inhibit natural temperature regulating mechanisms.
Grain and warm molasses water
For the moms job well done. You can add molasses or honey to the water for a quick pick me up.
Colostrum
Either have some frozen colostrum on hand or purchase colostrum replacer from your vet.
TOPIC – Normal things that may happen after the birth
Again, if you think we’ve missed anything, please let us know.
The bottoms of the baby’s hooves will “shed” their protective white coating right after birth.
The kid may poop and pee right after birth, even before they have had their first meal.
The kid’s first few poops will be soft sticky “black tar” – called meconium.
The kid will poop “yellow mustard poops” for up to a week after birth until they begin to eat solid food
Some mothers are better than other at cleaning their babies butts off and keeping them clean. You may need to clean the kids butts off on occasion. Make sure no hardened poop plugs up their butt holes, because this can happen and the kid will not be able to poop
Sometimes it takes a couple days for the babies legs to straighten out completely and/or work properly (talk to your mentor about a Selenium Supplement).
There is usually one afterbirth per kidding even if there are two or more kids. If you don’t find the afterbirth, the mother probably ate it (gross, but not a problem).
For at least a week after kidding the mother will leak blood and goop.
1 MINUTE WITH ????
THIS MONTH WE SPENT “1 MINUTE WITH TREVOR BLIGHT from Dandalee Park WA” and asked him for his thoughts.
- How long have you been breeding goats. Over 40 years
- When did you get your first Nigerian Dwarf Goat? About 4 yrs ago
- What led you to buy an ND? I am a dairy goat enthusiast having bred large dairy goats for over 40 yrs. I feel Nigerians are ideal for many people as they provide sufficient milk yet being miniature require less space and are considerable cheaper to feed etc. I love the quality of top USA Nigerians and want to see Australian Nigerians reach that standard too.
- What is the most attractive thing about ND Goats? Dairy quality of top USA Nigerians. Vigorous and fertile.
- How many NDs do you have now? A lot, about 50
- Do you see a rosy future for the ND Dairy Goat in Australia? Yes provided breeders ensure they focus on dairy attributes, productivity and constitution and don’t get too sidetracked by their cuteness and minor cosmetic traits such as colour etc
- What single piece of advice would you offer to new Members? Take time to set up your facilities prior to getting your goats to prevent potential issues. Shop around – be very selective and request data on production and demand proven milking lines.
MYOTONIC "FAINTING GOAT" UPDATE
MYOTONIC UPDATE
Subsequent to the intial announcement by First Fleet Dairy Goats that Highpoint Arnoth had been identified as carrier of the myotonic gene First Fleet have conducted further testing. The results are as follows:
- First Fleet Chloe is positive as a carrier (carries a single copy of the mutated gene).
- First Fleet Pan is positive as a carrier.
- First Fleet Hermes is negative.
- First Fleet Frederik is negative.
Note: of the three descendants of Highpoint Arnoth that were the only First Fleet Arnoth derived Australian born kids, only one tested positive as a carrier.
- Pecan Knoll Bob the Builder is negative.
- Dav-lyn Appolossa is negative.
- First Fleet Molly (a Pan daughter) is negative..
- First Fleet Miranda (a Pan granddaughter) is negative..
It should be stressed that myotonia is not a disease; it cannot spread through a herd except by breeding. Any progeny of two goats, neither of which is a carrier, cannot have myotonia, nor be a carrier of the mutant gene.
Only descendants of First Fleet Pan & First Fleet Chloe are apt to be carriers, but it should be noted that being a descendant of Chloe is not a certainty of being a carrier (see above, Molly and Miranda).
First Fleet have advised they will be testing more goats which are antecedents of First Fleet goats. As more information becomes available the wider ND community will be kept informed.
The NDGSA will include Myotonic Test results in the NDGSA Database as they become publicly available.
NDGSA BOARD MEMBERS
CHAIRMAN
Wayne Graham
Phone:
SECRETARY
Lesley McDowell
Phone:
NEWSLETTER
Megan Brennan
Phone:
TREASURER
Glennys Fletcher
Phone:
SOCIAL MEDIA
Kylie Whelan
Phone:
BOARD MEMBER
Melanie Thayer
Phone:
RECENT BOARD MEETINGS
October 2022
Members present , Wayne Graham, Kylie Whelan & proposed new Board Member Megan Brennan
Insufficient Members to make a quorum
Board decisions discussed and voted on out of session.
November 2022
Members present , Wayne Graham, Kylie Whelan & new Board Member Megan Brennan
Insufficient Members to make a quorum. Members present agreed to continue work on proposals for the December Board Meeting including cost/benefits for Members and the NDGSA Database.
December 2022
Members present , Wayne Graham, Kylie Whelan, Megan Brennan & Glennys Fletcher. Apology from Leslie McDowell.
Due to Communication problems the meeting was conducted via a series of phone calls and voting on Membership & Database proposals was conducted out of session.