The Goat Source Newsletter
Volume 5 Number 7 July 2008

Hi, Here is the July edition of The Newsletter.  Well, the 4th of July is almost here and I had planned to have my wether, Chunky Monkey, broke to pull a cart for the parade. Guess what? NOT!!! I just got the cart last week and it is not ready and I don’t have a suitable harness yet. So, I guess, I’ll just have to lead a goat instead.  Maybe next year - Ha!!

 Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends.

What’s New This Month?

  • No Sew Goat Coats
  • Classified Ads
  • Colorado Hay Report
  • Goats Milk Soap
  • Helpful Hints

No sew goat coats for kids.

You can use sweat pant legs or sweat shirt sleeves, to make a quick no sew goat coat.

Cut the leg or sleeve off to fit the kid. Make the seam run down their back so
it’s not all lumpy under them when they lay down.  Lay out the coat
bottom side up and use pinking shears to cut leg holes and then cut a
rounded section out further down (this is especially important for buck kids so they don’t get the coat all wet!)
Their head goes through so that the elastic is around their neck, the
legs pop through the leg opening and there you have it - instant coat. Way cheaper
than buying ready made kid coats or dog coats. You can wash and reuse them
too because the material doesn’t unravel or fray where you’ve cut it. Buy sweat shirts at the thrift store - they have them in all sizes and colors and they are dirt cheap!!


Classified Ads

Get your goat person a great  shirt!  Get Yer Goat has them!!

I Love Goats! Pocket Knives Laser Engraved folding pocket knife (opens to 6 ¾ inches). Black composite handle with pocket clip. Every goat person needs a good knife!! I love mine and use it all the time!

 Order today - $5 each plus S&H. Discount when you order more than one. Email me at

The Goat Source 

for more information. Need a good fund raiser? Order these for resale OR get your own design laser engraved (custom orders must be for quantity of 100 or more). Quantity discount on all custom orders!! I can work with you on custom orders, just let me know what your needs are!

Colorado Hay Report
 
Compared to last week:  New crop alfalfa qualities opening 10.00 to 15.00 higher in Northwest, Southeast, and in the Southwest areas of Colorado.  A small number of new crop trades in the San Luis Valley hinting at a higher undertone.  Grass qualities not yet established.  First cutting is mainly completed in the plains and Southwest areas of the state.  Several producers noting a reduction of yields by 33 percent on average.  Majority of mountain producers have not started cutting and are behind on first cutting by 10 to 14 days.  Trading activity moderate.  Demand moderate to good.  
   
Northeast Colorado Areas
   Alfalfa:  Supreme Large Bales 180.00-200.00 Del.  Premium Large Bales 170.00-180.00 Del; Small Squares 185.00-215.00 (6.50 per bale)old crop.  Good Large Bales 140.00-150.00, instances 160.00, 150.00-160.00 Del; Small Squares 150.00-170.00 (4.00-5.00 per bale) old crop.  Fair Large Bales 140.00 Del. 
Utility to Fair Large Bales 130.00 Del.  Utility Large Bales 110.00 Del. Alfalfa/Grass Mix:  Premium Small Squares 230.00-250.00 (6.50-7.50 per bale).


Southeast Colorado Areas
   Alfalfa:  Supreme to Premium Large Bales 185.00-190.00 new crop; Premium Large Bales 150.00-160.00.  Good Large Bales 120.00-130.00, 150.00 Del, Small Squares 150.00-155.00 (4.50-5.00 per bale).  Fair to Good Large Bales 175.00 new crop.  Fair Large Bales 140.00 Del.  Ground and Delivered 155.00.  
Southwest Colorado Areas
   Alfalfa:  Supreme Large Bales instances 200.00 new crop.  Premium Large Bales 150.00-160.00, Small Squares 255.00-290.00 (6.00-8.00 per bale).  Good to Premium Small Squares 215.00 (7.00 per bale).  Good Large Bales 130.00-140.00.  Fair Large Bales 120.00, 145.00 new crop.
   Alfalfa/Grass Mix:  Premium Large Bales 200.00 new crop, Small Squares 230.00-235.00 (7.00 per bale).

 
Goat’s Milk Soap

19 oz olive oil
19 oz coconut oil
12 oz palm oil
10 oz fresh goat’s milk

distilled water 7.4 oz

lye (sodium hydroxide) 7.4 oz.

Slowly pour lye into distilled water, stirring carefully.
Set aside (or into pan of cold water) to cool down to about 80 - 100 degrees

Mix oils and put on low heat to just melt the oils. Stir in goat’s milk.

When mixture is 80 - 100 degrees, slowly pour lye water into oils and milk,
stirring well.

With stick blender, mix for one minute
Stir with spatula for one minute.
Continue mixing, first with stick blender, then spatula, until trace.
(Trace is when the mixture leaves a "trace" when dropped from your spatula.)
If scent is desired, add 4 tablespoons fragrance or essential oil
Pour immediately into mold. Let set for 24 hours.
Unmold.

When making soap, be sure and use safety precautions. You are working with very strong chemicals and need to wear safety glasses and gloves to prevent burns from the lye. NEVER pour water into the lye as it may cause a nasty reaction!!! Measure carefully and accurately.  Read and follow all directions. Don’t be tempted to use the "shortcut"!

Helpful Hints

Spraying the lawn and deck with Listerine, may keep the mosquitoes away. At least, that is what a friend of mine says.   
MY FRIEND’S COMMENTS: I tried this on my deck and around all of my doors. It works - in fact, it killed them instantly. I bought my bottle from Target and it cost me $1.89. It really doesn’t take much, and it is a big bottle, too; so it is not as expensive to use as the can of bug-spray you buy that doesn’t last 30 minutes. So, try this, please. It will last a couple of days. Don’t spray directly on a wood door (like your front door), but spray around the frame. Spray around the window frames, and even inside the dog house.

So, is anyone game to try this? I don’t have enough of the little pests to make a fair test. (Lucky me!) At the very least, your goats will have a minty fresh smell!! I would try it out on a small patch on one of the goats first, to make sure there is no skin irritation. 

Interesting link about fencing to keep coyotes and dogs out - http://www.coyoteroller.com/Products/flash_demo.htm

That’s all for this month,
See you next month!!
Leslie, The Goat Source
The Goat Source
13611 NCR 9
Wellington, Co 80549
(970) 568-9622
 http://www.goatsource.com
The Goat Source