The future at Onion Creek Ranch...

I have taken a multi-faceted approach to the goat-breeding operation. The first and most important goal is to breed superior quality fullblood Tennessee Meat Goat™ breeding stock for sale to producers across the country and around the world.

Regular advertising in Goat Rancher Magazine has proved very worthwhile. I write a monthly column about goat health, nutrition, and management for Goat Rancher Magazine which has been well received by goat producers. I also host a free discussion group called ChevonTalk on the Internet which has become one of the most widely utilized information sources for people interested in meat goats. Word-of-mouth and this Internet website have also brought many customers to Onion Creek Ranch.

The second tier of the Onion Creek Ranch breeding program is the production of our new composite breed, the TexMaster™. Click here to learn more about OCR's TexMasters™.

The third tier of the Onion Creek Ranch breeding program is the production and sale of OCR Myotonics for those breeders whose budget does not currently permit the purchase of a Tennessee Meat Goat™ or a TexMaster™.

These outstanding Myotonics are great 'starter' stock for producers on a limited budget and/or with small acreage.

The fourth tier of the breeding program has been to produce Myotonic x Boer goats for the fair and show market, always using a Myotonic buck as the sire.

Recognizing that the Onion Creek Ranch breeding operation had outgrown the Buda, Texas location, I purchased 500 acres in McCulloch County, north of Brady, Texas, in the fall of 1999. First the drilling of a 2800-foot deep water well and the construction of three complete rotational browsing/foraging systems, plus 11 breeding pens, hay barns, automatic heated watering systems, a "vet building," shelters for the goats, and various other buildings . . . . plus homes for humans! On July 1, 2000, six hundred (600) goats, 14 dogs, one cat, and I successfully made the 'big move WEST.'

There is much left to be done, but this state-of-the-art facility offers the ability to continue the breeding programs undeterred by lack of space or rangeland. Onion Creek Ranch has ample forage/browse for the goats, and they are doing wonderfully in their natural habitat of West Texas.

The new house near Lohn. It is a replication of the original Onion Creek Ranch house in Buda -- with improvements -- many improvements!

Pictured below are the vet facility on Onion Creek Ranch near Lohn and one of the night time loafing areas.

I couldn't operate the Ranch without Cheyenne, my Red Heeler herd dog. Cheyenne not only herds the goats, but she actually catches them for us. With adults, she chases them and carefully grabs the front leg, holding the goat until we get there to retrieve it from her. With babies, she'll lay her leg gently over the kid and hold it down. She's absolutely remarkable and indispensable. And the Anatolian Shepherd large guard dogs are essential protection from predators. I've actually seen Cinnamon catch a doeling by the leg when she stiffens to try to hold her upright. Indeed, they are smarter than many people you will meet!

Thoughts...

I like ranch life because it is honest and real. Living in the big city most of my life, I found things like rain to be an inconvenience, and death was incomprehensible. Americans have lost much understanding of the basics of life in their rush towards urbanization.

I see the meat goat industry as being in its infancy. Markets must be identified and targeted. An adequate and steady supply of goats must be available to meet increasing demand. A consistent quality of goat must be developed. Producers cannot build an industry based solely on an off-the-ranch, holiday, and festival-oriented ethnic market. This is certainly a vital part of the business, but to be satisfied with only this group as purchasers of your product is to overlook the vast majority of Americans who purchase their meat and value-added meat products in grocery stores, meat markets, and restaurants. This latter group of consumers --- a group much larger than the total ethnic population --- must be educated about the nutritional value and health benefits of goat meat. Carcasses from which roasts and chops can be cut and a grading system for meat quality must be developed. It's quite a challenge, as well as a tremendous opportunity!

[GoatCamp™] [Tennessee Meat Goats™] [Myotonic Goats] [TexMaster™ Goats] [Which Breed is Right for You?]
[Ranch History] [The Present & Future]
[Registry of Myotonics, Tennessee Meat Goats™ and TexMasters™]
[News & Events] [Health and Management Articles] [Links] [ChevonTalk Discussion List] [E-Mail] [Home]

All information and photos copyright © Onion Creek Ranch and may not be used without express written permission of Onion Creek Ranch. TENNESSEE MEAT GOAT ™ and TEXMASTER™ are Trademarks of Onion Creek Ranch . All artwork and graphics © DTP, Ink and Onion Creek Ranch.

Site Hosted by Khimaira Web Hosting