We had our annual Linear Appraisal this morning and to say we were blown away by the results is an understatement !!! We started this venture less than 3 years ago building most of our herd from bottle baby doelings and bucklings. Today we saw the fruits of all our hard work pay off. We tested 13 does and 3 bucks. Only 3 does are over 3 years old, the remainder all 2 years old or less. Likewise the 3 bucks we tested are all under 2 years old.

Results: (3) scored 91, (2) scored 89, (4) scored 88, (3) scored 87, (1) scored 86, (2) scored 85 and (1) scored 84. Seven of our does recorded an E in the Mammary Category.

The biggest highlights were our 3 senior girls, Sybella, Wonella and Wandella, all scoring 91 EEEE. Sybella recently turned 5 yo and this will become her permanent score. We are so grateful for Jolene Jantzi at Treasured Sunrise for selling us these girls 2 years ago. I can spend countless hours staring at them and am so pleased how they’ve evolved here at our farm.

The 2 biggest surprises were Moon and Venus, both 2 yo does that we acquired as bottle babies from Jolene. Last year as a FF, Moon scored a dismal 83 V+++, today she went 88 VVVE. Venus is a similar story. Shortly after FF last year, Venus became very sick and we almost lost her to internal blockage. One month later she went through appraisal and only scored an 84 +V++. Today Venus scored 89 VVVE. 

Our yearlings didn’t disappoint, either. Goldie as a mere 1 year, 5 month old scored 88 VVVV. Not to be outdone, Artemis as a 1 year, 3 month old scored 88 VVVE. Matton, our super-star 1 year, 5 month old old buck from Manzinita Farm scored 87 VVV and Altair, our newest arrival from Barnowl Farms last fall scored 86 VVV as a 1 year, 3 month old. So pleased to see the strong scores from our young herd.

— Jim