The Rural Voice, 2000-08, Page 30New kids on the block
Boer Goats, newcomers to Canada, are changing the goat meat
industry, a growing sector fed by Ontario's ethnic diversity
Story and photos by Bob Reid
cross ¢oes and a purebred buck with
which 'they hope to upgrade the herd.
With their lack of animal husbandry
experience they felt it was better to
make their mistakes with the less
expensive animals. Purebred does,
depending on pedigree, can run
$2,000-$2,500, with the most prized
animals being directly imported from
South Africa where the breed
originated.
The first animals purchased by the
Burnetts were from a friend exiting
the business, in March of last year.
A new 40 -foot -by -48 -foot barn
was erected by Bob, with the help of
his two sons. Already an addition has
been added since one thing the
Burnetts learned is how fast a goat
Boer goats are the animal of
choice for many former
urbanites moving to rural
homes and hoping to make at least
part of their living off the land.
Bob and Maureen Burnett
acquired a 30 -acre property a few
kilometres northwest of New Dundee
in Waterloo County four years ago.
They had considered raising a few
beef cows but Maureen could not see
herself wrestling with a 1,200 pound
cow if trouble developed while her
husband was away on one of his
many business trips. Boer goats
provided a more suitable alternative
for an entry into agriculture and
specifically the meat trade.
The couple now have 30 Boer
26 THE RURAL VOICE
herd can multiply with twin and
triplet births most common.
"I just like being with them," said
Maureen of her reason for choosing
the animals. Boers are noted for their
good disposition, something that has
endeared the animals to her visiting
grandchildren as well. A short walk
through the pasture soon sees the
entire herd crowded around her.
Raising dairy goats would have
been more work than the couple
wanted, said Maureen adding "We
are not young any more." With the
exception of kidding time during the
midwinter months, the animals do not
require a tremendous amount of time.
Bob continues to work at Budd
Canada, an automotive