Association's goat sale draws 16 producers, more than 500 goats to sale barn in Bollinger County

Patton, Mo.

For Joe and Duane Eades of Clubb, Mo., raising goats is a family affair.

Three years ago they had 115 acres of farmland, but the pasture wasn't suitable for raising cattle. The father and son decided to buy 22 goats that year, only to see their investment grow into 114 goats by this week.

The Eades unloaded 50 of their goats into a pen inside a Patton, Mo., sale barn Monday during the eighth annual SEMO Meat Goat Producers Association's goat sale.

"It's been pretty amazing seeing how they've multiplied that fast," Duane Eades said. "This has been a lot of fun and is something that our family has enjoyed doing together."

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.comTaylor Lincoln of Patton, Mo., holds a pen open Monday to herd in more goats at the SEMO Meat Goat Producers Association Sale in Bollinger County.

On Monday, 16 producers delivered about 540 goats for the sale at the barn in Bollinger County. Another 15 to 18 producers are expected to deliver roughly 300 to the facility today.

The goats will then be transported to Metropolis, Ill., where they will be sent to different areas of the nation.

Preferred Livestock of Kentucky won a Dec. 3 telephone auction against a Pennsylvania buyer. Once the auction ended, sellers had an option of either opting out or taking part in the sale.

Lindell Barks of Sedgewickville, Mo., one of the organization's directors, said money raised from the two-day sale goes toward the association's operating, youth and education funds.

During the sale, the goats were separated into three categories. The goats that were ready for immediate slaughter sold for $1.19 a pound. Goats expected to be ready within a week were sold for $1.15 a pound. Goats that were a month from being ready went for 90 cents a pound.

Riley Looney, 8, watches goats he is selling Monday at the SEMO Meat Goat Producers Association Sale in Bollinger County.

Last year the goats in the three price categories went for $1.10 per pound, the second for $1.01 and the third for 65 cents.

The number of goats sold this year was nearly 300 fewer than in 2007. Barks blames the decrease on some of his producers from last year attending a similar sale in Salem, Mo., which was held earlier this year.

The association's sale is the final of four events of the year. Earlier this year, the association held a pen sale at the SEMO District Fair grounds, and in September, it held a two-day goat show at the SEMO District Fair. Barks said about 110 goats were paraded around the arena in divisions based on age and sex.

Barks said the organization has come a long way since six members founded it in 2001.

Today, its 40 members come from Missouri communities such as Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Friedheim, Marble Hill, Perryville, Poplar Bluff, Wappapello and the Kentucky town of Fulton.

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.comTaylor Lincoln, of Patton, holds the pen open to herd in more goats weighing 40-60 pounds at the SEMO Meat Goat Producers Association Sale in Bollinger County at the Salebarn Monday.

Barks said raising goats is a perfect pastime for families. He began raising goats on his farm in November 2002. When he started six years ago, he had 18 goats; he now has 70. Barks and his wife, Cathy, manage the business together.

"It's much easier for a child to handle a small goat than a large cow," Barks said. "And it only takes one acre to raise eight to 10 goats. The investment is not that much, and in return many families get to experience a quality hobby together."

The three main components needed to raise goats, Barks said, are a woven or electrical fence, adequate shelter and a guard dog, llama or donkey to protect the animals from predators.

Barks said the most difficult aspect of raising goats can be hoof maintenance and making sure the animals receive proper shots to prevent parasites. However, he said the satisfaction of his job outweighs any drawbacks.

"When I get up in the morning to start my day and see the baby goats running around, that makes this worthwhile," Barks said. "Also, I get a lot of fulfillment when I get a new family started in the business.

"I like to think first-time customers can call me anytime after the sale," he said. "That keeps people coming back for more."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

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