South African Boer Bok

Autumn Olive Farms is a family based operation in Augusta County. We have a dual focus model with a singular commitment to the health and wellness of the land, animal and the consumer. We raise the beautiful South African Boer Bok as an environmentally sound method to combat the invasive plant species problem while producing one of the finest and healthiest meats in the world right here in the Shenandoah Valley. The combination of the worlds premier, purpose bred and standardized meat goat with the fantastic forage base of invasive species here in the Valley provides a win-win situation for the land, its owner and the consumer.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Boer Bok Peninsula...

Chloe assessing the flood damage and "keeping the herd safe."
So we had our goats on the lower part of the farm cleaning up around the creek and garden area.  Did not know that they would be on a peninsula after the storms yesterday.  We had over 2 1/2 inches of rain here on the farm.
Our electric net fence is tough!








The good news is that all of our Boer Bok are fine and our fence did not get torn up from debris.
What just happened here?











 They were nice and clean right after the storm. I don't think that is going to last too long!


"1700 feet of a potatoes lover's dream"

The other good news is that Clay and his dad worked hard to get this garden planted before the rain came.  This garden is planted in 1700' feet of potatoes including Yukon Gold, German Butterball, Russian Banana Fingerling and Kennebec's!





Almost, but not quite.

The best news is that the water only came up literally to the very edge of the first row of potatoes! The soil is wonderful in this garden and full of earthworms so it drains very well. 







Unfortunately, our neighbor did not come out as well from the storm as we did.  He came home to find that the South River had risen quickly, stranding his sheep on high ground where they were cut off by flood waters. The high ground went under as well so his 12 ewes and 11 lambs were up to their necks in water. Some were literally clinging to a fence with their front hooves and "body surfing" to keep their heads out of the water. 


While he was rushing to get a boat ready to rescue them the lambs decided to swim for it and the ewes followed!  None of us knew that sheep could swim! Amazingly all made it across except for his oldest ewe who was swept away. What an unexpected turn of events for just 2 1/2 inches of rain!    

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