Breeder’s Spotlight: Blue Top

BREEDER’S Spotlight

Blue Top Farm Boer Goats .... A Family Affair

After 43 years together, Gerald and Betty Peterson know what they want - to pass on a legacy of Boer

goats to the next generation. It has taken nearly 20 years to build their current herd, but Betty and Gerald would tell you they’ve enjoyed almost every minute of it. And, they’ve tried to instill family values in their children and grandchildren along the way. “I always tell my grandkids to be cognizant of what is going on around you. If someone needs help getting a stand put up, help them.”

How did you get started in the Boer goat industry?

Like many others, Gerald & I started with 26 mixed set of brush goats in 1999 to clean up the tree canopy and underbrush. We were encouraged to buy a fullblood ABGA buck because we were told that we see our weaning weights increase dramatically. The 1st kid crop more than paid for the buck, which let me tell you the price took our breath away. We found that we enjoyed raising the goats, and we found that we could run many more compared to our cattle. So, we sold our cattle interests. That’s when we fenced the homestead with goat fencing, and the journey began.

What does your operation look like today?

We’ve gone from 26 to 275 breeding does, 75 junior does and 10-15 fullblood bucks. Our son-in-law, Wesley Gliddon, built Blue Top Farm a kidding barn, buck alley, working & sorting pens, etc. Our tree line looks like a park because however high our goats can stand that’s the height. They raise the canopy. It’s a beautiful sight to see the sunlight reflecting off the stock ponds and red-headed, white-bodied goats moving through the trees along the dam. We raise 4H, FFA wethers and jr. breeding does along with ABGA show does & bucks. Our goal is step to the next level with every kid crop with selective breeding to produce quality animals, based on the ABGA breed standards.

What do you enjoy the most about the Boer goat industry?

You just can’t help falling in love with your goats. Of course, the people we have met along this ride has been the icing on the cake. Showing has allowed us to travel across the country, and there are always friendly folks waiting to help or share their knowledge. We are fortunate that ABGA has many sanctioned shows, which has allowed us to get our blend of genetics out in front of fellow breeders. If I counted correctly, we have showed under 58 different ABGA judges with repeats in between since January 2008. We have had the opportunity to listen & learn as the judges reason the

Photos courtesy of Blue Top Farm

classes. You can then take that knowledge home and cull, sift and refine your herd in the hopes you are producing a top-notch animal. The shows have allowed us to ennoble 6 Bucks, 1 Sire of Merit and now a 7th buck all with natural breeding. We are proud of that accomplishment because is not an easy task. We thank the ABGA for making this possible for their continued support with sanctioned shows.

Who was an inspiration to you or assisted you in improving you herd? And, how did they help you?

The folks who have inspired, encouraged and helped us on this journey include Bobby & Ida Ogle, owners of the late ennobled Top Gun #2. They freely shared their knowledge in regard to breeding, culling and showing and even called Gerald to tell him about a buck or doe we needed for our program. He was always right. BBO Booty was a turning point.

Then we met Janette & Ray Wood, EastWood Boer Goats, and they were looking to sell their herd. They wanted the goats to go to the same home if possible. I can remember walking into their paddock and seeing 48 awesome kids.

They worked with us and we bought their herd; that’s when Coni War Eagle came into our lives.

The minute they unloaded him at our home, we were so excited and told them he needs to be in the ring. It was an exciting time when we received official notification from the ABGA office that we had ennobled “WE”. Those four people had such an impact on where we are today. Of course, there are many others that have touched our lives and offered encouragement along the way, and we will always be thankful.

Our goal is to “pass it on” and try our best to share our knowledge to help others succeed.

What has been your biggest challenge as a producer?

The greatest challenge is keeping up with the trends in the industry without sacrificing the ABGA breed standards and quality. I can say the Ogle’s advised us to stay in the middle of the road to not follow the “flavor of the month.”

That advice has served us well. We all should raise what we like, but keep up with what is going on in the industry. It is all about the blending of genetics, and we at Blue Top Farm have worked hard toward that goal and continue to do so.

What are you most excited about in the future?

Our grandsons, Will & Wyatt, are growing up in this industry. We have always been drawn to young people and have had the pleasure of seeing many grow and continue their interest in goats long after they are no longer juniors.

The other opportunity in this industry is that there is not just one market; there is room for all of us.

You can raise wethers & jr. breeding does for the 4H, FFA market, breeding stock, show does and bucks, or commercial herds. The possibilities are there, you just have to grab the ring and work your program.

The youth are our future, but we must remember there is no age limit to who loves these goats and will continue to enhance the Boer goat world.