
5 minute read
Buyers & Sellers Checklist
from MGBA Hoof 'N Around
by suez230
Buyer & Seller Checklist DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!
This article can be used by both Buyer and Seller and is a good foundation CHECK LIST that covers some of the most important basics of the buying & selling processes…..
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You have decided to purchase your first pair of miniature goats, first thing to check is with your local council and livestock rules; are you allowed to keep goats and how many are you allowed to keep? If the answer is YES, the next job is to apply for a property identification code (PIC). This is FREE with your local government – it can be done online, you will need rates details for property description etc. PIC obtained. While you are waiting for this to be processed, now would be a good time to check where you intended on housing your new editions. They will need; shelter ; good fencing to keep them in and keep dogs out; clean water and; feed containers for hay, chaff & grain if fed. Check that you have a stock feed supplier close by and now would be a good time to call the Vets in your area to check which one(s) care for farm livestock and not just small animals. Livestock Vet phone:___________________ Livestock Vet phone:___________________ Seller’s will want to know these things have been done before starting a sale.
What do you want to do with them? PETS; BREEDING; PETS WITH OPTION OF BREEDING; SHOWING; MILKING; CHEESE MAKING; SOAP MAKING; HAIR FOR SPINNING; WEED CONTROL; COMPANION ANIMAL(S); SUPPORT ANIMALS….
Each will have its own list of questions and animals will need to meet certain criteria to be able to fulfil your needs for example – a female goat will need to have kidded and be a milking breed to produce enough milk for cheese and soap making; a goat would need a mohair or cashmere coat for spinning, desexed males make the best pets but they are not your option if you want to breed down the track…..
Once you have an idea of what you want to do with your new goats, you will have an idea of the type of goats you will be looking for.

Now….Surf, Surf, Surf, Surf, SURF!!!
Youtube, Facebook, goat association sites, goat health, goat care, books, breeders, go to shows and talk to exhibitors / breeders / judges / stewards, there is a wealth of valuable information
out there, arm yourself so you can distinguish between what you want and what you don’t want.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!
Now it’s time to find the little ones you want – when you speak with the seller(s), ask lots of questions, make sure the animals you are looking at will fit the purpose(s) that you want them for. health – bright eyes, clear breathing, no discharge, CLEAN eyes, nose, tail, coat; FAMACHA score (inner eyelids not too pale –indication of worms and or anaemia). Discuss any guarantee or “fit for purpose” and of course payment method.
It’s better to wait and get what you want rather than settle for what is available at the time, only to be disappointed that the animal(s) can’t be used for what you wanted in the first place.
DON’T RUSH IN.
Now CHECK what you are paying for – check registration information against the animals permanent identification - ear tag, microchip, DNA discuss breed, pedigree, grades, (percentages for pygmy and nigerian dwarf breeding).
Can you view parents as this is always a great indication of how big your little ones are going to get – if you are buying youngsters.
Check…. heights on paperwork (parents / grandparents); heights of your potential purchases; feed requirements; health status – testing (Johnes & CAE/CRV), vaccinations; parasite control and; hoof maintenance.
Get details on all other management requirements for each purpose you have selected them for.
Check over the animal… height; weight – they look in good condition – not too skinny and not way too fat (can affect fertility) feet trimming (some sellers will show you how); Check that you will be given; a completed WAYBILL or TSS for animal movement; request a national goat health statement and; test results for JD & CAE.
Do you need a Service Certificate for pregnant animals? You will if you purchase them. DNA certificate (pygmy / nigerian dwarf) for parents (if they don’t have parents verified on their own certificate), hair sample from the sire and dam is “best practice” when buying pygmy and nigerian dwarf animals with no copies of paperwork offered. Once the sale is made, it can be hard to get those details later especially if you are buying from nonMGBA members or those closing down. Did you get a receipt? Some write payment on the WAYBILL – it has all the details on it. Its good practice to write email addresses on the waybill too. Keep all your paperwork in a folder for safe keeping. And finally, TRANSPORT home – but that’s another story….. (S. Ludwig 2021)


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NEW FULLBLOOD PYGMY GOAT GENETICS
Hello from PATONA PARK specialising in Australian PYGMY goats and Importers of PYGMY
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We are very excited to announce the long awaited arrival of our
NEW DNA Parent Verified
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We have successfully brought over two more beautiful 100% Pygmy Bucks (semen) and a select number of MGBA Breeders have this NEW GENETICS too!!!
We are on our third round of USA Pygmy Imports and have
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Light Silver, Cream & Chocolate Agouti (semen) who we hope to have coming to Australia toward the end of 2022
WATCH THIS SPACE!!

