From commercial herds to show-driven breeding programs, Josh Stephans of Elkland, Mo., has experienced a lot for a young farmer. “I’ve seen many different management practices,” shared Josh. “I now know how I want to develop my herd and management program.”
Josh and his family moved to Springfield, Mo., from Texas in 1991 and then to Buffalo, Mo., in 1996. “My family were cattle people,” Josh said as he explained how his family got into raising goats. “When I was about 10 years old my dad did some brush hogging for a neighbor. That neighbor paid my dad with four Nubian wethers. It progressed from there to dairy does and then moved to Boer goats.”
Josh and his sister eventually started showing their goats through 4-H and FFA. In 2001, Josh exhibited the Grand Champion Market Wether at the Missouri State Fair. At the time, however, Market Wethers were not part of the Sale of Champions and Josh sold his champion wether for $75.
“After that show we started talking to the Missouri Meat Goat Association and the State Fair Board about getting meat goat wethers into the Sale of Champions. It took us five years to get goats into the Sale of Champions. The sale has continuously grown since then,” explained Josh. “Our goats have changed drastically since that first show.”
While Josh was still in high school his dad took a job in Eldridge, Mo., which partly encompassed managing a herd of about 500 does. “I learned a lot about goats in general. The Eldridge ranch had a unique management style. They were a commercial operation,” said Josh.
“Interestingly enough, through three kidding seasons we never had to assist with a birth. Goat people will tell you it’s impossible but we were able to do it.” Josh added, “We came into some issues with meningeal worms from the deer population. We would have to treat the entire herd at a high dose and retreat two days later. It became too expensive to treat that many goats, and coupled with some other issues such as our Missouri winters the entire herd was sold.”
After graduating from high school Josh went to work full time for a goat operation in Rogersville, Mo., and then eventually went to work for Genex in Strafford, Mo. “I was a bull handler and collector, did some of the shipping and office work. I learned a lot about genetics. Cattle are so far ahead of the goat industry, but we are catching up,” explained Josh. “I learned a lot that has benefited me with goats as far as collection and AI, especially with quality and handling.”
In February 2010, Josh took a job as herd manager with JBI Boer Goats in Skidmore, Mo. Josh was able to step back into the show ring with JBI. “That year we showed at Nationals with both the Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA) and the American Boer Goat Association (ABGA). In 2011 we brought home 11 National Champion and National Reserve Champion JABGA/ABGA banners. We won a lot at every show we went to,” said Josh. “I was fortunate enough to make a lot of contacts and travel all over the country.”
But his experience with JBI wasn’t all about the show ring. It was with JBI that Josh learned more indepth about ET, recipient care and breeding.
In March 2011, Josh moved back to his hometown to marry his high school sweetheart, Cassie Pettitt. “That’s the smartest decision I’ve ever made,” grinned Josh.
In the fall of 2013 Josh took a position with Harmony Hills in Walnut Grove, Mo. “I am grateful for the opportunity at Harmony Hills. During my time there I was privileged to handle and exhibit the 2014 Ft. Worth Stock Show Champion Full Blood Doe,” said Josh.
Josh and Cassie are now making their home and building a farm of their own on land that has been in Cassie’s family since the early 1900s. “We’ve been working on the farmhouse for several years now. We have added on to all four sides. My father-in-law, John Pettitt, is a contractor and has put in a lot of hours into restoring the farmhouse. We have also restored the Grade C milk barn into a kidding barn,” described Josh.
When it comes to building his own herd Josh seeks advice from long-time Boer Goat breeder Jan Smith of Elkland. Josh explained, “My herd is stemming from Jan’s herd. I want to get back to animals that can function, produce and excel with minimal inputs. Less input equals more profit. I want to develop a herd that reflects our breed standards, excels in the show ring and still delivers a product.
“To me, a single trait selection is unacceptable. Many Boer goats are becoming less and less self-sufficient. A large percent have trouble kidding and the females have trouble settling. A lot of that is due from keeping them fat for too long,” stated Josh.
He continued, “My interest is in breeding stock. Phenotypically, I am looking at the herd as a whole. I want slick hair, shinning and in good condition. I want a herd that kids well and thrives. My herd is thrifty and easy keeping. I breed according to breed standards and Association standards.
“It’s important to set a goal and cull to reach that goal,” concluded Josh. “I encourage other breeders to be just as hard on their management practices to improve the breed.”
As for the future, Josh is going to continue judging Boer goat shows as a certified ABGA judge and is considering the option of maintaining a recipient herd.
