SWC Celebrates Independence
Local Goat Earns High Rank At Nationals
Reporter Megan Davis shares photos from the annual July 3 celebration in Southwest City.
A goat from Anderson recently lived up to her name in a national show.
“Shine On” took ninth out of 52 goats in her age category at the 2018 American Dairy Goat Association national show in Columbus, Ohio.
Jacksons Royal DE Shine On is a registered junior Nigerian Dwarf and two-generation goat of the Jacksons Royal Farm in Anderson.
Jared and Melissa Jackson operate their farm, breed and milk goats and make goat milk soap.
Melissa recently made the trip to the national show with friends, while her husband stayed behind to take care of the farm.
The Jacksons are pleased that the doe placed so well.
“You always hope,” Melissa said. “It’s very exciting to get a placing up there.”
Different classes are established for age groups.
“You come in the ring and the judge determines the top 20. You have to make the cut,” she explained.
The juniors, who are the younger non-milking goats, are judged separately than the milking seniors, she added.
In all, association officials judge five breeds of dairy goats, including 2,600 animals that were part of this year’s show. Approximately 600 of those goats were Nigerian Dwarf goats, the breed that the Jacksons Royal Farm features.
“It’s good to see how well our herd is coming together, where they stand up,” Melissa said.
Goats are judged on general appearance, structure and dairy strength, among other criteria.
From a business standpoint, such a ranking could help sales when selling goats. For now, the honor is a great placing.
“It’s bragging rights,” Melissa said.
The Jacksons don’t plan to change any aspects of their farming and breeding process but are excited to see how Shine On does in the future.
Her sister lives in Texas and is doing well as a milker. The line is expected to do well.
“Shine On is an absolutely beautiful animal,” she said.
The trip is Melissa’s second. She took a total of four goats with her to the national show this time, but Shine On was the only one who placed.
“The milkers didn’t do as well,” she said. “It’s a tough competition.”
Melissa enjoys attending the shows, having the chance to network with new friends and fellow goat-farmers and discuss genetics.
“It helps you keep pushing forward,” she said.
The Jacksons won’t travel to the 2019 show, which is in Oregon, but will make the trip in 2020 to Nebraska.
For now, the Jacksons are readying the 2019 goat breeding schedule. Babies will be born in January.