Welcome
Welcome to the virtual home of Bearly Alpines. Thank you for your interest in the herd.
Our farm is nestled against the Blue Ridge Mountains in beautiful Sperryville, Virginia. Situated on 25 acres, we raise goats, hogs, guinea fowl and chickens. Five wonderful Anatolian Shepherds watch over the property. We share our goats’ milk with the hogs and use it to make cheese, ice cream and a variety of other goodies.
The goats are the primary attraction here. Beginning with our original wether, Jake, up through the present collection of Alpines all have had unique and endearing personalities. The herd has grown from a small 4-H project to a somewhat larger, elite herd of Alpines. The first two Alpines were purchased in 1999. Currently, we breed about ten does annually. The goal of the breeding program is relatively clear-cut: to produce healthy, consistent animals that perform well in a variety of settings. Dairy character and structural correctness are the essential bases for reaching such a goal. The herd is on DHI test and has been appraised multiple times. Many of the DHI records are abbreviated due to other committments in life and a desire not to dump milk as we lack any commercial outlet. Each year, we attend several shows. Whenever possible, we make the trek to the ADGA National Show.
We pay special attention to the health of all our animals. Our herd is certified and accredited. The entire herd is tested for CAE annually and we've not had a CL abcess. Everyone gets vaccinated for CD & T and Rabies on a regular basis. Routine deworming is accomplished based on fecal results and weather conditions. In the spring and summer, we practice rotational grazing. The goats have access to dry and airy barns and spacious pastures. They are supplemented with an 18% protein grain, beautiful orchard grass/timothy hay and alfalfa when appropriate. Loose minerals are always available.
Highlights from 2008
While rising fuel prices and attending college abbreviated the show schedule, the does have continued to milk and do well on the sporadic trip from the farm. The early spring saw Alex complete a 305 lactation of 4330 lbs. Fernie almost tipped the 4000 lb mark with 3990 lbs milk and 144 lbs fat. Two club shows this spring netted 6 GCHs, 4 RGCHs, and 2 BISs. The highlights of the summer came in July. At the National Show, every goat made the cut, Fernie won the 305 High Fat Award, and Maggie, Bijou, and Fernie combined to place 4th in Best Three Senior Does. In the Youth Events, Ryan showed up his brother and placed 5th in Junior Showmanship! For a fourth year, Ben won the Steven Schack Outstanding Youth Award as the premier youth Alpine exhibitor. A week after returning from Louisville, on a *very hot* Sunday afternoon, the herd was appraised for the sixth time. The does' average Final Score was 90.9; none earned anything less than Good Plus in any structural category; all with two or more freshenings scored EX. Fall brings a much appreciated break in the heat and humidity, another round of breedings, and hopes of fancy kids...