We have goat meat available now through June. Call 905 537 5229 for more information or to place an order.
2281 Powerline Road West
RR # 2
Lynden, Ontario
L0R 1T0
Enquiries:
email: ronmar@quickclic.net
Phone: 905-537-5229
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Ronmar Farm is located 20 km west of Hamilton,Ontario,Canada. The farm is run by Ron Wisniewski, with help from his wife Marti and two sons, David and Trevor. We raise Boer and Boer cross goats which we sell for both meat and for breeding stock. The farm has been in the Wisniewski family for over 80 years and over the years has been the home to almost every kind of livestock. Ron has lived on the farm his entire life, and has worked closely with dairy cows, beef cows, and now meat goats. |
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History
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In 2002, our sons wanted a new pet and we bought them each a doeling. Over the past 8 years, our herd has grown to over 100 nannies. We have learned a lot about raising, breeding, feeding and selling goats. With this knowledge and experience, we have modified our barns, fencing, gates, feed and farm routines to simplify the work associated with raising a healthy prosperous herd. |
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Our facilities
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Our farm has 150 acres with adequate space to allow us to grow our feed and provide adequate pasture grounds. All the goats have free range to the outside year round. We have 30 acres of bush land, from which we harvest firewood, and are able to heat our home and water through an outdoor wood furnace. We use about 30 acres for the home, barns and pastures, with the remaining 90 acres worked with crops.
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Fencing and protection
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One of the biggest challenges we faced with goats was adequate penning. They are sneaky little animals, and seem to be able to shrink themselves to extremely small sizes to fit through holes or gaps. What we have found to be the safest and most effective is a combination of electric fence (3 wires) surrounded by page wire fence. The electric shock will deter the majority of the goats from touching the fences, but for the few who manage to get through the wire without getting a shock, the page wire will keep them on the proper side of the fence. The page wire also acts as a deterrent for predators from entering the pastures. We have 2 llamas, one in each pasture for protection. The herding and protective instincts of these animals are remarkable. They are fairly low maintenance animals but at feeding time, their feed must be strategically placed to keep the goats from stealing it, and to allow the llamas peace and quiet to eat.
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Feed
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Our goats are fed mixed grain, (oats and barley), with good quality hay, and pasture. They have free choice of minerals, and always have an abundance of clean drinking water available. |
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About Goat Meat
Goat meat is the most widely consumed meat in the world and has been the meat of choice by many cultures for centuries. There are few, if any religious taboos connected to eating goat. The demand for this healthy lean meat is increasing domestically as we all become more health conscious and strive to make healthy lifestyle decisions. Chicken and fish have boasted a reputation as leaner and healthier alternatives to beef and pork, where goat meat is even leaner, has less fat waste and is higher in iron and lower in cholesterol. One of the first things we noticed when we starting eating goat was the lack of fat drippings when we cooked it; there were next to none. This is because it is very low in saturated fat. Goat is a healthy choice because there is no worry about chemical residue that could be present in fish or hormones and/or antibiotics as in grocery store chicken. Goat meat is sometimes referred to as 'chevon' or 'capretto'. Chevon is used to describe a slightly heavier and older goat, ie: 6-18 months, and has a mild gamey flavour and a firmer muscle texture than capretto. Capretto refers to a young kid goat, with a live weight of 20-30 lbs, or 4-6 months old. It is very lean and pinkish in colour. Capretto and chevon are available in cuts similar to those of lamb, ie: roasts, chops, steaks, stew meat and ground meat. There is a difference in flavor in different breeds of goats. The Boer goat meat is a milder, more veal-like flavor.
Our goats are born and raised on our farm. The kids are able to stay with their moms, and benefit from their milk, and from free grain in a creep feeder. They are given 12 months access to the outside and good quality hay, year round. |