If you don't have the Premier catalogs, now would be a good time to request them.  They have two catalogs, one mainly fencing, the other equipment.  I have their aluminum RedCote crook that I use constantly, but I would recommend the 54" over the 42" one.  They also offer free plans to build drive-by and walk-thru feeders.  I ordered the plans for our shop department at the high school and they have built me two; cost?, materials only.  It's a good way to supply the kids with projects.  Since Premier is a long-time supplier of sheep products, they have a good selection of sheep and goat merchandise  Their catalog also has educational articles in it.  Their number is 800-282-6631 and their website is www.premier1supplies.com.

 

Since I'm rambling anyway, (and Julie needed something for the newsletter)  I'll bring up a few other catalogs too.   Probably most of you know about these catalogs, but since we are getting new people all the time, I'll tell about them anyway.   Hoegger Supply catalog is a "goats only" catalog.  They have cheese making supplies, dairy supplies, a good selection of books, packing supplies and a large line of gift items.  The 2005 catalog is their 70th anniversary edition.  They have a help line: 770-461-5398, an order line, 800-221-4628 and a new website, www.thegoatstore.com.

 

Mid-States Livestock Supplies is out of Kansas.  They have some of the same, some different.  There is a 100% natural Lambskin to use with human babies.  It says the fibers are soothing to babies, causing them to be more content, sleep soundly for longer periods and is easy care.  Hmmmm, with 2 grandbabies on the way this year, that might get me in extra good with the two daughter-in-laws!   It has spinning supplies along with the usual goats supplies, but the 1 thing I use but can't get elsewhere, is Gallimycin injectable. (an antibiotic)    It's an Erythromycin product, only cheaper and thinner. Their # is 800-835-9665 and their website is www.midstateswoolgrowers.com.

 

Valley Vet Supply is also out of Kansas.  They have lots of people vitamins and lots of all natural products.   Some clothes and lots of stuff the other catalogs have but they do have one thing that I keep meaning to order but just haven't yet.  They have two sizes of the trigger type drench gun.  It's called a lamb drench gun.  I have often wondered if a trigger type wouldn't be easier for a woman or child to use than the regular syringe type.  By the way, if you don't have a drench gun with the long, metal tip, I feel that is one product that is a necessity.   It makes getting meds down their throat much easier and makes your product go farther because it's harder to spit out!  The regular syringe type runs around $15 and is worth it's price 100 times over.  Their # is 800-468-0059 and their website is www.valleyvet.com.  

 

Next is Caprine Supply, and they advertise on the front of their catalog that they are "all goat supplies".   They have mostly the same as Hoegger but the nice thing about both Hoeggers and Caprine is, they both have educational reading in them.  One tells you how to tattoo, one talks about basic feeding plans,  one has a health checklist and one shows about trimming hooves.  They are both worth having for the reading alone!  Caprines # is 800-646-7736 and their web site is www.caprinesupply.com.

 

Furney L. Register is out of North Carolina and he's a hoot!  He is a very nice man who is willing to be of the upmost help.  I've never seen a hard copy of a catalog but he is online.  He has lots of goat products, it's just that I usually buy from him at the big shows, avoids shipping.  I've bought drench guns, replacements tips and O-rings, boxes of needles, meds.........................just whatever he has that I think I need.  He has an "info" line, 910-484-9606, an "order only" line, 888-310-9696 and his website is www.goatsupplies.com.  

 

And last, but certainly not least, is Jeffers.  I far and away use Jeffers for most of my meds, etc.  Their prices seem to be the most competitive.  I just ordered halters, Valbazen, Oster clippers and extra blades.  If you are showing this year and didn't get to see Jan Smith's demonstration at the Texas Production sale, you missed a VERY informative presentation.  I have wore out two clippers so I did just what Jan said and ordered an Oster A5 clipper kit from Jeffers.  They also have a sale going on, that if you buy 3 extra blades, you get the 4th free.   Be sure and request all three of Jeffers catalogs, the Equine one, the Pet catalog and the livestock one.  Their # is 800-JEFFERS and their website is JeffersLivestock.com.

 

If you or your kids are planning on showing this year, most of these catalogs carry blow dryers.  However, the dryers are heavy, so if you can buy from a vendor at a show, you will avoid some costly shipping.  Also, many vendors carry reconditioned dryers for a very reasonable price.  There's always a vendor at the Stud Ram Sale and at the Ozark Empire Fair.