BMR BFF Award

Black Mesa Ranch

Snowflake, Arizona, USA

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Each year we honor one of our first-time milkers (AKA First Fresheners) with the coveted Black Mesa Ranch Best First Freshener award (BFF). We look at milk production, conformation, attitude, and much more. Here is a list of the winners and what they have accomplished since then.

2004 - Coriander

Cory was the first goat to ever be awarded the BMR BFF award. In 2008 Cory kidded with quintuplets and went on to become an ADGA Top Ten Breed Leader by being the 6th highest milk producing Nubian in the country, as well as the 6th highest producer of milk protein and the 7th highest producer of butterfat. Cory was a much valued member of our herd. Sadly we lost her in 2010 due to kidding complications.

2005 - Sassafras

Sassy is still a favorite around here. She has a lovely udder and great dairy attitude. She loves to be the "Demo Goat" for our open houses and tours. Sassy was such a hit with one group of school kids that we could hear the children yelling, "Bye, Sassy" all the way down the half mile driveway and we could see them hanging out of the bus windows waving their farewell to her. Since then when Sassy is done in the milking parlor we give her a rousing chorus of "Bye, Sassy" as she eats a few animal crackers on her way out.

2006 - Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a Superior Genetics doe with lovely, easy milking teats and soft pliable udder. She was a real favorite for teaching people how to milk. Sadly, in 2010 Cinnamon had a tough pregnancy and damaged her sciatic nerves making it hard for her to move around. Cinnamon is now a much loved pet for some new goat owners and is still milking well for them.

2007 - Award not given

Sometimes deciding which doe will receive this coveted award is easy and sometimes it is hard. 2007 was a hard year because none of the first fresheners lived up to our expectations. We reluctantly decided not to give out the award that year. Funny thing is that one of the girls under consideration, Mallow (pictured at the right), is still with us and is now one of our most productive does. Espeez (pictured to the left) is still here also and doing very well. In fact, both of these does have now earned their ADGA Superior Genetics titles and Espeez has been named an Elite Doe by the USDA four times in a row.

2008 - Ripley

Ripley has grown into a real beauty. At two years old she scored 91 EEEE on linear appraisal, which is an amazingly high score. (90 and above are considered Excellent, which is also what the "E"s stand for). She also earned her Superior Genetics title. Ripley is a show goat, always posing and looking great. She is a really well rounded, beautiful girl. Ripley worked hard for us here, but she was "stolen away" from us by a very persistent rancher that loves her and wants to start a dairy goat herd. Ripley will be a foundation doe for this new herd.

2009 - Lillith

Deciding on the BFF for 2009 was a no-brainer. Lillith took an early lead and never looked back. Lillith is a stunning girl with great attitude, wonderful, easy milking udder, and lots of pizzazz. Lillith has great strength blended nicely with lovely dairy character. Lillith has been awarded her Superior Genetics title by the American Dairy Goat Association and is still here on the ranch, looking great and milking well.

2010 - Violet

Year of the Young Guns

As stated above, sometimes the decisions are hard. This year we had so many great yearlings vying for this title that we needed some help from an expert. Luckily, Sandy Riehle of Reuel Dairy Goats agreed to help us with this task. Even Sandy, an experience breeder and dairy goat judge had a hard time deciding between some of the contenders. After reviewing milk records, linear appraisal scores, attitudes, and style, the decision was made. Dom, Mariah, and Grace all gave Violet some strong competition, but Violet won the award for her great milk production, confirmation, and willingness to milk. It didn't hurt that she kissed up a bit to the judge!

2011 - TBD

Year of the Hooligans

Who will get the 2011 BFF Award is still to be determined. In the running are:

Joy Brill China Doll Spring Thyme

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