Yes, pigs can potentially become infected with Johne’s disease, also known as paratuberculosis, from sheep and goats. While Johne’s disease primarily affects ruminants like sheep, goats, and cattle, the bacterium causing the disease, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), can be transmitted to other species, including pigs.

Key points on Johne’s disease transmission

Primary Transmission Route: The main route of infection is fecal-oral, meaning animals ingest the bacterium from feed or water contaminated with infected feces.

Contaminated Environments:

Infected animals shed MAP in their manure, contaminating the environment, including pastures, feed and water sources, and housing areas.

Young Animals Most Susceptible: Newborns and young animals are particularly vulnerable to infection.
Potential for Cross-Species Transmission: Studies indicate that the infection can spread from one ruminant species to another (e.g., cattle to goats or sheep).

Pigs as Atypical Hosts: While pigs are not the natural hosts, there have been reports of MAP infecting them, and even causing illness, according to the Johne’s Information Center.

Important notes

Johne’s disease is not the same as Crohn’s disease in humans: While some researchers explore a potential connection between MAP and Crohn’s disease, the majority of gastroenterologists do not believe there is a direct causal link.

Prevalence in Pigs: Compared to ruminants, the occurrence of Johne’s disease in pigs is less common, but the possibility of transmission and infection exists, especially in environments where pigs share housing or pastures with infected sheep or goats.

Biosecurity Measures:

Implementing strong biosecurity measures, such as proper manure management, cleaning and disinfection of facilities, and preventing co-housing of pigs with ruminants from unknown health status, can help reduce the risk of transmission.

If you suspect Johne’s disease in your animals, consult with a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and advice on prevention and control strategies.

Yes, goats can contract Johne’s disease, also known as paratuberculosis, from sheep.  Johne’s disease is a chronic, contagious bacterial infection that affects the intestines of various ruminants, including sheep, goats, and cattle. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP).

Here’s why goats can get it from sheep:

Transmission:

Johne’s disease is primarily spread through fecal-oral transmission, meaning animals can become infected by ingesting the bacteria present in the feces of infected animals.

Shared Pastures:

Goats can contract the disease by grazing on pastures previously used by sheep infected with Johne’s.

Species-to-Species Transmission:
Johne’s disease can be transmitted between different ruminant species, including sheep and goats, according to www.nj.gov.

Key points about Johne’s disease in goats:

Clinical Signs: In goats, the most consistent sign of Johne’s disease is chronic weight loss, even with a good appetite. Diarrhea may also occur, though it’s less common than in cattle.

No Cure: There is no cure for Johne’s disease.

Prevention: Maintaining a closed herd, purchasing animals from Johne’s-tested herds, and avoiding shared grazing with infected animals are crucial preventative measures, according to the American Dairy Goat Association.

The price of a goat can vary significantly, depending on several factors including:

Breed: Different breeds have different purposes (meat, milk, fiber, pets) which can affect their value.

Age and Sex: Younger goats and breeding animals (especially bucks with superior genetics) typically cost more than older goats or neutered males (wethers).

Quality: Show-quality goats or those with proven breeding potential will command higher prices than pet-quality animals.

Registration: Registered purebred goats are often more expensive than unregistered ones.

Location and Market Demand:

Prices can vary by region and fluctuate based on seasonal demand, with higher prices in late winter and early spring and lower prices in the summer.

Price ranges

Pet-quality kid: $200 – $500
Breeding-quality doe (female): $500 – $1,500

Breeding-quality buck (male): $1,000 – $3,000 or more

Show-quality goat: $2,000 – $5,000 or more

Registered purebred miniature goat (e.g., Nigerian Dwarf, Pygmy): Up to $500

Unregistered Nubian doeling: Under $200

Unregistered Nubian doe in milk: $200 – $400

Wethers (castrated males): $100 – $200

Boer goat doe (quality, registered): $600

Boer goat buckling (untested, good breeding lines): $1,200

Considerations

Buying from a breeder: Generally more expensive but offers more information about lineage, health, and quality.

Adoption: Can be less expensive, sometimes as low as $40-$80 for a Pygmy goat, and may include health records.

Goat dairies: Some may even give away bucklings for free.

Local auctions or online marketplaces (e.g., Craigslist, Facebook groups): May offer cheaper goats but require careful assessment of health and temperament.

Note: It’s always advisable to ask about health records and ensure the goat has been tested for common diseases like CL, CAE, and Johne’s, regardless of where you purchase it.

Fainting goats have a neurological disorder called myotonia congenita, also known as Thomsen’s disease. This condition causes their muscles to lock up and become stiff when startled, sometimes leading them to fall over. While it might look like they are fainting, they are not actually losing consciousness.

Elaboration:

Myotonia Congenita:

This inherited disorder causes a slow relaxation of skeletal muscles after voluntary contraction. When startled, the muscles of fainting goats become stiff and locked, often causing them to collapse.

Not a True Faint:

The term “fainting” is a misnomer because the goats don’t lose consciousness. Their muscles are simply unable to relax, causing them to stiffen and fall.

Genetic Basis:

Myotonia congenita is caused by a mutation in the CLCN1 gene, which codes for a chloride channel in muscle cells. This channel is important for muscle relaxation, and the mutation disrupts its function.

Varied Severity:

The severity of the condition can vary from goat to goat, with some exhibiting stiffening every time they are startled and others less frequently.

Adaptation Over Time:

Younger goats may fall more easily during an episode, but as they mature, they often learn to adapt and avoid falling by simply running away on stiffened legs.

Darlene had two new babies today 🤠

One boy, one girl. We will weather the boy in July/August, if no one wants to buy him for a buck; than butcher him at or before 1 year of age. The girl is for sale too;

To prevent mastitis in livestock, consider supplementing with vitamin E, selenium, zinc, and calcium, as these nutrients play a crucial role in immune function and udder health, while also maintaining good hygiene and proper milking procedures.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Key Nutrients and Their Roles:

Vitamin E:

Vitamin E supplementation, especially around calving, can reduce mastitis incidence and improve milk output. It boosts immunity and reduces oxidative stress in the udder.

Selenium:

Selenium is an essential nutrient that, along with vitamin E, enhances phagocytic activity, which is important for fighting off infections. Selenium deficiency has been linked to increased mastitis incidence and severity.

Zinc:

Zinc is crucial for maintaining epithelial barriers to infection, which help prevent bacteria from entering the udder.

Calcium:

Proper calcium supplementation can improve overall therapeutic outcomes in mastitis cases.

Probiotics:

Some studies suggest that probiotics, like Bacillus subtilis C-3102, can help prevent mastitis and reduce the need for antibiotics.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV):

ACV can help maximize the nutrition in cattle feed, help the cow ingest and process vitamins and minerals properly, and flush out harmful toxins and mastitis pathogens.

Other Important Considerations:

Hygiene:

Maintaining a clean and dry environment for dry cows is crucial to prevent infections.

Proper Milking Procedures:

Good milking practices and equipment maintenance are essential for preventing mastitis.

Teat Disinfectants:

Using a good teat disinfectant after every milking is a vital preventative measure.

Teat Sealants:

Teat sealants can help prevent new infections during the dry period by creating a barrier in the teat canal.

Vaccines:

ENDOVAC-Dairy with Immune Plus is a vaccine that can provide protection against gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli Mastitis, Pasteurella, Mannheimia, and Salmonella.

Essential Oils:

Some essential oils, like basil and bergamot, have shown antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, a common cause of bovine mastitis.

Udder Comfort Spray:

Some products like Udder Comfort Spray are used to help with udder health and mastitis prevention.

.989 Organic Grass Feed

Becky gave birth to her 1st baby boy… 🍖 and girl. The boy is the darker brown one, the bigger one of the two.

I’ve not named him; because he is for sale, trade, or for food. I call them by different food names, so people know not to get too attached to them. They were born to Becky and Bucky on March 8th, 2025. Bucky is 50% Nubian and 50% Nigerian. Becky is approx 25% Nubian, 25% Pyrenean, and 50% Nigerian.

If you want them to breed, you can buy him in May, before I wether him; baby bucks are $275/ea.

After May and before March 2026, they will go for meat/wether price at $175-225/ea. You can use them as a companion animal, a Pet Organic Composting Machine; or you can take it to the market for your specific choice in cuts of meat. Wethers are less valuable or less expensive because of two reasons. They have been castrated, and can no longer breed. Butchers will charger at approximately $125 per goat to process them.

After March 2026, they will be butchered and the price for meat will be $350/ea. I will also have individually wrapped meat prices at that time, if you don’t want the whole goat. I will probably wait till December to cull them. If you wether them, you can wait longer; otherwise you have to call them before a years time. The older they are, the more I change; cause they cost me more to keep them longer.

https://mizzoumeatmarket.wordpress.com/lamb-and-goat/embed/#?secret=l66JVvjCkQ#?secret=grQ4HlpaKI

You can contact me at (816) 518-8804 and/or (417) 307-8588 or the goat trader at (870) 654-3201 his name is Kelby Howerton. Once I get too many, I’ll be selling them at the sale barn; but that will be a couple few years down the road… and after I have more meat then I can sell as well.

Next Year, I’ll have Lamb. 2026, we’ll have Pork. Soon, we’ll have Chicken and Guinea Fowl.

.989 Organic Grass Feed

Faith gave birth to her 1st baby boy… 🍖

I’ve not named him; because he is for sale, trade, or for food. I call them by different food names, so people know not to get too attached to them. They were born to Faith and Bucky on February 7th, 2025. Bucky is 50% Nubian and 50% Nigerian. Faith is 50% Boer and 50% Alpine.

If you want them to breed, you can buy him in April, before I wether him in April; baby bucks are $275/ea. Though, now that I have more land, I may not be wethering them all in the future; I may just separate the best males from the females. I’ll grow them out on the new land.

After April and before February 2026, they will go for meat/wether price at $175-225/ea. You can use them as a companion animal, a Pet Organic Composting Machine; or you can take it to the market for your specific choice in cuts of meat. Wethers are less valuable or less expensive because of two reasons. They have been castrated, and can no longer breed. Butchers will charger at approximately $125 per goat to process them.

After January 2026, they will be butchered and the price for meat will be $350/ea. I will also have individually wrapped meat prices at that time, if you don’t want the whole goat. I will probably wait till December to cull them. If you wether them, you can wait longer; otherwise you have to call them before a years time. The older they are, the more I change; cause they cost me more to keep them longer.

https://mizzoumeatmarket.wordpress.com/lamb-and-goat/embed/#?secret=l66JVvjCkQ#?secret=grQ4HlpaKI

You can contact me at (816) 518-8804 and/or (417) 307-8588 or the goat trader at (870) 654-3201 his name is Kelby Howerton. Once I get too many, I’ll be selling them at the sale barn; but that will be a couple few years down the road… and after I have more meat then I can sell as well.

Next Year, I’ll have Lamb. 2026, we’ll have Pork. Soon, we’ll have Chicken and Guinea Fowl.

.989 Organic Grass Feed

I’ve not named him; because he is for sale, trade, or for food. I call them by different food names, so people know not to get too attached to them. They were born to Trouble and Bucky on January 16th, 2025. Bucky is 50% Nubian and 50% Nigerian. Trouble is mostly Pyrenean, and part Nubian and/or Nigerian; I think. She is an unknown.

If you want them to breed, you can buy them in April, before I wether them in April; they are $275/ea. Thought, now that I have more land, I may not be wethering them in the future; I may just separate them from the females. I’ll grow them out on the new land.

After April and before December, they will go for meat/wether price at $175-225/ea. You can use them as a companion animal, a Pet Organic Composting Machine; or you can take it to the market for your specific choice in cuts of meat. Wethers are less valuable or less expensive because of two reasons. They have been castrated, and can no longer breed. Butchers will charger at approximately $125 per goat to process them.

After December 2025, they will be butchered and the price for meat will be $350/ea. I will also have individually wrapped meat prices at that time, if you don’t want the whole goat. I will probably wait till December to cull them. If you wether them, you can wait longer; otherwise you have to call them before a years time. The older they are, the more I change; cause they cost me more to keep them longer.

https://mizzoumeatmarket.wordpress.com/lamb-and-goat/embed/#?secret=l66JVvjCkQ#?secret=grQ4HlpaKI

Taco & Bueno – Unfortunately Bueno didn’t make it. Got squished in the goat house by other goats. I don’t quite have a space to keep them separated yet. I’ll be working on that in the future. I now have another property; where I may be separating the buck, so they don’t berth in the winter months.

You can contact me at (816) 518-8804 and/or (417) 307-8588 or the goat trader at (870) 654-3201 his name is Kelby Howerton. Once I get too many, I’ll be selling them at the sale barn; but that will be a couple few years down the road… and after I have more meat then I can sell as well.

This is Nacho’s sister. We’ll be naming her soon.

Next Year, I’ll have Lamb. 2026, we’ll have Pork. Soon, we’ll have Chicken and Guinea Fowl.

We lost our baby Ram 🐏 a predator came and snatched it 2 days ago. I traced the tracks and call the trapper, they think it was a coyote; probably the scout 🐺

But yesterday, we had two baby bucks born. They are for sale. They are .989 Organic Grass Feed

I’ve not named then; because they are for sale, trade, or for food. I call them by different food names, so people know not to get too attached to them. They were born to Momba and Bucky on January 13th, 2025. Bucky is 50% Nubian and 50% Nigerian. Momba is mostly Pyrenean and Nigerian, I think. She is an unknown.

If you want them to breed, you can buy them in April, before I wether them in April; they are $275/ea. Thought, now that I have more land, I may not be wethering them in the future; I may just separate them from the females. I’ll grow them out on the new land.

After April and before December, they will go for meat/wether price at $175-225/ea. You can use them as a companion animal, a Pet Organic Composting Machine; or you can take it to the market for your specific choice in cuts of meat. Wethers are less valuable or less expensive because of two reasons. They have been castrated, and can no longer breed. Butchers will charger at approximately $125 per goat to process them.

After December 2025, they will be butchered and the price for meat will be $350/ea. I will also have individually wrapped meat prices at that time, if you don’t want the whole goat. I will probably wait till December to cull them. If you wether them, you can wait longer; otherwise you have to call them before a years time. The older they are, the more I change; cause they cost me more to keep them longer.

https://mizzoumeatmarket.wordpress.com/lamb-and-goat/embed/#?secret=l66JVvjCkQ#?secret=grQ4HlpaKI

You can contact me at (816) 518-8804 and/or the goat trader at (870) 654-3201 his name is Kelby Howerton

Next Year, I’ll have Lamb. 2026, we’ll have Pork. Soon, we’ll have Chicken and Guinea Fowl.