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Raising Goats for Meat
Cooking with Goat Meat + Recipes

Braised Goat Thai Curry - Slow Cooker

9/18/2019

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While this recipe take a while to cook, it is so worth it. You'll have a super tender, braised goat meat dish with a flavorful Thai sauce.

I will often make it before I go to bed. When I wake up, I'll put it in the fridge and then re-heat (and add the veggies) in the slow cooker before dinner.

Braised, Thai Goat Curry in Slow Cooker - Recipe 
Serves 4-6 
 
Ingredients:
  • 2 tbs. butter, divided
  • 2-3 lbs. goat roast or stew meat/curry cubes
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 tsp. jarred garlic in water
  • ½ tsp. ginger 
  • 1 13.5-ounce can, full-fat coconut milk
  • 2 large fresh, red tomatoes quartered
  • ½ cup Thai red curry paste
  • 2 tbs. fish sauce
  • 2 tsp. lime juice
  • 2 tsp. sea salt
  • 2 cups broccoli, florets 
  • 1 cup of carrots, thinly sliced
 
Instructions:
  1. Heat 1 tbs. of butter in a pan. Brown the meat on all sides. If using a goat roast, slice it into several chunks so it is submerged under the sauce while it cooks.
  2. While the meat is browning, blend the quartered tomatoes in a blender or food processor. Set aside.
  3. When the meat is done browning, transfer the meat into the slow cooker. 
  4. Add remaining butter into the pan. Saute onion and garlic over medium heat for 5 minutes.
  5. Pour in coconut milk, stir well.
  6. Add tomato purée curry paste, fish sauce, lime juice, salt and ginger. Mix well. Pour sauce over the goat meat in the slow cooker.
  7. Cook on low for 10 hours. Add the vegetables during the last 30-60 minutes. 
 
Serve with rice, cauliflower rice, naan flatbread or double the veggies while cooking. 
 
P.S. I’m working on an Instant Pot version of this recipe that I’ll share in the future. I need a little more work on getting the right timing for the goat meat to be the perfect tenderness. 
 
Inspiration from Danielle Walker’s Crockpot Thai Beef Stew at AgainstAllGrain.com at ​https://againstallgrain.com/2014/07/07/crockpot-paleo-thai-stew/
Order your goat stew meat (curry cubes) or roasts from our Farm Store. For more goat meat recipes, cooking tips, promotions, and to know when goat meat is available, sign up for our email list here.
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Goatober - Comming Soon to Western Wisconsin

9/17/2019

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Goatober is just around the corner – it’s an international celebration of goat meat. 
 
Join in and Celebrate Goatober Locally
  • Celebrate Goatober! An educational program about Goatober and goat meat will be Thursday, Oct. 17, 6:30 p.m. at the Deer Park Public Library. It will feature local goat farmer, Leslie Svacina of Cylon Rolling Acres (that’s me!)

  • Eat out and try a goat dish at the Farm Table restaurant in Amery – throughout October

  • Try goat meat at home: Select cuts of meat are available at Jewelltown Roastery in Star Prairie, and at our Cylon Rolling Acres Farm Store in Deer Park
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  • Check out the Goat: Cooking and Eating, an extensive goat meat cookbook by James Whetlor through the More Library System. Whetlor is a James Beard Foundation Award winner and a director of Goatober.
 
Whether you eat out or at home, share your experience on social media with the hashtag #Goatober. Learn more about Goatober at www.goatober.com
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Hungry Turtle Farm Day: Sept. 21

9/16/2019

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Join me at the Hungry Turtle Farm Day in Amery, Saturday, September 21, noon- 4 p.m. I'll have a table and bring meat for purchase (curry cubes, chops, gyro meat).

You can pre-order goat meat here to make it a quick pick up so you can enjoy the rest of the activities on the farm.


More on the Farm Day is below!​
Clydesdales, Pinewood Tractor Derby, and More: 1st Annual Hungry Turtle Farm Day
Clydesdales | Birdhouses | Heritage Breeds | Pinewood Tractor Derby

Saturday, September 21 | 12-4 p.m.
Location: Hungry Turtle Farm Day, 410 125th Street, Amery, WI 54001

Fall is a great time to bring the whole family out to Hungry Turtle Farm, just 10 minutes outside of Amery. Enjoy a Clydesdale team wagon ride, build a birdhouse, participate in the pinewood tractor derby, and see the farm's heritage breeds and heirloom seed-saving gardens. Chili, cornbread, and cookies for sale. Event is free.

RSVPs appreciated. You can RSVP here.

Purchase your pinewood tractor derby kit at Farm Table in Amery.

PLEASE NOTE: To participate in the official pinewood tractor derby you will need to check-in between noon and 1 p.m. at the Hungry Turtle Farm Day on September 21.
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7 questions to ask before buying a whole goat

9/9/2019

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​Have you ever wondered: Is buying a whole goat right for me? The reality is that buying a whole goat isn’t for everyone. So how do you know if it’s for you?
 
Here are seven questions to ask yourself if you’re considering ordering a whole goat for you and your family. 

Is buying a whole goat for me? Take the quiz!

1. Are you willing to try new cuts of goat meat? 
Are you willing to eat all your cuts of goat meat? Part of the experience of purchasing a whole goat, may also mean trying out new recipes and ways to cook goat.

If you only want goat chops and shanks, buying a whole goat isn’t for you. 
 
A whole goat order typically includes ground meat, leg, shoulder roast, shoulder steaks, chops, rack or rib chops, ribs, shanks, stew meat (curry cubes) and an option for organ meat (liver, heart, tongue, and kidney), as well as bones. You do have the option to leave out some cuts and opt for more ground or stew meat.
 
How do you feel about trying new cuts of goat meat? 
  • Yes, I’m up for it.
  • No, I’m not so sure.
2. Are you looking for a "deal"?
This one is a two-part question.
 
A. Goat meat can be hard to find in the grocery store, or it can be hard to find a farm to buy goat meat directly from. This means goat meat is often in demand more than is can be found to purchase, which means it’s usually more costly per pound than beef or even lamb. 
 
It makes total sense to ask the question: How much does goat meat cost?  Most folks will do that and weigh out the decision. 
 
Our goat meat has an added value because is telling a story of how it came to life, raised, care for and harvested to make its way to your kitchen. It’s not just the story of the farmer, but it’s also extending to your story – how you’re keeping your cultural heritage alive with the food on your plate, or expanding your journey with truly, good food. 
 
Customers who buy direct from the farmer appreciate this added value and are often willing to pay for it. 
 
If you’re thinking, that’s more than I want to pay for, compared to XYZ, then it might make sense, you may want to hold off on purchasing a whole goat.
 
How do you feel about paying more for goat meat as compared to other meats? 
  • Yes, I am willing to pay for goat meat.
  • No, I prefer to get the best deal and eat other types of meat.
 
B.   Buying a whole goat vs. individual cuts of meat is a way to get a “deal” on goat meat. A whole goat price/lb. (hanging weight price, plus the butcher’s fees) can range from $8-$10/lb. (or more, depending on where you buy the whole goat). As compared to the retail price of $12-$18/lb. on cuts various cuts of meat. 
 
Are you interested in getting the best deal when buying goat meat? 
  • Yes, I want to save money.
  • No, it doesn’t matter to me.
3. Will you eat it within a year?*
Typically, a whole goat will give you about 22-30 lbs. of usable meat (this is different from hanging weight, see this article for more details).  Depending on your recipes or cuts of meat, this could work out to 10-15 meals, or a recipe using pound of goat meat every two weeks. 
 
Are you able to eat all of your goat meat?
  • Yes, of course
  • No, I’m not sure

*Note: The USDA says frozen meat can be stored up to a year.  
4. Do you have enough freezer space? 
Typically, a whole goat is about 22-30 lbs. of usable goat meat (as mentioned in the question above). This will fill about a whole regular size reusable-style grocery bag (the smaller standard size ones, not the big rectangle size ones). 
 
Often when ordering meat in bulk direct from a farmer it can be useful to have a deep freezer.

However, this amount of goat meat CAN fit in a refrigerator-freezer, but it depends on how much extra space you have on hand at the time of when you order the goat meat. 
 
Do you have enough freezer space?
  • Yes, I’m ready to fill it with goat meat.
  • No, I think I may not have enough room.
5. Do you want to know your farmer? 
Knowing your farmer is important, because you’re able to know how they raise their goats for meat. This includes where the goats live (Do they have enough room to move around? Do they have access to pasture?), how the goats are being fed (pasture, hay/grain combination, heavy grain), how the goats are being handled and so on. Ask about these farming practices to know what you’re getting. 
 
By supporting local farmers, you know your meat is coming from a local source, and not imported from thousands of miles away, which is often the case with most goat meat found in grocery stores in the U.S.
 
Do you want to support local farmers?
  • Yes, I want to know where my meat comes from.
  • No, it doesn’t really matter.
6. Do you like to meal plan? 
If you like to plan ahead, having goat meat on hand is perfect. You’ll know what you have in advance and can work with recipes for the week or even month if you are really into meal planning. You don't have to worry about finding a grocery story that even carries it when you actually need it.
 
You can even plan ahead for special occasions, keeping in mind which cuts of goat meat you’ll use and then use the other cuts on a more regular basis with your menu planning,
 
Do you like to meal plan? 
  • Yes, I’m all about it.
  • No, it’s too much work for me.
7. Are you willing to wait to order your whole goat? 
Typically farms who sell whole goats, will offer the opportunity to order once or twice a year. 
 
Usually, this happens because farms raise goats on a seasonal basis, meaning goat kids are born once a year and are ready for market (the general term for sale!) during that year. 
 
While some goats might have multiple groups of goat kids born throughout a year, it is not as common. 
 
Are you ok with waiting to order your whole goat once a year? 
  • Yes, I can do that. 
  • No, I might not be able to wait. 

You're all done! Now count up your responses.

  • If you answered all questions with a Yes, then purchasing a whole goat is right for you!
​
  • If you answered most questions with a Yes and had 1-2 Nos, you may want to think through the purchasing decision. You can also find more details in this article on what it means to order a whole goat.
 ​
  • If you answered No to more than 3 questions, buying a whole goat may not be the best choice for you and that's ok. Buying a whole goat is not for everyone You may be a better fit for purchasing individual cuts of meat when you’re looking to cook with goat meat for a special family holiday or try out a new goat meat recipe. 

If a whole goat is right for you - sign up here to be notified when we're taking whole goat orders, as well as early bird pricing opportunities and deadlines. 
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In the News: Finding her way into farming

9/5/2019

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I’m honored, and a bit humbled, to share that I’m featured in the most recent issue of the Rural Route magazine, which goes out to farm families and others involved in agriculture in Wisconsin. You can read the full article below to learn more about how I got my start in farming, as well as raising meat goats and direct marketing goat meat in western Wisconsin.

I’d also like to give a big thank you to Amy Eckelberg from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau for asking me to do the interview and coming all the way to northwestern Wisconsin to take photos for the story in one of the hottest times of the year.

She also started to learn the art of taking pictures with livestock guardian dogs sniffing and licking you and figuring out how to get a good shot of grazing goats. This includes not just getting them to face you but attempting to not get too many goat rear ends or anyone taking care of business in the shot. I think Amy did ok, if you look at her pictures! 
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Enjoy the read! 

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P.S. The magazine also featured a number of grilling recipes in the Farm Flavor section from my personal food Instagram account: @GrillingLikeSteven You can check those out here. 
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If you want to see the whole magazine, click here to read it.

If you haven't joined our Meat List, you can sign up here. We share goat meat recipes, cooking tips, promotions, and let you know when goat meat (including when to order whole goats). 

If you're raising meat goats or are thinking about rasing meat goats, you can sign up for our online community here to learn more about what we do on our farm raising goats for meat. 
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​My favorite goat things: Fence checker

9/3/2019

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Electric fence is a must for keeping goats on pasture: keeping them and our livestock guardian dogs in, AND keeping predators out. 

As good as electric fence is, it isn't foolproof. Sometimes it's not working as well as it could be. 

The only way you might not know is if... hmm... a goat breaks out of your paddock fence, or you find one of your livestock guardian dogs roaming the whole pasture. Thank goodness for perimeter fence! (Learn how we use permanent, perimeter fence and temporary paddock fencing in this article).

So how do I know if the fencer is working like it should be? I will look at the fencer itself (see picture below) and check to see if it's fully energized, with the lights flashing all the way up to green. If it's not something could be grounding it out. But, do I always want to run back to the barn and troubleshoot? No. 

So, enter in one of my favorite grazing / electric fencing tools -- a fence tester. I have the Fault Finder by Gallagher.

When I suspect the fence might not be as hot as usual, or not even on at all, I'll take out the Fault Finder and test the fence. It will show the KV running through the fence, and if there's a grounding issue it will point an arrow to direct you in the direction it's at. It gives me a general idea of where to check the fence to look for down trees, areas where deer may have knocked down the top high tensile wire and it's now touching the woven wire, or other issues. These tend to be my most common issues. 

I also like to use the fence tester when I'm running more temporary fence than usual, or running temporary fence outside of our permanent fenced in pasture. These are instances where I want to be especially certain the fence is HOT. The more electric wire I put on my energizer, the greater odds it might drop the KV. Usually, in these instances, I might also need to do more trimming or knocking down grass and brush to make sure there's no other grounding issues, which impact how hot the fence is.

If you're going to use electric fence and graze, this is a tool to have. There are several options out there to choose from. I happened to use Gallagher's Fault Finder since I use a lot of their fencing products and have been happy with the quality and performance.

if you're interested in learning more about more of my favorite goat things and how we’re raising meat goats on pasture, join our online community for raising goats for meat here.
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Recipes Featured in Farm Flavor

9/3/2019

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I’m honored, and a bit humbled, to share that I’m featured in the most recent issue of the Rural Route magazine, which goes out to farm families and others involved in agriculture in Wisconsin. You can read the full article here to learn more about how I got started raising meat goats in western Wisconsin. 

The magazine also featured a number of grilling recipes in the Farm Flavor section from my personal food Instagram account: @GrillingLikeSteven You can check those below. My food account follows my grilling and smoking adventures, mostly following recipes and cooking techniques from one of our family favorite grilling gurus / personalities, Steven Raichlen of the Barbecue Bible. He is also a regular on PBS.
​
If you’re on Instagram give my farm a follow at @CylonRollingAcres, and if you like a good food feed add my “fun” handle at @GrillingLikeSteven. 

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​If you want to see the whole magazine, click here to read it.
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    About Leslie

    I own and manage Cylon Rolling Acres in northwestern Wisconsin. On my farm I raise Boer - Kiko meat goats on pasture.


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    Cylon (pronounced Si-lon) is the name of our township in St. Croix County, Wisconsin. Sorry fans, our farm is not named after the robots of Battlestar Galactica.


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  • Home
  • Shop
    • Farm Store: Shop Now
    • Where to buy
    • Goat Gear
    • Wholesale Orders
    • Friends + Family List Sign Up
  • Goat Meat
    • Goatober
    • Benefits of Pasture-Raised Meat
  • Blog
  • Raising Meat Goats
    • Raising Goats for Meat Community
    • Online Class Replay: Raising Goats
    • Fav Goat Things
    • Fav Business + Marketing Tools
    • Breeding Stock for Sale
    • Speaking
  • About Us
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