Welcome to the Shonyo Farm website. We are located in Elk River, Minnesota. When Terry and I decided to raise livestock we wanted to start out with animals that were bred specifically for meat production. In addition to being full bodied and well muscled we required other characteristics: easy birthing, good mothering instincts, robust health. After researching a variety of breeds we decided on Myotonic (fainting) goats, more specifically, Tennessee Meat Goats™ (the Onion Creek line of Myotonics). We like the idea of raising rare breed livestock and helping conserve these valuable genetics by promoting their value in mainstream breeding programs. The Myotonic goats are listed on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy priority list. We will be raising fullblood Myotonics and Nubians . However, the heart and soul of our breeding program is crossbreeding the above breeds to Boers and other meat goat breeds. Our goal is to produce a goat that does well in our Minnesota climate and in an intensive farm situation. We want a goat that will kid easily, and grow well on pasture in the summer months. Since Minnesota winters require that we feed hay, etc. from about mid December to Mid April our goats also have to be able to maintain their condition and grow kids during the winter months with a minimum of inputs. In addition to the physical demands we must have a goat that is easy to handle and does not get stressed being in close quarters. Biosecurity is a big concern and we have decided to forgo showing or exhibitions and keep our goats on the farm. We pre-test any purchased goats (or their parents) for Johnes and CAE and do periodic herd testing for these diseases. We do this testing to give our customers some assurance that they are buying disease free goats and to minimize the testing that might be required for an out of state purchase. We are also raising heritage rabbits, primarily for meat production. We chose the American rabbit breed. This critically endangered breed is well suited for meat production; fast growth and excellent carcass quality. Things do change over the years and although we are not currently producing any goats for sale we still have American rabbits and are now raising utility pigeons. We currently have White Kings and Morovian Strassers. As our flock grows we may have pairs available. Join us in this fun project, we can help each other learn about raising, processing and cooking squab (pigeon).
We welcome visitors (with an appointment) and love to talk goats so don't hesitate to call. Shonyo Farm Terry & Lynne Shonyo 16393 County Road 83 Elk River, MN 55330
763-263-7931
shonyofarm@yahoo.com
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