Bl2—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 20,1984
BY WENDY WEHR
PORT ROYAL - “I just think
everyone should try goat’s milk
before they put it down,” says
Leslie Bowen. And Leslie will
be glad to explain the benefits of
goat’s milk to you while you’re
taking your first sip of
“nature’s homogenized milk.”
Leslie Bowen is the 1984 Dairy
Goat Youth Representative.
And in promoting goat’s milk,
one of Pennsylvania’s lesser
known farm products, she often
starts by dispelling some of the
myths about the product.
“Goat’s milk is nature’s
homogenized milk,” says
Leslie. “It’s pure white in its
raw state and doesn’t separate
much.”
This is one of the chief ad
vantages of goat’s milk over
cow’s milk. Because the fat
globules are smaller, the goat’s
milk is easier to digest. Leslie
noted that people who are
allergic to cow’s milk often
drink goat’s milk instead.
Leslie, the daughter of
Richard and Sandra Bowen of
Spruce Hill, near Port Royal,
was chosen as the 1984 Dairy
Goat Youth Representative on
June 16, during the Pa. State
Dairy Goat Association’s an
nual Big Weekend.
Before the Big Weekend state
show, Leslie filled out an ap
plication describing her par
ticipation in the dairy goat
industry and her other church
and community activities.
“During the showmanship
and fitting contests at the Big
Weekend, I was observed by the
BUREAU
Crude Protein, not less than .
Crude Fat, not less than.
Crude Fiber, not more than
Vitamin A, not less than.
Vitamin D 3, not less than .
Goat milk's the one for Leslie Bowen
selection committee,” ex
plained Leslie. Then she was
given a quiz and interviewed by
the committee as well. Along
with being named the youth
representative that day, Leslie
won the top honors in the junior
showing and fitting com
petition.
Leslie’s parents are proud of
their daughter’s ac
complishments, and proud as
well that over the past three
years either the dairy goat
representative or alternate has
come from Juniata County.
Richard Bowen is leader of the
Kiddin’ Around Dairy Goat 4-H
Club in the county.
Since being crowned, Leslie
has had some opportunities to
represent the industry, in
cluding attending dairy goat
shows and participating in
promotional activities.
This summer, as part of the
June is Dairy Month activities
at the Nittany Mall in State
College, Leslie answered lots of
questions about goat’s milk. To
give people a chance to become
familiar with goats, she had a
kid with her at the mall event.
“They asked me how we milk
the goats, and about what you
can make from the goat milk,”
commented Leslie. “And they
also wanted to know what we
had done to the goat’s ears! ”
The kid was a LaManchas,
which is a breed that has
particularly short ears.
In the Seven Pines Herd of the
Bowen family, Leslie and her
sister have registered French
Alpines, Saanens, Oberhaslis,
FABUPRO
INSTANT
MILK REPLACER
Formulated for the
very special needs of
growing calves.
Guaranteed Analysis
Pe. Dairy Goat Youth Representative
and Toggenburgs. Right now
they have about 25 goats, many
of which are 4-H projects.
They’re concentrating now on
upgrading their stock through
breeding.
When she’s not busy with
activities at school or with 4-H,
Leslie does much of the barn
work herself, which includes
haying, watering, and feeding
the kids and doing the milking.
For the past five or six years,
the Bowens have used only
goat’s milk, no cow’s milk, m
their home. They try to breed
their goats so that they have
milk all year.
Another nutritional plus for
goat’s milk is that vitamin A
occurs naturally in it. Cow’s
milk has to be fortified with
vitamin A.
Leslie notes that the taste of
goat’s milk isn’t really that
different, and people shouldn’t
claim it has an off flavor
without trying it.
Maybe one reason some
people don’t care for the taste of
goat’s milk is that people just
aren’t used to drinking raw
milk, rather than the
pasteurized, homogenized,
fortified cow’s milk that comes
out of a carton.
Unfortunately, when Leslie is
promoting goat’s milk she can’t
give away free samples of the
milk. A raw milk handlers’
license would be required. But
she does give out goat’s milk
fudge, along with seals and
buttons and promotional
literature.
Leslie was glad that some
. 21.0%
. 15.0%
0.5%
. 15,0001.U./lb.
3,0001.U./lb.
Leslie Bowen poses with one of her favorite 4-H projects,
“Duchess."
School. She is an FFA member,
goat’s milk recipes were p | ays field hockey, is a
represented in the recently P - 111 t f le school
published state 4-H cookbook. u t P^ n °'
In fact, she was the only 4-H’er “
with two recipes included in the jj. . ba f y schedule, she 11 be
. k glad to tell you about the
Along with her farm projects, ’“"S’
Leslie is busy with activities as foods " atUFe S most perfect
a sophomore at Juniata High
Some Management Tips For Successful Calf Raising
COLOSTRUM FEEDING This is the single most
important factor in avoiding early calf disease
problems. It is vital that catves receive colostrum
as soon as possible after birth when anti-body
absorption is greatest.
GENERAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Observe
calves at least twice daily ... other than feeding
time... looking for any problems that may arise.
SCOURS (diarrhea) Scouring calves should be
treated immediately with a scour treatment medi
cation and you should consult your veterinarian.
HOUSING Calves can survive over a consider
able range in temperature providing the tempera
ture is relatively constant. It is most important that
calves be kept dry and free from drafts.
CALF STARTER Calves deserve the best in dry
feed along with milk replacer. Feed only a com
plete calf starter formulated specifically for the
young calf.