RED OAK SAVANNAS
Northwest Iowa, renowned for its fertile and productive farmland, is proud to be the home of Red Oak Savannas, conveniently located near Sioux Center and situated approximately an hour southeast of Sioux Falls, SD. We embarked on our goat farming journey in 2017 with a solid foundation of high-quality 50% Savanna does, a decision that has proven to be an excellent choice for our operation! Prior to dedicating our efforts to breeding Savanna goats, Randy had the distinct privilege of raising and breeding a diverse range of livestock, gaining valuable experience along the way.
Various kinds of livestock and animals for as long as he can remember. During his time in Junior High, Randy also began raising sheep, which proved to be a rewarding endeavor. This venture eventually transitioned into a highly successful breeding program focusing on registered Suffolk sheep—a legacy that has lasted an impressive 20 years. Our Suffolk program culminated with the achievement of breeding numerous champion and reserve champion animals at both local, state, and national levels. However, more importantly than the awards and accolades, we worked diligently to put together a consistent and reliable breeding program that now continues to thrive in various breeding operations throughout the United States. As a significant example of our breeding successes, a US National Champion Ram was bred from an ewe that we carefully selected, bred, and raised ourselves.
As a direct result of our breeding program’s notable success, we had the unique opportunity to market our entire sheep breeding operation to several interested and reputable parties. Although making this decision was very difficult for us emotionally, we ultimately decided to seize the opportunity and close this cherished chapter of our lives, allowing us to open a new and more exciting one filled with possibilities. After thoroughly researching and reflecting on which breed of goats we wanted to raise, we were drawn to the Savanna breed. Much of the available information highlighted their exceptional mothering and milking abilities, as well as their performance and resilience. Having previously raised show sheep for many years, we were specifically seeking hardiness and low-maintenance animals for our next venture!
The original Savanna-cross goats we acquired quickly proved to be a homerun for our farm and our family. Although they previously called Texas their home, our new does adjusted remarkably well to our cold Midwestern winters and the different types of forage available in our region. They never skipped a beat and successfully bred, kidded, and raised their kids unassisted in our operation, demonstrating their strong adaptability. All three of our children were immediately drawn to the goats and have been actively involved in their care and management from day one. Although our oldest daughter is now located in Sioux Falls, and our second daughter is currently pursuing her studies in college, they help out as much as they can whenever they come home. Meanwhile, our son, who is now in high school, assists daily in the barn with various tasks.
Our goat operation is situated on a sprawling 13 acres of lush pasture and is primarily forage-based. We utilize a rotational grazing strategy for our goats for as long as the weather and grazing season allow, ensuring their health and well-being are always prioritized.
We choose to raise our goats in a manner that reflects their natural design as ruminants, allowing them to thrive in an environment that aligns with their innate behaviors. Consequently, we breed our goats to possess good dimension and capacity, incorporating both spring and depth of rib, while also ensuring they exhibit the capacity to perform exceptionally well on a forage-based diet. To effectively support that essential body capacity, traveling, and maintaining their condition solely on forage, it is crucial that they possess sturdy bone structure along with sound feet and legs. The decision to integrate fullblood Savannas into our breeding program was a natural and exciting progression, driven not only by our admiration for this remarkable breed but also by our passion for the breeding process, which dates back many years when we first began with sheep. To effectively realize this vision, we sought out and acquired some of the finest Savanna does available, establishing our breeding program based on a rigorous selection process that prioritizes quality. Most of our does are influenced by the well-known "Dollar" line, which includes both direct daughters and granddaughters. As a dedicated and knowledgeable student of breeding, one of Randy’s greatest sources of joy comes with the arrival of the newborns, marking the culmination of meticulously putting the “pieces” of the breeding puzzle together. By thoughtfully building upon the individual strengths of each goat, we strive to enhance the quality of each subsequent generation. As authentic livestock breeders and devoted stewards of creation, including the remarkable Savanna goat, our mission is to breed the finest Savanna goat seedstock possible, contributing positively to the advancement of the breed. By carefully selecting goats that exhibit robust maternal traits, a solid foundation of bone structure, sound feet, and effective mobility, not to mention the desired length, dimension, and overall capacity, we believe we can help Savannas maintain a commanding presence and a promising future in meat goat production across North America. Additionally, we aspire to act as ambassadors, sharing the numerous benefits of the incredible Savanna goat with both new and existing goat producers, enabling them to achieve their goals and aspirations. We are committed to treating everyone in our community with the same respect and kindness we hope to receive. Honesty and integrity stand as foundational pillars of our operation. While we are dedicated to achieving success through our breeding endeavors, it brings us immense satisfaction to know that our customers are happy with and succeed in raising the goats they purchase from us.
