Goat Wise | Meat Goats, Feeding Goats, Goat Fencing, Livestock Management
Ranked in the top 2% of podcasts globally.
Are you serious about raising goats but tired of advice that doesn't hold up in real life? Are you adding goats to your ranch or homestead and realizing they require different infrastructure, nutrition, and management than other livestock? Do you want fencing, feeding, and production systems that work under pressure?
You're in the right place.
I'm Millie Bradshaw, Animal Scientist and rancher. I grew up in the commercial cattle world, earned a Master's Degree in Animal Science, and now run a forage-based meat goat operation integrated with cattle in the high desert. We've built the infrastructure, refined the genetics, managed the forage, and learned firsthand what works — and what fails — when you're responsible for animals in a demanding environment.
On Goat Wise, we talk fencing that actually contains goats, feeding and mineral strategies that make sense for your operation, genetics that match your environment and your goals, and the kind of steady decision-making that holds up when conditions aren't ideal. Production-minded livestock management for people who are in this for real.
If you're ready to build systems that last, welcome to Goat Wise.
Episodes
Jul 7, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
16 min
Hi friends! Today we’re talking about what to watch for once you’ve gotten your baby goats through that first critical week. We’re talking about the most common problems we see in the first month after goat kids are born, what to watch for, and what to do. I’m also sharing about a big loss we had this year, what we learned from it, and I’m reminding myself that it’s only a failure if you don’t learn something. Listen in and learn how to keep those goat kids healthy until they’re ready to wean. Let’s get to it!
Related Episdoes:
43 | How to Treat Entropian or Inverted Eyelids in Baby Goats
52 | What’s in My Kidding Bucket and the Supplies You Should Have On Hand When Your Goats Kid
59 | Get Ready for Kidding: Last Minute Details that Support a Successful and Fun Kidding Season
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts + grab your free Kidding Due Date Chart: https://www.goatwise.com/kidding-chart
Join the insider email list: https://www.goatwise.com/join
Email: millie@drycreekpastures.com
Instagram: @drycreekpastures
More from the ranch: https://www.drycreekpastures.com
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.
Jun 30, 2025
Jun 30, 2025
16 min
Hi friends! Today we’re talking about how to avoid overwhelm and make real progress on your journey to healthier food, self-sufficiency, and homesteading. We’ll talk about the power of focusing so that your progress is sustainable over the long term, creating real impact and lasting change in your life. Let’s get to it!
Episode Mentions:
04 | Avoiding Homestead Comparison: The “Good, Better, Best” of Homesteading and Your Definition of Best
Related Episodes:
47 | How to Adjust to the Flavor of Homegrown Meat and Eggs Before You Raise Your Own
49 | 3 Strategies to Make the Best Use of Bulk Meat Storage and Avoid Freezer Overwhelm
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts + grab your free Kidding Due Date Chart: https://www.goatwise.com/kidding-chart
Join the insider email list: https://www.goatwise.com/join
Email: millie@drycreekpastures.com
Instagram: @drycreekpastures
More from the ranch: https://www.drycreekpastures.com
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.
Jun 23, 2025
Jun 23, 2025
11 min
Hi friends! Today we’re talking about the unique way we got started with our own livestock, and how you can do the same. Spoiler: We didn’t inherit anything. We’ll talk about ways to get creative and start increasing your self-sufficiency no matter where you live or what resources you have. Let’s get to it!
Episode Mentions:
10 | 5 Tips to Raise Bottle Goat Kids That Thrive
Related Episodes:
47 | How to Adjust to the Flavor of Homegrown Meat and Eggs Before You Raise Your Own
49 | 3 Strategies to Make the Best Use of Bulk Meat Storage and Avoid Freezer Overwhelm
58 | Don’t Make This Mistake When Choosing Your First Livestock Animals: Focusing on Breed Only
61 | How to Build a Simple Off-Grid Water System with a Solar-Powered Pump and Water Storage
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts + grab your free Kidding Due Date Chart: https://www.goatwise.com/kidding-chart
Join the insider email list: https://www.goatwise.com/join
Email: millie@drycreekpastures.com
Instagram: @drycreekpastures
More from the ranch: https://www.drycreekpastures.com
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.
Jun 16, 2025
Jun 16, 2025
12 min
Hi friends! Today we’re talking about the buck effect, what it is, why it happens, and why we didn’t see it in our meat goat herd this year. I’m walking you through my thought process evaluating why it didn’t happen, how it has affected our kidding season, and what that means for our goat herd. Let’s get to it!
Mentions:
Buck Effect Instagram Reel (ranch humor and lots of marking paint)
Related Episodes:
53 | Livestock and Land Management that Works WITH Your Environment and Resources, Not Against Them
38 | Buck Management That Will Keep You, Your Goats, and Your Neighbors Happy
29 | Are Your Goats Too Fat or Too Thin? How to Body Condition Score and Adjust Your Feeding Strategy for Healthier Goats
28 | Winter Feed for Livestock: Calculate How Much Hay You Need and a Strategy Save Money
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts + grab your free Kidding Due Date Chart: https://www.goatwise.com/kidding-chart
Join the insider email list: https://www.goatwise.com/join
Email: millie@drycreekpastures.com
Instagram: @drycreekpastures
More from the ranch: https://www.drycreekpastures.com
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.
Jun 9, 2025
Jun 9, 2025
13 min
Hi friends! Today we’re talking about off-grid water and we’re going to dig a little deeper into the options you have for a solar water system. We’ve had our system going for nearly 5 years, and it’s pretty much maintenance free, which is really nice. Water is so important in every aspect of our lives, and the last thing you need is to have water issues when you’re trying to do so many other things to get your off-grid place up and running. Let’s get to it.
Episode Mentions:
15 | The Most Important Lesson We Learned Going Off-Grid, and How You Can Do the Same Thing to Simplify Your Off-Grid Plan
09 | The Most Important Nutrient for All Livestock is WATER, Time-Saving Tips for Meeting Animal Requirements, and How We Do It Off-Grid
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts + grab your free Kidding Due Date Chart: https://www.goatwise.com/kidding-chart
Join the insider email list: https://www.goatwise.com/join
Email: millie@drycreekpastures.com
Instagram: @drycreekpastures
More from the ranch: https://www.drycreekpastures.com
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.
Jun 2, 2025
Jun 2, 2025
15 min
Hi friends! We’re in the thick of kidding season, and today I’m sharing about a new kidding experience I had a couple days ago, assisting a doe with a posterior or breech kid. We’ve had lots of breech kids before, but never one that I couldn’t safely get the back legs repositioned, so this was a new one. Goats never stop teaching me new things. I’m also sharing some tips on how to be prepared for emergencies before they happen, which is vital. Let’s get to it!
Mentions:
Goat Medicine, 3rd Edition (affiliate link)
Related Episodes:
52 | What’s in My Kidding Bucket and the Supplies You Should Have On Hand When Your Goats Kid
50 | Get Ready for Kidding: Order Your Tags in 4 Easy Steps
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts + grab your free Kidding Due Date Chart: https://www.goatwise.com/kidding-chart
Join the insider email list: https://www.goatwise.com/join
Email: millie@drycreekpastures.com
Instagram: @drycreekpastures
More from the ranch: https://www.drycreekpastures.com
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.
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May 26, 2025
May 26, 2025
11 min
Hi friends! Today we’re talking about getting ready for kidding. We’ve already done the early preparations – ordering tags, making sure we have the needed supplies on hand, and now it’s time to get everything organized and in place so we’re ready when that first kid is born soon. We’ll talk about the details – the little things that make caring for kids and keeping good records easier, and the things that keep frustration away, which helps us all win in the long run. Over the years, I’ve found this detailed preparation makes a huge difference in the overall success of our kidding season. Let’s get to it!
Episode Mentions:
52 | What’s in My Kidding Bucket and the Supplies You Should Have On Hand When Your Goats Kid
Related Episodes:
50 | Get Ready for Kidding: Order Your Tags in 4 Easy Steps
46 | Early Banding vs Late Banding in Buck Kids: Will Your Goats Be Healthy if You Band Them Early?
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts + grab your free Kidding Due Date Chart: https://www.goatwise.com/kidding-chart
Join the insider email list: https://www.goatwise.com/join
Email: millie@drycreekpastures.com
Instagram: @drycreekpastures
More from the ranch: https://www.drycreekpastures.com
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.
May 19, 2025
May 19, 2025
15 min
Hi friends! Today we’re talking about within-breed variation and how it affects the way you select your livestock. This will help you avoid a common mistake when choosing your first animals – focusing on breed only. Getting clear on your goals, deciding what traits are important to you, and asking questions to figure out if the livestock you’re looking at will fit your goals and management plan will help you get to success faster when raising livestock. Let’s get to it!
Related Episodes:
22 | What Is the Perfect Meat Goat? How to Choose the Right Breed for Your Farm or Homestead PART 1
23 | Boer vs Kiko, What Meat Goat Breed is the Best Fit for Your Farm or Homestead? PART 2
20 | Lessons from Raising Livestock: 5 Problems That Can Be Avoided or Solved with a Good Mentor
06 | What Livestock Should I Get First? My Top Pick for Your First Homestead Animals
03 | Ready for Goats! 4 Steps to Help You Confidently Shop for and Purchase Your First Goats
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts + grab your free Kidding Due Date Chart: https://www.goatwise.com/kidding-chart
Join the insider email list: https://www.goatwise.com/join
Email: millie@drycreekpastures.com
Instagram: @drycreekpastures
More from the ranch: https://www.drycreekpastures.com
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.
May 12, 2025
May 12, 2025
14 min
Hi friends! Today we’re answering a listener question about butchering meat goats. What is the best age and size to butcher, and how to feed them so the meat quality is amazing. We’re going to talk about commercial weight and age standards or, rather, the lack of standards, and what I have found to work really well to meet our goal of premium quality meat. Let’s get to it!
Episode Mentions:
17 | Do My Goats Need Mineral? How to Meet Their Micronutrient Needs and Keep the Herd Healthy
46 | Early Banding vs Late Banding in Buck Kids: Will Your Goats Be Healthy if You Band Them Early?
Related Episodes:
54 | Butchering Meat Goats/ How Much Meat Do I Get from a Goat Compared to Other Livestock Species?
45 | Health Benefits of Ruminant Red Meat, Grass-Fed vs Grain-Fed, and Special Characteristics of Goat Meat
44 | Small vs. Large Ruminants on the Homestead/ Why Raising Goats First Will Help You Raise Cattle Later
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts + grab your free Kidding Due Date Chart: https://www.goatwise.com/kidding-chart
Join the insider email list: https://www.goatwise.com/join
Email: millie@drycreekpastures.com
Instagram: @drycreekpastures
More from the ranch: https://www.drycreekpastures.com
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.
May 5, 2025
May 5, 2025
13 min
Hi friends! Last week we talked about building fence for goats, and today we’re talking about how to manage your goat herd so that they respect your fence. Goats are notorious for challenging fences, usually by jumping over or shimmying underneath, but it doesn’t have to be that way. I’m going to share what we’ve learned about dealing with problem goats, and what you can do to prevent problems in the first place. If your goats respect your fencing, you’ll have a much better goat-raising experience. Let’s get to it!
Episode Mentions:
43 | How to Treat Entropian or Inverted Eyelids in Baby Goats
55 | Fencing for Goats: Two Things You Must Have to Keep Your Goats Contained and Safe
Related Episodes:
13 | Using Electric Fence with Goats? What You Need to Know to Keep Your Goats Contained and Alive with Electric Netting
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts + grab your free Kidding Due Date Chart: https://www.goatwise.com/kidding-chart
Join the insider email list: https://www.goatwise.com/join
Email: millie@drycreekpastures.com
Instagram: @drycreekpastures
More from the ranch: https://www.drycreekpastures.com
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.