Dan Laney
I originally got started with dairy goats in 1972 when we found out our oldest son, Josh, was allergic to cows milk. Not appreciating the smell of the canned Isomil soy based milk we started with, I did some research in the Mother Earth News and found that goats’ milk was recommended as the next best substitute to the mothers milk of all mammals. Fortunately, we were living on a 6000 acre ranch in Northern California in a small bungalow house. The “teacherage” was provided by the one-room school district called Bogus. I indeed felt like a “bogus” teacher as I had been doing understudy to be a veterinarian and found myself 36 miles from the nearest small town of Yreka, teaching all grades, all subject 1-6 level! But the upside was that there was plenty of room for a goat on that ranch! I found Tiger Lilly in the ad section of the local newspaper. She was an Alpine/Nubian cross, recently freshened and rode home in the back of my old blue Nash Rambler station wagon. She stood up the entire 40 miles and put her muzzle on my shoulder. She never dirtied the car and made little quiet sounds all the way back to my place in Bogus. That was the start of this 53 year love affair with goats!
As an ADGA Life Member I have been actively involved with all aspects of our Association. I have served as a board member from California, Past President for 3 years and Acting Secretary-Treasurer in Spindale, NC for a year. In addition, I have been a licensed ADGA judge since 1976 and served as chair or member of many different ADGA committees. My herd name was Slinker Ridge. My herd participated in production testing, linear appraisal, and of course, shows. I have had National Champion LaMancha and Jr. National Champion Nubian, as well as having many permanent champions in both breeds over the years.
More recently I have teamed up with the Nepali government to help manage a purebred herd of Saanens in Bandipur, Nepal. I also extend my Nepali volunteer work to include assisting the village goat farmers and students in the schools with fresh, clean water. Having a purpose in life beyond just serving myself has been a highly motivating factor to keep me moving and always wanting to do just a little more.
I have always enjoyed judging and can appreciate what it takes to present an animal in the ring. Fortunately, I have had the honor to judge our ADGA Nationals for many years, starting with Sacramento, CA in 1993. I am certainly humbled by the continued confidence bestowed upon me by the membership over these 32 years. And I thank you for the opportunity to return in 2025 to our Grand Island, Nebraska Nationals!
Enjoy your time visiting and showcasing your animals. I know it will be another great ADGA event! And I am forever thankful to be here “along with you all…for the ride” once again!