My name is Ozark Jewels General Martok, Martok to my friends. I’m a big, strong, studly Nubian buck.
I was born at Emily Dixon’s Ozark Jewels Dairy Goat Farm near Mountain View, Mo., soon after my best friend, Uzzi, was born. Uzzi has horns and he’s a wether (that means he’s castrated), but we don’t hold that against him. We each moved in with our Mom and Dad, Sue and John Weaver, when we were only 2 days old and we grew up in a huge, wire dog crate in their living room. Uzzi and I have been together since; we’re like brothers, Uzzi and me.
Mom is a writer. Uzzi and I watched her pounding away at the keyboard when we were just kids. I told Uzzi, “I’m going to do that some day.” Uzzi snorted. But I did it! I became a writer, too, and now I have my own weekly blog, Mondays with Martok. Come by on Mondays and read it. You’ll like it!
Ask Martok: Preventing White-nose Syndrome Martok the goat gives you the lowdown on a mysterious disease that’s wiping out American bat populations.
Ask Martok: What is Disbudding? Martok the goat explains why some goats have their horns removed and how it works.
Ask Martok: How to Raise Emus Whether you want to raise emus as livestock or pets, keep these care guidelines in mind to ensure you raise a happy, healthy ratite.
Ask Martok: Pseudorabies and Swine Brucellosis Martok explains the dangers of these two diseases in pig herds.
Ask Martok: Rabies in Livestock Martok the goat explains how rabies can affect your livestock and what you can do to protect them.
Ask Martok: Raising Livestock with Kids Choose gentle, calm breeds or species when teaching your children how to raise livestock.
Ask Martok: Keeping Sheep Versus Goats Martok navigates six considerations for goat and sheep keepers who have physical limitations.
Ask Martok: Farm Dogs and Snakebites Martok the goat gives advice on what to do if your farm dog comes in contact with a snake.