2026 Breeding

Congenital Myotonia (CM) is a "heritable neuromuscular disorder characterized by a slow relaxation of skeletal muscles following voluntary contraction. The sudden muscle stiffness often causes the animal to fall over briefly. This is a characteristic trait of the Myotonic goat, also known as Fainting Goats, a meat breed known for heavy muscling."  Please note that these "symptoms" may only be found in affected animals, not in negative or carrier animals.

"This is likely a gene defect that entered the breed during its foundation and is present in the current genetic pool including animals with outstanding dairy performance. "

We believe that while CM is a non-deisrable trait it is also an easily managed trait with genetic testing.  All of our animals have been tested for CM or are known to be negative secondary to parental testing.  The goal of our breeding program, in regard to CM, is to ensure we do not produce or sell an affected animal.  We will use breeding animals that are CM carriers but will only breed them to a negative CM animal as this will assure that we do not produce an affected animal. 

To learn more about Congenital Myotonia, check out this article that appeared in the Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat Association Newsletter, and is quoted above.  "Let's Talk About Congenital Myotonia" - written by Stephanie Trout.