A Buck to Remember

In memory of LGF Onyx

One clear summer day years ago, I found myself walking the sprawling fields of Laughing Goat Fiber farm where the owner, Lisa Ferguson, was showing me her herd.

As we walked and talked, we arrived at a pen containing a group of large bucks with sprawling horns. Most were curly-haired Angora bucks but among them stood one smooth haired cashmere buck.
I was immediately captivated by the majestic creature with a black face, silky beard, and sweeping horns.

I pointed to the one cashmere buck and asked “Who’s that?”

Lisa answered, “That’s Onyx.”

Anyone who’s ever had me visit their farm knows that when I see a goat I like, I often pop the question: “Is he for sale?”

Often the answer is no.

This time, Lisa stood in silence, mulling it over. In my head I was thinking she was going to say no or name an exhorbitant price that I could not afford. Truthfully, I was willing to pay almost whatever she asked because even though I was new to Cashmere goats, I wanted Onyx for my farm. When Lisa gave me a very reasonable number, I immediately said yes.

That clear summer day, I brought home a foundation buck a beginner like me could only dream of. I was a fool who didn’t know she’d struck gold.

Onyx was a buck of good size, excellent temperament, and long-lasting fiber quality. But what made Onyx truly exceptional wasn't just his physical qualities. It was his character.

A Class Act

Onyx was a class act.

Depending on his mood, he was either thundering down the hill like a young kid, or slowly dragging his feet at the rear of the herd as if to say “Do I have to go?”

He was a lover boy. He never missed in his breeding. When Onyx went into the breeding pen, we could count on a 100% success rate. The does loved him, too. He was their first pick every year. I suppose it was because he was efficient, gentle, and didn't waste time or wear them out.

But wait! There’s more!

A Fair and Firm Peacekeeper

Onyx was a fair leader.

Whenever we had a group of weanlings, I could put them with Onyx and never worry about them. He wouldn't bully or batter the youngsters, but he was no pushover either.

Whenever we brought home a young buck who thought a little too highly of himself, Onyx was quick to lay down the law.

And he knew exactly how to do it.

You see, Onyx was no stranger to dealing with other bucks. At his previous farm, he had lived among several large bucks, and it was clear he'd learned how to throw hands—or rather, horns.

Moreover, he seemed to know when force was necessary and when it wasn't. He didn't go around looking for trouble. He simply made sure everyone knew where they stood. I could always count on Onyx to regulate—and occasionally tenderize—the buck group.

A Gentle Soul

For all his strength and impressive horns, Onyx was gentle with people, especially kids. Children could run around him, even during rut season, and he would be calm. He was so tolerant I probably could have put my children on his back and he would have patiently let them sit there. He was that good.

I've heard plenty of goat owners say they would never trust a buck enough to turn their back on him. With Onyx, I felt the complete opposite. I could lie down in the buck pen and not worry about a thing. Onyx taught me the importance of good temperament. I could catch him easily and handle him all by myself. I could even lead him around by the beard. That sweet demeanor is an important trait he passed on to many of his kids who I often said “were just born nice.”

We trusted him so much, we even took him to a couple of fiber festivals where he was exposed to large crowds and fiber animals. He was always a sensation!

He Could “Read the Room”

One of the things I loved most about Onyx was how sensitive he was to the other goats.

Not every goat that came to our farm was friendly and some were downright questionable. Onyx seemed to recognize when we were struggling to handle a new goat that was becoming agitated. Sometimes he'd step in, rub his face on the other goat, almost as if to say:"Hey, brother, it's alright. These humans are alright, and you're alright too."

He was remarkably attentive to what was happening around him.

Whenever a buyer came to pick up a goat, I'd remove the animal from the group and walk it toward the customer's vehicle. Onyx would often notice that something unusual was happening and try to follow along, as if to ask: "Hey, where are you taking our herdmate?"

He was so smart.

The Standard He Set

People sometimes told me that we got lucky to have such well-behaved bucks. Maybe there was some luck involved but I believe a great deal of their good behavior came from having Onyx as their leader.

Young bucks learned quickly what was acceptable and what wasn't. He maintained order without constantly creating conflict, and he demonstrated that a buck could be both powerful and trustworthy.

Over time, Onyx became the standard against which I judged every other buck we brought onto the farm.

I wanted bucks that were gentle with people, respectful of us, and capable of living peacefully with other goats.

Strength without unnecessary aggression. Confidence without bullying.

That was Onyx.

A Reliable Cashmere Producer

Beyond his temperament and breeding capacity, Onyx gave us the foundation genetics that helped shape our Cashmere herd. You won’t find many bucks in the CGA database with as many registered offspring as Onyx. Without a doubt he is one of the most influential bucks of the American Cashmere Goat breed.

Every year he produced many ounces of fine (albeit stinky) cashmere. At 6 years of age his fiber tested at 15 microns—the same fineness as his yearling fleece. He was one of those cashmere goats that held their quality and quantity throughout the years.

When I first saw Onyx years ago, I knew there was something special about him. What I didn't know was just how much he would teach me and how much he would shape this herd.

Now when I think back to that summer day when I pointed at him and asked Lisa whether he was for sale, I realize I had no idea what I was bringing home.

I thought I was buying a beautiful Cashmere buck.

What I brought home was a foundation for our farm, a leader for our herd, and a goat I will never forget.

Thank you, Onyx.

You were one of a kind.