Prized goats highlight return of St Mary Agricultural Show

It was pure merriment on the grounds of the Gray's Inn Sports Complex, Annotto Bay, St Mary, yesterday as patrons and farmers flocked to celebrate the return of the St Mary Agricultural Show following its two-year hiatus.

Livestock farmer Susan Baijnath was among those smiling broadly as of her 13 goats, five were named as winners. A chestnut three-year-old Nubian ram dubbed 'Big Man', as well as a charcoal Nubian ram called 'Hundred Thousand' were named winners of the three-year-old and one to two-year-old pure breed Nubian categories, respectively. Baijnath also had champions in 2019.

"I am excited to know that I won! I was confident that I would win because my goats are lovely. It is a really good feeling, trust me," Baijnath told the news team.

Baijnath is the co-owner of a goat farm in St Mary, alongside her fiancee Carlton Thompson. Her brother, Mark Fitten, and friend Prince Robinson serve as caretakers of the animals. However, Thompson and Baijnath only started participating in the competition five years ago, crediting their passion for animal husbandry as the influencing factor.

With the postponement of the competition due to the pandemic, the couple made it their duty to be present at the agri-show on Easter Monday. They used the opportunity to stress the need for Jamaicans to support local farmers.

"We come out every year because we want the exposure and that everybody can see the quality meat that we have to provide. People need to support local goat farmers because we have the produce for sale. Better you buy from the local man because with the local goat, you know what they eating. I feed my herd with African grass and local bag feed, no additives. But when you go overseas, you don't know what they are giving them and sending it to us. Buy the local meat," Baijnath stressed.

Baijnath blushed as she spoke about the quality of her herd, explaining that their appearance as well as the money she gains from them keeps her invested in the business. Although she may not appear to the public as the average farmer decked in water boots with a trusty cutlass in hand, Baijnath does not shy away from any task involving the goats, including cleaning the pens.

Baijnath told THE STAR that she thoroughly enjoys farming, as it is a beautiful activity in which one can witness the growth of a product from germination to fruition. With praedial larceny being a challenge for many farmers, with proper security strategies, Baijnath and her farmers work tirelessly to protect their herd of almost 100 goats.

Baijnath said that she is focused on expanding her goat herd as well as increasing her supply chain.