Ober-the-Top

Ober-the-Top is a small herd of breeding stock ADGA-Registered American Oberhasli dairy goats in Southern Wisconsin. I started raising Oberhasli goats when I was 12 years old as a 4-H/ FFA project on my neighbor Kiki Brackett's Sunburst Farm. In 2008, I started my own herd Ober-the-Top that resided at Kiki's farm for years. In 2023, I purchased the current farm where the herd is now located in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.

 

My foundation does stem from the best of Brackett's Sunburst Farm. I strive to utilize the best Oberhasli genetics in order to produce offspring that improve upon previous generations and are competitive in the show ring. I use artificial insemination extensively, and I practice strict culling in order to keep my herd small, yet competitive. I participate in LA and DHIR to make improvements in type and production.

 

I bring my goats to a few shows every year, including the competitive Wisconsin State Fair, as well as the ADGA National Show whenever its location is close. So far, I have built a small, but successful herd with 2 Superior Genetics (SG) animals, 5 permanent champions, and 2 bucklings qualifying for the Young Sire Development Program through ADGA. I was also very successful as a youth, being the National Premier Youth Oberhasli Exhibitor for 2 consecutive years (2012 and 2013), placing 2nd and 3rd in national senior showmanship (2014 and 2013) and competing on two national top 5 fitting teams (2010 and 2012).

 

The health of my animals is of great importance to me. I test annually for caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE), and the results have been consistently negative every year. All kids are removed from their dams at birth to prevent the spread of the CAE virus. My herd is also free of caseous lymphadenitis (CL) and Johne's Disease.

 

My passion for dairy goats and animals led me to pursue studies in Animal Science and Dairy Science at the University of Wisconsin from 2012-2015, followed by the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine from 2015-2019. I am now a practicing large animal veterinarian in SE Wisconsin and enjoy raising my goats on the side.

 

I encourage you to add an Ober-the-Top animal to your breeding program!

 

 

Best wishes to all of those who share my passion,

 

Abby Ball