Norma and Colin Cairns acquired the property ‘Nortenhof’, Paterson, NSW, Australia in 1995 and became a registered Boer Goat Stud in 1998. The stud successfully established itself with excellent blood lines in Full Blood Boers (South African meat goats) and a credible breeding program. Domestic sales to new and established breeders were in place and new blood lines were introduced using embryos imported from South Africa (from an embryo transfer program) to manage the expanding breeding program.

By 2000 small numbers of stock from Nortenhof were exported to China through a Victorian export agent and shipped out through the Melbourne airport as part of a large consignment.  As stock quantity increased and the quality of the stock improved, more exports via an interstate agent were undertaken.

Exports began to increase marginally each year. However, the uncertainty of the Chinese market (due to their requirement for very specific colour markings and their reluctance to sign new protocols), and the Global threat from SARS, avarian ‘flu and world terrorist concerns, meant that stock was grounded creating a marketing void and a real drop in grower confidence.

Niche markets and an Alliance of breeders

Like most Boer Goat breeders, we began to rely heavily on the Chinese market, so rather than sending stock to special goat sales (with a very nominal dollar return) as did many farmers, we decided to actively seek new niche markets that did not have the rigorous ‘fancy point’ requirement in the stock.

We knew we had a niche product as the highly productive agricultural lands of the Hunter were able to grow an animal (Boer kid) to the required export quality and size more rapidly and thus more competitively. 

It was apparent that to ensure a continuous supply for future orders, more stock had to be available. We actively sought, formed and continue to keep informed, an Alliance of Breeders who, collectively, are able to supply any export orders we source. 

Hunter Livestock Export Services and AQIS accredited Quarantine Facility

Hunter Livestock Export Services was established and registered in 2003.

Winning an export order is of no value unless one has a ‘booked’ quarantine site. A lack of one ensures a very difficult negotiation for a small exporter who must send the consignment to Victoria for quarantine and then export from the Melbourne terminal. Resulting in a lengthy voyage for a premium quality animal!

A value-added opportunity for Nortenhof became apparent as there was no suitably sized AQIS approved property capable of taking Boer goats available in NSW. AQIS accreditation was sought and approved in late 2003, just in time for a consignment to South East Asia.

From the farm gate at Paterson, NSW to the farm gate in South East Asia, the export process was undertaken and completed in less than 20 hours, with no travel stress placed on the animals. All arrived with no loss of condition and deemed 100 % fit. Two further orders were booked immediately.

This and subsequent successful exporting experiences under the “Hunter” Boer Goat brand delivered a very real confidence boost to the regional breeders who were also experiencing the worst drought in living memory.

The original group of 5 Alliance breeders has now grown to thirty and is currently increasing to ensure a continuity of supply.