Part 4                       PHYTOESTROGENS

What are “phytoestrogens”?   Simply stated they are estrogen like plant
hormones.  All plants have phytoestrogens.  Red Clover and Soy are two that
have the highest levels.  Yes, estrogen is a natural hormone that is produced
in both male and female, however addition phytoestrogens in the food source
are likely causing problems.

What kind of problems you ask? Fertility, birth defects, undesended testicles,
multiple teats/teat spurs.  Take a look at the ingredient contents of products
in the grocery store and feed sources for animals.  Soy is everywhere and it is
causing problems in mammals.

Our research on this topic started several years ago when kids developed
either an extra teat or teat spur.  This was happening in lines that never had
problems before.  Plus the  fact the kids were not born with them…the teats
appeared anywhere from 4 to 6 months of age, just as they were maturing.  We
even had a couple of goats who received Grand Champion wins in the show ring
and soon after, the extra teats showed up.  We did not believe this was
happening based on genetics alone.  What else could be causing it?
Environment? Water sources? Chemicals? Food products? Were other
breeders having the same problem?  Perhaps in the same or even different
areas of the country?

Our investigation led us to research articles that were done on sheep in
Australia, plus one in the states of Wyoming/Montana.  Besides soy products,
alfalfa can also be a culprit, since both are legumes.  During years of drought, it
is believed that plants produce more  phytoestrogens.  Using  soy laden grain
products that are fed to goats, something happens to the fetus during
development to trigger problems later on; and when the kids start eating the
same food source as the adults, it compounds the issue.  The United States is
promoting the consumption of soy products.  Other countries are finding out
that soy is not the beneficial product it was touted to be.  Please take the time to
do further research on the subject for your own personal satisfaction.  Take the
time to read the articles on the following website to draw your own conclusions
http://www.westonaprice.org

In the year 2007, breeders who contacted us were asked if they had encountered
unusual anomalies in their herd.  Were kids born with extra teats or undesended
testicles; did the teats appear at birth or developed after 3 months of age; were
extra teats/teat spurs appearing on both male and female kids; were
abortions/miscarriages occurring; were they feeding products that contained soy?
Many questions but alas, we had no answers.

This is an on going study for us.  We have eliminated all grain that contains any
type of soy product.  We have changed out every garden hose on the property to
ones that are labeled “safe drinking”.   Garden hoses are made with lead added to
the manufacturing process.  After a while, the lead leaches from the internal
walls and can become a health hazard.  One thing we can not do…we can not
eliminate the alfalfa, nor can we make the broker or feed store sample every bale
for estrogen levels.  We can only pass along this information so others will be
aware of possible problems.

Although we have included a Books and Links page,  we’ve placed this link and
the one above for anyone interested in pursuing additional reading material on the
subject now.
http://www.soyonlineservice.co.nz/articles/pink%20pills.htm