Doug Backhurst – British Goat Society

Doug Backhurst

I’m sorry to report the latest loss of life of Doug Backhurst, after a reasonably lengthy sickness. It’s a lack of one among our outdated time goat characters, and many individuals who saved goats within the Seventies, 80, and 90s will keep in mind Doug.

His spouse Pam bred the Norbrook herd of dairy goats. They lived in Normandy, very near us right here. At the moment there have been numerous us holding goats in a really small space, and all of us used to assist one another out, goat sitting, verify weighing and even serving to one another out with milk provides to maintain out prospects going once we had been nonetheless in a position to promote contemporary milk from our holdings.

Pam bred up a wonderful herd from a few very non descript cross breeds and established a really helpful herd, principally white AOVs and some BA sorts that each one milked properly and had been aggressive on the exhibits. She and Doug had been common supporters on the native exhibits. Doug did lots to assist on the exhibits, bringing a fuel boiler to offer loads of sizzling water for us all and coping with the portions of milk that may be produced by as much as 100 milkers.

Doug was additionally MD of his household enterprise, C P Backhurst & Co. This began out as a small hay and straw service provider however expanded into the overall market of animal feeds. Not everybody knew that Doug was extremely certified within the subject of animal vitamin.

He developed one of many first, if not the primary, correctly balanced feed mixes specifically designed for dairy goats, properly balanced and with all the proper minerals within the appropriate proportions. He made up totally different mixes for the totally different necessities of milking, dry and rising inventory, and the enterprise provided the combination to many goat keepers far and huge.

In addition to the focus feed Doug additionally provided hay and straw to many people. He sourced great crimson clover hay from farmers on the South coast, the place the hay appeared to develop so properly within the sea air. He delivered this by the lorry load to many goat keepers far and huge throughout the nation. Many people relied on him for this for a number of years till the farmers retired or moved over to extra worthwhile crops than the clover.

The reminiscence of Doug brings with it many recollections of a golden period for many people goat keepers, and reminds us how a lot individuals of his era contributed, not simply to the goat holding fraternity however to the neighborhood as an entire. I’m positive that members be a part of me in sending our greatest needs to Pam and the household.

Nick Parr