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 undescended
  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.        http://www.soyonlineservice.co.nz/articles/pink%20pills.htm