Group Heralds Birth of Rare Goat

[Rose Siding]

NEWPORT, R.I. -- A rare breeds foundation celebrated on Thursday the birth of a Tennessee Myotonic goat, the first in the nation to come from a frozen embryo that was carried by a surrogate mother of another breed.
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"These animals carry genetic traits that may be resistant to disease or acts of bioterrorism that could devastate the livestock we presently produce for food and fiber," the foundation said.

It said stockpiling genetic material helps safeguard the nation's food supply.

The baby goat is part of a breed also known as the Tennessee Fainting goat because when frightened or excited, its legs lock up and it falls over and lies still for a few seconds.

The foundation said the breed is significant because the females give birth easily and tend to be good mothers. Also, the goats are good meat producers.

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