Dairy Goat Farming
The goat is second only to the dog in being the longest domesticated animal in the world. Still today, more people in the world drink goat milk than cow milk. The goat has been called “The Poor Man’s Cow” because it is smaller, takes less food, yet provides ample milk for a family. While it can be readily appreciated that in third world countries, a goat can make the difference between life and death, it is not so commonly known that the same concept applies right here in North America. Because of some very severe cow milk allergic reactions, and intolerance to the same type of protein in soy milk formula, many babies have been saved by a switch to goat milk. Even some cow dairy farms keep a goat for the family milk supply.
Goats are not little cows, nor milking sheep. They are however ruminants and require similar feed: milking animals need good quality hay such as alfalfa, and a 16% non-urea grain ration. Goats are browsing animals, not grazers like cattle and sheep, so goats like treats of leaves, cedar branches, and weeds in their pasture. It is because of this browsing that goats have the reputation of being garbage eaters. This is not only totally untrue, but completely opposite to the truth. They are actually very fastidious eaters, and if forage falls to the ground or is too coarse, mouldy or in any way imperfect, they simply won’t eat it. Hay and mineral feeders, as well as water bowls must be constructed so as to keep their feet out, or a lot of feed will be wasted! Since goats only eat the top-most nutritious parts of plants, and not down to the ground as grazing cattle and sheep do, goats tend to be exposed to a lesser worm load on pasture.
Goats have friendly and curious personalities, they are agile and intelligent and special care is needed when designing penning and gates to ensure that they stay where you intended them to stay. Housing for goats must be clean, well ventilated and draft free, but goats can tolerate cold temperatures so barns need not be heated, although it is necessary to make sure the 'milkers' have access to a constant supply of fresh, preferably warm water. Many producers keep their animals on deep bedding in winter, to helps maintain a warm comfortable environment. Many producers create a loose housing environment for their dairy goats, this encourages an active lifestyle and makes maintenance and cleanout easier. It is a good idea to provide ample feeder space so the less aggressive does don’t get bumped out of the feed bunk causing them to lose condition and production.
Milk production of a goat is influenced by its genetic (from good milk producing parents) and by farm management and feeding practices. Goats may participate in official milk testing programs as cows do although because of the larger dairy goat herd sizes, this service is very expensive. An “official” lactation is 305 days, or ten months, and in that period, an average of 750 litres or two and a half litres of milk per day is produced. It is not uncommon however for superior stock to exceed 1000 litres of milk in a lactation.
Average production over a five year periodof Canada’s top producer by breed:
| Saanen | 1899 litres | B.F. 3.21% |
| Alpine | 1653 litres | B.F. 3.30% |
| Toggengurg | 1563 litres | B.F. 2.82% |
| Lamancha | 1439 litres | B.F. 3.80% |
| Nubian | 1286 litres | B.F. 4.51% |
More information on each of the above goat breeds
by clicking on the name. Each will open in a new window.
