Dairy Goats
The most prolific milk producer is commonly agreed to be the Saanen goat. They originate from Switzerland and were originally selected for the odour free milk that they produce. It is a popular breed for enterprises that require high production of liquid milk throughout the year and where large groups of goats need to be housed together.
The Toggenburg, again originating from Switzerland, are extremely reliable milk producers and are adaptable to both temperate and tropical areas of the world. Toggenburgs are often used when cheese production is the main activity of the enterprise. Another Swiss breed, the Alpine is known for its reliable milk output but they generally do not produce in as high amounts as the Saanen and Toggenburg. They are however known for their long lactation periods.
The Anglo-Nubian breed developed in England produces high amounts of milk that is higher in fat content. Their milk is ideal for cheese and yogurt making. The Oberhasli breed is particularly suited to grazing high mountainous areas and is very adaptable to cold climates. Milk production is not as reliable as some of the other breeds though.
Dairy goats reach sexual maturity at four to five months of age. The young does should be bred at a body weight ranging from 30 to 35kgs, which is usually around the age of seven to ten months. As discussed previously, oestrus in goats is cyclical and is brought on by declining day length under natural conditions. Once successfully mated the goat’s gestation period is approximately five months. Lactation can continue for up to two years following kidding in a non-pregnant goat, but this longer lactation will result in a lower yield than if the doe is bred again the following autumn.
As with dairy cows, an important point to consider for dairy goat producers is what will happen to the male kids. Depending on the specific enterprise it is common for the male kids to either be reared for meat or humanely destroyed.
To ensure the optimal productivity of a dairy goat enterprise:
- Increase the overall milk production of a commercial dairy herd by managing young does to be ready for breeding at seven months of age
- Encourage kidding over as wide a time span as possible; this aids in providing the market with a year round source of milk
- Increase herd productivity by culling low milk producers
Sometime optimum volumes of milk are produced for longer if the does are kept with the kids for longer periods. So in the short term keeping the milk producing does and kids together will mean the kids drink some of the milk, but by keeping the kids around, the does are less likely to go dry (i.e. they will continue to produce milk for a greater lactation period).
Age and lactation number
A good way to determine the age of the goat is by observing the 8 teeth of the lower front jaw, although this may vary as all goats are individual beings because their diets may be different and their teeth may fall or grow out at slightly different ages. Goat’s do not have upper front teeth; they do, however, on the top and bottom of their jaw further back which allows them to chew their food, but we do not use these as an age indicator. After the goat is five years old, their age will be defined by the amount of wear in their teeth, where the type of diet plays a main factor. As they grow older, their teeth will slacken and eventually drop out.
MILKING
A very few number of goat farms produce milk and the milk products on-site. Generally the goats are housed in sheds and milked in the milking parlor at one location and then the milk is transported off the farm site to different premises for processing the milk produce. The milk production farmers most often sell the milk only. That said, there are a small number of farmers who has branched into making their own produce from the milk onsite. This creates a product for a niche market where the produce is farmed and produced on site in production houses.
Large scale goat production dairies will milk the does and transport the milk offsite to be sold either already treated and packaged or in large drums for processing into alternative products elsewhere. Goat’s milk can be frozen.
Milk Production
Differences in milk production are common depending on the size of the farm and the number of goats to be milked. So for example a small holding or hobby farmer using the goat’s milk for their own consumption may only have a small milking shed or parlor set up in one room. The goats will enter the room most often on their own accord as they are fed highly palatable feed whilst on the milking stands. Milking may be done by hand or vacuum pumps in small productions.
