Ranges of 1,2002,600 pounds per doe per year depending on feeding, genetics and other management. Sweet potato vines this is a very good feed that goats like very much it is a good crop to plant because it gives tubers for the family to eat and. Communitybased conservation group goat training manual. Complete and detailed information for registering andor showing each breed is contained in the adga guidebook. Only a few production systems are solely based on goats. Although there are hundreds of goat breeds, only a handful are commonly used for dairy goats. Just some goat breeds produce a lot more milk than others and so we get delicious fresh milk from the ones that have an abundance of it.
There are various goat breeds available throughout the world. Common breeds of dairy goats in the us registered with the american dairy goat association. Meet our goats redwood hill farm artisan goat milk dairy. There are different types of goats in south africa ranging from unimproved indigenous types to welldefined and established improved indigenous breeds types and the recognised exotic goat breeds. There are many popular dairy goat breeds which can fetch your good profits by selling their milk.
There are over sixty recognized breeds of goats that exist in the world today. Some goats produce high quality skins and some goats are raised for their fibermohair production. Miniature breeds are relatively new to the scene but are growing in popularity. Insights on profitable dairy goat farming in kenya. These are the dairy milk breeds and most of these breeds have been bred to produce milk. Sample rations for lactating does cornell university. Litter size is affected by breed, age, season, and nutrition.
Farms included commercial goat dairies and meat goat operations as well as hobbyists. It has higher digestible protein and fat content compared to cows milk. Top 10 best dairy goat breeds domestic animal breeds. There are many recognized breeds of domestic goat capra aegagrus hircus. A case of the meru and tharakanithi dairy and animal healthcare communitybased breeding programme.
This bestselling handbook is packed with detailed information on housing, feeding, and fencing dairy goats. Representative production data for the various goat dairy breeds can be found below. With a minimum height of 28 inches, this breed is one of the smaller swiss breeds. Sheep spectacular university of tennessee extension. Adga breed standards american dairy goat association. Each individual goat is going to have its own amount of milk its going to give, and its going to have its own taste. There are numerous milk producing goats are available around the world. There are numerous breeds within each type of goat. The popularity of milking goats has increased over the past few years.
Goat is one of the most popular animals for milk and meat production. Afimilk is the global leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing advanced computerized systems for the modern dairy farm and for herd management. These are breeds that have been selected for milk production and are used for the production of milk and processed milk products such as cheese and yoghurt. Goats in south africa are found in intensive, semiintensive and extensive production systems, with large percentages of goats found in the extensive. Goat housing and equipment includes milking barnsmilk house plans university of california. When it comes to choosing a breed of goat, you need to know which goats are good for which purpose. Some of the nicest cheeses are made from goats milk. Dairy goat breeds alabama cooperative extension system. The year 2014 was the international year of family farming. We are a friendly group with members who are working together to promote the miniature dairy goat industry. The lactation period for dairy goats averages 284 days, with peak production usually occurring 4 to 6 weeks after kidding.
Okeyo2 1farmafrica dairy goat and animal healthcare project, p o box 2980, meru, kenya. Goat breeds especially dairy goats are some of the oldest defined animal breeds for which breed standards and production records have been kept. The meat goat goat meat has lower fat content than lamb or beef. This breed of dairy goats originated in switzerland. Dairy goats the dairy goat project is designed to help youth develop to their fullest potential as they learn the care and management of a dairy animal.
Dairy breedswhich are all imported breeds and include mainly saanen goats and tog genburg goats. Goat milk is regulated by the milk act, which means all. Dairy goat breeds with low numbers in their native switzerland and insignificant distribution in other countries are the appenzell, the buendner strahlen goat, the black verzasca, and the valais blackneck. The balance proportions of the nigerian dwarf give it the appearance of the larger breeds of dairy goats. The dairy goat gives as much milk as it is given the right food there are many feeds the goat likes. Dairy breeds which are all imported breeds and include mainly saanen goats and toggenburg goats. They are the dairy, fiber and meat goats, which totals over 2. These cute, friendly animals are much easier to raise than cows, making them the best animal to raise for a smallscale farmer or homesteader. This breed is medium size, sturdy, vigorous, and alert in appearance.
Currently, there are 165 licensed goat dairies in the state. We are a friendly group with members who are working together to promote the miniature dairy goat. For example, nigerian dwarf goats are very small in size but considered as a dairy goat. India is a rich repository of goat genetic resources having 23 wellrecognized goat breeds.
Another dairy product to try made from goats milk is ice cream and yogurt. Some dairy goat breeds, particularly those selected for temperate environments, such as sannen, alpine, and toggenburg, are chosen for their high milk yield 500to 3000 llactation, which on metabolic weight basis is equivalent to the production of highyielding. Miniature dairy goat association is dedicated to the development and promotion of miniature dairy goat breeds. Sustainable genetic improvement of goat meat and milk. There are just 25 canvas artists proofs of each breed. They are alpine, american lamancha, nubian, saanan and toggenburg. These goats have a black belly and a light gray to black udder. Dairy goats are easier to tend than dairy cows since they can easily adapt to any environments. Lets explore the similarities and differences of these breeds and the ways they affect the dairy cattle industry. An adult female goat weighs between 25kgs to 35kgs, whereas an adult male goat ranges between 35kgs to 45kgs. Dairy goat breeds dairy goat farming in one of the best businesses if you find the proper marketing channel. Large body goats breeds are the large milk production goats.
Dairy goat farm production requirements is a guide for producing safe, highquality milk in ontario. Over the years, ive had the privilege to own almost all the dairy breeds out there, and then try the. While this isnt the highest milk producer of the dairy goats, it can produce milk all year long. Slightly smaller than the other alpine breeds, the does weight at least 120lb55kg. Because of this, raising goats for their meat is becoming very popular in the united states. These breeds have evolved through natural selection and selective breeding by rearers for adaptation to. The dairy goats are of medium size, vigorous and alert in appearance.
If you dont know what kind of goat you own, try looking for characteristics of common breeds. They provide so many opportunities for everything from fresh milk for drinking to soap making, cultured dairy products like kefir and yogurt, and homemade cheese. American dairy goat association currently maintains herd books for the following breeds of dairy goats. It is generally accepted that these breeds are very. The nigerian dwarf goat is a miniature breed, but also one that produces a lot of milk for its size. Alpines, saanens, oberhalsis, and toggenburgs all originated in the swiss mountains and are very adaptable to cooler climates and lessthanperfect conditions. Sustainable genetic improvement of goat meat and milk production in kenya.
The following dairy goat breeds are jamunapari, beetal, barbari, sirohi, toggenberg. The ontario ministry of agriculture, food and rural affairs omafra is responsible for inspecting dairy goat farms. The nigerian dwarf is a miniature breed of dairy goat originating in west africa and developed in the united states. Download a copy of sue weavers dairy goat breed information chart for all the details about the miniature and fullsized dairy goats that work best for the hobby farm. Beginner dairy goat fact sheet iowa state university. Identify the seven major breeds of dairy cattle utilized in milk production in the united states. Breeds of dairy goats the american dairy goat association recognizes six breeds of dairy goats in the united states. Some of those breeds are larger in size and some are very small. The specific characteristic of a dairy breed of animal is length of lactation. Despite the rapid growth of the industry, operating a profitable goat dairy requires careful planning and management.
This page presents a list of dairy goat breeds utilized for the production of milk which is either consumed in its original state or used to make different types of cheese. Goat milk is digested easily and has lower lactose content. Dairy goat breeds saanen, toggenburg, alpine, nubian, lamancha. It is generally accepted that these breeds are very susceptible to diseases and parasites. Goat milk has specialized markets due to its unique composition. All of these goats can be used for meat production, however, with the introduction of the boer goat into many breeding programs. Sample rations for lactating does these rations were volunteered by 6 goat farms to help prepare for the 2001 goat field day at cornell university. Sustainable goat breeding and goat farming in central and. If you are 56 years old or younger, that one part of the cow may weigh more than. Costs on dairy goat farms vary considerably due to genetics, production levels, feed costs, management. Miniature dairy goats include nigerian dwarves, pygmies, and the most recent development in dairy goats in the united states. Selective breeding of goats generally focuses on improving production of fiber, meat, dairy products or goatskin.
There are eight major dairy goat breeds in the united states. In this article, youll learn what is the best goat breeds for milk and meat. Dairy goat manual second edition agrifutures australia. Its been the trusted resource on the topic for farmers and homesteaders since it was originally published in 1975, and the new edition completely updated and redesigned makes storeys guide to raising dairy goats more comprehensive and accessible than ever.
There are a few exceptions but most plants require a farm to be milking at least 50 does before they will consider picking up their milk due to the cost of transportation. If you are interested in purchasing a dairy goat, please visit redwoodhillfarm. There is a lot of useful information, covering many aspects of raising goats. The 6 most common types of dairy goats include the alpines, nubians, togenburgs, lamanchas, and the saanens. Barbari breeds are grown mainly for milk and meat purpose. Note that many of those breeds listed below are dualpurpose, that is they are also utilized for the production of fiber or meat.
The first step to raising dairy goats for milk is to learn about the different standard dairy goat breeds. The american dairy goat association recognizes eight breeds of dairy goats. Breeding herd projections for a 20 doe breeding unit. These goats occur throughout east africa from desert to urban and known in tribal or local names. Apr 12, 2018 american dairy goat association currently maintains herd books for the following breeds of dairy goats. Dairy goat breeds information for beginners goat farming. Jan 29, 2018 dairy goat breeds dairy goat farming in one of the best businesses if you find the proper marketing channel. In this guide, focus is on beetal goat breed as most shows conducted so far involved this breed. Seven major dairy breeds supply most of the milk across the nation. His goat raising guidance has been indispensible to new goat owners for many years, for he has been raising goats since the 1950s.
Managing milking does 14 dairy goat breeds 14 milking doe facts 17 basic terms in dairy goat husbandry 18 the fresh doe 19 feeds and feeding 20 intake and feeding behavior of goats 23 eating and intake characteristics 24 grazing key points 25 feed tests 26 animal comfort 27. Types of breeds for profitable dairy goat farming in kenya. Dairy goats breeds have been selected primarily for productivity in terms of milk quantity and milk fat percentage, as well as the efficiency of production and age longevity. It is one of the top choices for those homesteading on a small piece of land. Jerry belanger is the coauthor of storeys guide to raising dairy goats.
Goat milk is known for having less lactose than other types of milk. Meat goats are bred to grow faster and relatively easier than other types. Dairy goat toggenburg the toggenburg is a swiss dairy goat from toggenburg valley of switzerland at obertoggenburg. Raising dairy goat kids pdf washington state university extension. A goat dairy farmer in this best practices guide is defined as a farm milking at least 50 does and selling their milk to a milk plant. While there are dozens of goat breeds, a few are more common than others. In general, there are more dairy breeds of goats than dairy breeds of sheep. The alpine dairy goat is medium to large size animal, alertly graceful with erect ears. Dec 03, 2010 excellent resource for anyone considering keeping dairy goats.
Many parts of the animal are economically valuable for a variety of purposes, such as the skins for leather and the pelts for rugs and robes. Dairy goat manual breeds, milking, herd health, records trinidad and tobago goat and sheep society ttgss interamerican institute for cooperation on agriculture iica 2016 disclaimer the information discussed in this manual is intended solely for information purposes and is not to be. This has been done through the ages with selective breeding programs. For this and many other reasons, the demand for goat milk is higher than ever. The dairy goat in some areas, goat milk is better than cow milk. They are also credited as being the oldest known dairy goat breed. As with many storey books, there are various viewsoptions explored, not every one do i agree with or use. Nubian goats have one the largest fat content of any of the goat breeds at 5%. Best dairy goats for beginners the imperfectly happy home. You will soon find, not every goat is the same, nor every goat keepers solution to a problem.
However, just like cats and dogs, there are different breeds of goats. The nubian goats have long, floppy ears, and they are the largest of the dairy goats. The six major dairy goat breeds are the saanen, nubian, toggenburg, lamancha, oberhasli, and alpine. Dairy goat production guide 1 ufdc image array 2 university of.
If you want to raise goats to promote a more sustainable lifestyle, but you have limited space or dont want to be drowning in goat milk, the miniature dairy breeds might be good choices for you. The breeds most commonly selected for high milk production are alpine, lamancha, nigerian dwarf, nubian, oberhasli, saanen, and toggenburg. Subscribe for valuable stories on using lutalyse, human pregnancy risks when raising goats, proper dairy sanitation, a breed profile on nubian goats, and new ideas to use up that extra milk. Origin of the breed the saanen dairy goat originated in the saanen valley of switzerland, south of canton, berne. The mayjune 2020 issue of goat journal arrives inhome april 23rd, but backyard goats members can read it now. Oberhasli the oberhasli dairy goat breed is a newer breed to florida. Their colour ranges from pure white to pure black with various intermixes of roan and speckled brown. Alpine, lamancha, nigerian dwarf, nubian, oberhasli, saanen, sable and toggenburg. It is considered the most popular dairy goat in the u. The tassels toggles occur in up to 30% of the population. The best dairy goats dairy goats are a wonderful addition to any homestead, small or large. Goat production handbook heifer international south africa.
Mar 12, 2019 just some goat breeds produce a lot more milk than others and so we get delicious fresh milk from the ones that have an abundance of it. The dairy goat project is designed to help youth develop to their fullest potential as they learn the care and management of a dairy animal. Goat breeds and breeding estimated milk production for well managed herds saanen 2,154. The balanced proportions of the nigerian dwarf give it the appearance of the larger breeds of dairy goats, but it stands no more than 221. Haenlein, in reference module in food science, 2016. Pdf conservation of threatened goat breeds in india. The cashmere goat a cashmere goat is any breed that. Some of those goat breeds are suitable for meat production, some are popular as dairy goats. For the purpose of this exercise, i am assuming that the bf% of the milk is 3. In addition, there are many minor breeds found in wisconsin and around the world. The color of this breed is white with light brown patches.