Dairy Goat Production Guide 1
Barnet Harris, Jr., and Frederick Springer2
It is quite certain that the goat was one of the earliest domesticated animals in Western Asia. The goat is thought to have descended from the Pasang or Grecian Ibex, a species of wild goat found in Asia Minor, Persia and other nearby countries. A reference to the use of mohair from goats can be found in the Bible at the time of Moses when he told the children of Israel to bring white silk and goat’s wool to weave altar cloths for the Tabernacle.
The first goat importations into this country came from Switzerland. Records of early settlements in Virginia and New England indicate that milk goats were brought to the United States by Captain John Smith and by Lord Delaware. There were very few Swiss goats in the United States prior to 1904. In that year, a consignment of ten Saanens and 16 Toggenburg goats were brought in, followed by more in the next two decades. These goats spread all over the country and have provided the basis for the development and improvement of milk goats in this country.
In the United States, milk goats are found in every state, with California, Wisconsin, Texas and several eastern states leading in goat population. In recent years, Florida has been rapidly becoming a popular state for dairy goat breeders.
Breeds of Dairy Goats
The American Dairy Goat Association recognizes six breeds of dairy goats in the United States. The five principal breeds are listed in Table 1 . They are Alpine, American LaMancha, Nubian, Saanan and Toggenburg. A lesser known dairy breed is the Oberhasli. They range in color from light to deep red with black stripes down the forehead and black legs below the knees. Additional information may be obtained on any particular breed from the various breed organizations, and the American Dairy Goat Association. Also, the Dairy Goat Journal is a monthly publication that provides a lot of good information as well as information on the names and addresses of different breed organizations.
The Alpine, Saanen and Toggenburg breeds originated in the French and Swiss Alps and are often referred to as the “Swiss” type breeds. They are very similar in conformation, all having upright ears, straight or slightly dished faces and an alert, graceful, deer-like appearance.
Alpine
The Alpines are composed of several varieties including the most popular French Alpine and the less numerous British, Rock and Swiss Alpines. They are medium to large in size, with color variations from pure white through shades of fawn, gray, brown, black, red buff, and combinations of these colors in the same animal. (See Figure 1 .)
  |
| Figure 1. |
LaMancha
The LaMancha was developed in the U.S. from crossing a short-eared goat of Spanish origin with purebreds of the Swiss breeds. They are distinguished by very s hort, or the total lack of, external ears. There are two types of La Mancha ears: the “gopher” ear and the “elf” ear. The allowable length of the elf ear is about two inches and the gopher ear is one inch. There is no preference for ear type in does, but bucks must have the “gopher” ear type to be eligible for registration. The American LaMancha is medium in size with any color or combination of colors and a short, glossy hair coat. (See Figure 2 .)
  |
| Figure 2. |
Nubian
The Nubian is a relatively large, proud, and graceful dairy goat of Oriental origin, known for high quality, high milk fat percentage. They are characterized by long drooping ears, convex noses and a short, glossy hair coat. Since any color or pattern is allowed, it is the distinctive convex facial profile between the eyes and the muzzle, and the long bell-shaped ears, that immediately identify the breed. The ears should extend about one-inch beyond the muzzle. They are medium to moderately large in size with good stature. (See Figure 3 .)
  |
| Figure 3. |
Saanen
The Saanens are white or light cream in color with white preferred. Spots on the skin are not discriminated against. Small spots of color on the hair are allowable, but not desirable. They are medium to large in size with rugged bone, plenty of vigor yet feminine throughout. The ears should be of medium size and carried erect. A tendency toward a roman nose is discriminated against. (See Figure 4 .)
  |
| Figure 4. |
Toggenburg
The Toggenburgs are medium in size, sturdy and vigorous. The Toggenburg may be various shades of brown with white markings. These white markings appear as two stripes on the face from eye area to nose, around the outer edge of the ear, from foot to knee, from foot to hock and as a triangular patch on each side of the tail, covering the pin bone area. Ears are of medium size and alertly carried. (See Figure 5 .)
  |
| Figure 5. |
Oberhasli
The Oberhasli dairy goat breed is a newer breed to Florida. The dairy goats are of medium size, vigorous and alert in appearance. The color preferred is chamois but does may be black. The chamois color varies from a light bay to a deep red bay with the latter most desirable. Markings include two black stripes down the face with the forehead nearly all black, black legs below the knees and hocks, and ears black inside and bay outside. The face is straight. (See Figure 6 .)
  |
| Figure 6. |
Selecting A Dairy Goat Breed
The greatest number of goat owners in this country keep goats for family purposes. In Florida, there are three licensed commercial dairy goat operations of which two are processing and marketing Grade A pasteurized goat milk and the other is marketing specialty products such as cheese. Most of the operations in Florida are rather small with less than ten milking does. Many of the dairy goats are registered and are exhibited at various shows throughout the state. The more popular breeds are Nubian, Alpine and LaMancha. The Florida Dairy Goat Association and the annual Florida Dairy Goat Production Conference have been helpful in recent years in providing needed materials and information to dairy goat producers.
The selection of milk goats for commercial dairy herds and breeding herds must be accomplished in terms of keeping and maintaining good records, and becoming familiar with the different strengths that dairy goats possess. They may or may not be registered, but must be able to produce milk over a long period of time with good care. Good herds frequently consist of goats having herd averages of 1,500 to 3,000 pounds of milk. The top three dairy goat herds in Florida in 1992 completed DHI 305 day lactation records above 2,100 pounds of milk with the top herd at 2,934 pounds. For those that are interested in getting involved in raising or showing dairy goats, start with two kids (three to five weeks old) so they can get to know you and you can have the enjoyment of watching them grow. It is best that they be of the same sex, preferably does if you plan to expand. If a buck is preferred, have the breeder castrate and dehorn the animal prior to taking it home. Also at this young age, about a quart of milk is needed daily until about 8 weeks of age. At the time of weaning, the doeling should be eating some grain on a daily basis.
The choice of breed is purely a personal one. We recommend visiting a goat dairy or a dairy goat shows prior to making the final decision on breed. Generally, the breed you start with will end up being your preference.
I am very thankful for this educational information, provided by the University of Florida, IFAS extension for the link to the UF/IFAS
Go to: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ds134
Shared Topics; Authors : Barnet Harris, Jr., and Frederick Springer2
Tags: Dairy goat breeds, Dairy Goats, Goats milk, Photo's
