Want Milk? Get Goats

(Page 6 of 6)

June/July 2002
By Kris Wetherbee 
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At Dene and Ray Engeman's farm in Oregon, springtime often sees the goat population soaring to 100. "The high goat numbers don't last long," Dene says. The couple sells milkers to families and several dairies. Choice kids are kept as replacements or are sold for breeding stock, while the buck kids are made into wethers (castrated) and sold as pets, pack goats or for meat. "By the time fall comes around again, we're usually back down to 30," she says. Show and fair season can bring in extra money in the form of premiums.

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Cheryl Smith became interested in dairy goats when she was in law school more than 12 years ago. A French professor invited Cheryl over to sample some of her goat milk cheeses, and Cheryl became hooked. Today she maintains a small herd of Nigerian Dwarfs and makes a variety of products from their milk. Naturally, yogurt and cheeses are on the list, but so is one inedible item: goat milk soap.

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  • KIMBERLY Smith 4/7/2009 12:00:20 AM

    Well, I've been raising dairy goats for 15 years, have worked with and owned several breeds, and I have to disagree with a few things on this article.

    First, I keep my bucks with, or in adjacent pens to my does all year round. My experience (and I've owned several bucks over the years) is that when the bucks are raised IN a herd, and are kept in such close contact with others, they don't feel the need to 'perfume' themselves so much, and are MUCH less ordorous. I also have NEVER, and I mean NEVER had a problem with the buck making the milk taste bucky. Poor milking practices, handling, nutritional imbalances, and pasturizing (especially ULTRA pasturizing that the commercial dairies often use) are all contributors to making goat milk taste bad, and have been the main reasons goat milk has a bad rap.

    Second, the LaMancha goat did NOT originate in a warm, humid climate!! They were developed in Oregon state in 1930 by Eula Frey. They are the ONLY USA developed large breed of dairy goats that is registered with ADGA.

    And lastly, you DON'T need a separator to get your cream from your goat milk! Breeds with lower butterfat will take much longer, but my little dwarf breeds (Nigerian, Kinder, and Mini Lamanchas ~ all testing at 8% and higher), their milk after sitting in the fridge undisturbed for as little as 36 hours will have cream risen to the top. I have never owned a separator, but have made butter, sour cream and have plenty of creamer for coffee and tea. We also use the cream for making gravies and other heavy, creamy dishes.

    I hope this helps in correcting some of the mis-information here.

    Kim Smith ~ k_frog100@hotmail.com
    Blessed Farm, WA

  • LoriHart 1/19/2009 8:37:13 PM

    we just bought a home in kansas with some acreage and are interested in raising goats for milking. We would also like to make ice cream and cheese. However, I am a little confused on which type of goats we need to buy and which one is more suitable for the kansas climate. Can you give me any information?

  • Mistur 1/21/2008 2:50:52 PM

    If raising goats seems like too much, you can also buy goat milk
    products. I am lactose intolerant and I only eat laloo's Goat Milk
    Ice Cream when I need a sweet fix. it has less fat and calories
    than regular moo milk ice cream brands and it tastes just the same.
    (Its better if you ask me!) Check out their website to find a store
    near you.Trust me, this stuff will revolutionize your ice cream
    eating habits! www.laloos.com

  • tropicswriter 8/16/2007 11:26:33 AM

    I am interested in raising a few goats for milk & cheese. We
    already have a cow and some chickens, but I'm all new to the goat
    thing. LOL Can anyone give me some advice? Thanks!

  • Kasandra 8/12/2007 9:19:42 AM

    Hi my name is Kasandra Griffin. I am looking for a milking goat. I
    wondered if you had any for sale.I'm looking for a Nubian with
    different colored patches on it.I need it this spring to milk.It
    needs to be milking already.Thank You,Kasandra.

  • eli 7/17/2007 7:35:08 PM

    Hi my name is Eli. I am trying to talk my mom into buying us a milk
    goat. What breed's milk taste the best to DRINK or most like cows
    milk? We are not interested in making cheese or butter, just to
    drink and have with cereal. Also do you sell goats? Thank you so
    much, Eli

  • brenda 5/22/2007 1:27:21 PM

    hi my name is brenda prewitt, i live in caneyville ky . i have been
    digging the internet looking to buy a good female milk goat, that
    is ready to milk now , do u have any for sale thank u ,

  • cause4paws 3/7/2007 7:26:33 PM

    http://www.motherearthnews.com/Livestock-and-Farming/2002-06-01/Want-Milk-Get-Goats.aspx
    On this page, when you are first listing the breeds of dairy goats
    most widley kept, you call my sweet saanens "sadness" goats. Please
    fix this...... Blessings......

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