So which breed of dairy goat gives the most milk? Nigerian Dwarf Goat. The Best Goats for Milk: Breed Overview. They give birth to 2 to 3 kids twice a year. If you would like to learn more about how to diagnose or care for your goats then be sure to check out the Raising Goats for Beginners Course! It’s the best tasting milk I’ve ever had. Once a doe has kidded you need to wait at least a couple of weeks before drinking her milk. Boers are large-sized goats, some males weighing a massive 300 pounds. And, while colostrum is extremely nutritious, it doesn’t taste very good! They are reddish-brown with black markings on their bodies and ears. If your goat milk as a strong “goaty” flavor it could be how the milk is handled. Goats are a great option for any homestead, even if you have a cow! In my post, Should Bucks and Does be Separated I talk about the many pros and cons to keeping your bucks in a separate pen from your does. Again, if you’re just starting out then be sure to get the Raising Goats for Beginners Course, it’s a must have for every goat owner! Your email address will not be published. And if you are purchasing a kid, see if the dam's milk is available for tasting. Alpine goats were originally found in the French Alps. Best Tasting Goat Milk. This dairy goat breed is one of the best for milk production with up to 2 gallons a day. Resume feeding her regularly during her last month’s gestation. You want to be sure to wipe down your goat’s udder to keep any debris from falling into your milk. So, what are the 5 best dairy goats for milk production? The raw milk must be bottled and stored properly to keep it free of pathogens. They are a hardy breed with an easy-going temperament. LaManchas produce an average of 1 to 2 gallons of milk a day, per goat. Here we are describing about top 10 meat goat breeds. After the Industrial Revolution people moved into cities where they couldn’t get fresh milk. Does weigh anywhere from 100 to 150 pounds and bucks can pack 250 to 300 pounds on their medium, muscular frame. You can see the jars and jugs that I prefer in my article Goat Milking Supplies. Trust me, even the biggest skeptics will become goat milk fans after tasting your goat milk! Remove grain from your doe’s diet during the dry period. Please click here for more information about cookies collected and our privacy policy. I’ve heard of some keeping their milk bucket inside another pail of ice water to help it chill as it enters the bucket. Also, remember that goats are pack animals, so having some milk and meat breeds together could be a great solution to keep each other occupied and have both types of goats at the same time! Created in New Zealand only 40 years ago, Kiko was a new breed of meat goat. The choice of dairy-free alternatives is just amazing and compared to a few years ago quite affordable, too. 0 Shares-PHOTO: Tessa Zundel. They’re hardy, disease-resistant and reproduce well. After 90 minutes I transfer them to the fridge. But milk production is what they do best. Keep your goat’s stall clean. Glass is the cleanest way to store milk and will ensure that no outside flavors or odors are entering your milk. She is an expert with all things goat milk! 2. The raw milk from different goats may taste slightly different if you have a very sensitive palate. Fresh goat milk and fresh cows milk taste the same. Since we had a house full of kids we went through a lot of milk. One unique advantage of this meat goat is that it can be bred offseason. The milk has been pasteurized, a process where live enzymes, bacteria, and other nutrients are killed when the milk is heated. Dairy goats like to graze on grass, clover, or leaves. By keeping them together you can end up with a very strong flavored milk. Native dairy goats are more resistant to native parasites and diseases. The oldest dairy goat breed, the Toggenburg goat, originated in Switzerland. From Spain, they were imported to Mexico then later brought to the United States. They’re short-haired, but bucks have long hair on their spine with a noticeable beard on their chins. On average, they produce around 1 gallon of milk a day but can produce as much as 2 gallons of milk in rare circumstances. These types of plants are definitely going to give your milk a funny taste! They’re easily identified because they don’t have the floppy ears you normally see on a goat. As mentioned above, the biggest differentiator in goat milk … Black stripes run down their face from eye to muzzle. If you don’t have a lot of land, you may decide to go with a Nubian whereas if you want the highest possible milk supply and don’t have a limit on your land you probably will choose a Sannen. But is also found in West Bengal, Bihar and Orissa of India. A good dairy goat, or doe, produces between 11 to 22 cups of fresh milk every day. E.coli, listeria, and salmonella are also dangerous intestinal illnesses that are sometimes found in raw milk. I only store my milk in glass containers. To avoid parasites or worms, move your goats to different pastures periodically. Goats are growing in popularity in the U.S. Goats are easy to raise and adapt to any area, even a backyard. The feed should include a high amount of protein, at least 14%. How you store your goat milk is also a critical factor in goat milk flavor. 1. You really want the most bang for your buck that you can get. Make sure you like the milk before you purchase the goat. Plastic can easily hold bacteria which can then get into the milk. 5 Best Dairy Goat Breeds For Milk Production, Best Family Board Games, 17 Games That Make Great Gifts, WAHM Gifts! You doe should also be fed  2 to 3 pounds of grain every day. Black Bengal goat is considered as the best meat goat breed in terms of meat quality and taste (according to IAEA). So always milk in stainless steel and never let your milk come in contact with plastic! Goats are pack animals and therefore love to have “friends”! Later, in 1936, more purebreds arrived from Switzerland. As the name suggests, the breed is actually from Bangladesh. Head Farm Steward | July 5, 2014 at 5:50 pm Absolutely. Oberhasli ears are black inside and reddish-brown on the outside. If you find that your goat milk has an off flavor, the first thing to check is the goat’s health. A dairy goat’s milk production depends on: Good quality grain and hay are essential for lots of milk, The hay should be from legumes with 15-20% protein. Let’s dig into what effects how much she might produce. ... Oberhasli produce a sweet-tasting milk with a butterfat content of around 3.5 to 4 percent. Known for their amazing meat, they’re the star of American meat goat production. A low-grade infection, illness or a virus may make a dairy goat’s milk taste too strong. And they don’t always bust when left in the freezer. After the dry period, some do produce up to 75% more milk. This is because, just like people, the doe will produce colostrum for her babies before her milk comes in. If your doe has recently kidded, maybe just give her some more time and then try again. To make the milk safe to drink, it had to be pasteurized. Are you scared of having that “goaty” flavor that so many people complain about? Some breeds products more buttermilk which can be vital if you do anything with the milk such as cheese, but also makes it a big selling point. Keep in mind that they produce more milk, though, so this all evens out! Nigerian Dwarf Goat. Some breeds just naturally produce more, but there are other factors, too. So clean off your goat and be sure that the surrounding area is clean as well. The Spanish goat originated in Spain. Approx. Because it’s high in lactic acid if it’s stored in a fridge that is higher than 38 degrees, the lactic acid increases. It’s definitely better to just take it out on time though and not risk it;), And that is nine tips for having the best tasting goat milk! This is the best way that I have found to get the milk cold as quickly as possible! Plus milk stored in glass will last longer as well! If you are raising goats for meat, you may have trouble deciding which breeds are best. Yak milk itself is very nutritious, says Park—there’s more protein in yak milk than cow, goat, or even human milk, and higher individual amino acids content and more total amino acids, comparatively. We all know that bucks stink during the rut! Dairy goats are easy animals to raise, plus they produce delicious milk. 1. Goat’s milk is often a specialty item in the United States, but about 65 percent of the world population drinks goat’s milk. Hope this is the best answer. Reply. Alpine goats average a gallon of milk per day. Here are five of the best milking goat breeds: LaManchas are a medium-sized goat. I’m interested in the spiced warm milk. Goat milk bought in a store often has a very goaty taste and has been processed differently than fresh, raw goat milk. I’ve also heard of some putting their milk in an ice bath in the fridge after straining it into their glass jars. This meat goat is one of the best for commercial goat farming businesses. But the butterfat content of cow milk from the “better-tasting” milk breeds (like Jerseys, Guernseys, or Ayrshires) is around 6 – 8% butterfat. If you’ve ever had fresh goat milk that tastes a little bit off, there are a couple different factors that would be playing into the strange tastes. Here are 9 tips to ensure that you have the best tasting goat milk ever! I know a sneaky moms trick on a budget. Rangelands are best identified by their mid-sized hanging ears and a black, brown or white coat. In fact, in my experience fresh goat milk tastes better than any cow milk bought at the store! Provide your dairy goats with a clean stall and fresh healthy diet for the best-tasting milk. That’s right! For a comparison of cow and goat milk, click HERE. In my experience if the goats are fed more than 60percent of fresh/wet green grass the milk becomes poor in taste, Your email address will not be published. As I mention when discussing Goat Milking Supplies, milking in stainless steel is crucial. Originally from Bangladesh, this meat goat lives in West Bengal, Bihar, and India. This hardy dairy goat thrives in different climates. Keep goat bucks (male goats) away from the does and milking area as their musk/'cologne' can flavor the milk and give it a 'bucky' flavor. Goat milk that is left at room temperature too long will result in an off flavor. Rangeland goats originated in Australia. The next thing to consider if your goat milk is tasting “off” is how long you have been milking your doe. Are you worried about having bad tasting goat milk? Spanish goats range in colors and patterns. This dairy goat is medium-sized with a short to medium-length coat. Bucks have wide sweeping horns that twist at the tips. Naturally, you’ll want to know what the best goats for milk are. Kikos have a white coat of long hair. For example, most meat goat species are bred to mature quickly and put on weight, with little emphasis on producing milk. Alpine milk gets filtered and chilled after milking the doe. They adapt well to a variety of climates. I have one doe that by the time two weeks rolls around her milk tastes perfect. Or they sell for less but reduce the size of the bar, so that by weight and cost per use their soap actually ends up costing a lot more. Follow these steps and you will be a lover of goat milk and your goat milk taste before you know it. Deworm your goats several times in the spring or late fall. The most common breeds found in the U.S. are used for meat and milk. Meyenburg is the best. Deciding on the right goat for your homestead may take some time, so be patient! The Black Bengal goat meat is the best tasting goat meat in the world. Because they are so easygoing, many people keep them as pets. Also plastic is known to hold odors as well, which can mean disaster for the taste of your milk. These can also affect the way goat’s milk tastes. This is a totally valid question, and one that has a few different answers: At the end of the day, you have to decide if a milk cow or goat is the right choice for you. I’ll be sure to … These dairy breeds include: Let’s dig in about some of these breeds a bit more! Goat milk from the grocery store has a goaty taste. But I really think the way the milk is handled makes the biggest difference. 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