dairy goat selection...homestead use pb, cb high - low b, cf, h any good personality expand...

Dairy Goat Selection

Ann Starbard

Monday, April 24, 17

Dairy Goat Selection Ann Starbard 19 May 2017

Dairy Goat Selection - Overview

•Set goals•Breed/s Selection•Budget•Confirmation/ Traits•Milk Statistics - Quantity/Quality•Breeding Performance•Health status/ testing•Bringing home your new animals


Goal Animal Type¹ $$ Where to look² Desired Age Notes³

Homestead Use PB, CB high - low B, CF, H any good personality

Expand commercially PB, CB high - medium B, CF any, 2 -3 year old is preferred Fit into larger herd

Show, sell breeding stock PB high B, CF any, 1-3 month old is preferred

Excellent genetics, look at family lines

Family Fun goat PB, CB medium-low CF, H any easy personality

Improve Herd PB high-medium B, CF any Sound genetics, look at family lines

Companion animal PB, CB medium-low CF, H any sociallyadjusted personality

YOUR GOAL:

PB-Purebred, CB- Crossbred, B- Breeder, CF-Commercial Farm, H-Hobbyist

Goals for Selecting Dairy Goats

Dairy Goat Selection Ann Starbard 19 May 2017Monday, April 24, 17

ALPINE LaMANCHA

Nigerian Dwarf NUBIAN

Dairy Goat Breeds



Dairy Goat Breeds

SAANEN

TOGGENBURG

OBERHASLI

Dairy Goat Selection Ann Starbard 19 May 2017Monday, April 24, 17

BUDGET

• Determine a capital budget for purchasing animals. Be realistic and practical.

• Start with newborn kids and slowly develop herd

• Purchase a few bred does and work with this foundation herd

• Purchase an established herd

• Add to an existing herd



Traits to avoid Why?

Overall weakness Poor health, weak immune system

Rough hair coat Possible parasites, internal and external

Irregular jaw Difficulties tearing forage and cud chewing, especially with age

Broken teeth Difficulties cud chewing, especially with age. Uneven wear of teeth can produce mouth sores.

Soremouth Active, open sores are contagious.

Caseous Lymphadentitis Difficult to contain, spreads when abscesses burst. Detriment when selling breeding stock

Winged shoulder Weak animal, poor body capacity, low milk production

Extra body fat Low milk production, health issues

Sway back Weak animal, poor body capacity, often leads to poor legs and feet

Steep rump angle Often associated with weak udder attachments, difficult breeding and birthing

Weak udder attachments Poor udder health, often leads to low milk production and problems with mastitis.

Poor udder shape/ teat placement Difficult to milk, problems with mastitis, low milk production

Swollen knees Difficult to stand, walk, forage, drink water. Prone to injury, general weakness and low milk production.

Weak rear legs Difficult to walk, forage, jump on milk stand. Prone to injury, general weakness, and low milk production. For buck - poor breeding performance.

Posty or bowed legs Difficult to walk and forage. Often seen with poor udder shape and attachments, low milk production.

Poor feet, bad hooves Difficult to stand, walk, forage, drink water. May lead to poor overall health.

Bad attitude Not any fun to work with!

Kicks when milking No one will want to milk!

Traits to Avoid


Wattles


Milk Statistics

• Registered animals - pedigree information, milk stats for doe, buck

• DHIA monthly milk stats - Milk pounds, butterfat, protein, somatic cell score & more

• For cheese making- inquire about % yield, seasonal fluctuations

• Consider present feed regarding stats



Health Status/ TestingTests to consider/issues to ask:

•Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE)

•Johnes Disease

•Caseous Lymphadentitis (CL)

•Q Fever

•Parasite Resistance

•Soremouth

•Brucellosis/ Tuberculosis

•Respiratory Ills

•Diarrhea



Bringing Animals Home

• Be prepared - shelter, feed, water, milking facility, fencing, HELP

• Expect drop in milk production

• QUARANTINE

• Minimize stress

• Set up transport vehicle for current weather conditions

• Proper health certificates and identification



We all need a tail to rest on now

and again. [email protected]

Ann Starbard


mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

dairy goat selection...homestead use pb, cb high - low b, cf, h any good personality expand...

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