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Wisconsin Dairy Goats
Interest in dairy goat cheeses and other products is at an all time high. Dairy goats can be wonderful and interesting animals with lots of personality. While they don't produce as much milk as dairy cows, their milk often sells for a higher price per volume. For the beginning dairy artisan, goat dairies offer a good alternative because of the lower investment needed. The links below provide a variety of sources and some basic information about dairy farming, health, goats and goat breeders.
American Dairy Goat Association
The American Dairy Goat Association promotes and regulates matters pertaining to the history, publicity, breeding exhibition and improvement of dairy goats. Its website offers a host of information, research and contacts on dairy goat production, reproduction, and herd health management. Call 828-286-3801 for further information.
Dairy Goat Library
This Wisconsin-based library holds information for setting up and managing a commercial goat dairy. Materials are extracted from professional articles, journals and books, and from interviews with experienced goat milk producers. The site is arranged so that readers can quickly find a topic, scan the best information currently available, and locate links.
Dairy Goat Journal
Each issue of the Dairy Goat Journal provides timely articles about raising, breeding and marketing dairy goats as well as health issues and recent news of interest to goat owners and the dairy goat industry. On their website, you can find the current issue of the journal, sample articles from past issues, and links to its sister publications and organizations. Call 715-785-7979 for further information.
Dairy Goat Production Guide (FL)
The Dairy Goat Production Guide, written by Barnet Harris and Frederick Springer, was first published the University of Florida Extension office in 1992. This guide provides a comprehensive listing of dairy goat breeds, information on reproduction and kidding, feeding and herd health management and disease. Call 352-392-1981 for further information.
Getting Started: A Guide for the New or Prospective Dairy Goat Farmer
This web-based document, written by Don and Joan Zahniser from New York , outlines important information to consider when getting into the goat dairy business. Topics include breed selection, dairy goat management, starting equipment and supplies, health care, housing, feeding, breeding and kidding. This publication is available from the University of California-Irvine ’s Goat Club website.
Langston University (OK) Goat Research Program
Goat research is conducted by the E de la Garza Institute for Goat Research at Langston University in Oklahoma . The primary research is for dairy goat nutrition. The scope of the research includes Angora , meat and cashmere goats. Nutrition and pasture research studies are also being conducted. Facilities at the Institute include an 150-goat dairy, a creamery, lab/office buildings and a field demonstration building. There are special laboratories for milk analysis, providing analysis for the goat Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) program. Call 877-344-4628 for further information.
University of California Cooperative Extension
The University of California Cooperative Extension published a cost of production study for dairy goats in 2005. This study includes sample costs to raise a 500 doe-kid herd of dairy goats on the North Coast of California, with the milk produced for the cheese market. The study is intended as a guide only, and can be used to make production decisions, determine potential returns, prepare budgets and evaluate production loans. Call 530-752-2414 for further information or an explanation of the calculations used in the study.
Wisconsin Dairy Goat Association
The Wisconsin Dairy Goat Association (WDGA) works to promote dairy goats, dairy goat products and youth involvement in dairy goats. It offers an excellent opportunity for members to network, share information, coordinate their activities, and showcase the dairy goat. Call Larry Hedrich at 920-849-2926 for further information.
University of Maryland – Small Ruminants
The Small Ruminant Page provides information to sheep and goat producers on production issues. Research areas include parasites, health and management, feeding and nutrition, breeding and reproduction and marketing. The website also provides links to other small ruminant organizations. Contact Susan Schoenian at sschoen@umd.edu for further information.
