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Our Goats:
We have a mixed herd of both Dairy (Alpines and Nubians) and Fiber (Cashmere) goats. The dairy goats are all registered with the ADGA (American Dairy Goat Association); the Cashmeres are not (since Cashmere is a *type*, not a specific breed, there is currently no registry because there is no standard that has to be adhered to). All of our goats have been tested for CAE (all negative). We strive to keep our herd healthy without undue intervention, but we are not adverse to using 'modern" methods when necessary. All goats are vaccinated annually with CD&T; we worm with chemical wormers (because natural, herbal worms do not work here); we copper bolus 2x/year.
The dairy girls provide us with most of our dairy needs, so their health is paramount. Goat's milk is easier to digest than cow's milk, and is the most common form of milk outside or N. America. We think it tastes a little bit sweeter than cow's milk, but that may just be our imagination. :-)
Our Cashmere goats have been bred for "pluckability" - no shearing needed to harvest their fiber. They've been bred for fine fiber (under 19 microns), short guard hair, and long cashmere. They aren't as friendly as the dairy goats, but they're not wild, either. More...stand-offish.They are all easy and safe to work with and around - and to keep our herd "user-friendly", we disbud ALL kids within a few weeks of birth. (This is a method of removing horns; it is safe for the kids, and keeps the goats - and humans! - safe from horn injuries. This is especially important here, since our dairy girls and cashmere girls are all housed together. Udder injuries would be horrible!)
Dairy goats are a dual purpose goat - meat and dairy. Our Cashmeres are triple purpose goats - meat, fiber and dairy. They don't produce as much milk as the dairy girls, because the emphasis has been on fiber production rather than milk, but they do produce. We can't tell the difference between their milk and the dairy girls' - it's all sweet tasting and creamy.
We have a mixed herd of both Dairy (Alpines and Nubians) and Fiber (Cashmere) goats. The dairy goats are all registered with the ADGA (American Dairy Goat Association); the Cashmeres are not (since Cashmere is a *type*, not a specific breed, there is currently no registry because there is no standard that has to be adhered to). All of our goats have been tested for CAE (all negative). We strive to keep our herd healthy without undue intervention, but we are not adverse to using 'modern" methods when necessary. All goats are vaccinated annually with CD&T; we worm with chemical wormers (because natural, herbal worms do not work here); we copper bolus 2x/year.
The dairy girls provide us with most of our dairy needs, so their health is paramount. Goat's milk is easier to digest than cow's milk, and is the most common form of milk outside or N. America. We think it tastes a little bit sweeter than cow's milk, but that may just be our imagination. :-)
Our Cashmere goats have been bred for "pluckability" - no shearing needed to harvest their fiber. They've been bred for fine fiber (under 19 microns), short guard hair, and long cashmere. They aren't as friendly as the dairy goats, but they're not wild, either. More...stand-offish.They are all easy and safe to work with and around - and to keep our herd "user-friendly", we disbud ALL kids within a few weeks of birth. (This is a method of removing horns; it is safe for the kids, and keeps the goats - and humans! - safe from horn injuries. This is especially important here, since our dairy girls and cashmere girls are all housed together. Udder injuries would be horrible!)
Dairy goats are a dual purpose goat - meat and dairy. Our Cashmeres are triple purpose goats - meat, fiber and dairy. They don't produce as much milk as the dairy girls, because the emphasis has been on fiber production rather than milk, but they do produce. We can't tell the difference between their milk and the dairy girls' - it's all sweet tasting and creamy.