Milking goat breeds

Written by New Zealand Lifestyle Block magazine editor Nadene Hall.

There are several goat breeds in New Zealand, but the four most commonly used for milking are the Saanen, the Toggenburg, the British Alpine and the Anglo Nubian.

The other common goat breeds you may see - which are not used for milking - are Boer (meat production) and the small, more finely-built Angora (farmed for their fibre).

The Anglo Nubian is a rare breed in New Zealand, known for its high quality milk, large size and long, droopy ears. Milk is higher in fat and protein (good for cheesemaking), but the daily volume is less than for a breed like the Saanen. Anglo Nubians are often compared to the Jersey cow in that regard.

Anglo Nubians are a dual-purpose animal and do have a good ratio of meat.

British Alpines are always black with white/cream "Swiss" markings and can have tassels/wattles under their neck. They can turn slightly rust-coloured while shedding their winter coat.

While the name "British Alpine" is sometimes shortened for convenience to "Alpine", technically an Alpine is a crossbreed with British Alpine parentage, while overseas it is the name of a French breed of milking goat.

Saanens are the most common goat in New Zealand, with over 30,000 used in the goat milk industry, most living indoors in large loafing sheds with all grass and feed brought in to them (to avoid parasite burdens).

Saanens are white to cream in colour (except for the rare Sable Saanen, which is beige-black), and tend to be quite docile. They do have pink skin, so require shade during sunny weather.

Because of their high numbers, Saanens are the easiest dairy goat to find around NZ.

The Toggenburg is believed to be the world's oldest dairy goat breed, originally bred in the Obertoggenberg region of Switzerland, north-east of Zurich.

Toggenburgs are coloured from light fawn to dark chocolate, with white "Swiss" markings on the face, and can have tassels/wattles under the neck.

Slightly smaller than the Saanen, the Toggenburg is said to produce good qualities of milk with good milkfat levels, and does particularly well in cooler climates.

For more information:

The breed societies cover New Zealand. To find out more about milking goat breeds:

Anglo Nubian Breed Society
www.anbsnz.org.nz
Emma Osment
241 Pukemoremore Rd
RD1, Cambridge 3493
Phone 07 827 8582
anbsnz@xtra.co.nz

NZ Dairy Goat Breeders Association
www.nzdgba.co.nz
Kath Barber
Registrar/Treasurer
34 Matheson Road,
RD4, Hikurangi 0184
Phone 09 433-9647
info@nzdgba.co.nz

Irene Ramsey
Goatkeeper & mentor
i.ramsay@xtra.co.nz
Phone 03 464-3145

Articles by Irene
www.u-sayranch.com/goats/ramsay/index.html

Rare Breed Goats in NZ
To find out more about goat breeds, or to find breeders around NZ visit:
www.rarebreeds.co.nz

This article was provided by NZ Lifestyle Block, incorporating Growing Today magazine.
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