More info at: http://www.wagsranch.com/for-sale.html
More info at: http://www.wagsranch.com/for-sale.html
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More info at: http://www.wagsranch.com/for-sale.html
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Hi Britt - I have three does due to kid between the 15-21st of March. And then couple more in April & June. We are a pretty easy drive down I-5 from you. :)
I think you could do grass based dairying on a dry lot if you researched what you were feeding. I feed alfalfa pellets produced locally so I know what goes into them. Pellets mean less waste than hay and often it ends up being cheaper than feeding alfalfa hay - plus I can store a 1/2 ton of it in about a 4x4x4 space. If you can find a good source of pellets (they should be green, and smell like fresh hay) and then feed a good quality of grass hay for the longer roughage they should do fine.
Barenburg has developed a new seed mix specifically for goat pastures called Browsemaster that I intend to try in my pastures this year. Their headquarters aren't too far from us, but the mix is regionally adapted wherever it is sold in the USA.
Hi, Jane!
I searched out this discussion after visiting your website. A friend of mine uses only grass/hay for her dairy herd. She also rotates pasture in summer. She has seen similiarly that her adults from conventional farms have a harder time with the switch away from grain, but their kids seem to thrive on it, and be all the more healthy and worm resistant for it.
I'm wondering if you (or anyone else for that matter) think that it's possible to do grass-only with a backyard herd? In my case that will mean an almost dry lot system with produce trimmings and mixed grass hay (with adequate protein, of course). From what my farmer friends here tell me, our local pastures (Seattle area) are so protein deficient anyway, that I wonder what the difference would be?
Do you have doelings for sale? I think a drive to oregon may be worth it for the chance to get grass-raised kids. ; )
Honestly I haven't had much luck converting adults to grass based dairying. I was hoping with goats it wouldn't be the same as with cows where it can take a long time and sometimes generations to get them switched.
I started off with babies that never were given grain and kept those does that milked well and I will continue to select for those traits. All of my second fresheners could have earned their milking stars on a one day milk test this past year if I'd only been able to find a tester.
I took a FF over to the vet college for a free ultrasound a few weeks ago and they were all commenting on what a nicely developed rumen she has. The professor said that is something they don't see a lot of, and my guess is that it is a direct result of her diet. She is out of one of my original does and I have a feeling that even as a FF she will be able to earn a one day milk test star.
Hi Jane,
Just curious what you look for when looking for Nigerians that will do reasonably well on grass. Is it mostly trial and error ? I suppose your offspring would be suited to grass if their parents are. Of course we only have grass 6 months of the year : )
- Jean in Mt
How much pasture you need depends entirely on what is in your pasture, and if you are able to rotate pastures. Goats of course prefer browse to graze and browse doesn't regrow as quickly. So a good balance is necessary. I have quite a bit of clover, along with orchard grass and not as much brush and blackberry bushes as I would like.
I do give minerals - and I prefer Min-max to anything else as it takes care selenium and copper needs. I also make sure they have loose minerals available. I don't notice a difference in taste in Mystery's case, just an increase in volume.
Based on my barn records and the milk samples I submitted myself to the local DHIA from this past year my girls that were on pasture and alfalfa pellets only should have no problem earning their milking stars this year either on a One Day or an AR test. Hopefully this year I will finally be able to find a tester in my area.
There isn't much research out there on grass based dairying in goats, but there is starting to be quite a bit for cows. The longitudinal studies are showing that grass based dairy cows have a longer production life, which makes up for the slight drop in production. Plus 0n average the grass fed cow will have less health issues and will not require the antibiotics that the grain fed cow will.
Kare at Chaverah Farm said:
Thanks - I have a pending sale on her.
Grass based dairying for me means they are not being fed anything other than pasture browse and alfalfa pellets. I prefer pellets to hay because there is less waste. And I am blessed that there is a farm about 45 minutes away that grows and pellets their own. I'm thinking of growing them and the chickens some sunflowers this year for supplemental feed. I am working on an article on grass based dairying for goats and hope to have it posted on my blog next week.
Kare at Chaverah Farm said:
Finally got a speck of sunshine so I ran out and got some current pictures of her.