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The New Zealand Dairy Goat Breeders Association Incorporated

 

 

Goats' Milk

For generations now, cows have been regarded as the major source of milk in our diets, not only in the liquid form but in the multitude of other foodstuffs containing milk or its by-products.

However, with increasing evidence, studies show that as many as 7.5% of all babies born develop a hypersensitivity to cows' milk, generally known as Cows' Milk Allergy (CMA). Although CMA is more easily detected in young babies (before weaning) it is not confined to this age group. Many children do not grow out of their allergies and are therefore afflicted all their lives. For a large number of adults everyday problems relating to skin disorders, respiratory problems, gastric upsets and migraine are generally not considered to be related to cows' milk but are later diagnosed to be symptoms of CMA.

As a result, alternative sources of milk must be found - thus the increasing interest in and demand for goats' milk and related products.

The Symptoms of CMA

The most common symptoms evident in babies suffering from CMA are-
Eczema
Recurrent diarrhea
Recurrent rhinorrhea
Repeated vomiting
Persistent colic
Recurrent bronchitis
Asthma

Studies have proven that when all sources of cows' milk are removed from diet of babies suffering CMA the symptom'(s) are relieved. Further tests have also shown that twenty per cent (20%) of babies suffering from CMA are also allergic to Soya milk replacement formulae. Although it is evident that any children outgrow their allergies it is not yet certain which children will and at what time

MINERAL COMPOSITION OF GOAT'S MILK

mg/100ml

Sodium 35.2 - 41.9
Potassium 165.6 - 228.4
Calcium 123.4 - 163.2
Magnesium 20.4 - 36.7
Phosphorus - total 84.1 - 120.6
Phosphorus - inorganic 72.0 - 105.3
Chloride 105.1 - 259.7
Citrate 130.7 - 171.2

VITAMIN CONTENT OF GOAT'S MILK

mg/100ml unless otherwise stated

Vitamin A (1U/100ml) 191
Vitamin B1 (thiamin) 0.04
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 0.18
Niacin 0.19
Vitamin B6 0.01
Pantothenic acid 0.34
Biotin 0.004
Folacin 0.0008
Vitamin B12 0.00007
Vitamin C 1.5
Vitamin D (1U/100ml) 2.4
Vitamin E 2.4
Choline 15.0
Inositol 21.0

Reproduced from Aglink FPPY:Goats/Milk Production/Yields, Dairies, Handling, Hygiene, 2nd revision 1985, M.A.F. Wellington, New Zealand.

Fresh organic goats milk, yoghurt and award-winning cheeses can be purchased from Jan and John Walter at Crescent Dairy Goats, Albany, ph 09-4796200.
Crescent Dairy Goats

Nanny Goat Lane produce Whole Goat Milk UHT which is manufactured by the
Dairy Goat Co-Operative (NZ) Ltd.

If you decide to purchase your own milking goats then at some time you may have to decide whether
to buy a milking machine or not.

TO BUY A MILKING MACHINE OR NOT???
A milking machine can be a godsend or it can be more trouble than it is worth. Consider these questions-
Do you have hot and cold running water in the barn?
- hauling water to the barn gets to be a real pain

Does it take more than 15 minutes to milk?
- it will take 10 to 15 minutes to clean up the milking machine and the milking machine must be kept clean and sanitary

Have you been milking for more than two months?
- it takes a couple of months for your hands to build up their strength

For a small number of goats, you will not save any chore time by getting a milking machine.

....One of my does is really hard to milk.....
You might be better off culling the hard milker and buying an easy to milk doe. A replacement doe costs much less than a milking machine. Of course, if she is a favourite, then a milking machine might be your answer.

If you have arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, then a milker is a good choice. We built one for an 82 year old man in southern Missouri whose arthritis got too bad to milk. But he still wanted to milk his two goats every day. The milking machine was his answer.

You may get cleaner milk, as there won't be feet in the pails or hair, etc. But your machine must be kept clean and sanitary or your 'cleaner' milk will spoil quickly and may make you sick.

"Should I get a two goat at a time milker?"
For a small herd, probably not. You can set up two milk stands with one, give her feet and prep her udder by the time you have done this, the first should be finished milking and you simply move the milker unit over. While the second doe is milking, you let in another doe on the first milk stand.
This works well unless you have a lot of really slow milkers or if you want them to stand and eat a lot of grain. I prefer to give them a little extra Lucerne rather than large doses of grain.
by Paul Hamby BROWSE issue September/October 1999

 

Email the NZDGBA for more information.