Saanen Goats Offer Excellent Milk Production

Saanen Goats Offer Excellent Milk Production Renowned as the “Holstein” of dairy goats, Saanens are among the largest and most popular dairy goats worldwide.  Saanens are a Swiss breed, and the animals have distinctive white-to-cream coloring that helps them thrive in the chilly Alpine climate. The modern breed’s ancestors first arrived in the Sanann Valley of Switzerland with Near Eastern settlers around 5000 B.C. The hardy breed proved ideal for farming in the Alps, as they could reach forage inaccessible to other farm animals. The breed was first exported to the U.K. in the late 19th century, where it quickly became a local favorite. The Saanen goat breeding cooperative, founded in 1890, refined the breed’s genetics to increase milk production and accentuate its docile nature. Ten goats arrived in the U.S. in 1904, establishing the American breed. While these fledgling herds languished during the Great Depression, imports from Canada helped revive the North American population. Today, Saanens are an international breed favored by commercial dairies, ensuring their genetics remain secure for generations to come. Saanens have short, fine coats, straight faces, and proportionally large ears. Males tend to have longer fringes on their backs and hind legs, along with full beards. Mature does weigh 135 lbs., while bucks weigh about 170 lbs. Does make excellent mothers, and most will produce between one and four kids in two litters per year. They can be bred from about eight months of age. Does produce up to 4 liters of mild-flavored milk per day. It’s excellent for drinking but has lower butterfat (3.2%) than breeds like Nigerian Dwarfs (6.3%), making the milk less efficient for cheese production. While Saanen goats thrive in rugged alpine conditions, their pale skin offers little protection from intense sunlight, putting them at risk of heat stress in hot, dry climates. Likewise, damp, muddy pastures leave them vulnerable to parasites and hoof rot. Homesteaders should also note that Sanaans are on the larger side for goats, meaning they require more feed and living space than other breeds. One source for those interested in learning more about Sanaans or other breeds is the American Goat Society. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, American Goat Society, P.O. Box 63748, Pipe Creek, Texas 78063 (ph 830-535-4247; agsgoat@live.com; www.americangoatsociety.com).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.