Questions Frequently Asked to a Goat Farmer…

 

Yes. On April 20, 2006, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) licensed my farm to produce Grade A raw goat milk, and process that milk for retail sales, into aged cheese, and whey for animal feed.

 

 No. The short answer on organic is that I’m about 75% certified or certifiable. There are no antibiotics, synthetic hormones, or pesticides used on my herd. There is no spraying of synthetic fertilizers in the pasture. The main missing link in my obstacle from certifying is I have not found 100% certified feed.

 

 About 95% of the feed my goats consume is grass pasture or grass hay. The grass pasture is from the 5 acres I manage for seasonal grazing. The grass hay is all grown in Washington state and is mostly Alfalfa and some Orchard grass. The other 5% of feed is grain and minerals. I feed around one pound of grain per day year-round.  I use IN-SEASON FARMS 16% goat. All ingredients are certified organic and include: Barley, Oats, Wheat, Flax Seed, Soy.

 

It depends on storage. Milk is kept best when refrigerated between 33 and 40 degrees F. The pull dates on raw milk vary from producer to producer; mine is 8 days. I recommend raw milk consumers consume raw milk within 8 days. Always smell and observe the color of your milk. If it smells good and looks good - consume it. Anything questionable, or after the pull date - toss it.

 

My milk is for sale from the end of March until sometime in November at both locations of the Olympia Food Co-op and directly from the farm. Farm sales are very limited and pre-order only. The Co-op is first come, first serve, and deliveries are every Friday.

 

Direct farm sales are $5 per HALF gallon. At the Food Co-op, the price is $6.25. There is a $1.50 refundable deposit on the half gallon glass bottles redeemable at both locations (goat farm & co-op).

 

Rinse the bottle in cold water and recycle the cap. The caps are NOT re-usable.

 

My goats will milk about 270 days per year, twice per day. They get 2 months rest and relaxation over the winter and re-freshen their lactation every year by naturally breeding with my buck Glacier. Goats ovulate for about 5 months per year and kid in the spring or summer (similar to deer, not similar to cows and humans who lactate monthly). Breeding cycles can be manipulated, but not here.

I bred 12 does with 1 buck and as of May 1, 2007, nine does have started milking. It looks like I will have three more kid this season and hopefully milk for me.

 

 I have averaged about 2 kids per doe per year. I’ve gotten about 60% boys and 40% girls average over the first two breeding seasons.

 

Yes. I reserve the right to use a bucket milking machine someday, if I feel necessary. For now I hand milk twice per day about 270 days in a row.