How do you determine the milk fat % of your milk? I can see the cream rise to the top when chilled so I know it's there, and DH is really trying to keep his fat intake low. Made yogurt for the first time and was pleased with it, but no use if it's too fatty.
Milk Fat %?
- Thread starter cindyg
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elevan
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There is a HUGE difference between good fats and bad fats. Personally I wouldn't worry about the fat in my FRESH, WHOLESOME goat's milk.
As to your question... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babcock_test
As to your question... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babcock_test
sprocket
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We're a licensed dairy and we have to send in monthly milk tests. When the girls are out on pasture, we usually average between 3.5-4.0% milk fat. Come fall when we cut back on milking to once a day before drying off, the milk fat and solids shoot up (into the 6%+ range) and we get the most AMAZING yogurt - it's so thick and creamy. That's our preference though and we look forward to fall yogurts. 
The milk testing labs around here do a composition, somatic cell and bacterial test for about 20 dollars - it's required for us to ship, probably not worth it for your purposes.
The milk testing labs around here do a composition, somatic cell and bacterial test for about 20 dollars - it's required for us to ship, probably not worth it for your purposes.
babsbag
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What breed of goats do you have?sprocket said:We're a licensed dairy and we have to send in monthly milk tests. When the girls are out on pasture, we usually average between 3.5-4.0% milk fat. Come fall when we cut back on milking to once a day before drying off, the milk fat and solids shoot up (into the 6%+ range) and we get the most AMAZING yogurt - it's so thick and creamy. That's our preference though and we look forward to fall yogurts.
The milk testing labs around here do a composition, somatic cell and bacterial test for about 20 dollars - it's required for us to ship, probably not worth it for your purposes.
sprocket
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Most are Saanens and La Manchas, with a smaller number of Nubians. We have some Alpine/Tog crosses in there as well.babsbag said:
babsbag
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I have mostly Alpine and a few Alpine/Togg and last year I had someone give me end of the year Nubian milk and I was amazed at the difference. I have added a LaMancha to my herd this year hoping that she will up the butterfat content a little. I can't convince DH to let me add any Nubians. :/ I should see about getting my milk tested just because I am curious.
sprocket
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The Nubian folk out there are going to come after me with pitchforks for saying it, but I'm kind of on your DH's side on this one.babsbag said:
I have found the Swiss breeds to be hardier in the climate our farm is in and generally more sturdy overall. And if having 1 Nubian moaning loudly at you isn't enough, try 10 of them lined up at the fence putting on a real symphony of moans. It's enough to drive me bonkers sometimes.(That being said, they are some of the sweetest, loveliest animals - my favorite will lie down next to me when I'm sitting out in the pasture and put her head in my lap. How could I ever get rid of her now?!?)
babsbag
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I have a lot of friends with Nubians and they are noisey at best, that is the main reason he doesn't like them. But I have boers too, and they are just as bad, maybe worse. I will take my Swiss breeds anytime.sprocket said:The Nubian folk out there are going to come after me with pitchforks for saying it, but I'm kind of on your DH's side on this one.babsbag said:
(That being said, they are some of the sweetest, loveliest animals - my favorite will lie down next to me when I'm sitting out in the pasture and put her head in my lap. How could I ever get rid of her now?!?)
Where are you located? I am in the very first stages of researching a Grade B dairy and would sure love to pick you brain a bit.
sprocket
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We're on the west coast of British Columbia, just above Washington State. Canadian regulations are likely different than what you'd be subject to, but if you've got any non-regulation related stuff, ask away!babsbag said:
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