Not sure what to do (RANT)

[GLENMAR]

Someone where I live sells his goat milk on craigslist and explicitly says its not for human consumption, but is good for soapmaking, etc. Maybe you could sell it for extra $?

I have tried to list it. There is a lady now buying some from me to feed her one ND buckling. He does not eat THAT much. :/

 

[Egg_Newton]

You could alo freeze extra milk. I do it all the time.

 

[GLENMAR]

I guess I am also thinking that it does not make sense to have dairy goats to milk them and dump the milk down the drain.

Yes, I have learned a lot. I have invested a lot. I love my goats.

But what am I really doing????

 

[GLENMAR]

You could alo freeze extra milk. I do it all the time.

I have a lot frozen for soapmaking already.

 

[bonbean01]

Your biggest problem is that you are too successful! Down sizing is an option...also only milking the ones you keep once a day...lots of people do that with no problem.

You will figure this out...you are a smart cookie

 

[OneFineAcre]

Will that change the volumes for the second lactation? Does the udder have "memory"??

Maybe. I'm honestly not 100% sure.

We know a breeder who dries all of his at 3 or 4 months. His business is selling kids. But the value of the kids is a reflection of how well his does perform in shows. So, I think he would say no.

But, I see your point.

But, in your situation does it really matter? You have more than you need.

You are right. And this is why I was torn about going down to once a day milking, but I did not have any choice. I wanted high performing does. And I know that going down to once a day would cut their volumes. I guess I am competitive, and thought that I would go for some milk stars, or something. Shortening lactations and cutting milking volumes due to not having help or being able to use the milk defeats the purpose of buying $$$ performance bloodlines.

You can get a milk star on a 24 hour test. The breeder I referenced get's milk tests. I don't recall the exact numbers but he had 50 or so does tested this spring and got 30 + or so milk stars and he dry's all of his as soon as possible.

There are not many out there dedicated enough to get 305 day milk tests. You can get a milk star on a 24 hour test, you have to have a 305 day test to be and ADGA top 10% producer.

We're competitive too, but there are only so many hours in the day. We should do a lot of things better than we do.

What kind of goats do you have?

 

[stitchcounting]

Some ideas...
save milk of soap
sell milk on CL
have people visit you and give away free milk!
make yogurt
make cheese
feed pigs and chickens. i think ducks too?

Send me some !!

 

[GLENMAR]

Maybe. I'm honestly not 100% sure.

We know a breeder who dries all of his at 3 or 4 months. His business is selling kids. But the value of the kids is a reflection of how well his does perform in shows. So, I think he would say no.

But, I see your point.

But, in your situation does it really matter? You have more than you need.

You are right. And this is why I was torn about going down to once a day milking, but I did not have any choice. I wanted high performing does. And I know that going down to once a day would cut their volumes. I guess I am competitive, and thought that I would go for some milk stars, or something. Shortening lactations and cutting milking volumes due to not having help or being able to use the milk defeats the purpose of buying $$$ performance bloodlines.

You can get a milk star on a 24 hour test. The breeder I referenced get's milk tests. I don't recall the exact numbers but he had 50 or so does tested this spring and got 30 + or so milk stars and he dry's all of his as soon as possible.

There are not many out there dedicated enough to get 305 day milk tests. You can get a milk star on a 24 hour test, you have to have a 305 day test to be and ADGA top 10% producer.

We're competitive too, but there are only so many hours in the day. We should do a lot of things better than we do.

What kind of goats do you have?

Nubians.

I think you guys are right. We just need a break from milking at my house. We have been milking every day since mid July. Maybe with a break, things will get better.

Anyone have a good plan on how to dry up a doe? This would be my first time.

 

[OneFineAcre]

You are right. And this is why I was torn about going down to once a day milking, but I did not have any choice. I wanted high performing does. And I know that going down to once a day would cut their volumes. I guess I am competitive, and thought that I would go for some milk stars, or something. Shortening lactations and cutting milking volumes due to not having help or being able to use the milk defeats the purpose of buying $$$ performance bloodlines.

You can get a milk star on a 24 hour test. The breeder I referenced get's milk tests. I don't recall the exact numbers but he had 50 or so does tested this spring and got 30 + or so milk stars and he dry's all of his as soon as possible.

There are not many out there dedicated enough to get 305 day milk tests. You can get a milk star on a 24 hour test, you have to have a 305 day test to be and ADGA top 10% producer.

We're competitive too, but there are only so many hours in the day. We should do a lot of things better than we do.

What kind of goats do you have?

Nubians.

I think you guys are right. We just need a break from milking at my house. We have been milking every day since mid July. Maybe with a break, things will get better.

Anyone have a good plan on how to dry up a doe? This would be my first time.

If you are already milking once a day you're half way there. My wife does that, don't know all of the particulars, but I think she starts by letting them go to 30 or 32 hours, for a few days, then 48 hours etc.

I'll ask her for the particulars, or others can offer.

I honestly don't think you are hurting their potential by drying them off early

 

[GLENMAR]

You can get a milk star on a 24 hour test. The breeder I referenced get's milk tests. I don't recall the exact numbers but he had 50 or so does tested this spring and got 30 + or so milk stars and he dry's all of his as soon as possible.

There are not many out there dedicated enough to get 305 day milk tests. You can get a milk star on a 24 hour test, you have to have a 305 day test to be and ADGA top 10% producer.

We're competitive too, but there are only so many hours in the day. We should do a lot of things better than we do.

What kind of goats do you have?

Nubians.

I think you guys are right. We just need a break from milking at my house. We have been milking every day since mid July. Maybe with a break, things will get better.

Anyone have a good plan on how to dry up a doe? This would be my first time.

If you are already milking once a day you're half way there. My wife does that, don't know all of the particulars, but I think she starts by letting them go to 30 or 32 hours, for a few days, then 48 hours etc.

I'll ask her for the particulars, or others can offer.

I honestly don't think you are hurting their potential by drying them off early

That's what I was worried about right there. I was thinking that I needed to milk through October.
A good dry out plan would be helpful. I think after a break, we could re-evaluate things.