Milk From Pastured Goats

JustinRobinsREO · #1 06/30/15, 02:02 PM

Okay so I have my goats (lamanchas, mini manchas, and nubian) on pasture. The milk is very strong in flavor since being put on pasture.

The pasture is made up of orchard, brome, teff, and clover. There are some dandelions, but the goats seem to be just eating the grass from what I have seen.

Prior to pasture this spring I had them in a covered pen on just good high quality dairy alfalfa. The milk tasted identical to cows, but with more thick and creamy taste to it.

I know we should appreciate the rich flavor of milk from happy pastured goats, but I can't even get my wife to drink it (she did while they were on alfalfa). I am starting to get used to the flavor, but would prefer the flavor when they were on alfalfa.

I have been giving them a flake of alfalfa while on pasture the last two weeks and that has cut the strong flavor in half I would say.

Is there a way to have them on pasture and still get mild tasting milk???

We are in Utah if that makes an difference.

**mygoat** · #2 06/30/15, 02:57 PM

Yes, there is a way. Find out what is making the milk taste bad, and eliminate it from your pasture. Things like goldenrod, wild onions etc can really add some zip to the milk. :P IT's not likely that alfalfa is eliminating the flavor, but because they're filling up on alfalfa they're eating less pasture. That being said, they should have some alfalfa (or other calcium source) to support their lactation. Alfalfa is usually a good calcium source used.

We once drank the milk after letting our goats into our mostly picked garden... they ate the tops off of all the onions, and boy did we get a gnarly surprise the next day... :P

luckyinkentucky · #3 07/01/15, 10:53 AM

We have experienced the same thing this year. Our goats aren't getting the Alfalfa pellets that we gave them last year and they are getting more loose minerals and more browse in a different area of the property. The milk went from sweet and cow-like to salty. I'm curious what others are experiencing this year as well.

Maybe there is even a difference in the plants this year. I have never been allergic to any type of Poison Ivy or Oak before, I've spent my whole life wading through them, however this year I'm on my second case of it! May not be related, but a coincidence anyhow.

Agriculture · #4 07/01/15, 01:03 PM

The poison ivy reaction is not about a change in the plant, but a change in you. It is not uncommon for people who have never been bothered by it to eventually develop a sensitivity.

Kasidy · #5 07/01/15, 01:27 PM

You really need to examine what types of grasses or other plants are growing in your pasture. How about crested wheat grass? It is common in the west and can make milk taste REALLY bad! We feed ours alfalfa in the winter and pasture in the summer----but I do the occasional walk about to check on the weeds. A number of years ago I hit a big spot with round up and then reseeded to get rid of the crested wheat grass.

JustinRobinsREO · #6 07/12/15, 11:46 PM

Interesting about the crested wheat grass. The pasture has bromegrass, orchard, crested wheat grass, teff grass, and the occasional clover. Pretty clean and clear for weeds. There are a few dandelions.

kasilofhome · #7 07/13/15, 12:12 AM

The dandelion are really great for calcium...I go out of my way to include that in for grazing.

Never impacted milk flavor.....but something is....mushrooms?...they did it for us once.

terri9630 · #8 07/14/15, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckyinkentucky

We have experienced the same thing this year. Our goats aren't getting the Alfalfa pellets that we gave them last year and they are getting more loose minerals and more browse in a different area of the property. The milk went from sweet and cow-like to salty. I'm curious what others are experiencing this year as well.

Maybe there is even a difference in the plants this year. I have never been allergic to any type of Poison Ivy or Oak before, I've spent my whole life wading through them, however this year I'm on my second case of it! May not be related, but a coincidence anyhow.

If it tastes salty she could be getting mastitis.

JoannaCW · #9 07/14/15, 02:44 PM

Ours are on pasture (mixed grasses, red clover, hairy vetch, bedstraw, goldenrod, comfrey,oregano etc...) with mixed grass hay, and the milk tastes sweet and good to me...my mother, who grew up drinking fresh cow milk, says it's a similar taste. I haven't tried feeding them alfalfa to see how different the taste might be...

terri9630 · #10 07/15/15, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoannaCW

Ours are on pasture (mixed grasses, red clover, hairy vetch, bedstraw, goldenrod, comfrey,oregano etc...) with mixed grass hay, and the milk tastes sweet and good to me...my mother, who grew up drinking fresh cow milk, says it's a similar taste. I haven't tried feeding them alfalfa to see how different the taste might be...

We feed alfalfa, it's all that's grown here, and our milk is sweet.

lovinglife · #11 07/15/15, 09:04 AM

Are they getting good loose minerals? I added a cobalt block to my girls who are on pasture with minimal alfalfa everyday, make sure your mineral feeders are full of fresh minerals and for sure check for mastitis.

JustinRobinsREO · #12 07/20/15, 01:09 AM

They have access to minerals at all times. No Mastitis. I pulled my milker off pasture now for a week. She gets oats and alfalfa. Milk is back to normal. Sweet, creamy, and so close to cows milk. So now I just need to narrow it down to what is in the pasture causing the off flavor.