The popularity of self-sustaining food production on small acreages or large backyards includes rabbits, poultry and goats. Heather Smith Thomas writes about raising goats for milk and how their short generation makes goats a great project for 4-H kids. Dwarf goats don’t produce the volume of milk of large goats but their milk is high in butterfat and makes good cheese she says.
You need about 10 goats to obtain the same milk production level of one cow. By maintaining healthy udders, the per liter/gallon of milk cost would be a little higher with goats because you have more goats than cows.”
Source: Backyard Goats, September 27, 2021. Link. No one wants a public health problem due to inappropriate handling of milk or production of cheese. Anyone producing food for the public, must follow state and federal regulations.
There are some misconceptions among herd owners in remote areas or who have a few goats. They may not be aware that every state has laws governing wholesome food production.
INSIGHTS: Space requirement guidelines for raising goats are often confusing and dependent on the objectives for keeping the goats. We found this video resource from Purina and Tractor Supply Company to add to the Backyard Goats article.
