We would never recommend putting goats in a gully, except ….
Category Archives: Animal Behaviour
“Goat Essence” – Photo Card Series
We are celebrating our beautiful goats with a series of goat portrait Photo Cards. The photographs by Bronwyn Silver and Janet Barker were taken over a ten year period and highlight a few of our favourite Cuprines. When most people look at our herd of goats they tend to see, well, a herd of goats.Continue reading ““Goat Essence” – Photo Card Series”
Obsalim training: motivated farmers + small on-farm change = big returns
Dr Bruno Giboudeau has just completed his Victorian workshops (the last one was at our farm) and he headed back to France yesterday, having brought the Obsalim techniques and learning to over 50 keen participants over the past fortnight. Though most of the workshoppers were dairy farmers, we also had a vet, animal nutritionist andContinue reading “Obsalim training: motivated farmers + small on-farm change = big returns”
Holy Goat Dynasty
We’ve just had another successful kidding. Kidding is always a stressful time, but this season was so much easier for us all, thanks to our repurposed shed and refined management systems. The new shed has a concrete floor – its thick layer of straw bedding can be quickly and easily cleaned out and replaced. TwelveContinue reading “Holy Goat Dynasty”
Up on the new line
It’s been 15 months since we upgraded our dairy and it’s made a big difference for everyone. We have gone from 12 goats up on the line and eight milking cups, to 12 cups with 24 goats up. More space for everyone and a better feeding system – more ergonomic and efficient for humans, less stress and standing about for the goats. Watch our newContinue reading “Up on the new line”
Sunday arvo on the farm
It’s been a while since we posted a blog, but things have been busy on the farm. Sundays are no different. A typical Sunday at Holy Goat involves milking early morning and afternoon (just like every other day) cheesemaking (just like every other day) and the usual farm related chores (and farm related things/events/surprises that happen when youContinue reading “Sunday arvo on the farm”
Heat and Goats
Keeping our herd of 100 milking goats cool, calm and collected – not to mention our two-legged milkers – is our focus as we head into this week’s heatwave. Central Victorian summers are always harsh, but consecutive days of 40 degrees plus can take their toll on a dairy farm. Goats don’t sweat. They pantContinue reading “Heat and Goats”
Who do you think you are?
Ivy was born on the 9th August this year, the last of the kids born to the maiden does (first time kidding). She comes from a long line of goats. Her mother is Hoya, borne by Jasmine, who came from Lilac, out of Buddelia. Muse is her great great great grand dame. Ivy’s father’s isContinue reading “Who do you think you are?”
The Line Up
Twice a day we milk our goats – at 6am and 3pm. The goats are more routine than us; well before it’s time to bring them up to the dairy, the herd will have made their way towards the milking shed – unless they’ve found a particularly luscious spot of feed, or a cool spotContinue reading “The Line Up”