The Saanen Dairy Goat
The Australian Saanen has been selectively bred from imports from England, Switzerland and France along with the rough type goats brought to the country by the early settlers. The Saanen is a Swiss type of dairy goat, being large in stature with upright ears. The coat colour is solid white (though cream is also acceptable). They are a friendly and affectionate goat and renowned for being a high milk producer. They are the most popular breed (numerically) in Australia.
Why Saanens?
Although I love all goats, Saanens are and always will be my favourite breed of dairy goat. Some of the reasons I admire this breed and love having them are:
* Temperament *
The Saanen is renowned for its gentle and placid nature, and this is the reason that capture my heart. Saanens are affection and very eager to please their human master. They are easy to train and easy to work with. They walk beautifully in the show ring on a collar and lead. Does are simple to train to be milked and rarely will they kick the milk bucket. Bucks are great big gentle giants - I have never yet met an aggresive saanen buck. Saanens are often easier for children to handle due to their consistently even temperament.
* High Production *
Saanens are renowned worldwilde for their milking ability and high production; for this reason they are the most numerous breed in Australia and the most common breed used in commercial goat dairies. Well bred saanen does frequently yield over 4L on their first lactation; I have known of some show does in subsequent lactations to peak at 8 or even 10L of milk per day. The present world record for 365 days lactation is held by Osory Snow Goose with 3296 kgs (3200 litres) first lactation, 3498 kgs (3396 litres) second lactation. That equates to 8.7L per day on her first lactation and 9.3L per day on her second lactation. So they certainly can milk! Saanen milk tends to be lower in butterfat (around 2 - 3%) however some individuals do have higher butterfat (for example, the dam of our buck tested at 7% butterfat).
* Adaptability *
Saanens are known for being very adaptable and versatile - they do equally well on small hobby farms and large commercial dairies with over 1000 goats. They are equally happy being kept in confinement - in a small pen or a barn - or out free ranging in a paddock. They adapt very well to different environments making them a very versatile breed suited for anyone, regardless of your system.
* Milk Quality and Taste *
As stated above, the fat content of Saanen milk is lower than that of the other breeds. We find the milk from the Saanen is somewhere in between full fat milk and skim milk, while being tastier than true skim milk. Saanen milk is very suitable for people who, for health reasons, require low fat milk; my father who has diabetes is a good example. We find that many people choose the Saanen for this reason.
* Temperament *
The Saanen is renowned for its gentle and placid nature, and this is the reason that capture my heart. Saanens are affection and very eager to please their human master. They are easy to train and easy to work with. They walk beautifully in the show ring on a collar and lead. Does are simple to train to be milked and rarely will they kick the milk bucket. Bucks are great big gentle giants - I have never yet met an aggresive saanen buck. Saanens are often easier for children to handle due to their consistently even temperament.
* High Production *
Saanens are renowned worldwilde for their milking ability and high production; for this reason they are the most numerous breed in Australia and the most common breed used in commercial goat dairies. Well bred saanen does frequently yield over 4L on their first lactation; I have known of some show does in subsequent lactations to peak at 8 or even 10L of milk per day. The present world record for 365 days lactation is held by Osory Snow Goose with 3296 kgs (3200 litres) first lactation, 3498 kgs (3396 litres) second lactation. That equates to 8.7L per day on her first lactation and 9.3L per day on her second lactation. So they certainly can milk! Saanen milk tends to be lower in butterfat (around 2 - 3%) however some individuals do have higher butterfat (for example, the dam of our buck tested at 7% butterfat).
* Adaptability *
Saanens are known for being very adaptable and versatile - they do equally well on small hobby farms and large commercial dairies with over 1000 goats. They are equally happy being kept in confinement - in a small pen or a barn - or out free ranging in a paddock. They adapt very well to different environments making them a very versatile breed suited for anyone, regardless of your system.
* Milk Quality and Taste *
As stated above, the fat content of Saanen milk is lower than that of the other breeds. We find the milk from the Saanen is somewhere in between full fat milk and skim milk, while being tastier than true skim milk. Saanen milk is very suitable for people who, for health reasons, require low fat milk; my father who has diabetes is a good example. We find that many people choose the Saanen for this reason.