Milk Test at Prairie Wood Ranch

 

Last Friday I drove down the road to my friend Lora’s house at Prairie Wood Ranch, I hadn’t been by to see her since I bought my mini-mancha doe, Latte from her 2 years ago, even though I got to work with her at a couple goat shows during that time. My friend Deanna of Cornerstone Nigerians had contacted me to let me know she would be coming up from the valley to be the official goat milk tester at Lora’s ranch and she had some of her wonderful homemade goat milk soaps for me, so “would you be able to come over?”

Well, I had the farrier coming over at 4:30pm, but I said I’d be right over afterwards. I had never been to a milk testing before and was also excited to catch up with my dear friend Deanna and Lora, too.

When I arrived everyone was inside Lora’s house enjoying a delicious potluck dinner. After we had eaten our fill, we headed outside to get started.

 

Lora has a very nice set-up for her goats with lots of space, food, play areas and resting areas.

 

 

 

Double-Mint Goats 

 

“Come on into the barn. All the milk testing action is in here”

 

“See I told ya. Welcome to the inside of the barn, two-legged creature. Got any treats?” 

 

My buddy, Deanna. This was actually her first milk testing event, though you’d never know it. She did an awesome job and was very thorough and professional.

 

 Dairy Herd Improvement Research, (DHIR) testing involves weighing milk produced by each individual goat. A good milking doe should be producing at least six to eight pounds of milk on a daily basis.

In addition the Milk Tester takes a milk sample from each weigh sample, and submits the samples to a DHIR laboratory to measure butterfat, protein and somatic cell count. Somatic cell count is an indicator of overall udder health. First, ear tattoos are checked on each goat for identification. Nigerian Goats are also height measured at the beginning of the test, too.

 The first testing involves milking out the goat and weighing in, usually in the evening. The following morning, the goat is milked and the milk is weighed and samples are taken.

 

 

 The final testing is done that evening, when the goat is milked for the last time, and the milk is weighed with samples taken.  The does earns points based on ‘Days Fresh’, ‘Pounds of Milk’, and ‘Butterfat’. The total points are added together and if they equal 18 or above, that doe earns her Milk Star.  

 

 

 

(Warning: Don’t play this video while you’re at work, or while anyone in your house is sleeping……and even if you do decide to listen to this video, you still may decide to turn the volume down. It’s very very loud!. These were the sounds we listened to during the goat milk testing)

 

 

 

 

After the goat milk testing was completed on that first night, we went back to Lora’s house for dessert, and then went on a farm tour. We saw Lora’s Mom’s Angora goat. Lora’s Mom is a fiber artist and uses the mohair to spin and knit.

 

 

 

 

A couple of bucks. 

 

 

Lora also raises Boer Meat Goats, too. 

 

 And she breeds and raises paint horses.

 

This little boy was born a couple months ago and was sold soon after. Lora didn’t even have to advertise. Someone drove by and admired her stallion and wanted to know if he was for sale. He wasn’t, but his son was. 

 

He'll go to his new home as soon as he's weaned. Check out that blue eye. I love this side of his face, too. Very unique.

 

And this is his Dad. HIs name is Domino. He’s one handsome boy. And even though I already knew he was a stallion, I was still surprised at how puppy dog-like he was. Very affectionate, friendly, and gentle.   

 

 

It was impossible to get a good full-body photo of him because he wanted to be right beside me all the time, petting and scratching him. He reminded me of a cat and how it wants to always rub against your legs so you’ll bend down and pet it. What a sweetie! 

 

 He didn’t like when I moved away and would nicker at me until I walked back. He sure is one handsome fella!

 

Lora also breeds and raises Corgis. Along with her Nigerians and Pygmy Goats, she sells and ships them to folks around the country. On her website she has listed the animals she has available for sale. Most of this litter of puppies is already sold. They'll go to their new homes once weaned. They are just too cute!

 

 This is the Dad, in the background. The Corgi in the front is her second female, who is due to deliver her puppies very soon. They were both very friendly, sweet and active. Almost impossible to take a photo of them. They were moving all the time and wanting to be petted and loved on.

 

These are Lora’s Great Pyrenees Livestock Guardian Dogs. Typically they have free reign of the property, but with the gate open and all of us goat people there for the milk testing, Lora had them temporarily locked in their kennel. This puppy was so cute….like a little polar bear!    

 

It was a great day and a very fun visit. We enjoyed yummy food, conversation, animals, and loads of laughter.

                           The End……………

 

 

                   No really………………..The End!