GOAT MILK PRODUCTION UNDER ORGANIC FARMING STANDARS

Abstract

Organic farming has emerged from its niche. This holds true for organic goat milk, yoghurt and cheese as well. Particularly in the EU many dairy goat farms have converted or want to convert towards organic farming to profit from the positive image and the good prices for milk (+100% in Western Europe and Alpine regions). High performance dairy goats demand excellent feedstuffs, a sound environment and top management. It was not clear how organic farming can fulfil these demands. The restrictive factors influencing the productivity of the animals in organic farming are as follows: limited concentrate feeding (<40% of ration), grazing systems with seasonal and annual changes in roughage qualities due to weather conditions and the prohibition of preventive and allopathic veterinary intervention. High performance dairy goat breeds like Alpine goats can produce about 600 to 800 kg milk with 40 to 50 kg fat and protein per 240-days under organic farming standards. The yield is limited due to roughage quality and management (health, breeding). With consideration of the high price (conventional: 0.38 €, organic: 0.70 € kg-1) organic goat milk is a profitable product.