Understanding the seasonal milk cycle (lactation cycle) will help you understand where your products come from and why they are available only during certain parts of the year.
1. Breeding season:
In the fall (typically mid-to-late October), the buck is placed with the does for breeding. All does 18 months or older are bred and have a 5-month gestation period. We choose not to milk during this time to give mommas time and energy to grow their young, and because goat milk takes on a “bucky” scent. If you’ve never been around a buck during breeding season, they smell terrible. We spare you (and us) of this in the milk!
2. Kidding season:
This is an exciting time! As soon as five months after being placed with the buck, the does start to kid. This is typically in the March-May timeframe. Twins are the most common kid sets on our farm, although singles and triplets come as well. The first week of milk is nutrient-dense colostrum, which is necessary to newborns for growth, immunity, and overall health. Optimal kidding means the kids are born and standing up to nurse within a couple of hours!
3. Milk-Sharing season:
To grow healthy (4-legged) kids, milk is split between us (people) and the young goats. On our farm, we begin overnighting the kids in a pen separate from their mommas when they are 7-10 days old. Not to fear, they snuggle and play with their friends during this time! We milk the does early in the morning to save milk for drinking and cheese-making, and then reunite the kids with their mothers. (fun side note: the babies SPRINT through the barn to join with their mommas. We call this “the running of the goats” and look forward to it every morning!). The kids nurse off of their mommas all day long, while also learning from the herd how to eat in the pasture. In the evening, we again return the babies to the “kid pen.”
4. Peak Production Season
Depending on the year and family schedule, the kids may be weaned at 8-12 weeks. When this happens, the farm switches to peak dairy production mode. With our does giving 1-2 gallons of milk each day, there are plenty of product options during this time! Keep in mind that the individual doe production does not actually increase, but the amount usable for humans roughly doubles.
What Does This Mean for the Consumer?
Ultimately, daily fresh milk is available from April – October on our farm. We freeze fresh milk throughout the season to drink and use in the winter months. It’s a fair compromise when the goats are not in milk and when you’re in a pinch, it is exactly what you need!
Even if it’s the “dry” season during the winter, give us a call. We still might have what you’re looking for!