Shows
For the Love of GoatsGoat Milk Gelato in SwedenGot a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-milk-ice-cream-and-gelato/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionIf you’ve ever wondered how to turn your goat milk into something people line up for, this episode is for you! In this episode of For the Love of Goats, host Deborah Niemann chats with Oskar Edwall from Sweden, who started with just a few goats and ended up creating a thriving business making goat milk ice cream and gelato.Oskar shares how...
2025-10-3016 minFor the Love of GoatsGoat Yoga: A Story of Connection, Calm, and Cuddly GoatsGot a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-yoga/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionWhen people hear you have goats, one of the first questions they ask is, “Do you do goat yoga?” In this fun and fascinating episode, host Deborah Niemann talks with the person who started it all—Lainey Morse, founder of the original Goat Yoga in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.Lainey shares how goat yoga began in 2016 during one of the most difficult times of her life—and ho...
2025-10-1522 minFor the Love of GoatsUterine Tears in GoatsGot a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/uterine-tears-in-goats/-- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionIn this episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by Dr. Daniela Luethy, Assistant Professor of Large Animal Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, to discuss the realities of uterine tears in goats, risk factors, and what goat owners need to know as kidding season approaches. Dr. Luethy shares the results of a new multicenter study on reproductive complications in goats and clarifies common misunderstandings about prevention, symptoms, and man...
2025-10-0132 minFor the Love of GoatsThe Science of Goat Milk and Skin CareGot a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/the-science-of-goat-milk-and-skin-care/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionGoat milk has been used for centuries to soothe and nourish skin—but now science is catching up to explain why it works so well. In this episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by Dr. Brent Ridge, physician and co-founder of Beekman 1802, to explore the research behind goat milk’s unique skin benefits. From maintaining the skin’s pH to supporting a healthy microbiome, Dr. Ridge shares insights from...
2025-09-0340 min
Sustainability Book ChatMastering the Art of Preserving Vegetables with Angi SchneiderGot a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/preserving-vegetables/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionIn this episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by author, blogger, and homesteader Angi Schneider to talk about the many ways you can preserve your garden bounty—without wasting money or time. Angi shares practical tips from her book, The Ultimate Guide to Preserving Vegetables, covering everything from equipment basics to smart preservation strategies that help avoid common pitfalls.Whether you grow your o...
2025-08-2735 minFor the Love of GoatsGoat Packing and Public Lands: How NAPgA Keeps the Trails OpenGot a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-packing-and-public-lands/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionIn this episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by Chris Gifford, president of the North American Packgoat Association (NAPgA), to talk about the growing challenges that pack goat owners face when it comes to accessing public lands.Chris explains what goat packing is, how it works, and why goats make excellent trail companions. He also shares the history of NAPgA and its advocacy efforts to keep pub...
2025-08-2019 minFor the Love of GoatsPackgoats 101: Getting Started with Hiking Companions on HoovesGot a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/packing-with-goats/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionIf you're considering adding pack goating to your goats’ resumes, this episode is packed with practical tips and essential insights. Deborah Niemann chats with Nathan Putnam, a board member of the North American Pack Goat Association and owner of Putnam Pack Goats. Together, they dive into the world of pack goats, from choosing the right goats to the gear you'll need for your trips.In this e...
2025-08-1321 minFor the Love of GoatsTurning Goat Milk into Pet Food: Labeling and Licensing EssentialsGot a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/turning-goat-milk-into-pet-food/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionIf you’ve ever wondered what it takes to legally sell raw goat milk or farm-made pet treats, this episode is full of first-hand insight and practical tips. Deborah sits down with Carly Brown and Shawn Phillips of The Good Steward Farm in Virginia, where their herd of 28 goats helps power two small businesses: goat-powered landscaping and licensed raw milk pet products.Carly and Shawn wal...
2025-07-3040 minFor the Love of GoatsThe Secret to a Successful Farm Volunteer ProgramGot a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/farm-volunteer-program/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionIn this episode, Deborah Niemann welcomes Anne Petersen of Rosasharn Farm—one of the longest-standing Nigerian Dwarf breeders in the U.S.—to talk about her farm's long-running and highly successful volunteer program. What began as hosting a foreign exchange student over two decades ago has evolved into a dynamic educational experience that has inspired many former volunteers to start their own farms and even veterinary careers.
2025-07-0932 minFor the Love of GoatsHow Beekman 1802 Used GOAT Wisdom to Build a Beloved BrandGot a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-wisdom/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionWhat do you get when two city guys buy a goat farm during the Great Recession? A global skincare brand built on goat milk—and timeless wisdom.In this inspiring episode, Deborah talks with Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Dr. Brent Ridge, the founders of Beekman 1802, about how they went from weekend farmers to building a multi-million-dollar business using lessons learned from goats, neighbors, and small...
2025-06-1931 minFor the Love of GoatsCall the Vet NowGot a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/call-the-vet-now/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! Description Most goat owners have faced a moment of uncertainty—staring at a sick goat and wondering, “Should I call the vet?” In this solo episode, Deborah Niemann lays out the answer with clarity and urgency.While goats are often thought of as hardy animals, they are also prey animals that instinctively hide illness until they’re critically sick. This episode covers the top emergency s...
2025-06-1132 minSustainability Book ChatWhy Family Farms Are Disappearing with Brian ReisingerGot a question or thought to share? 🤔💬 Head over to the blog post -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/family-farms/ -- and drop it in the comments—we’d love to hear what you think and we’ll be sure to reply! DescriptionIn this episode Deborah Niemann is joined by Brian Reisinger, journalist and author of Land Rich, Cash Poor, to talk about a subject close to both their hearts: the alarming disappearance of family farms in the United States.Brian grew up on a multi-generational Wisconsin farm and brings a u...
2025-06-0531 minSustainability Book ChatBuilding a Pantry from Scratch with Kris BordessaGot a question or thought to share? 🤔💬 Head over to the blog post -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/building-a-pantry-from-scratch/ -- and drop it in the comments—we’d love to hear what you think and we’ll be sure to reply! Description In this episode, Deborah Niemann welcomes Kris Bordessa, author of Attainable Sustainable and the new follow-up, Attainable Sustainable Pantry. Kris shares her inspiration behind writing a book focused entirely on pantry staples and kitchen self-reliance, especially after the overwhelming response to her first book. Whether you’re a complete begi...
2025-05-2726 minFor the Love of GoatsUnderstanding Goat Polio: Causes, Symptoms & TreatmentsGot a question? 🤔 Head over to https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-polio/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionGoat polio is a serious and often misunderstood condition—frequently mistaken for other neurological diseases like listeriosis, meningeal worm, or even rabies. In this episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by Dr. Melissa Holahan, a small ruminant veterinarian, goat breeder, and former lecturer and research assistant at Washington State University. As a breeder of Nigerian Dwarf and Alpine goats herself, Dr. Holahan brings a unique combination of clinical expertise and hands-on ex...
2025-03-2626 minFor the Love of GoatsRaising Goats in CanadaGot a question? 🤔 Head over to https://thriftyhomesteader.com/raising-goats-in-canada/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionIn this episode, host Deborah Niemann is joined by Mallory Kaiser, president of the Alberta Goat Association and vice chair of the Canadian National Goat Federation. Mallory shares insights into the goat industry in Canada, including available breeds, import/export challenges, traceability regulations, and the demand for goat products. Whether you're curious about how goat farming differs in Canada or considering expanding your own herd, this episode is packed with valuable informa...
2025-03-1939 minFor the Love of GoatsDewormer Resistance: A Goat Owner’s ExperienceGot a question? 🤔 Head over to https://thriftyhomesteader.com/dewormer-resistance-goat-owners-experience/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionIn this insightful and eye-opening episode, host Deborah Niemann is joined by Tammy Gallagher of Shady Paddock Farm in Texas to discuss the challenges of dewormer resistance and parasite management in goats. Tammy, a certified FAMACHA instructor and Nigerian Dwarf breeder, shares her personal experience of losing goats to barber pole worms and the lessons she learned in regaining control of her herd’s health.Tammy’s story underscores the importanc...
2025-03-1231 minFor the Love of GoatsAn American's Experience with Goats in KenyaGot a question? 🤔 Head over to https://thriftyhomesteader.com/americans-experience-with-goats-in-kenya/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionIn this fascinating episode, Deborah Niemann sits down with Mark Hicks, an author and adventurer, to discuss his unforgettable experience with goats during a trip to Kenya. Mark’s journey was part of his seminary doctorate program, where he stayed with a pastor who also happened to be a goat farmer. What he encountered there was a completely different approach to goat farming—one that challenged his...
2025-03-0517 minFor the Love of GoatsScrapie Updates in Goats and Sheep for 2025As goat owners, understanding diseases that can affect our herds is crucial for maintaining healthy animals and preventing the spread of illnesses. In this episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by Dr. Linda Detwiler, staff veterinarian on the sheep and goat health staff at the USDA APHIS Veterinary Service, to discuss scrapie, a neurological disease affecting sheep and goats.Dr. Detwiler provides an update on the current state of scrapie in the United States, including its history, transmission, symptoms, testing methods, genetic resistance, and efforts to eradicate it.What You’ll Learn in Th...
2025-02-2641 minFor the Love of GoatsOur First C-section: Caboose’s StoryGot a question? 🤔 Head over to https://thriftyhomesteader.com/c-section-in-goats/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionIn this episode, host Deborah Niemann shares the emotional and educational story of Caboose, the first goat on her farm to undergo a C-section. As part of the podcast’s fifth-anniversary celebration, Deborah reflects on the challenges, lessons learned, and how this experience helped her understand the critical importance of timely veterinary intervention during kidding complications.Deborah details what led to Caboose’s C-section, including the initial signs of trouble, her...
2025-02-1532 minFor the Love of GoatsSharing Milk with Baby GoatsGot a question? 🤔 Head over to https://thriftyhomesteader.com/sharing-milk-with-baby-goats/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionThe answer to, “When can I start milking my doe?” is not as simple as listing the specific age of the kids. In this episode, we are discussing the complexities of sharing milk with baby goats and offering practical advice for goat owners who want to balance kid health with milk production. Deborah draws on her experience as both a homesteader and a former Board Certified Lactation Consultant to share import...
2025-02-1242 minFor the Love of GoatsFor the Love of Goats Turns 5: A Look Ahead with Deborah NiemannHappy anniversary to us! FTLOG is five years old! As we enter our sixth year, you can continue to count on us to help you cut through the clutter of conflicting information out there so that you can be confident that your goats will be living their best lives! You can expect to hear from more goat experts like veterinary professors and published scientists who are on the leading edge of goat research. You’ll also hear from goat owners who have turned their love of goats into a successful business. And this year, you’ll hear more...
2025-02-1101 minFor the Love of GoatsUterine Rupture and Hemorrhage: Coco’s StoryGot a question? 🤔 Head over to https://thriftyhomesteader.com/uterine-rupture-and-hemorrhage-in-goats/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionIn this deeply personal and emotional episode, host Deborah Niemann shares the heartbreaking story of her goat, Coco, who experienced a uterine rupture and hemorrhage during a challenging kidding in 2013. Deborah takes listeners on a journey through Coco's life, from her birth to her tragic passing after giving birth to quintuplets. This episode not only honors Coco’s memory but also provides valuable insights into the risks of uterine tears and...
2025-02-1130 minFor the Love of GoatsGuardian Llamas: A Conversation with an ExpertGot a question? 🤔 Head over to https://thriftyhomesteader.com/guardian-llamas/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionHave you been considering getting a guard llama for your herd? You may have many questions such as: where can I find a good guard llama? How much should I expect to pay? Are there traits I should look for? What about the importance of age and the castration status for males? In this episode, Deborah is talking to Carol Reigh of Buck Hollow Llamas, an expert who has been rai...
2024-11-2052 minFor the Love of GoatsThe Year of the Goat: A Memoir Starring GoatsToday's guests first visited Antiquity Oaks Farm about 17 years ago when they were traveling across the United States looking for all things goat. That year-long trek from the east coast to the west was chronicled in their book, Year of the Goat, which was originally published in 2007.This year, in honor of its 15th anniversary, the publisher is bringing it back with an all-new introduction, sub-title, and cover, as well as lots of photos that were not in the original book.In today's episode, author Margaret Hathaway and her husband, photographer Karl Schatz, are talking...
2022-06-2930 minFor the Love of GoatsOlder Goats: Arthritis, Dental Issues, and MoreEven though most of you reading this probably don't think of your goats as food animals, that is how they are categorized in the veterinary world. Since very few food animals don't have the opportunity to live out their natural lives, there is little research on dealing with health challenges in individual animals. The focus tends to be on herd health, contagious diseases, and production. It can become even more challenging to care for them in old age because there is even less research on the health issues faced by senior animals. So, what's a goat owner...
2022-06-2237 minFor the Love of GoatsMastitis in GoatsWhenever a doe's udder has a different texture or temperature than normal, mastitis is the first thing that we all worry about. Today's topic has been one of the most requested from my listeners, so I know it's something we all worry about from time to time.Dr. George McCommon, professor of veterinary science and public health at Fort Valley State University, joins us today to talk about the basics of mastitis, as well as his current research project.We start with mastitis symptoms and how a hot, hard udder is not always present when...
2022-06-1523 minFor the Love of GoatsImporting GoatsIf you've ever thought about importing goats from another country, today's episode is for you. Buying a goat from across the globe is not nearly as simple as buying a goat from across the country. There are a number of restrictions and testing required for goats, depending upon which country they are coming from, and Dr. Mary Kate Anderson, Staff Veterinary Medical Officer at the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, joins us in this episode to talk about everything you need to know before importing goats or sheep into the U.S. We talk...
2022-06-0818 minFor the Love of GoatsCashmere GoatsRecently the Cashmere Goat Association voted to make Cashmere goats a breed. Prior to that vote, a "cashmere" goat was just a goat with a specific type of cashmere fiber. Although all goats have a cashmere undercoat, cashmere goats must have fiber of a specific length, and they must produce at least 2 ounces per year.In this episode I'm having a conversation with Christine Hulse, secretary of the Cashmere Goat Association, talking about the breed standard, as well as the fiber standards. Christine talks about why people raise Cashmere goats, how to harvest the fiber, and what...
2022-06-0129 minFor the Love of GoatsCache Valley Virus: One Breeder's ExperienceUntil recently, most goat breeders had never heard of Cache Valley Virus. I heard about it two years ago when an animal scientist told me that they were having a horrible time with it in their research flock. Today's guest had never heard about Cache Valley Virus until a few months ago when she started seeing a lot of very weird things happening in her goat herd — a doe freshening with no milk, kids born with birth defects, kids dying within the first couple of weeks after birth, a tiny 2-pound LaMancha kid, an amorphus globosus, and mo...
2022-05-1130 minFor the Love of GoatsKeeping Goats and Chickens Together Have you thought about adding chickens to your goat farm? Have you heard about keeping chickens and goats together? Maybe you already have chickens and the challenges with the goats are driving you crazy?In today's episode, I'm talking about things to consider when chickens and goats share the same space, as well as what you can do to keep them apart. I explain leader-follower rotational grazing with chickens and small ruminants (sheep or goats), including what type of equipment you need in order to be successful.Today's episode is sponsored by Premier 1 Supplies because w...
2022-04-2725 minFor the Love of GoatsTips on Buying GoatsHow do you avoid scams when buying goats? Should you buy registered goats? How do you know you're buying healthy goats?If you are getting started with goats or still building your herd, you probably have a few questions. In this episode, I'm answering all of the above questions and more.I also talk about why you should not buy goats from the sale barn, and what questions to ask a breeder when goat shopping. Since I teach college, I can spot plagiarism a mile away. I share some of my secrets with y...
2022-03-3021 minFor the Love of GoatsTips on Selling GoatsIf you are new to selling goats, you might feel like you can't say "no" to any potential buyers. I am here to tell you otherwise. You will hear two main points today as I tell you a few stories of people that I refused to sell goats to. First, you should always ask questions to be sure that the buyer has done their homework and knows what a goat needs — and that they can provide that! After all of the love, care, and money you have put into raising healthy goats, you want to be...
2022-03-2323 minFor the Love of GoatsNew Guidelines for Using Dewormers in GoatsSince parasite research in goats is always evolving, I was excited to see that the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control has revised their dewormer usage chart. Although most of the dosages have stayed the same from previous chart, there are a lot of new recommendations that you'll find in the footnotes.We are joined in this episode by one of the authors of the revision, Michael Pesato, DVM, DABVP, Assistant Clinical Professor of Food Animal Medicine and Surgery at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.Dr. Pesato talks about what off-label drug...
2022-03-1637 minFor the Love of GoatsFainting Goats (aka Myotonic Goats): History, Myths, and FactsIt's probably safe to say that everyone has heard of fainting goats, which are more correctly called myotonic goats, and they don't actually faint.Today we are separating fact from fiction in our conversation with Phil Sponenberg, DVM, Ph.D. of Virginia Tech who has been breeding myotonics for 30 years. He is also the technical advisor for The Livestock Conservancy, which has the myotonic goat on the "recovering" section of the Conservation Priority List, where the breed was originally considered critically endangered.Dr. Sponenberg discusses the history of the myotonic goat and what exactly is...
2022-03-0224 minFor the Love of GoatsHypocalcemia in GoatsHypocalcemia in goats, sometimes called milk fever, is one of the most misunderstood maladies in the goat world. This confusion stems from research done on cows, which does not apply to goats, but is still often referenced by many sources as if it does apply.Today's guest, Dr. Robert Van Saun of Pennsylvania State University, once again reminds us that goats are not little cows. We are talking about the causes of hypocalcemia in goats and how that compares to cows, as well as how to prevent it and the treatment.Dr. Van Saun talks...
2022-02-2345 minFor the Love of GoatsPregnancy Toxemia in GoatsDuring kidding season, lots of goat owners start to worry about ketosis and pregnancy toxemia in their does. In today's episode, Dr. Robert VanSaun, professor of veterinary science and extension veterinarian at Pennsylvania State University, talks about what causes does to go into ketosis and how that can lead to pregnancy toxemia. If left untreated, it can ultimately lead to a doe's death. So, we are also talking about how to prevent this potentially devastating condition in the first place.Full show notes here -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/pregnancy-toxemia-in-goats/ To see...
2022-02-0231 minFor the Love of GoatsGoat Birthing: How Much Should You Help?Practices with birthing goats vary tremendously from one breeder to another. Some people are very hands-on while others want to stay away as much as possible. How do you figure out what you feel comfortable with?In today's episode, I'm talking about the different reasons why a kid may be born weak or why a doe may have difficulty giving birth. Although it sounds like you are breeding the best of the best when you are more hands-off, I give you an example of when that was not true — and the tiny weak one turned out to be...
2022-01-2620 minFor the Love of GoatsCan Goats be Raised Naturally?It's not uncommon for someone to contact me about a goat problem that they have, and to resist doing anything "unnatural," such as providing a commercial mineral for their goats. What most people don't realize is that they aren't raising their goats naturally to begin with.In this episode, I'm talking about why my book is called Raising Goats Naturally, what that means, and what it does not mean. I also talk about the five reasons it is impossible for most of us to raise goats naturally in much of North America.Other episodes referenced...
2022-01-1232 minFor the Love of GoatsExperimental GoatsIf a herd has more than one breed of goat, odds are good that they also have some experimental goats, which are crosses of other purebred standard-sized goats. Bucks are determined creatures, and unplanned breedings happen in most herds. However, there is a huge difference between accidental crosses and crosses that are planned to create the best goats to meet your goals. For Erika McKenzie, head cheesemaker and dairy herd manager at Pennyroyal Farm, that means creating crosses of her three different breeds to create the goats with the best milk for making cheese.In...
2021-12-1526 minFor the Love of GoatsToggenburg GoatsIf you are interested in a medium-sized goat for milking, you should consider the Toggenburg, which is always a shade of brown, somewhere between tan and dark chocolate. The Toggenburg goat's butterfat average is the lowest of the dairy breeds, but it still makes great cheese.Today we are talking to Leslie Cardoza owner of Bar XX Dairy Goats, who has been breeding Toggenburgs for milk and show in California since 2003. She has had goats on the ADGA Top Ten list for milk production every year since 2010, and one year her goats took seven of the ten...
2021-12-0821 minFor the Love of GoatsSable GoatsIf you are looking for a larger dairy goat that produces a lot of milk and has fairly low butterfat, then the Sable goat might be the one for you, especially if you like the idea of having a breed that is not very common.In this episode, I'm talking to Klisse Foster who has been raising Sable goats since the 1980s. Her goats are often on the American Dairy Goat Association's Top Ten list for milk production. She shows her goats too and can usually be found at the ADGA national show, even in years when...
2021-12-0126 minFor the Love of GoatsNubian Goats and CheesemakingToday's episode started as a discussion of Nubian goats with Joanne Danielson who has been raising them for 40 years. However, because of Jo's experience as a professional cheesemaker, it quickly turned into a deep dive into the science of cheesemaking and how starting with the right goats can make all the difference.At 5%, Nubian goats have the highest butterfat of any of the standard breeds. But because Jo is serious about making the best cheese, she has incorporated genetic testing into her toolkit so that she can focus on breeding goats with the best genes for making...
2021-11-2439 minFor the Love of GoatsChoosing a Goat Breed for Your FarmIt can be so challenging to choose a breed of goat to raise. But you should not choose your goats like you choose pets, which is often based on appearance, color, or size. If you want your goats to serve a purpose, such as dairy or meat, you really should choose the breed that is going to help you meet your goals.Since we don't drink milk, our goat milk is almost all used exclusively for making cheese, which is why we have Nigerian dwarf. Since they have the highest butterfat of any breed, we get a...
2021-11-0318 minFor the Love of GoatsIodine Deficiency in GoatsAs I've received more messages from people with kids born hairless or with goiters, I've become more interested in the topic of iodine and goats because those symptoms occur in kids that are iodine deficient.You don't usually hear anyone talking about iodine and goats unless the topic of kelp comes up, and then the conversation can swing wildly between people worried about deficiency or toxicity. In today's episode, I am joined again by Dr. Robert VanSaun, Professor of Veterinary Science and Extension Veterinarian in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at Pennsylvania State University.
2021-09-2938 minFor the Love of GoatsQ-Fever and CoxiellosisCoxiella burnetii is the bacteria that causes coxiellosis in goats and Q-fever in humans, and although it is not super common, all goat owners need to be aware of it so that they can prevent their goats and themselves from being infected.Coxiellosis in goats is highly infectious and can cause abortion storms in herds. Humans can be infected via aerosols (like COVID), birth secretions, feces, and raw milk. This disease can be especially bad in pregnant women.In this episode, I am talking to infectious disease expert Dr. Charles Gaiser from the USDA about...
2021-09-1528 minFor the Love of GoatsGoats in a Hand-Harvested Food YearHave you ever wanted to produce 100% of your food? Well, that's exactly what Alexia Allen and her husband Daniel Kirchhof did in 2017. In this episode, she talks about how goats played a central role in their year of hand-harvested food. They ate nothing — not even salt — that was not harvested by them or their friends. How did they get the idea to go a whole year without purchased food? What did they do to prepare? How did goats fit into the picture? Alexia talks about her experience making cheese without purchased cultures or rennet, as well...
2021-08-2533 minFor the Love of GoatsNutritional Wisdom of GoatsAlthough everyone pretty much agrees that goats do a good job of consuming just the right amount of loose minerals when they are available free choice, there are still a lot of people who don't think goats (or other animals) can selectively choose to consume plants that they need when they need them.The concept of "nutritional wisdom" is something that Dr. Fred Provenza wound up studying throughout his career at Utah State University. I've heard about Dr. Provenza's research for about as long as I've raised goats, so it was really interesting to be able to...
2021-08-0440 minFor the Love of GoatsSquamous Cell Carcinoma in Nigerian Dwarf GoatsAfter writing about our experience when one of our does had squamous cell carcinoma, I've been contacted by quite a few other goat owners who have had a goat that also had that form of skin cancer.But Mary Brennan really got my attention when she emailed and told me she has had six goats with confirmed squamous cell carcinoma! She noticed that some of the goats were related, which caused her to dive deep into the history of the Nigerian dwarf breed, as well as skin cancer in other species. Ultimately that led her to a...
2021-07-2823 minFor the Love of GoatsMicrochipping GoatsSomeone emailed me after her first experience tattooing goats and said, "There has to be a better way to identify goats. What can you tell me about microchips?" Luckily I had already scheduled an interview with Allysse Sorenson, Chief Executive Herder of The Munch Bunch and webmaster at HireGoats.com.Allysse has microchipped all of her caprine "employees" to not only identify them but also to keep track of them. In this episode, we are talking about why she decided to microchip her goats, how a microchip works, and some common misconceptions about microchips.We...
2021-07-2128 minFor the Love of GoatsZinc for GoatsZinc deficiency is often suspected when a goat is losing hair, but there are other reasons for hair loss, and that is not the only symptom of zinc deficiency. In this episode, we are talking about zinc with Dr. Robert VanSaun from the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at Pennsylvania State University. First, he talks about how zinc affects 200 different functions in the body, and it is unfortunately deficient in all forage in the U.S. Goats need at least 40 ppm zinc in their diet, but most forage is closer to 25 ppm. ...
2021-06-3041 minFor the Love of GoatsSheep vs. GoatsSome people talk about sheep and goats as if they are practically the same species, but nothing could be further from the truth. I've been breeding and milking Nigerian dwarf goats since 2002 and LaMancha goats for about 10 years. It may come as a surprise that I also bred Shetland sheep for 12 years and have had Katahdin hair sheep for six years now.In this episode, I am talking about how the two species are similar and different and why you might prefer one species over the other.Full show notes here --- https://thriftyhomesteader.com...
2021-06-1623 minFor the Love of GoatsShowing GoatsWhen my daughters were teenagers, they loved showing our goats. It was a great way for us to learn about goat conformation and to see how our goats compared to others. It also provided an opportunity for us to meet other goat owners.In this episode, we are talking to Ellen Dorsey of Dill's-A Little Goat Farm in Oklahoma, who has been raising goats for two decades and showing for almost as many years. She talks about why she started showing goats and provides tips for anyone who wants to get started showing goats or improve their...
2021-06-0234 minFor the Love of GoatsCommon But Unimportant Worms in GoatsBecause barber pole worm (haemonchus contortus) causes so many deaths among goats, we don't talk about other worms much. Barber pole is the worm that sucks blood and causes goats to become anemic, which can cause a goat to go downhill rapidly and even die.Goats can be walking around with a host of other worms in their body, however, and ironically most of those worms are unimportant and don't cause disease. So, why are we talking about them? Because most people think that all worms must be killed, and ultimately, the attempt to kill all the...
2021-05-2637 minFor the Love of GoatsGenetic Resistance to Worms in GoatsIf you have goats for very long, you may realize that some never need deworming while others need it frequently. There is definitely a genetic component involved in a goat's natural resistance or resilience to worms.In this episode I'm talking to Andrew Weaver, Ph.D., Small Ruminants Extension Specialist at North Carolina State University about genetic resistance to worms in goats and sheep. Although there has been a lot more research done on genetic resistance in sheep, goat owners can learn from their playbook and use some of the same selection tools for improving the worm...
2021-05-1236 minFor the Love of GoatsHealthy Weeds and Poisonous PlantsIf you look online for a list of plants that are poisonous to goats, you might think you need to chop down trees and pull up dozens of weeds to keep your goats safe. Those lists can include things like oak and maple leaves, which my goats eat regularly because my farm is covered with them. The fact is that goats actually have a much higher tolerance for poisonous plants than horses and some other animals. So, what's a conscientious goat owner to do? In this episode, I'm talking to Kim Cassida from Michigan State University as w...
2021-04-2829 minFor the Love of GoatsScrapie in Goats and SheepIf you ever wanted to sell your goats or sheep to someone in another country, then you are already familiar with the US's problem with scrapie. It's not a huge problem, but having anything more than zero cases for seven years means that most countries will not allow our sheep and goats to be imported into their country.In this episode, I am talking to Charles Gaiser, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, who is a sheep and goat epidemiologist with the USDA, APHIS (Animal Plant Health Inspection Service), VS (Veterinary Services), RHC (Ruminant Health Center), Small Ruminant Health Team...
2021-04-2130 minFor the Love of GoatsAgritourism on Ten Apple FarmMargaret Hathaway and Karl Schatz first entered our lives in 2004 during their Year of the Goat when they traveled from coast to coast learning about all things goat. They were enamored with these amazing creatures, and they knew they wanted to do something with goats. But what?Instead of just reading a couple of books, they decided to literally write a book, as they visited goat dairies, the circus, pack goat operations, slaughterhouses, and even homesteads that had goats as an integral part of their plan for greater self-reliance.After 12 months and thousands of miles...
2021-04-0727 minFor the Love of GoatsAvoiding Diseases with a Biosecurity PlanThere is an old veterinary saying that most animal diseases are bought and sold. It can be so tempting to buy every cute goat that you see, but there are some very good reasons to only buy your animals from reputable breeders who have herds that have tested negative for common diseases.In this episode, I am talking to Patty Scharko, DVM, MPH, a Field/Extension Veterinarian at Clemson University in South Carolina about keeping your goats health with a good biosecurity plan. It all starts with buying healthy animals and then being careful to not bring...
2021-03-3130 minFor the Love of GoatsZoonotic Diseases and AgritourismMost of us love our goats so much and want to share their awesomeness with the world. Unfortunately, that is not a risk-free proposition because there are some diseases that goats can transmit to humans — even healthy goats!In today’s episode, we are talking to Megin Nichols, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, at the Center for Disease Control where she leads the team that investigates multi-state outbreaks of salmonella, E. coli, and other zoonotic diseases. I first heard her speak at a conference of the American Dairy Goat Association where she talked about a huge outbreak of E. coli...
2021-03-2434 minFor the Love of GoatsCopper Deficiency and ToxicityIf you're confused by everything you've heard about copper needs in goats, then hopefully this episode will clear things up.We are joined again by Dr. Robert VanSaun who teaches veterinary science at Pennsylvania State University and specializes in ruminant nutrition, and he debunks common myths while explaining symptoms of deficiency and toxicity, and how they are different, as well as where to start in your copper supplementation program. He also drives home the idea that all nutrition is local, and you can't simply copy what someone is doing on another farm. Full show notes...
2021-03-1735 minFor the Love of GoatsWorms During Kidding SeasonAlthough we are finally getting the word out that current research shows that you should not routinely deworm goats or deworm the whole herd at one time, one of the last old-fashioned ideas about dewormers is still hanging on -- the idea that you must deworm all does after kidding (or within a week or two before kidding). The fact that does have often have an increase in their fecal egg counts around the time of kidding has caused people to believe that deworming is necessary. However, this comes from a misunderstanding of how correlation in this case does...
2021-03-1035 minFor the Love of GoatsColostrum for Baby GoatsI've always referred to colostrum as liquid gold. Whenever someone asks me what they should give a kid when it's born, the answer is short and simple -- colostrum. When a kid is born, the number one goal is to get colostrum into it as soon as possible. After recording this episode, I am even more appreciative of this amazing food that mama goats make for their babies.Dr. Robert Van Saun, a professor of veterinary science at Pennsylvania State University, returns to talk about all of the amazing properties of colostrum, as well as how much...
2021-03-0338 minFor the Love of GoatsKidding in Cold WeatherWhether you live in Florida or Canada, odds are good that you will be worried about your goats giving birth when it is cold out. However, the definition of cold can vary dramatically between those two places. When I'm talking to people in southern states, they are worried when temperatures are dipping below 50. Whereas those of us in Illinois and other northern states don't worry too much until it looks like temperatures will be dipping into the single digits or below zero.We've had more kiddings below zero than I can recall at this point, and personally...
2021-02-2441 minFor the Love of GoatsSelenium Deficiency and Toxicity in GoatsSelenium is a very important mineral in a goat's diet. However, since most soil in the U.S. is deficient in selenium, and the U.S. government limits the amount of selenium that can be added to goat feeds and minerals, it's not that easy to make sure your goats get enough selenium. In this episode, I'm talking to veterinary and ruminant nutritionist, Dr. Robert Van Saun, a professor of veterinary science at Pennsylvania State University. He talks about the notorious history of selenium, as well as symptoms of deficiency. You'll learn how much selenium goats need...
2021-02-1649 minFor the Love of GoatsBasics of Goat ResearchWhat is the difference between a controlled study and observations that you make on your farm? In this episode, I’m talking to Joan Burke, Ph.D., who has been researching alternative dewormers in small ruminants for about two decades.In addition to talking about some of her parasite research, we also are debunking some myths that you may have heard. Plus we are talking about the importance of randomly assigning goats to a control group (that receives nothing) to compare to a treatment group, as well as a few others important factors involved in figuring out wh...
2021-02-1029 minFor the Love of GoatsExtended Lactations and "Impromptu" CheesesIn addition to being the author of the newly released book, Grow Your Own Spices, Tasha Greer is also a homesteader and goat owner. Today we are talking about extended lactations in Nigerian dwarf goats, as well as making cheese without a recipe.Although most people only milk their goats for a few months or a year at most, many goats are capable of continuing to produce milk for two to three years. This is something we've been doing on our farm for awhile, so I was excited to learn that Tasha milks her does for an...
2021-02-0332 minFor the Love of GoatsDeer Worms in GoatsMeningeal worm, also known as deer worm, is a worm that is normally found in white tail deer, but goats can become infected. In this episode Dr. Tatiana Stanton, a goat and sheep specialist with Cornell University Extension, is talking about how deer worm is different than intestinal worms that goats have, symptoms of an infection, and treatment. Although deer worm is not nearly as common as intestinal worms, they can be much more deadly. While a goat can walk around with thousands of roundworms in its digestive tract, a single deer worm in the spinal column o...
2021-01-2735 minFor the Love of GoatsPrairie Fruits Farm & CreameryIf you've had friends taste your cheese and tell you that you should go pro and start selling it, this is the episode for you. Years ago when that happened to me, I visited Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery in Illinois for a two-day workshop to learn more about turning my passion into a business. Unlike most of my guests whom I've only known online, I've personally known Leslie Cooperband and Wes Jarrell for more than a decade, so this is an especially fun episode for me. Leslie tells the story of why they decided to build a...
2021-01-0626 minFor the Love of GoatsMeat Goat Genetic ResearchIf you ask any goat breeder what is their favorite breed, they will most likely tell you it's the breed they are raising. However, there is no perfect breed. Each one has its own pros and cons. In the world of meat goats it is not uncommon to hear people say that boers provide more meat, whereas kikos have better parasite resistance — and the discussion usually ends with those two breeds.Richard Browning, Ph.D., of Tennessee State University, has been studying the genetic differences between boer, kiko, Spanish, and myotonic goats since 2001. In this episode he ta...
2020-12-3036 minFor the Love of GoatsListener Q&ANote: We’re no longer using SpeakPipe, so SpeakPipe.com/ThriftyHomesteader  is no longer active.  Got a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/listener-qa-your-goat-medicine-cabinet/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionToday we have questions from three listeners, so we are talking about urine scald, does in heat, and what you may want to have in your goat medicine cabinet. Remember that I am not a vet, and that this information is provided for educational purposes only...
2020-12-2335 minFor the Love of GoatsCopper Oxide as a DewormerWhether you are facing resistance to chemical dewormers, or whether you prefer to use more natural remedies, copper oxide wire particles may be helpful in the fight against barber pole worm (haemonchus contortus) in goats and sheep. Joan Burke, Ph.D., has been studying the effects of copper oxide and other alternative dewormers on intestinal worms since the early 2000s. She has had multiple studies published in peer-reviewed journals, such as Veterinary Parasitology. In this episode, Dr. Burke talks about using copper oxide in goats, as well as her research on herbal dewormers.Dr. Burke is also...
2020-12-0931 min