Let's chat about milking

When researching Nigerian Dwarf goats, you'll often see sales advertisements containing phrases such as:

• "From excellent milking lines"
• "Out of a high-producing doe"
• "Sired by a buck from a well-known dairy herd"
• "Dam milks 3 litres per day"
• "From one of our best milkers"

There is nothing inherently wrong with these statements. However, as buyers and breeders, it is important to understand what they do—and do not—actually tell you.

Good dairy genetics certainly matter, and there are bloodlines that consistently produce larger, more capacious udders and better milk production. However, genetics are not a guarantee.

As breeders, we are constantly trying to improve our herd through careful selection, but breeding livestock is never an exact science. A doe producing 2.1 litres per day may produce a daughter that milks 1.8 litres per day. Equally, a daughter may exceed her dam's production. Genetics influence potential, but they do not guarantee outcomes.

This is why experienced breeders evaluate animals over generations rather than relying on a single exceptional individual.

One of the most common claims seen in advertisements is exceptionally high milk production.

Based on the production data we have reviewed and our own experience with Nigerian Dwarf goats, a mature doe producing around 2.0 to 2.2 litres per day is performing extremely well. While higher yields can certainly occur, particularly in first-cross animals with larger dairy breeds, claims of significantly higher production in purebred or high-percentage Nigerian Dwarfs should be approached with caution unless supported by documented records.

Whenever possible, ask:

• How was the milk measured?
• Was the doe on an official milk test?
• Was production recorded over a full lactation?
• Was the figure based on a single day, peak production, or an average?

Without documented data, production claims are often difficult to verify.

Another common sales statement is:

"This buck is out of our best milking doe."

While this information can be useful, it also raises several questions.

How much milk does that doe actually produce?

Has she completed an official or supervised milk test?

Are production records available?

Most importantly, even if the doe is an exceptional milker, there is no guarantee that every offspring will inherit the same level of production.

When selecting breeding stock, experienced breeders consider far more than milk volume alone. Udder attachment, teat placement, general conformation, structural soundness, temperament, longevity, and overall herd goals all influence breeding decisions.

Producing a high-volume milker is only one piece of the puzzle.

For those keeping dairy goats, milk production is one of the most important traits to consider.

Imagine two Appendix A or X Nigerian Dwarf does:

• Both require the same housing.
• Both consume similar amounts of feed.
• Both require the same health care and management.
• Both take the same amount of your time and effort.

Yet one produces 1.2 litres per day while the other produces 2.1 litres per day.

The cost of keeping those two animals is largely the same, but the amount of milk they provide is very different.

For dairy-focused breeders, improving milk production is therefore a worthwhile goal. The challenge is separating proven performance from marketing claims and making breeding decisions based on documented results rather than assumptions.

At Treechangers Park, we believe that milk production should be discussed honestly and supported by measurable data wherever possible. We value strong dairy genetics, but we also recognise that pedigree alone does not fill a milk bucket

.

Good breeding decisions are made using a combination of production records, conformation, udder quality, health, temperament, and long-term herd improvement goals—not simply because an animal is related to a well-known goat or comes from a recognised stud.