Saanen – the best dairy breed!

The Saanen breed is the most outstanding dairy breed of goats in the world. This breed shows the best results of milk production. Saanen goat hold the world record for daily and annual milk yield. Therefore, goats of the Saanen breed are widely used to obtain milk on an industrial scale.

These goats are medium and large build. Some goats are born hornless. But on large farm all animals are dehorned in early age to prevent traumas. All the Saanen goats are white.

Characteristics of Saanen goats:

•  a large animal with a well-developed skeleton;
•  an adult goat should weigh at least 60 kg and have a height at the withers of at least 75 cm; 
•  color – white or slightly cream; 
•  annual milk yield – from 1100 kg; 
•  average daily milk yield – 3.7 kg; 
•  fat content in milk – 3.8-4.5%.

Keeping Saanen goats

•  year-round stall keeping on a deep straw bed; 
•  early colostrum, weaning and automation of the feeding process; 
•  early vaccination of young goats; 
•  strict pedigree stock count and selection of couples taking into account fecundity and productivity; 
•  milking by parallel or carousel systems;
•  the use of artificial insemination; 
•  carrying out an early mating of goats (at the age of 7 months).

Advantages of Saanen Dairy Goats:

• They are among the top milk producers! Can give 4-5 Litres of milk per day
• Boast of high feed conversion Ration (FCR)
• They have a docile temperament hence easy to raise
• These girls are top achievers in cold climates such as winter!
• Hardy and resistant to many goat diseases and infections
• Have high reproductive efficiency! Most give birth to twins or triplets!
• They’re super-strong making them super-pack goats!
• Adapts well for either open-grazing or stall-feeding