Goat Milk

Treat yourself to a Persian feast with this chorizo and goats’ cheese filo pie.

This wonderful combination of smoky, spiced chorizo and cumin-spiked, creamy goat’s cheese is a winner. Nigella seeds are used all around the world but are originally from Southern Asia. Widely used in Indian and Middle Eastern cookery, they have a bitter and peppery taste and are often used in savoury breads.

Chorizo really is such a fantastic ingredient and its capability to deliver bags of flavour to anything it comes into contact with always makes it a crowd-pleaser.

The recipe requires less than 30 mins Preparation time, 1 to 2 hours Cooking time, Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp cumin seeds (toasted)
• 2 x 200g/7oz cured chorizo sausages (not cooking chorizo), skinned and cut into chunks
• 350g/12fl oz rindless soft goats’ cheese, broken into pieces
• vegetable oil, for oiling
• 6 sheets filo pastry (each about 48 x 25cm/19 x10in)
• 1 tbsp full-fat milk or water
• 1 free-range egg, beaten, to glaze
• 1 tsp nigella seeds

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.
• Dry fry the cumin seeds in a frying pan until aromatic. Remove from the heat.
• Put the chunks of chorizo into a food processor and process until they are minced as finely as possible. Transfer to a mixing bowl, add the cooled cumin seeds and goats’ cheese and mix together until evenly combined.
• Brush the base of a 24cm/9½in round ovenproof dish or cake tin with a little vegetable oil. Lay a pastry sheet lengthways in the dish or tin with the ends overhanging the sides, then lay another pastry sheet widthways in the same way.
• Divide the chorizo filling in half. Add one half to the filo base and smooth it right to the edges to cover the base evenly.
• Fold another pastry sheet in half to create a double thickness and lay it over the filling, then repeat with a second pastry sheet to form a thick pastry layer.
• Brush the pastry with the milk or water, then top with the remaining filling, pushing and patting it into place to evenly coat the pastry layer. Fold the overhanging pastry into the centre, then gently crumple up the remaining 2 pastry sheets and arrange them on top.
• Brush all the exposed pastry and edges with beaten egg and sprinkle over the nigella seeds. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until deep golden-brown. Serve the borek immediately.

 

 

 

 

This dairy goat management calendar is designed as a guide to assist you in preparing for each season. Some breeds and breeders may have unique needs or practice out-of-season breeding. Always seek the advice of your small ruminant veterinarian and never disregard professional advice or delay seeking professional veterinarian assistance because of something you read on this website.

 

SPRING 

PREPARE FOR KIDDING

• Have kidding area cleaned and bedded with fresh straw several days before the doe’s due date.
• Get supplies ready:
  • A good light in the delivery area.
  • A clean bucket for water.
  • Surgical scrub such as Nolvosan, or a bottle of mild detergent (e.g. Dawn, Ivory, Joy) for cleaning hands and the vulva of the doe.
  • Obstetrical lubricant (Lubrisept, K-Y) and, if possible, disposable obstetrical gloves for assisted births.
  • Dry towels for cleaning and rubbing kids.
  • Iodine (7% tincture) for dipping navels. A small jar or film canister for individual use is handy. Dip navel immediately after birth, and repeat in 12 hours.
  • Scissors and dental floss for umbilical cord.
  • Keep frozen colostrum from a safe, CAEV-free source. To heat-treat colostrum, heat colostrum to 135ºF in a double boiler or water bath and maintain temperature for one hour.
  • Clean bottle and nipple for feed­ing colostrum.
  • Feeding tube (12-18 French) and large syringe (35-60 cc, with cath­eter tip) for giving colostrum to weak kids.

DISEASE PREVENTION

• Tape doe’s teats one week before due date with teat tape. This will prevent kids from possibly nurs­ing a transmittable diseased doe.
• Segregate disease-positive parturient does from the rest of the herd to prevent horizontal transmission from infected genital secretions.
• Remove kids from doe immediately after birth.
• It is advised to bathe each kid in warm water with a mild detergent (e.g. Dawn, Ivory, Joy) to remove any vaginal secretions from the doe. Thoroughly dry kid with a warm hair dryer until completely dry.
• Feed colostrum from a safe source within the first couple hours after birth. Give 10% of kid’s body weight within 18 hours (e.g., 13 oz. for an 8 lb. kid). Then feed pasteurized milk, disease-free milk, or milk replacer.

NUTRITION FOR THE DOE

• Have pregnant does on a rising plane of nutrition in late gestation, i.e., good quality grass hay, supple­ment with some leafy alfalfa. Grad­ually increase grain ration in last few weeks to provide energy.
• Work with your veterinarian or livestock nutritionist about increased energy and calcium needs during gestation.

DISEASE PREVENTION: DOES

• Be sure does are boostered for CDT in last 4-6 weeks prior to due date. Consult your veterinarian for advice on selenium supplementation for does and kids in deficient areas.
• Deworm doe 1-2 weeks postpartum.

DISEASE PREVENTION: KIDS

• Begin Coccidiosis preventive or start monitoring fecals by three weeks of age.
• CDT series at 4, 8, and 12 weeks of age.
• Begin strategic deworming at 6-8 weeks.

SUMMER

• Be sure kids receive their CD-T boosters (e.g., 8 – 12 – 16 weeks).
• Wet weather has given parasites a big boost in many areas. Practice strategic helminth (worm) control in all groups of animals. Doses of deworm­ers in goats are usually 2X the cow or sheep dose (4X the cattle dose for Fenbendazole–PanacurR). In the case of Ivomec, use the oral formulation. Resistance to all dewormers is appearing, so monitor success with quantitive fecal exams.
• Rotate pastures every several weeks or allow forage to grow to 6-8” tall before reintroducing animals. Another common practice is to allow another species to graze the pasture while goats have been rotated off.
• Coccidiostats for kids.
• Check for external parasites; keep animals clipped and clean.
• Be careful with grain overload dur­ing peak lactation, and when get­ting ready for show. Increases in concentrate feed must be made gradually, over a couple of weeks.
• Be sure fresh water is always present. Consumption goes way up in warm weather, and during lactation.
• Monitor presence of poisonous plants which may have grown within reach of animals.
• When hauling in hot weather, provide good ventilation. While traveling, will animals have fresh air and water?
• At show time, be careful not to “over-udder” a doe as she can develop an allergic reaction to backed-up milk under pressure and be at risk for developing mastitis.

PRE-BREEDING BUCK PREPARATION

• Administer Vitamin-E/Selenium in Selenium-deficient areas.
• Keep feet trimmed.
• Offer a diet of forage and increasing amounts of concentrate in late summer.

FALL 

THE BUCK

• Check and trim feet. Treat foot rot as necessary.
• Check teeth on older bucks.
• Shorten or remove scurs prior to breeding season.
• Clip belly. Examine penis and prepuce for injuries and inflammation.
• Check general body condition. Improve nutritional status if too thin.
• Perform fecal and de-worm as needed.
• Bo-Se in selenium-deficient areas.

THE DOE

• Check and trim feet before rainy season.
• Correct body condition before breeding, especially if she is too fat. Fat around the ovaries may cause poor fertility. In general, corrections in body condition (too thin, too fat) are easier and safer to make before the doe is dried off.
• Bo-Se in selenium-deficient areas.
• Perform milk cultures to pick up subclinical mastitis. (Contact your testing lab for specific instructions.)
• Consider dry-treating the herd, where mastitis has been a persistent problem.

THE HERD

• Offer good quality loose minerals.
• Check fecals in different age categories (does, kids) – to evaluate parasite loads. Treat accordingly.
• Consider fall strategic deworming, coming off summer pasture.
• Disease Testing: Kids over 6 months old, new additions to the herd, any animals of questionable value or con­dition.
• Cull animals of questionable value or con­dition to reduce feed costs and maximize indoor space for the winter.

WINTER

• Pregnancy check does early enough to be able to rebreed this season if open.
• Booster vaccinations (Clostridium perfringens C & D, and Tetanus) in mid- to late-gestation at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to kidding. This pro­motes high colostral antibody levels at parturition.
• Booster Vitamin E-Selenium in mid- to late gestation, in Selenium deficient areas. This bolsters uterine muscle tone and helps prevent uterine inertia and retained placentas.
• Get does into their desired body condition while they are still milking; e.g., if too fat, gradually reduce grain before drying up. There will be fewer problems with pregnancy toxemia if weight changes are made while doe is still metabolically active.
• Pregnant does should get plenty of exercise. Fit and trim does are easier to freshen, less susceptible to pregnancy toxemia.
• Keep an eye on geriatric animals for weight loss and chilling.
• Routine foot care for all animals.
• Monitor for external parasites (lice) during this period where animals may spend more time indoors with less sunlight.
• Eliminate moldy feed.
• Get to know and enjoy your animals better during this slow time!

 

I started drinking goat milk daily and began doing research about this milk since more than a decade ago. I learned interesting facts and would continue to share more.

 

Goat Milk is gaining popularity all over the world and is the popular choice besides cow milk. Goat milk is available all year round in retail stores and market. If you have not tried drinking goat milk, you may find that it taste strange, slightly sweet and at times salty undertone.

 

A2 casein – Goat milk can sometimes be consume as another option if individual or infant is allergy to cow milk. Goat milk mostly contains ‘A2 casein’ which makes it comparable to human breast milk in terms of protein. A2 casein does not cause any inflammatory diseases, like colitis. A study even states that when babies are fed with goat milk as the first protein after breast feeding, they are less allergic as when compared with cow’s milk feeding.

 

Reduce bad cholesterol – Goat milk decreases bad cholesterol and increases the level of good cholesterol in the human body. It has healing properties and just like olive oil, are effective in keeping high cholesterol under check.

 

Prevents arteriosclerosis – Goat milk helps to prevent arteriosclerosis. This is because it contains a limited amount of the enzyme, xanthine oxidase. This enzyme is believed to cause heart issues on entering the bloodstream. Goat milk contains this and very less quantity and hence can prevent arteriosclerosis

 

Medium-chain fatty acids – Goat milk also contains medium-chain fatty acids (30–35% in comparison to 15–20% in cow milk). These acids offer energy boosts and are not stored as fat in the body. These help to decrease cholesterol and treat tough conditions like coronary diseases.

 

Calcium  – Goat milk is a very good source of calcium. Hence, I suggest that you should drink raw goat milk because up to 50% of people who are lactose intolerant can easily digest goat milk, especially if it is raw. When you drinks raw goat milk, you can attain most benefits of this nutritious drink.

 

Calcium is also widely recognized for its role in maintaining the strength and density of bones. In a process known as bone mineralization, calcium and phosphorus join to form calcium phosphate. Calcium phosphate is a major component of the mineral complex (called hydroxyapatite) that gives structure and strength to bones.

 

Normally, you think of cow milk as the most healthy and calcium-rich food. But do not worry about calcium while you are switching to goat milk. A cup of goat milk supplies 32.6% of the daily value for calcium as compare to cow milk has 29.7% calcium.

 

In recent studies, goat milk calcium has shown to:

• Reduce PMS symptoms during the the second half of the menstrual cycle
• Help prevent the bone loss that can occur as a result of menopause or certain conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Help prevent recurrent migraine headaches
• Help protect colon cells from cancer-causing chemicals

 

In fact, this mineral does more then just stronger bones and teeth. Calcium also plays vital role in many other vital physiological activities, including cell membrane function, nerve conduction, muscle contraction, regulation of enzyme activity, blood clotting and blood pressure regulation. Since these activities are essential to life, the body utilizes complex regulatory systems to tightly control the amount of calcium in the blood, so that sufficient calcium is always available. As a result, when dietary intake of calcium is too low to maintain adequate blood levels of calcium, calcium stores are drawn out of the bones to maintain normal blood concentrations.

 

Tryptophan – Goat milk contains high Tryptophan. Tryptophan is one of the 20 standard amino acids, as well as an essential amino acid required in the human body.

 

Dairy Foods Better than Calcium Supplements for Growing Girls’ Bones

Based on recent studies,  young girls going through the rapid growth spurt of puberty, getting calcium from dairy products, such as goat milk, may be better for building bones and teeth than taking a calcium supplement.

 

Essential Nutrients – Goat milk is also a good source of protein, potassium, phosphorus and riboflavin, vitamin D, B-6 and vitamin B-12. Research has found some anti-inflammatory compounds (short-chain sugar molecules called oligosaccharides) to be present in goat milk. Oligosaccharides is know to make goat milk easier to digest, especially in the case of compromised intestinal function.

 

In recent studies, goat milk has also been shown to enhance the metabolism of both iron and copper, especially when there are problems with absorption of minerals in the digestive tract. These benefits and others are likely to play vital role in the tolerability of goat milk. As for older children and adults, besides an excellent calcium-rich which is widely recognized for its role in maintaining the strength and density of bones and teeth, goat milk may help to reduce some of the recurrent ear infections, asthma, eczema, and even rheumatoid arthritis. Goat milk can also prevent disease such as anemia.

 

Skin care – Goat milk is also great for your skin because it is rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins as well as high in lactic acid which helps exfoliate dead skin cells and soften your skin.

 

Lactose Intolerance – Goat milk, like cow milk, contains the milk sugar, lactose, and may produce adverse reactions in lactose-intolerant individuals. Goat milk is slightly lower in lactose than cow milk, with 4.1% milk solid as lactose versus 4.7% in cow milk, which may be an advantage in lactose-intolerant persons. Here, goat milk is a viable option for them.

 

The common symptoms of lactose intolerance are nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, abdominal cramps and passing of flatus. The degree of symptoms depends on the amount of milk consumed specifically, the amount of lactose and the degree to which our body is deficient in lactase enzyme. Intolerance adverse reactions are not life-threatening but may result in life long discomfort.

 

I experienced vomiting after drinking milk. My first impression at that time was allergic to lactose . From my previous experience, now I must consider both milk allergy and lactose intolerance when adverse reactions like vomiting occurred because both milk allergy and lactose intolerance can exist simultaneously. A correct diagnosis must be made and properly followed up, as the treatment, dietary avoidance, is often very difficult and if incorrectly applied can lead to vitamin deficiencies or malnutrition.

 

In addition, we should not believe the myth that humans are never meant to digest cow milk or goat milk. And our bodies are meant to consume  mother’s milk for the first several months or years, and then move on to other foods. In fact, people only become lactose-intolerant as teens or adults, when the enzymes to digest any kind of milk stop being produced by the human digestive system.

 

So, let us not stop drinking goat milk daily, it’s good for your health.