For Casey Luther and family, a successful year in the dairy goat business results from efficient herd management, and always watching for problems that could compromise that efficiency.
But no matter what the net profit is at the end of the year, Casey said, the bottom line is that daily operation of the farm allows Casey and husband Steve, an accountant, to spend quality time with their three children.
“We enjoy it,” said Casey.
She said she feels proud to hear from teachers about her children showing responsibility and good time-management skills. Casey said she knows they have learned these skills through daily goat care.
The Luthers manage a herd of about 50. Roughly half of their herd are Toggenburgs, which are brown and white goats resembling deer; and half Nubians, which feature pendulous ears.
Susanna Luther, 12, raises Toggenburgs and got the family involved in goats when she began showing them at the Washington County Fair.
“I like every part of it,” said Susanna.
A couple of years later, Jamie, 15, opted to show goats. Her first buy was Eclipse, a Nubian.
Younger brother William, 8, began showing Nubians at 5. He has grown fond of a Nubian, Bridget, the Luthers bought from people who had obtained one in a lot of Boer goats.
Bridget and Eclipse have turned out to be good milkers, Casey said. She makes sure to use milk from both goats to create cheese because of high fat content in their milk, which is a trait of Nubians.
Susanna listed the Toggenburgs’ positive traits: Independence, good mothering and nice udders; the latter two traits shared with Nubians.
Herd health is a challenge in goat farming, said Casey. The Luthers use three vets but when they are not available, Casey calls on friends who are knowledgeable. Disease is a key issue, especially controlling parasites. The Luthers worm as needed and vary worming medication to keep them effective. Predator control mainly falls to Rosie, the Luthers’ Great Pyrenees.
Another challenge in dairy goat farming is marketing, said Casey.
The Luthers have sold milk for the past five years. They also have it on hand for themselves; if their goat kids need it when they cannot nurse, or to be frozen for other animals that may need it. It sells for $7 per gallon and mostly covers the feed bills, said Casey.
Casey also makes cheese for the family, and is starting to make soap from goat’s milk. She wants to eventually sell it at farmers’ markets.
Working together, the Luthers also sell kids for breeding, companion animals or field management.
