In the U.s., the most popular variety of milk for consumption is cow’s milk. This of type milk is popular among Americans of all ages. Nevertheless, if you are going to compare it with the rest of the people of the world, you will realize that in terms of global popularity, goat milk outshines cow milk by a large margin.

Unlike cow’s milk, goat’s milk is much easier to digest as it contains smaller fat globules. Furthermore, the good cholesterol and Vitamin A that can be found in goat milk are readily absorbed by the body and brain than cow milk, meaning it could be used almost instantly. Other advantages of goat milk over cow milk include: its alkaline reaction which is similar to a mother’s milk not like cow milk which has an acidic reaction; goat milk is better suited to asthmatics and people with allergies as it does not cause mucus build-up; it also contains more natural germicidal properties as it is richer in chlorine, fluorine and silicon; and goat milk aids in preventing constipation considering that it is beneficial to the intestinal tract.

Taking all these benefits into account it is no wonder that goat milk is one of the primary reasons why a lot of farmers are into raising goats than any other livestock in the world; and it is growing in popularity in the U.S. and here in the Philippines. The American Dairy Goat Association recognizes six types of goat breeds as dairy goats or those that produce good quality goat milk.

Here are dairy goat information for your appreciation:

1) Nubian goat – breed has different colors with long, floppy ears, convex nose, and large structure. The breed is known to be more stubborn compared to other dairy goat breed and their unique noise sounds like the goats are complaining. Its milk has higher butter fat and protein content than other dairy goats.

2) Alpine goat – breed can have different colors except all white and light brown with white markings. It has a straight face, standing ears, and medium body built. It is a common dairy goat breed because of the amount of milk it is able to produce.

3) La Mancha – breed can be of any color. One of its distinct characteristics is that it has almost unnoticeable ear. It is relatively small but very sturdy and still able to produce milk while undergoing a great deal of hardship. Its milk is high in butterfat.

4) Oberhasli – breed is chamois colored. It is medium built, energetic and active, and has a straight face. It is a Swiss dairy goat.

5) Toggenburg – breed varies in color from light fawn to dark chocolate. It is medium built, sturdy, energetic, and active. It is know to be the oldest dairy goat breed and noted for its highly developed udder and high level of milk production.

6) Saanen – breed is usually pure white in color. Its size is medium to heavy built, with straight or dished face. Its does are heavy milk producers and yield best in much cooler environment.

The many dairy goat breeds provide the goat raiser with a lot of choices; thus, making it easier for him to find out the most suitable breed of dairy goat depending on his requirement and farm environment. Given the right dairy goat, the goat raiser will then profit in the many benefits of goat milk. Pioneering dairy goat producers in the Philippines successfully breed and produce profitable volume for the local market.