The first 23 goats arrived shortly after we moved to the farm, in early 2008. Since then, we have been building the herd and are currently milking 48 goats (we aim to increase the herd to a maximum of 100 milking goats). We also have three fine Billies, who are on duty from October onwards, but spend the spring and summer in their own residence on the other side of the farm.
The herd comprises three different British goat breeds. “Cleo”, pictured on this page, is one of the Anglo-Nubians, and we also have British Toggenburgs and British Saanens. The Saanens give higher yields, but the Nubians and Toggenburgs produce richer milk. We feed the herd a mixture of cereals, hay taken off the RSPB nature reserve at West Sedgemoor and, from early spring until late autumn, they browse on our permanent pasture.
