GoatFest delights attendees

Hordes of goat lovers were warned to not let their hearts rule their heads at Goatfest, Longford on Sunday.

With the impressive number of gorgeous goats on site, all friendly and full of character, that was no mean feat.

From pets to meat to milking, there was a goat for every occasion, as well as plenty of goat-themed products and even a goat photo booth so having a cuddle was made easy.

Australian Goat Breeders Association vice president Stephen Fagg, from Broadmarsh, Victoria, showcased his Nigerian dwarf and Ausralian miniature goats, which he’s been breeding since 2013.

He also gave several informative talks with the main message being there’s plenty of research and work to do before you bring a goat home.

Mr Fagg said that the biggest mistake people make is, firstly, buying just one goat. 

“They are a herd animal and need at least one other goat to be with,” he said.

“The second biggest mistake is buying a goat and not having the right infrastructure in place. You should first check your fences and build a shelter.

“Goats don’t have lanolin like sheep and can’t shed water, so they have to have shelter and water within reach. 

“I encourage people to do their homework, visit a breeder and get the right info to prevent problems.”

Mr Fagg also recommended at least a quarter of an acre, ideally half an acre, for a pair of goats so that the paddock can be split with an electric fence and the grazing rotated to keep worm levels down.

“Overall they’re easy to keep, requiring worming and vaccinating once a year and having their toenails trimmed every two or three months.”

Mr Fagg talked about the four breeds of miniature goats in Tasmania, starting with the little pygmies that he described as “like a little barrel on legs”, which were bred as meat goats.

“The pygmies are the smallest but we’re conscious of size and don’t breed them too small because that can cause birthing problems. 

“And then there’s the Nigerian dwarf, which came into Australia about 10 years ago through semen straws because you can’t import live animals. They will milk out at least a litre and that increases as they age, and they usually have twins and often triplets and quads.

“Tasmania also has some mini Nubian milking goats, which are still pretty rare and Australian miniatures, which are the most common and cheapest to get hold of.”

He also said fences were important.

“They’re escape artists and they will find a hole and get through it until you fix it.

“They’re also very smart and I had one that wouldn’t go near the hole while I was home so I had to hide to find out where he was getting out.

“You can actually train goats to walk on a lead – one lady I know does dog agility with them.

“They will also train you when it comes to feeding!”

Other tips from Mr Fagg included buying wethers to start with because they don’t smell, like bucks, they have a mellow temperament and they’re not going into season every three weeks like the girls and be prepared to waste time as goats are both interactive and entertaining.