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Wood County family thrives on goats' milk |
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By KRISTY HEMMINGSEN | East Texas Edition |
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July 24, 2003 -- One of the most common farm animals found around the world, the goat, has been providing man with products such as milk, meat, fiber, and leather for thousands of years. In the Steve and Sandra Niedrauer's corner of the world, in Wood County, they and their nine children have certainly put all their heart and trust into the four-legged creature. In an area where milk production is most often linked to dairy cows, the Niebrauers are making their complete living by milking goats. The Niedrauers and their children, which range in ages from 8 months to 16 years, have a goal to be as efficient as they can and concentrate on all cost-savings strategies. In fact, they choose to live without some of the conveniences that most Americans, today, take for granted. Until five years ago, the family lived in Pennsylvania where Steve made a living as a school teacher and guidance counselor. But he later had the desire to do what he calls "coming home," (or being dependant on the land for a way of life) to make a living this way, and for he and Sandra to raise and educate their children themselves. Today, the Niedrauer Farm, consisting of 66 acres, a house, and the dairy, is debt-free. Steve said he has a lot of faith in his small business because currently there is a great demand for goat milk and not enough supply. He said a gallon of goat's milk at the store currently cost as much as $11, but the Niedrauers sell it for $5/gallon. Their goats' milk is in containers identical to store-bought gallon milk jugs that dons their own farm label. Most customers come from areas such as Longview, Tyler, and Dallas. They all drive to the Niedrauer farm because Steve is not regulated to transport it himself from the farm. However, he does obtain a Grade A permit through the Texas Department of Health, and the milk facility and equipment is inspected regularly. "We've been fortunate to have some really great dairy inspectors," expressed Steve.
Why is goat milk gaining popularity? Basically, research continues to prove that goat milk is easier to digest. It is naturally homogenized with fat particles so small they do not separate from the milk. And it is also less likely to provoke an allergic reaction. Just as important, goat milk can be used for infants that can't drink cow's milk or formula (soy) milk. Milk from Niedrauer Farm comes from the family's 15 milking goats. They will have a second set (herd) ready to rotate when the time comes. The first set is the "current" milk herd and the second herd is bred and nearing time to give birth and come into lactation. (The normal gestation period for a goat is about 150 days.) While several breeds of goats are known as good milk producers, the Niedrauers choose to raise Nubians. These goats are grazed on six sub-divided acres and are fed certified organic feed, and the Niedrauer's own grass hay. The goats are milked twice a day, every day, once in the morning and again at night. And again, as with dairy cows, the goats' udders are washed to remove any dirt. Then the inflations (milk suctions) are attached. After milking, the goats' teats are disinfected. A really good goat can probably give four to five pounds of milk a day, and according to Steve, it will take it only around two minutes to "milk down" each animal during each milking. His goats are currently taking about three to four minutes to milk each time, and the entire process to milk the 15 goats, four at a time, takes about 45 minutes. Steve said that time will decrease as he continues to work towards improved genetics of the goat herd. The "milking room" (10x12 feet) resembles a miniature version of a traditional flat barn used to milk dairy cows. At one wall, there's four, small, head stanchions, each with a feed bucket. The rest of the room has space for an automated milking system, including a 3-horsepower vacuum pump, two pulsators, and four milkers - each with two teat cups. The collected milk is drained into a small stainless steel container, and then placed in a small deep freezer, at required temperature, in order to keep it cool. After milking, all equipment and containers are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. The Niedrauer children do their part to help Mom and Dad keep things running smoothly on the farm. One child often helps to keep feed buckets filled, by hand, in-between each milking set. "He's my cost-saving feed auger system," Steve jokingly replied as son Isaiah completed the chore. The Niedrauers keep and raise all the female kids (baby goats). But, due to a common goat disease, the kids are not allowed to drink the mother's colostrum (first milk) and are instead fed milk from the last set of goats milked that day. The family reserves at least one gallon of milk for themselves each day, and Sandra does her part to make the most of it by making things, such as yogurt and cheese, out of it. But not much milk, in any version, is used too much in the home, because according to Steve, it is too valuable for them to use much. Though some days they don't sell any at all; other days they almost don't have enough to meet the demand. On average, they sell around 40 to 50 gallons of milk a week. That's a lot of milk, but Steve said half of the profit goes to expenses. The Niedrauers continue doing all the hard work it takes to keep the farm "a-go," because so far, it has proven to be a very positive thing for them; in fact, Steve commented that he wouldn't mind some day doubling the milk room, allowing for eight goats to be milked at once. To get to the goat farm, take FM 312 south from Winnsboro to East Point, then turn left on FM 2088. The farm is located directly to the right with a small sign, advertising goat milk. To call, phone 903-629-7210. |
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