This webinar was recorded on Thursday 12 May 2022 with presenters Dr Sandra Baxendell from Goat Veterinary Consultancies-Goat Vet Oz and Elisabeth Larsen from Herds for Hire. Dr Sandra Baxendell is a specialist goat veterinarian based in Queensland, she has decades of experience advising farmers and industry about goat health, management and nutrition. Elisabeth Larsen is a goat husbandry entrepreneur who is using a herd of goats to manage problem weed infestations in South Eastern NSW.
In this webinar Sandra discussed goat enterprises for small farms, common equipment used for goat management, worm management and common health conditions affecting goats. Elisabeth talked about her experience managing goats for weed control.
A copy of the webinar recording can be found on the Small Farms Network Capital Region YouTube Channel, click here.
Below is a summary of the webinar and a list of resources relating to goat management.
- Managing goats and intestinal worms requires planning and thought. Goats have lower worm resistance than sheep and cattle. Quarantine your goats when they arrive, a quarantine drench is important to help prevent bringing worms onto your farm. Goat drenches are ‘off label’, you need to get a prescription and the correct dose from your vet, some vets can dispense drenches in smaller quantities. WormBoss is an online platform to help producers make decisions about drenching goats, the website has information on faecal egg counting, rotational grazing, strategic drenching and managing worm resistance in goats.
- There are organic treatments for worms in goats including copper sulphate, copper oxide wire particles and Bioworma. Grazing on forage high in tannins (such as chicory) can help reduce worm burdens in goats.
- When buying goats ask the seller for an Animal Health Declaration that includes Johne's disease, footrot, and Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis. Goats should be vaccinated for clostridial diseases, goats with no vaccination history and kids need two doses four weeks apart and then a booster every six months. The type of vaccination used will depend on the diseases in your area so seek specialist advice for your situation.
- Castration should be performed as early as management practices allow and before two months of age, bucks and kids are fertile at three months of age.
- Goats can be successfully trained to eat woody weeds. If the weeds are too high for the goats to reach try laying them down using a heavy branch or board so they can get access to eat them.
Resources
WormBoss Website
Drenches for goats - using them correctly and legally
Drench decision guide for sheep and goats
Drenches for goats: alternatives to registered commercial drench products
NSW DPI
Managing worms in organic goat production systems
Goat AgSkills
Goat health and vaccinations
Other
Goat Handling Standards - Animal Health Australia
Australian welfare standards for Goats
The palatability and potential toxicity of Australian weeds to goats - Agrifutures
Goats at the Australian National Botanic Gardens
NSW DPI Weed Wise
This event was made possible with funding from the National Landcare Program and in-kind support from Elisabeth Larsen, Herds for Hire.
