New to goats

If you're looking for a compact, loving, friendly goat with a cheeky personality then you'll find Pygmy goats are ideal. Whilst they can be used to produce both milk and meat, they are most commonly purchased as pets or to show and breed.

Here are some pointers and ideas to get you started on your Pygmy goat adventure and some organisations we recommend that you familiarise yourself with:

Goat accomodation

Your goats will need access to clean water, shelter from sun, rain and wind, secure fencing (1.2m high) and protection from predators. We put ours in a more secure pen at night with electric fencing around it to protect the goats from dogs and foxes. Your goat enclosure needs to be free of toxic weeds – Poison Peach (Trema tomentosa), Lantana and Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) will all kill goats.

Property Identification Code (PIC)

Before you bring your goats home, you need to register as a biosecurity entity with your state government. In Queensland this is through Biosecurity Queensland. They will send you a Property Identification Code (PIC). The online process is easy but the processing time can take 2 weeks and you cannot collect your goats until the number arrives.

You may already have a PIC number if you've kept other livestock.

The National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) database records movements of animals on and off your property. You can get access to the database by signing up at

https://www.integritysystems.com.au/identification--traceability/how-nlis-works/

Please don't eat our goats, but since goats are part of Australia's Meat & Livestock industry we suggest that you register with MLA and complete their online learning modules. That way you’ll be able to use online movement permits called National Vendor Declarations (NVD) and you might learn some things too. https://www.integritysystems.com.au/on-farm-assurance/lpa-learning/

Consider joining one of the goat breeder associations

We’re members of:

Australian All Breeds Miniature Goat and Sheep Association (AABMGS)
National Pygmy Goat Association of Australia (NPGAA)
Queensland Goat Producers Inc. (QGoat)

You can also join:

Attend a show

Shows are a great place to learn. We show with the AABMGS. If you're interested in getting into showing or you just want to have a look at some goats, come along to a show and you'll find the people are very welcoming and the atmosphere is informal. Ask us if you need help finding out what's coming up.

New to goats

www.goldenvalleygoats.net