Description
Nubian Goats produce less milk than other dairy breeds, but their milk contains the highest butterfat content and is incredibly flavorful. When you combine the flavor and high butterfat content, you have the right factors to start making good cheeses.
Nubian goats are also known for being very affectionate; they have been known to readily display signs of affection. They are also able to handle very high temperatures and have a prolonged breeding period. These factors mean that the goats can produce milk almost year-round, which makes them a good dairy breed. In the case of Nubian goats, you get quality over quantity.
Their milk has a distinct flavor which makes their cheese superior. Thanks to the high butterfat content, it does not take much effort to create cheese. They are intelligent animals and will quickly learn what is expected of them. After only a few milkings, they will know how and where to stand to make the process easier.
These goats are generally quiet and will only make a noise if they have a reason to. All these factors are what make Nubian goats one of the most popular dairy breeds.
Nubian Goat Origin
Nubian goats are one of the oldest breeds in the world. Although their origins are murky, they are named after the Nubia region in North Sudan. These ancestral roots are part of the reason why the breed can withstand high temperatures for so long. The French played a part in making this breed popular, but it is thanks to the British that we have the breed that we know so well today.
The breed that we know today is the Anglo-Nubian goat. The British would use pure Anglo goats and breed them with Nubian goats to achieve the desired results. Anglo goats could have their roots traced back to prove their quality breeding status, but the Nubian goats had a lesser-known past. In time, restrictions were placed on what type of Nubian goats could be used and the process was streamlined.
Other breeds were occasionally introduced to keep the gene pool clean, which explains why some Anglo-Nubian goats have traces of different breeds in them. Anglo-Nubians quickly became a very popular breed, and it was in the late 1890’s that they were first shipped to America. Not only did they take Britain and France by storm, but they soon became an American favorite too. Nowadays, they are one of the most popular breeds in America.
