Organic Goat Dairy
Why we're not a certified organic goat diary but still awesome
If there’s one thing you need to know about goats, it’s that they absolutely hate the rain. Forget their reputation as rugged mountain climing grazers—the moment a drizzle starts, they’ll act like it’s the end of the world and run for cover like their lives depend on it. They’ll literally choose starvation over getting their dainty little hooves wet. That’s where our greenhouses come in. We provide cozy, dry shelters where our herd can stay snug and happy during rainy days and sometimes overnight, and in the Otways it’s very wet, like even our hillsides squelch under your feet during the winter. This means our goats don’t graze on pasture during winter, and while it’s better for their health, as they are more susceptible to parasites than other livestock, it disqualifies us from organic certification. Even though we would love to be a certified organic goat dairy, our goats’ happiness comes first, and they’ll back us up on that.
Goats in our shed over winter before we had our amazing greenhouse.
So, are we an organic goat dairy? 🌿
We’re not certified organic, but we’re big believers in organic principles. Here’s how we roll:
- No chemicals here: Our paddocks are free from herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides. Who needs them when you have goats who munch on weeds like it’s their favorite snack? and our winter bedding from our greenhouses becomes our natural organic fertaliser that we spread onto our paddocks.
- Natural worm control: Worms can be a problem for grazing animals especially goats, and with hardly any dewormers approved for use in milking goats it’s can be a big issue, but we’ve got a secret weapon: BioWorma. This natural product contains the fungus Duddingtonia flagrans, which basically turns goat manure into a worm trap. The fungus captures and consumes those pesky worm larvae, keeping our goats healthy without chemical dewormers which is a big win for both them and us!
- Pasture perfect: Our goats feast on fresh green grass for most of the year, ensuring they get all the nutrients they need, in winter they enjoy our own multispecies pasture hay and some delicious haylage. We also offer them minerals year round to keep them in tip-top shape.
What about fertilizer?
When life gives us goat manure and winter bedding, we make compost. This natural fertilizer is spread on our paddocks, enriching the soil and closing the loop on sustainability. It’s just another way we’re committed to caring for the land.
Our multispecies cover crop in the seeder, can you recognise the 8 different seeds?
Biodiversity: A win for everyone
We’re big fans of biodiversity, and so are our goats. We regularly plant multispecies cover crops, creating a smorgasbord of flavors and nutrients for our herd. Not only does this improve soil health, but it also adds unique, nuanced flavors to our cheeses. Yes, even our goats’ snacks make a difference in the final product!
Why it matters to us
At Blackwattle Dairy, we’re all about keeping things natural, ethical, and sustainable – though also affordable for you. Sure, we’re not a certified organic goat dairy, but our practices reflect a deep respect for our goats, the land and the art of crafting exceptional goat cheese. Check out our cheeses here.