[Kaylei Scheible]

I have two does, one freshened on 1/29/21 (Second freshening, milked last year during first freshening), and one freshened 1/31/21 (Third Freshening, first time milking). The second freshener had great tasting milk last year during he first freshening. I recently starting using a simple pulse milking machine to milk both does. For some reason now the milk is tasting "musty", and has a strange aftertaste. Both does' milk is milked into the same jar, filtered, and chilled asap (within 30 minutes). They each had a buck kid, and are penned next to the does, but they are only 2 months old. Any suggestions as to what could be causing this strange flavor? Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Kaylei Scheible]

They have access to free choice manna pro goat mineral. I feed purina goat feed and alfalfa.

 

[Kaylei Scheible]

Would a copper deficiency make a difference in taste? I have also heard people say they give a half of a fig newton to help make milk sweeter.

 

[Kaylei Scheible]

Never heard of the fig newtons! Copper definitely affects flavor, as does any other mineral deficiency, stress, parasites, heat cycles...if they have access to pasture, they could be eating something that will flavor the milk. Mastitis will cause an off flavor, too.
If it was me, I'd hand milk each of them and keep their milk separate. That would tell me if one doe has an off taste or both, and if neither has it after hand milking, then the issue is with the machine.
I've never used a milking machine, but I know they have to be kept really clean and I also know there are rubber parts that can age and crack, harboring bacteria. You probably know way more about that than I do, as you're actually using a machine.

I will try that! Thank You!

 

[Kaylei Scheible]

I would hand milk each doe into a separate container, cool and taste the milk. If everything tastes fine then i would think it is the machine and something you are either using to clean it or maybe lines not getting good and dry. If one doe's milk tastes off from hand milking do cmt test on it to make sure no mastitis is goin on. They can have mastitis and no other symtpoms other than milk tasting or smelling off. Are you using the same cleaning stuff on udders and milking things? Is it different from last year?

The only thing different is using the milking machine and the teat wipes. Last year i used baby wipes and this year I'm using the milk check wipes.

 

[Kaylei Scheible]

I had one goat whose milk tasted a little off one year. Not bad, but kind of that flavor that milk gets when it sits out on the counter and gets room temp. I gave my goats a cobalt block and flavor was fine after that. Now I always have a cobalt block out for them just in case.

Where did you get the block? Im feeding free choice manna pro mineral at the moment.