The Animal Farm 'Granja'
More information about the goats and cows at the farm:
Goats
142 Alpine and Saanen goats were imported from Europe in 2003 and 2004 and are being successfully bred. 95 of the imported goats and most of those born in Lebanon are being sold to breeders, improving the Lebanese goat herd.
The excess milk produced by the breeders is bought by CAN to be processed in the Dairy Production Unit.
In addition, daily, and after feeding the kids, an average balance of 25-30 liters of milk produced at the farm is also sent to the Dairy Production Unit.
The goats at the farm are fed with highly nutrituous alfalfa grown within the RMF forage project.
In addition to the two imported breeds (Alpine and Saanen), Baladi and Damascus goats are also raised at the farm in order to conduct comparative studies and research on these various breeds. The following has been observed:
Breeds |
Days providing milk per year | Liters of milk per year | Kids produced per year | Price |
| Damascus & Baladi | 200 days/year | 450 L | 1.8 |
$250/300 |
| Alpine & Saanen | 300 days/year | 900 L | 2.2 | $500 |
The female goats born at the farm are sold to farmers when they are 11 months old and 2 months pregnant. Being born in Lebanon, they tend to have less complications since they are fully adapted to the local environment.
Within a policy to support the farmers, when goats are sold, only $170 of the $500 total cost is asked to be paid in cash. The balance is divided in installments of $20 per month and paid in goat milk that CAN guarantees to buy from the farmers.
Free technical assistance is offered to goat breeders, especially those that have bought goats from RMF. The technicians carrying out the visits give the farmers pointers and advice on best practices of caring for their herd.
Cows
In 2003, 36 cows of various Holstein breeds were imported from Europe and are being successfully bred. Most of the imported cows and those born at the farm are being sold to breeders.
The farm today is home to the following breeds: Dutch and French Holstein, and Jersey and Baladi that are kept for comparative studies purposes. The Dutch Holstein breed was found to be the most productive and best adjusted to Lebanon.
The excess milk produced by the breeders is bought by CAN to be processed in the Dairy Production Unit.
In addition, daily, and after feeding the calves, an average balance of 400 liters of milk produced at the farm is also sent to the Dairy Production Unit.
Within a policy to support the farmers, when cows are sold only $500 of the $1560 total cost is asked to be paid in cash. After two months, the balance is divided in installments of $100 per month, and paid in cow milk that CAN guarantees to buy from the farmers.
The farm produces its own corn silage that is used to feed the cows.
Free technical assistance is offered to the farmers.
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___________________Goats Photo Gallery >>