DREAMS do come true !It started out as simply a dream... to produce delicious artisanal* goat cheeses, right here in Texas. In 2005 we were able to purchase 5+ acres and not too many months later we were blessed with our first two 'girls', Rosemary and Serenity. These two purebred Nubian does, the foundation of our herd, quickly stole our hearts and became the 'gran dams' of what was to become Latte Da Dairy.
Thank you to our many friends and patrons for your support...we are glad you enjoy our products as they are truly a labor of love !! 
Rosie (left) and Serenity (right)
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??? TOURS ???
Sorry, we don't routinely offers tours of our farm and dairy, as we are a working farm. Instead we offer an OPEN HOUSE twice a year (spring and fall). 
What is ADGA PLUS ?
Joining ADGA Plus shows our commitment towards performance and providing data for the ADGA registry database for improvement of the dairy goats we love so much. Your herd can also be a part of ADGA Plus just like ours, inquire with the ADGA Performance Programs Manager. (click here for more information) |
OUR GOATS "ACCOMPLISHMENTS"
We are so VERY PROUD of our goats for so MANY reasons. Since we started in 2007 we have been striving to SHOW others how wonderful our goats are. We participate in numerous American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) programs that highlight and enhance the intrinsic value of our 'girls' and their offspring. Many of our ‘girls’ are quite accomplished in the show ring as well as in the milk parlor. This ensures that there is a place for them and their offspring in either our herd or in the herds of other like-minded goat lovers !! through:
We are so VERY PROUD of our goats for so MANY reasons. Since we started in 2007 we have been striving to SHOW others how wonderful our goats are. We participate in numerous American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) programs that highlight and enhance the intrinsic value of our 'girls' and their offspring. Many of our ‘girls’ are quite accomplished in the show ring as well as in the milk parlor. This ensures that there is a place for them and their offspring in either our herd or in the herds of other like-minded goat lovers !! through:
- continuous participation on DHI (Dairy Herd Improvement) milk testing program
- annual participate in the ADGA Linear Appriasal program that helps gather information about the quality of animals we produce
- showing our goats to Championships. We love looking at our milk line and seeing beautiful championship udders lined up side by side !
- All of these programs come together to complete a picture of quality breeding and genetics...below is a tally of how we have done so far:
- SGs (SUPERIOR GENETICS) - 27
- GCHs (Permanent GRAND CHAMPIONS) - 18
- CHs (Permanent CHAMPIONS) - 7
- SGCHs (SUPERIOR GENETICS AND GRAND CHAMPIONS) - 9
Our 'PHILOSOPHY'
CH Turkman's Hanim
We knew right from the start that we wanted to produce a superior product in a sustainable fashion. To accomplish this we hold the following values:
CAE (Caprine Arthritis and Encephalitis)
CL (Caseous Lymphadenitis)
G6S (Mucopolysaccharidosis IIID/ G-6-Sulfase deficiency)
We truly treasure and love our goats.The ‘girls’ & 'boys' are certainly some of God’s most wonderful creations. Not only do they produce amazing milk; they enrich our lives in so many other ways. You can see more about each of the ‘girls’ on our "DAIRY DIVAS" page !
Finally you can't have goats without an effective guardian. Hanim (meaning "Lady" in Turkish), a Kangal livestock guardian dog (LGD), was our very first guardian and she did an admirable job protecting the 'girls' well into her old age. The 'girls' would stick close to Hanim and she clearly loved her 'girls' as much as we do! Since then we've added other guardians. Stevie is an Akbash (another turkish breed) and was "in training" under Hanim's watchful eye. Stevie now has an "apprentice" in Bella (Kangal:Akbsh cross). Phaedra (Stevie's mother) is wonderful with our young does. Chuck is a Great Pyrenees rescue. He very quickly bonded with our bucks and is their constant companion.
Click on Hanim's picture to see more pictures of our current guardian dogs, and learn more about this interesting and age-old partnership between man, dog and goat !
- The health and happiness of our ‘girls’ are central to producing the finest Grade A milk for superior cheeses. We then use traditional, time-honored techniques to transform this milk into award winning hand crafted cheeses.
- As responsible stewards we employ ‘near-organic’ practices, using organic and natural alternatives for all aspects of our land and our animals whenever possible. This ensures the long-term viability of our land and our goats. Subsequently, the milk we produced is pure and unadulterated.
- Our herd is composed of registered purebred Nubian and Lamancha dairy goats. Not only do these breeds make the BEST milk for rich and delicious cheeses, they are well-adapted for the Texas climate and have amazing and delightful personalities.
- For a little history on these beautiful breeds click here for Nubian, and here for LaMancha.
- Our herd is CAE and CL free. Our herd is tested annually for CAE, TB and Brucellosis. We run a “closed” herd to prevent the possible introduction of infections. ALL of our babies bottle raised on milk from our does AND using strict CAE prevention practices (milk is heat treated and/or pasteurized). Curious as to WHY WE BOTTLE RAISE OUR BABIES WITH PASTEURIZED MILK?...click here.
- Are you interested in owning dairy goats ?...please before you buy, learn more about CAE and CL (links below) and why prevention is so important. When you do buy, request proof of negative status!
- Additonally, G6S is a recessive genetic mutation which affects mainly the nubian breed. If interested in nubians it is worthwhile to educate yourself about this disease.and look for G6S NORMAL animals.
- We know the status of all of our Nubians, and indeed have 2 carrier does that have worked hard for us that we choose to work with because of their genetics. We believe in testing, knowing genetic status and being transparent, as that is the only way to educate people AND perhaps eventually eliminate the defect. We will ONLY sell NORMAL animals. Carrier bucks will be wethered & carrier does will stay at Latte Da.
CAE (Caprine Arthritis and Encephalitis)
CL (Caseous Lymphadenitis)
G6S (Mucopolysaccharidosis IIID/ G-6-Sulfase deficiency)
We truly treasure and love our goats.The ‘girls’ & 'boys' are certainly some of God’s most wonderful creations. Not only do they produce amazing milk; they enrich our lives in so many other ways. You can see more about each of the ‘girls’ on our "DAIRY DIVAS" page !
Finally you can't have goats without an effective guardian. Hanim (meaning "Lady" in Turkish), a Kangal livestock guardian dog (LGD), was our very first guardian and she did an admirable job protecting the 'girls' well into her old age. The 'girls' would stick close to Hanim and she clearly loved her 'girls' as much as we do! Since then we've added other guardians. Stevie is an Akbash (another turkish breed) and was "in training" under Hanim's watchful eye. Stevie now has an "apprentice" in Bella (Kangal:Akbsh cross). Phaedra (Stevie's mother) is wonderful with our young does. Chuck is a Great Pyrenees rescue. He very quickly bonded with our bucks and is their constant companion.
Click on Hanim's picture to see more pictures of our current guardian dogs, and learn more about this interesting and age-old partnership between man, dog and goat !
