Goats are becoming ever popular in the Philippines, with people raising them on farms, backyards and ranches.

Goat raising started in the 1970s and demand has been growing ever since. In general supply is unable to meet demand and many are investing in breeding stock from within and outside the Philippines. In the well know goat book from Mackenzie he wrote "As a milk producer, the goat is inevitably more efficient where the available fodder is of such low quality that a cow can barely live," and in another longer lived quote "Indeed, I find among the writers, that the milk of the goat is next in estimation to a woman; for it helpeth the stomach, removeth oppilations and stoppings of the liver and looseth the belly," wrote William Harrison echoing the opinion of 2,000 years of medical writing. It is a fact that even Hippocrates commended the virtues of goats' milk, and even the great Homer is quoted as saying some of the gods and goddesses themselves were reared on it. There are at least 12 goat species however only a relatively small number of breeds are used economically The Philippine or common goat is a tough but small animal weighing around 25 kilograms when mature. The average daily milk production is approximately 350 grams, with a butterfat content of around 4.6 percent. The color range is either red or black or a combination and these goat types are widespread throughout Asia. The Dadiangas goat is common in the city of Dadiangas (which is now called General Santos City), South Cotabato. The breed is a mixture of native, Nubian and Jamnapari goats and some animals may even have some Alpine or Saanen blood. The milk production and butterfat content are marginally higher than native goats and they do best in the dryer areas of the Philippines. Of the other breeds Anglo Nubian performs the best along with the newer introduced Boer goats. The dairy breeds such as the Sanaan, Toggenburg and French Alpine perform relatively poorly. Saanen goats are a white or cream-colored breed of goat, named for the Saanen valley in Switzerland. Saanens are the largest of the goat dairy breeds. Does typically weigh 150 lb (68 kg) or more, with bucks weighing over 200 lb (91 kg). The Saanen breed also produces the most milk on average, and tends to have a lower butterfat content, about 2.5%3.0%. A Saanen nanny produces around an average of 1 gallon (3.8 litres) a day. Just as Alpines, they are commonly used for commercial milking. The Saanen temperament is, as a rule, calm and mild mannered; breeders have been known to refer to them as living marshmallows. Saanen goats are easier for children to handle, and are popular in the showmanship classes due to their calm nature. They typically breed every year, producing one or two kids. The Sable Saanen is not a crossbreed, but is a recessive expression of color derived from the white Saanen. Sables can vary in color from beige through black, with almost any color but pure white (which would be a white Saanen). Sables are accepted as a breed in their own right in some dairy goat breed clubs, but not in others. Regardless of color, the Saanen breed is large and big-boned, but graceful and refined in bone, the ears are erect, and the nose is straight or dished. Both does and bucks usually have beards unless trimmed for a show, and horns (as do most other breeds), unless dehorned at birth. Saanen goats appear on Farmville. The Toggenburg is a breed of goat, named after the region in Switzerland where the breed originated, the Toggenburg valley. Toggenburgs are medium in size, moderate in production, and have relatively low butterfat content (2-3%) in their milk. Toggenburgs possess a general Swiss Marked pattern with various dilutions. The color is solid varying from light fawn to dark chocolate, with no preference for any shade. Distinct white markings are as follows: white ears with dark spot in middle; two white stripes down the face from above each eye to the muzzle; hind legs white from hocks to hooves; forelegs white from knees downward with a dark line (band) below knee acceptable; a white triangle on either side of the tail. Wattles, small rudimentary nubs of skin located on each side of the neck, are often present in this breed. The Toggenburg breed underwent a development program when introduced to Britain; the resulting British Toggenburgs are heavier and have improved milk quality. By the middle of 2002, 4146 Toggenburgs had been registered with the New Zealand Dairy Goat Breeders Association, representing 8.10% of registered dairy goats. They perform better in cooler conditions. They are the oldest known dairy breed of goats. Toggenburgs should have compact bodies, and does should have high, well-attached udders. They should have straight or dished faces, but never roman noses. Toggenburgs are generally a friendly, quiet and gentle breed, and are good as pets. The Anglo-Nubian, or simply Nubian in the United States, is a breed of domestic goat. The breed was developed in Great Britain of native milking stock and goats from the Middle East and North Africa. Its distinguishing characteristics include large, pendulous ears and a "Roman" nose. Due to their Middle-Eastern heritage, AngloNubians can live in very hot climates and have a longer breeding season than other dairy goats. Considered a dairy or dualpurpose breed, Anglo-Nubians are known for the high butterfat content of their milk, although on average, the breed produces less milk than other dairy breeds. Anglo-Nubians are large, with does weighing at least 135 pounds (61 kg) [3] and 175 pounds (79 kg) for bucks. The minimum height of the breed, measured at the withers, is 30 inches (76 cm) for does and 35 inches (89 cm) for bucks. Like most dairy goats, they are normally kept hornless by disbudding within approximately two weeks of birth. Like sheep and cattle, goats are ruminants, and are able to digest foodstuffs such as grass and leaves. They are naturally browsing animals and will eat bushes and trees in preference to grass. However, goats need careful feeding and cannot survive on just browsing and grazing. Nutrients are needed for maintenance, growth and milk production. Milking goats are particularly likely to lose condition without adequate feed as they give a high milk yield in relation to their size and bodyweight. Hay and a concentrate feed (coarse mix or pelleted feed) will be needed to supplement grazing.