Got a question? 🤔

Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-tour-portugal/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply!

Description

If you've ever dreamed of combining your love of goats with a European adventure, this episode is for you.

In today’s episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by Janelle Holden, author of the From Montana to Portugal Substack newsletter, to talk about an exciting upcoming goat and sheep tour through Portugal. Together, they share how the idea came about, what participants can expect, and why Portugal offers such a unique opportunity to learn about small-ruminant agriculture while experiencing the country's incredible culture, food, and scenery.

The tour will take travelers through Portugal’s mountainous Serra da Estrela region and the agricultural heartland of Alentejo, where they’ll visit goat and sheep farms, learn about traditional cheese making, tour a renowned wool factory, and discover heritage breeds that have been raised in Portugal for centuries. Along the way, they’ll also experience local wineries, cork forests, castles, and some of the country’s most celebrated cuisine.

Deborah and Janelle discuss the value of visiting farms in different parts of the world, seeing a variety of production systems firsthand, and learning from producers who have adapted to unique climates, landscapes, and traditions. They also talk about Portugal’s distinctive cheese-making practices, including the use of thistle rennet, as well as the important role goats and sheep continue to play in preserving local culture and agriculture.

Whether you're interested in goats, sheep, fiber arts, artisan cheese, wine, agritourism, or simply exploring a beautiful country with like-minded people, this episode offers a preview of an unforgettable experience.

Featured Guest

Janelle Holden – Author of the From Montana to Portugal Substack newsletter, agricultural entrepreneur, and Portugal resident who specializes in helping visitors discover the country's culture, food, and agricultural traditions.

Trip Information & Registration

• Goat Tour to Portugal: October 25–November 1, 2026
• Tour Registration & Deposit
  • https://thriftyhomesteader.thrivecart.com/portugal-trip/

Thanks for tuning in!

If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar.

No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information.

🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership

🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy

🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store.

Happy goat-keeping! 🐐

Got a question? 🤔

Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/mastitis-in-goats-misconceptions/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply!

Description

It’s probably safe to say that most goat owners think they understand mastitis, but it’s often more complicated than it seems. While many people associate it with a hot, hard udder, that’s only one form of the disease, and it’s not even the most common type seen in goats.

In today’s episode, Deborah Niemann talks with Dr. Michelle Buckley of Cornell University and Dr. Patrick Gorden of Iowa State University about what mastitis really looks like and why it’s so often misunderstood. They explain the difference between clinical and subclinical mastitis, and how infections can be present without obvious symptoms while still affecting milk production and udder health.

They also discuss why it’s important to identify the specific cause of mastitis through a milk culture before choosing a treatment. Some infections may clear up on their own, while others, like Staph aureus, can become chronic and very difficult to manage. Understanding the difference can make a big impact on your goat’s long-term health.

Dr. Buckley and Dr. Gorden also share practical advice on preventing and managing mastitis, including proper milking hygiene, how infections spread, and when treatment is necessary. This episode will help you avoid common mistakes and make more informed decisions when mastitis shows up in your herd.

Thanks for tuning in!

If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar.

No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information.

🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership

🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy

🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store.

Happy goat-keeping! 🐐

Got a question? 🤔

Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/skin-cancer-treatment-in-goats/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply!

Description

In this episode, Deborah Niemann talks with veterinarian and researcher Jennifer Halleran about squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer that commonly affects goats—especially Nigerian Dwarfs.

The conversation was inspired by a listener question about whether there are any new treatment options available for goats diagnosed with this aggressive cancer. Dr. Halleran shares insights from a case study that explored the use of a mycobacterial cell wall stimulant (Immunocidin) as a possible treatment. In some animals, the therapy helped shrink tumors and provided several additional years of good quality life.

They discuss how squamous cell carcinoma typically appears in goats, often affecting the perineal area, and why early diagnosis is important. Dr. Halleran explains how veterinarians evaluate these tumors, including when biopsy, surgical removal, cryotherapy (freezing the tumor), or other treatments might be used. The episode also highlights newer experimental approaches such as H-FIRE therapy, which uses electrical pulses to damage cancer cells and may become a promising option in the future.

Deborah also shares her own experience with a goat that developed this disease, illustrating how frustrating and confusing the diagnosis can be for goat owners. Together, they emphasize the importance of early diagnosis, understanding treatment goals, and focusing on improving a goat’s comfort and quality of life.

The episode concludes with practical advice for goat owners, including risk factors such as lack of pigmentation and sun exposure, and why goats with suspicious lesions should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Thanks for tuning in!

If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar.

No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information.

🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership

🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy

🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store.

Happy goat-keeping! 🐐