Windmill Farm Park in Leicestershire, UK has welcomed the smallest dairy goat in the world thanks to innovative IVF technology. The Nigerian Dwarf Goat, measuring just 22cm tall, was born on March 14, 2024 and is expected to reach a maximum height of 60cm. The adorable kid is already a hit with the farm’s livestock team.
The introduction of the Nigerian Dwarf Goat breed to the UK has only been made possible through the use of frozen embryos, marking a significant milestone for the breed. Stacey and Steven Briggs, owners of Windmill Farm Park, have a passion for rare breeds and were determined to bring the Nigerian Dwarf Goat to the UK.
Stacey’s interest in the breed began in 2010 when she found out she was intolerant to cow’s milk. She was surprised to learn that the world’s smallest milking goat did not exist in the UK and was determined to change that. The couple chose to pursue this project over a big wedding, showcasing their dedication to animals and conservation.
“It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions,” says Stacey. “After many challenges, we implanted nine embryos into our six Boer goats in October and a scan in January revealed we had one successful pregnancy. We have had our arms, fingers and toes crossed since then and were relieved when a healthy baby boy was born on March 14, 2024. His surrogate mom, Myrtle, is doing a brilliant job of looking after him. She is absolutely besotted.”
In addition to their small size, Nigerian Dwarf Goats are known for producing excellent quality milk. Their milk is richer in buttermilk than that of larger breeds and they can produce a substantial amount for their size. The frozen embryos began their journey from the United States on July 10, 2023, after 18 months of planning and paperwork. They cleared UK customs on August 4, 2023, and were then held in a UK storage centre until October 25, 2023, when nine embryos were implanted into six Boer goats.
The mother and baby are both doing well, but for biosecurity reasons, the kid is not currently on show to visitors. Once he is a little older, he will be moved to the public areas of the Farm Park. It is hoped that when he grows up, he will become a father himself and enrich the dairy breeds in the UK.
Windmill Farm Park is a children’s farm open to the public in Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire. Visitors are encouraged to interact with 30 rare and native animal breeds, as well as enjoy outdoor adventure play and a wooden indoor play area. The farm offers amazing days out in the peaceful South Leicestershire countryside.
For photos or to arrange an interview, please contact Simone Hayes on 01442 890088 or 07939 214719. Email: simone@agility-marketing.co.uk. More adorable photos are available.
Windmill Farm Park is located at Windmill Farm, Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire, LE8 0PR. Visitors are encouraged to buy tickets online for the best prices.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.