British Primitive Rare Breed Goats on Farm

Exciting News….I have goats again.

If you have followed my journey as a first generation farmer since September 2021, you will remember my Boer goats and all the antics they were famous for. When I moved to the new farm in November 2024, I faced the heartbreaking reality that they could not come with me. As a South African breed, Boer goats require dry ground and consistent shelter throughout the year, something the North Yorkshire Moors simply could not provide.

My friend Heber kindly took them in and kept them safe with his own herd. For a while I hoped that one day I would have the right facilities to bring them here, but as time passed it became clear that the terrain and weather on the Moors were never going to suit their needs. Leaving them in Heber’s care was a sad decision, but it was the right one for their wellbeing.

Even so, I still dreamed of having goats on the farm. After a great deal of research I found the British Primitive Goat, a hardy native breed that in 2024 was officially recognised by the Rare Breed Survival Trust. These goats are naturally suited to rugged landscapes and thrive in conditions that many modern breeds would struggle with. They immediately felt like the perfect fit for the conservation work I am building here.

Because they are a rare breed their distribution is carefully managed and I had to go through a detailed interview and approval process with the breed society. Once I was accepted I travelled to a Northumberland estate at the beginning of November to collect the newest members of the farm family.

They have settled in beautifully and have already begun the important work they were brought here to do. Their natural browsing behaviour makes them ideal for managing the steep hillside and controlling vegetation that can be harmful to the sheep, Highland cattle and other animals on the farm. They are already proving themselves to be wonderful workers and even more wonderful characters.

There is also a very exciting possibility that the nannies are already in kid. With any luck February and March may bring the arrival of the first goat kids to be born here on the farm. It would be an incredible start to this new chapter.

I am so looking forward to sharing their journey with you.

Keep following my blog for updates on these magnificent animals and the role they will play in shaping the future of the farm.

Posted: November 2, 2025