Safe Raw Goat Milk: The Extra Goat Disease Testing We Do Beyond State Requirements

Is raw goat milk safe? Discover how Meadowlark Heritage Farm tests for CAE, CL, Johne's, Q fever, TB & Brucellosis to ensure clean, healthy milk ... milk we trust for our family, shared with yours.

Our goat here out grazing late summer in the Palouse hills of Idaho.

Our Commitment to a Healthy Herd & Safe Milk

At Meadowlark Heritage Farm, we often say that healthy animals make healthy milk. It’s more than a motto: it’s the reason we go above and beyond to keep our herd clean and disease-free.

In fact, our entire herd recently tested negative for all SIX diseases we screen for. That means we have a clean herd — and we’re proud of it!

We test for:

CAE, CL, Johne’s Disease, and Q Fever — plus Brucellosis and Tuberculosis (TB), which are required by Idaho state law for our raw goat milk state permit.

Why Testing Matters

You may not have heard of all these diseases before, but they are important to understand — and even more important to prevent.

This past week, Dr. McKinley from Potlatch Veterinary Clinic came out for a herd health check. Having access to a trusted, knowledgeable veterinarian is invaluable, and I’m grateful to work with more than one who understands the health standards we uphold.

When I asked Dr. McKinley whether testing matters just for herds selling milk versus pet herds, her answer was simple:

“It makes no difference — these diseases are serious and all goats should be tested annually. People need to know about these illnesses. Part of the problem is NOT knowing.”

That’s a powerful reminder that disease prevention is about animal welfare and human safety. We even learned about a newer disease to test for: Q Fever, which has been seen locally and can affect both goats and people.

What We Test For

🦠 CAE (Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis)

A viral disease that causes joint swelling, lameness, and neurological issues in kids. It reduces milk quality and productivity. There’s no cure — prevention through testing and management is key.

CAE is the only disease we test for that is not zoonotic, meaning it does not spread to humans.

🦠 CL (Caseous Lymphadenitis)

Caused by bacteria that form abscesses around lymph nodes. When ruptured, the bacteria can survive in soil for years, infecting other goats and even humans. Yes, YEARS!

In people, CL can cause painful lymph nodes, skin lesions, or—rarely—lung infections.

That’s why we only purchase goats from reputable, disease-tested herds and maintain strict biosecurity.

🦠 Johne’s Disease

A slow-moving bacterial disease that causes wasting and chronic diarrhea in goats. Infected animals can look healthy for years while spreading the bacteria.

There’s even ongoing research linking Johne’s bacteria to Crohn’s disease in humans, which makes prevention essential.

🦠 Q Fever (Coxiella burnetii)

A zoonotic disease shed by goats during kidding through birth fluids, milk, and manure. Goats often appear healthy while spreading the bacteria.

In people, it can cause severe flu-like illness, pneumonia, or pregnancy complications.

🦠 Brucellosis

A bacterial disease causing abortions, infertility, and reduced milk production in animals. In people, it can cause a long-lasting flu-like illness known as undulant fever.

Idaho regained Brucellosis-Free Status in 2007; but, annual testing remains part of our raw milk permit to ensure continued safety. There remains risks associated with the Greater Yellowstone region and the wildlife that might still carry the disease. So we continue to test to be safe.

🦠 Tuberculosis (TB)

Another bacterial, zoonotic disease that can spread through the lungs or milk.

Idaho is also TB-free, but raw milk producers like us are still required to test annually — and we’re thankful to report that our herd is TB-free.

Why We Test BEYOND State Requirements

In Idaho, the state requires testing for only Brucellosis and TB — but we believe that’s not enough. We like to go for the gold standard. Families depend on the safety of our milk, so we voluntarily pay for and test for four additional diseases: CAE, CL, Johne’s, and Q Fever.

At Meadowlark Heritage Farm we:

✅ Run blood tests across the herd annually. Dr. McKinley advises testing one month prior to breeding.

✅ Follow strict kidding biosecurity: gloves, clean pens, and safe practices during kidding season.

✅ Sanitize milking equipment thoroughly.

✅ Restrict access to goat pens and pastures.

Our reasoning is simple:

🐐 Protect our goats — healthy animals thrive.

🥛 Protect your milk — disease-free herds produce safer, higher-quality milk.

👨‍👩‍👧 Protect your family — these are zoonotic diseases, and we take no chances.

💛 Protect your trust — when you buy from us, you’re trusting us with your family’s health.

We don’t just meet the minimum standards — we exceed them.

Why This Matters

As a farm family, we drink the same milk we sell. We would never offer anything we wouldn’t feel confident pouring for our own children.

✅ Every goat in our herd is disease-free.

✅ We maintain strong biosecurity and sanitation.

✅ We share our results transparently because trust is built through openness.

When you pour a glass of our raw milk or lather up with our goat milk soap, you can feel good knowing it comes from a healthy, clean, disease-free herd.

Our Promise

Farming is about trust. By keeping our herd free of CAE, CL, Johne’s, Q Fever, Brucellosis, and TB, we protect not only our goats, our family — but also YOU, the families who rely on us for nourishment.

It’s one more way Meadowlark Heritage Farm delivers on what we believe in:

Authentic, wholesome, safe products — milk we trust for our own family, shared with yours.