Low milk prices, low cannery quotas and low water allocations have forced many farmers to rethink their plans for the future.

According to Debbie Oldaker, goats might be that future.

Together with husband Noel, Mrs Oldaker runs a goat stud on the remnants of their old dairy farm at Tongala.

Beginning as a mere curiosity, the Oldakers have turned their hobby into a business.

"It all started with two young halfstarved kids we saw advertised in the Weekly Times," Mrs Oldaker said.

"That's where the nightmare started - we have 30 now."

Cataraqui Dairy Goats, named after a shipwreck on King Island, has since won multiple awards at the 2009 Royal Melbourne Show including highest producing goat overall.

After only three years with goats, Mrs Oldaker said it was great to be recognised in Melbourne.

"We had a ball for our first year - we came home with a ribbon in every class we entered," she said.

The ex-dairy farmer said people looking to try something new should seriously consider goats as an option.

"I can't recommend it enough, it's very rewarding," she said.

"You don't need much land - if you have a quarter acre with some shelter, you are on your way."

Mrs Oldaker said farming goats had financial benefits too.

"The prices for goat products are really good - goat milk sells for $4.50 a litre in the supermarket," she said.

"This could be the way to put Goulburn Valley farming back on the map."

Victorian Dairy Goat Association secretary Glenys Keays said dairy goats presented an attractive option for farmers.

"They produce a good, clean product," she said.

"They're a pretty hardy animal but, contrary to popular opinion, they won't eat tin cans."

Mrs Keays said unlike sheep, goats had no natural grease and were easily affected by rain.

"They don't like the weather, they hate being out in it for too long," she said.

"The main thing they need is shelter."

Mrs Keays said goat products, particularly milk, had many benefits over cows' milk.

"It's naturally homogenised, has smaller fat globules so it digests easier, and is lower in lactose," she said.

"It also makes great cheese."

For more information on dairy goats, phone Victorian Dairy Goat Association on 5271 1254 or visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au

jordan.oliver@sheppnews.com.au