This article about the goats of Pylaros was written by Serandis Apostolides. The wording is his own as is the particular dry sense of humour which strikes the reader as the article unfolds.

Serandis is one of the last of a fading generation who put on what was basically an RAF uniform and fought for his country during WW II in the RAF sponsored Greek Airforce. He has also written a book about his experiences during those dark times. I am sure he would be happy to sell you a copy!!!

Whilst technically retired, Serandis has been recently appointed to the board of directors for the Pylaros Library along with his wife Katerina who is also the chief librarian there. He can be found most mornings in Gialos coffee shop in Agia Efimia. He will always be happy for a chat about Kefalonia in general and the Pylaros valley in particular. He is an encylopedia of local knowledge and in view of his history, his English is excellent! Of course you could always email him for a chat! The concept of getting "Fan mail" will amuse him greatly!

The Goats Of Pylaros
                                                                          By Serandis Apostolides

Nikolas is a typical goatherd in Pylaros who owns about 300 she-goats and about 20 he-goats. His farm is in Falari, on the mountain Agia Dynati above the village of Makriotika.We spoke with him about his love of goats and found a man who really knows his subject! What is more he can recognise each one and knows every goat by name!

The life of a goatherd is roughly divided into three distinct periods:
A
From Easter (April-May) to August-September
B
From August-September to December-January
C
From December-January to Easter

A. From Easter (April-May) to Aug-Sept
The goats give birth, the little ones grow to the desired weight and at Easter lunch in all Greek homes is ‘lamb or goat on a spit'

The goats are now milked daily and will continue to give milk for as long as they are milked. Each goat gives about 1 to 1.5 litres of milk daily which is sold to the dairies for cheese. Last year Nikolas sold the milk for about 55 cents per kilo, compared to sheep’s milk – which is far richer – and which is sold for about 90 cents per kilo (2006 prices).

During this period he feeds his herd with a mash of ground corn, barley and cotton seed cakes as well as hay. This costs about 20 cents per day per head. The above right picture shows some goats in the shed recovering from various ailments. Broken limbs are a constant worry as whilst goats are great at getting up trees they are not designed to climb them so not so clever coming down again! Some fall off get hurt or even damage/break legs.

B. From Aug/September to Dec/Jan
The herd grazes out in the open day and night. From midnight to daybreak they sleep out for 3-4 hours. Before it gets light Nicolas looks for them and he may have to walk 1-2 kms whilst listening for the bells to locate the herd. He drives it back to the pens to feed and water, after which they go off again. During this period they mate and become pregnant. Strange as it may sound it is the female goats that take the initiative and shamelessly chase after the he-goats. Many goats go off and find the he-goats many kilometers away, often in someone else’s flock and then return to their own flock with the he-goat following behind!

C. From December-January to Easter
This is the busiest period for any goatherd, from the end of December to mid to the end of January. When the time approaches for the goats to give birth, everybody in the family goes up the mountain to help. Just imagine, 300 goats giving birth to 300 - 400 baby goats within 20-30 days and nights. Nikolas goes up the mountain before daybreak and often stays till past midnight. Shortly before the time comes, the goats are kept inside the pen and after giving birth they are kept under cover. After 5-6 days the mothers are allowed to go out and graze but return in the evening to feed their babies. When they join the babies each goat knows exactly which one is its own. This period lasts about a month when the babies are exclusively fed on their mothers' milk. After this for the next 3 months Nikolas gives each baby a supplementary 200 grams of feed. Around Easter the babies are sold to merchants or butchers, either ‘on the hoof’ for 3.60 Euro/kg or for 6.50 Euro/kg slain and clear of the skin, entrails, legs etc. (2006 prices)

According to Nikolas this is a business of very little or no profit at all. He can only keep going from the subsidy the EU (2/3) and the Greek Govt. (1/3) pays to cattle-breeders in general. Always according to Nikolas, the EU wants to control the volume of dairy products in the Union. Hence the subsidies, which are reduced every year until the production is brought to the desired level. For example Nikolas is subsidized for 240 head of goats for the year 2006. Of course he may breed 1240 goats, but he collects the subsidy for the allocated 240. These goats are marked with a plastic coloured tab attached to the ear of each goat and which bear his allocated code number.

So next time you are in the Taverna enjoying your Greek salad with Feta cheese, spare a thought for Nikolas and all the hard work of his feta production workers near Agia Efimia in the Pylaros valley!
Serandis Apostolides.