Goat Day Panel

GBFW16 Goat Day – Jan 8, 2016Goat Day Panel – Future of the Goat IndustryParticipants:

• Michael Barrett, President & CEO, Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Inc.

• Jennifer Haley, Executive Director, Ontario Goat

• Keith Cummings, General Manager, Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative

• Don Clodd, Vice President of Manufacturing, Woolwich Dairy Inc.

• Facilitated by Leo Losereit

•The Ontario and Canadian goat industries are experiencing steady growth. The expansion is occurring primarily in the dairy sector, with milk production increasing steadily since 2008 as producers are increasing production on farm. •Goat meat continues to be in demand. Increased supply to the live auction and increased slaughter has only resulted in an average price decrease of 3.2% in 2013.

• Ontario continues to have the largest number of goats in Canada, with 52% of the goats. Quebec and Alberta have the second- and third-largest herds, with 17% and 13%, respectively, of the goats in Canada.

• The most growth in goat numbers has been in Ontario. Ontario almost doubled the number of goats in the province between 2001 and 2011.

• In contrast, the number of goat farms in Ontario has only increased by 15.5%. This means that, in Ontario, goat farms are

increasing in size.

Number of licensed goat milk producers in Ontario, 1997–2013. Source: Food Industry Division, OMAFRA.

•The Ontario dairy goat industry continues to grow at a fast pace. Ontario goat estimates that projected goat milk production volumes may reach an all-time high level by exceeding 42 million litres in 2015, representing a 200% increase in volume growth since 2005.

•As of December 2015 there were 240 licensed producers....OMAFRA reports that there are approximately 20-25 more producers who may come on line in the next 6-9 months as they are preparing for the licensing and inspection process now.

The main market for goat milk is for cheese production. 85% of all fluid milk is manufactured into goat cheese. Approximately 14% is sold as fluid milk and the remaining 1% makes up the remainder of the products.

•Meat goat slaughter continues to grow; however, consumer research indicates that there continues to be an unmet demand for Ontario goat meat products.  The largest supplier in the meat market continues to be dairy cull animals.