Show reflects growth in Ontario's goat industry

Thursday, September 4, 2008

by KATE PROCTER

The Third Annual International Goat Symposium and Caprine Classic held at the Stratford Rotary Complex was a great success.  “There was kind of a buzz that made it a happening place,” says Symposium Chair, Bob Reid. International speakers and farm tours highlighted the symposium and show, which were combined for the first time this year.

Reid explains that the symposium had a humble beginning in Lindsay three years ago and has grown substantially. After deciding to move the show from eastern Ontario to Stratford, it seemed to make sense to combine the popular show and sale, the Caprine Classic, with the symposium. 

Exhibitor space at the trade show this year sold out and a lunch held on the second day saw 340 people attend when only 220 were expected. “It is a sign of the industry coming of age.  It has gained momentum as it went along,” says Reid.

Farm tours north and south of Stratford were popular on the first day and four large tour buses took 250 participants to a total of eight farms. The farms showcased the variety of operations in Ontario, including brand new facilities as well as bank barns. While the farms were mostly dairy and ranged in size from 130 to 600 milking goats, there was one meat goat farm as well. 

Frans Heslenfeld and Pieterjan Bakker attended from the Netherlands and spoke to producers about nutrition of dairy goats. The recommendation that goats be fed straw and pellets really caught peoples’ attention, explains Reid. People feeding this ration were achieving an average of four liters of milk per day in Holland, while the average production in Ontario is around 2.5 to three liters per day.

Bill Alexander, one of the longest-producing farmers in Ontario also attracted an attentive audience, explains Reid. Alexander has been milking goats for over 29 years and has a lot of experience to pass along. “It was very gratifying to me to see him helping people so they don’t have to go through the same mistakes themselves,” says Reid. 

One of the main obstacles to the industry now is that it is growing so fast, there is not enough breeding stock to meet demand, explains Reid. There are several new processing plants being built throughout Ontario, which probably reflects the changing make up of society. 

While the Caprine Classic show attracted about 70 animals, there were only about ten animals offered for sale. Reid says this is largely due to the fact that goats are very easy to sell right off the farm now so people are reluctant to bring them out to a sale. This is also an indication that the industry is in good shape and growing, says Reid. BF