Ontario Goat (OG), together with Mariposa Dairy, Gay Lea Foods Cooperative Ltd., Saputo Inc., Crosswind Farms and C’est Bon Cheese, is pleased to announce the creation of the newly formed Goat Milk Processor Advisory Committee.
For the first time the committee formally brings together the producers and processors in the Ontario dairy goat industry, to discuss the priorities and issues impacting all parts of the value chain. Ontario’s goat milk production has grown exponentially in volume over the past several years and projections indicate a huge growth curve requiring a strategic and coordinated approach in order for the sector to achieve its full potential.
“There is no doubt in my mind that the creation of this committee has brought the Ontario dairy goat forward by leaps and bounds” stated Anton Slingerland, President of Ontario Goat. “Working together, communicating and sharing information towards a common vision will only help our industry continue
to grow and capture the opportunities before us” he added.
One of the goals of the committee is to align the priorities of processors with those of producers to ensure a common vision moving forward. While there are many opportunities for the Ontario dairy goat industry, there are also challenges that the committee must discuss and strategically address. Common areas of interest include: sustained growth, industry communications, government relations, genetics, nutrition and on-farm efficiencies to help bring more milk to the market.
“The timing is right for this committee. Ontario currently produces approximately 45 million litres of goat milk which is about 80% of Canada’s goat milk production or one-third of North America’s goat milk supply” stated Bruce Vandenberg, President of Mariposa Dairy Ltd. “We all need to work together on
joint projects and issues in order to grow our position” he added.
“It is important, now more than ever, to speak with one dairy goat voice” remarked Michael Barrett, President & CEO of Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Ltd. “Not one singular voice but many voices coming together to speak as one industry, working together and ultimately becoming stronger together.”
The processor advisory committee will receive administration support from Ontario Goat. The committee will work closely with the OG Board of Directors and staff in order to align priorities, share information and ensure there are open channels of communication. Additional goat milk processor members will be added to the committee upon request.
“This committee is proof that when everyone is committed to a principle of working together, great things can happen and I look forward to continuing to advocate for the needs of our industry as we all grow together” said Cindy Hope, President of Crosswind Farms.
Source: Ontario