A proposal to establish a Dairy Goat Marketing Board may be voted on by early 2026.
The Ontario Dairy Goat Co-Operative said in a release the creation of the Dairy Goat Farmers of Ontario (DGFO) under the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Act, or “Milk Act,” aims to bring structure, stability, and unified representation to producers “who have long faced market volatility and lacked coordinated advocacy.”
Why it matters: The vote, if passed, will allow producers to shape the future of the Ontario dairy goat sector.
“This vote represents an historic opportunity for Ontario’s dairy goat producers to unify under a structure that reflects their unique needs,” said Natalie Miltenburg, chair, Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative. “We are proud to have worked alongside industry partners to bring this proposal forward, ensuring our sector’s voice is heard and our future is secure.”
There has been a nearly 50 per cent growth in the productivity of the Ontario dairy goat industry since 2017, with 198 Grade A farms producing 60 million litres of milk a year.
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Ontario dairy goat producers account for 90 per cent of Canada’s goat milk production. The proposed Dairy Goat Farmers of Ontario won’t manage production quotas or establish fixed pricing for goat milk, but will advocate for inclusion in provincial programs, support research and producer education, and promote consumer awareness.
It will focus on several key industry priorities, including regulatory and policy advocacy and representation; development of a provincial Business Risk Management; ongoing cost-of-production studies; research; producer education tools; and consumer education and outreach.
The initial consultation and the formal application petition show strong producer support for the DGFO, with additional consultation sessions through November and December to ensure producers are educated and have an opportunity to ask questions and share perspectives ahead of the anticipated Expression of Opinion vote.
“The Commission’s decision to conduct an Expression of Opinion Vote validates the hard work and vision of our producers,” said Jeff Smith, chair, Gay Lea Foods’ Goat Producer Advisory Committee. “A local board will provide the tools and stability needed to ensure long-term sustainability and growth for the dairy goat industry in Ontario.”
