1. What is the current situation of IGA in Canada?
I have instituted an IGA column in my magazine, GoatKeeper (www.goatkeeper.ca), which goes to approximately 750 addresses across Canada. In this column, I feature stories and news from the IGA newsletter and website, in order to increase awareness of the IGA in Canada.

We may have the opportunity to apply to host an international IGA conference in Canada in the future – the Alberta Goat Breeders Association (AGBA) is investigating a working partnership with an organization in Edmonton, Alberta, that has a wonderful conference facility and hosts events such as Farmfair International (www.farmfairinternational.com), however this is only in the very early preliminary stages. AGBA is hoping to work with this group on a smaller conference in 2010 to see how it goes.

2. What is the current situation of goats in Canada?
Most goat production in Canada is for meat goats (predominantly Boer) and dairy goats. There are some very large farms (500 breeding animals) and some very small hobby farms (less than 10), but most fall somewhere in between. Most dairy production takes place in Ontario and Quebec although there is also dairy production in BC and Alberta. Meat production is mainly found in the prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as well as Ontario.

There are a small number of producers raising angora and Spanish/cashmere goats for fibre production. Some goat herds have been used to graze newly replanted forests in British Columbia, and some are used to graze unwanted vegetation in other areas, although this is a largely undeveloped use of goats in Canada to date.

There is data on goat numbers on the Canadian government website, from the 2006 census of agriculture.

Scroll down to “Other livestock and bees.” Under that heading is “Goats on Census Day” with links to data for each province.

There is not much research specifically for goats in Canada, as goat production is a very small livestock sector in this country compared to beef, pork and poultry, however there is collaboration between the goat and sheep sectors, and goats are included in all research projects involving scrapie and Johne’s disease in small ruminants. Universities and government agencies usually carry out such research.

3. Please tell us about the goat sector in Canada?
a. What are the strengths?
Great availability of feed and agricultural land, growing awareness and recognition of the goat industry by government and educational institutions, government programs and funding available to goat sector.

b. What are the challenges?
Cold winter climate in most of Canada (extra shelter and feed costs), size of country (vast distances between breeders), lack of National ID program (one is in the works), breeding stock import/export issues with USA, lack of formal marketing system, competition with goat meat imported from New Zealand and Australia.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Traceability
The Canadian National Goat Federation (CNGF), which represents goat associations across the country, has decided to move forward with the implementation of the National Animal Traceability Program for goats, on a voluntary basis, once the decision is final on the appointment of the national distributor and the service provider. The board recognized the requests of goat owners of Canada to implement the program earlier than the time frame that is expected to implement the program under a mandated system.
Additional tag trials are being implemented to continue trials of products that may work well for goats. Of particular interest to dairy producers is a leg band called the Patuflex. It is anticipated that the trial of the Patuflex band will take a considerable period of time in order to determine the minimum age criteria for application. This particular identifier is an electronic device, and is being considered as an official identifier in other countries at this time. Hopefully current tag trial results from other countries will help us in our efforts to determine whether this will be able to be used as an official identifier in the national program in Canada.
For more information about the CNGF and its programs and projects, visit www.cangoats.com.


Major Events

East National Dairy Goat Show
July 3-5 at Simcoe, Ontario, Canada
www.eastnationalgoatshow.com
Alberta Caprine Summer Classic West National Dairy, Boer & Angora Goat Shows
August 7- 9 at Olds, Alberta, Canada
www.oldsagsociety.com


International Goat Symposium
August 11-13, 2009 at Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
www.goatsymposium.com