Planning a Dairy Goat Barn:
Key Decisions for Long-Term Success
10:00 AM

Building a dairy goat barn is a major investment that will influence the animal performance, labour efficiency and profitability for many years. This talk will cover key planning decisions that should be considered before construction begins. Whether you are considering a new build, expanding your herd, or upgrading existing facilities, this session will help you make informed decisions that set your operation up for long-term success.
Angie Wilson
Dairy Specialist
OMAFA
Interpreting Somatic Cell Counts in Dairy Goats
Update from the International Dairy Federation
11:00 AM

Somatic cells are normally shed in the milk of lactating dairy goats. There are many factors affecting the level of somatic cells; high levels may indicate presence of mastitis causing pathogens and these affect milk quality. The International Dairy Federation has recently developed a publication to help producers, veterinarians, processors and regulatory bodies determine appropriate SCC levels for goat milk when milk is produced for human consumption. Factors affecting SCC will be reviewed .
Dr. Paula Menzies
University Professor Emerita
University of Guelph
An Update from Dairy Goat Farmers of Ontario
1:15 PM
Dairy Goat Farmers of Ontario website: https://dairygoatfarmers.ca/
Biosecurity and Ontario Goat Farms
1:35 PM

This talk will focus on results from a research project which used Glo-Germ, an inert particle that flouresces under UV light, to track potential spread of disease throughout Ontario goat farms. We will also share future research plans in this area that are underway.
Dr. Charlotte Winder
Professor
University of Guelph
Ontario Goat Update
2:40 PM

An update from Ontario Goat.
Ontario Goat Executive
PANEL
Kids These Days: Raising Healthy, Thriving Goats
3:00 PM
The early stages of a kid's life can have a lasting impact on health, growth, productivity, and long-term profitability. Join experienced goat producers as they discuss the management practices that set kids up for success, from newborn care and feeding programs to housing, health management, and weaning strategies.
Panelists will share practical insights from their own operations, including lessons learned, common challenges, and the approaches they use to raise healthy, thriving kids. The discussion will explore how management decisions may vary depending on production goals, market demands, and operation type, while highlighting key factors that support strong growth and overall performance.
Coming soon!

Natalie Miltenburg

Pascal Bouilly
Ontario Sales Manager
Grober Nutrition
