Goat Milk Producers Prepare for New Market Niches

I grew up drinking goat milk provided by a neighbor.  In fact, my first "pets" were a pair of lovely, talented -- as in jumping over fences, female goats.

Goat milk is gaining in popularity for several reasons, including health benefits and in response to a new market niche -- locally made cheese.

Goat milk producers' workshop to be held in Merced, California May 15, 2008
 
Those interested in tapping a growing market for goat milk are invited to a UC Cooperative Extension commercial goat milk producers' workshop 8:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. May 15 in Merced.
 
The increasing popularity of artisan cheese and yogurt made from goat milk is providing a viable business opportunity for rural landowners, according to UCCE farm advisor Deborah Giraud, who is coordinating the workshop.
 
"We've seen the number of artisan cheese producers grow considerably statewide throughout California," Giraud said.
 
In addition, the energy and land use for goat milk production are far less than for cows' milk, she said.
 
"Goats may be an attractive way for people interested in dairying to get started," Giraud said.
 
The goat milk producers' workshop will be at the UC Cooperative Extension Ag Center Auditorium, 2145 W. Wardrobe Ave., in Merced.
 
The following presentations will be included in the program:

• Humboldt County Goat Milk Producers Association: Producers working together, Deborah Giraud, UC Cooperative Extension
• Business planning and analysis for goat dairies, Rod Carter, business consultant, Northern California Farm Credit
• Goat foot rot and other foot problems, Steven Berry, DVM, UC Davis Cooperative Extension dairy management specialist
• Sound breeding programs enhance your bottom line, Dr.Andrea Mongini, DVM
• National Animal Identification System (NAIS), Leslie "Bees" Butler, PhD, UC Davis Cooperative Extension agricultural economist
• Production testing and dairy records, Bill VerBoort, Producer
• Capricorn nutrition project update, Peter Robinson, PhD, dairy nutrition specialist with the UC Davis Department of Animal Science
• Genetics: things to think about in a commercial herd, Dan Drake, DVM
• Acidosis and butter fat: How to manage components on goat dairies, Jed Asmus, Nutritionist
• Raising healthy kids, goat producer Connie Gomes
• Goat milk quality project update, Carol Collar, UC Cooperative Extension dairy farm advisor in Kings County

 
Presentation of the program was made possible by a grant from the USDA Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Program, the Small Farm Center at UC Davis, and the University of California Cooperative Extension Dairy Goat Workgroup.
 
Registration is $15 in advance or $25 at the door. To register, make check payable to UC Regents and mail to Commercial Goat Milk Producers' Workshop, UC Cooperative Extension, 5630 S. Broadway, Eureka, CA  95503.
 
For more information, contact Giraud at (707) 445-7351, ddgiraud@ucdavis.edu.