Thank You for the Feedback

Over the last few months, I distributed an information booklet entitled "Hints and Tips for High Quality Goat Milk Production". I hope that it is helpful to you in troubleshooting quality problems and/or improving the quality of your milk. I would like to thank Hewitt's Dairy, Pat Marcotte of OGBA, Rose McLean of NEOGMPA, Al Kikkert of ODGCI, and the Mornington Heritage Cheese & Dairy Co-op for assisting with the distribution of these booklets to their members. If you did not receive a copy and would like one, feel free to contact me at the information below.

A survey regarding the "Goat Milk Quality Workshop" was also included in the booklet. Thanks to everyone who responded. All the comments were greatly appreciated. I would like to share with you the results from the survey so far:

Total returned surveys: 41 per cent

Top 5 topics chosen on the survey to be covered in the workshop:
1. Herd Health
2. Nutrition
3. Udder Health
4. Breeding/Animal Husbandry and Comfort Techniques
5. Mastitis Prevention and Control

Top 3 topics chosen on the survey to be covered in the most detail:
1. Herd Health
2. Udder Health
3. Nutrition/Breeding

Overall, I am extremely pleased with the response from the survey. Herd Health was overwhelmingly the most requested (81 per cent of responses), so I am in consultations with a small ruminant veterinarian and small ruminant experts to provide a full day of interactive learning on Herd Health during the Goat Milk Quality Workshop. As one comment received from the survey said, "Healthy goats make healthy milk"!

I am anticipating that the workshop will be covered in two different sessions, one on Herd Health, and the other on Milk Quality (Udder Health, Mastitis Prevention and Control, Milking Equipment, Milking Procedures, Measuring Milk Quality), to be offered over the Fall of 2003 and Winter of 2004. They will be held in various locations in the north, east, and southwestern areas of Ontario. It is going to be different from the general meetings you may have attended before, as it will be interactive with group discussions and problem solving on a "farm-smart" approach. I hope this will be well received by everyone and will generate positive attendance to each session. If you would like more information or have a suggestion for the workshop, you may contact me at: