Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative celebrates 20 years

Twenty years ago, 13 producers gathered around a kitchen table to discuss ways to grow Ontario’s dairy goat sector. 

Now nearly 100 members strong, the Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative (ODGC) has evolved from the kitchen table to two offices while maintaining its mandate that every member profits and benefits equally. 

Why it matters: A co-operative organization has proved valuable in giving farmers a voice in marketing their goat milk.

“The membership of this club has done an amazing job producing good quality goat milk over the last 20 years and we are a major force in the dairy goat sector,” said Rene Zoller, ODGC chair. “(They) helped make Ontario the powerhouse of goat milk in North America and we can all be very proud of that.”

As one of the five original steering committee members, Henk Van Schaik said that 20 years later, despite the ups and downs, he’s proud of what the ODGC accomplished. 

“You have all the young families here – and I think it’s important to see what an impact it can make when you either volunteer or, as a farmer, be responsible for your industry,” he said.

Van Schaik said the early days were tough. There was milk dumping, and milk powder didn’t pay well, if at all. But there was a resiliency with producers and a desire to move forward. 

Zoller said the co-op grew quickly after adding Lisa Thompson as general manager.

Thompson, now Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, didn’t know much about the dairy goat industry, but she had a pocketful of contacts and plenty of ideas. 

Thompson said there was no office or milk truck fleet when she joined the ODGC; milk pickup sheets were faxed to her house and another company picked up and delivered the milk.  

“I thought instead of paying somebody else who’s profiting on hauling our milk, why not invest and bring that value and money back into the cooperative, and the board supported that concept,” Thompson said at ODGC’s 20th anniversary celebration in Teeswater July 23.

The cooperative bought a milk truck and grew to own a fleet of seven trucks. The ODGC became a fixture in Teeswater and Chesley, providing local jobs. 

“I’m seeing a lot of legacies here,” said Thompson. “We stand on the shoulders of so many farmers that knew they could make a good living producing quality goat milk and innovate and bring products to market that hadn’t been realized before.” 

During her kitchen-table interview for the general manager position, Thompson recognized the commitment and dedication of the farmers who were organizing the ODGC and the surefooted way they were ready to drive their industry. 

Despite leaving the ODGC 11 years ago, Thompson keeps a watchful eye and celebrates every milestone and growth marker. 

“The manner in which they’ve grown and opened up new markets shows their ability to adapt and innovate,” she said. “They’re taking every opportunity and embracing what makes sense for their business model.” 

While the traditional and growing market for goat dairy has been cheese-related, Zoller said the recent agreement with Canada Royal Milk (CRM) in Kingston provided a toehold in the baby formula market.

“There’s still, you know, a learning process because it is a totally different product,” he said. “But overall, I think it’s a good opportunity, not just for (ODGC), but also for the dairy goat industry, here in Ontario and Quebec.” 

In the future, Zoller sees an increase in goat milk production, and CRM is indicative of untapped growth avenues. 

“We’re going strong, and the volume has steadily increased,” said Zoller. “It’s a niche market; you always want to be there and try to cater to the consumer.”

This has been a delicate balance because the dairy goat industry isn’t supply-managed. He recalled 2017, when the industry had a surplus that led to sector instability and an exodus of producers. 

Zoller said there’s an opportunity to improve by facilitating communication between co-ops and the industry to drive sector stability.