This article was written by Dr. Lisa Sharko. The California Mastitis Test (CMT) is a rapid, on-farm screening tool used to detect mastitis in lactating ruminants by estimating the number of somatic cells in the milk. It is a cost-effective test that can be performed quickly by producers, providing immediate results. The CMT can be used to evaluate individual animals or to screen larger production groups, such as fresh does. While the test is simple to perform, accurate interpretation requires training and experience. Producers are encouraged to work with their herd veterinarian to review testing techniques, develop a testing strategy, and establish response protocols based on test results. CMT kits are available through veterinary clinics and agricultural supply retailers that…
All posts in Goats
CAE Testing 101: Getting All The Facts To Pick The Right Test For You
This article was written by Dr. Lisa Sharko (Lead Veterinarian Animal Health and Welfare, OMAFA). This article was originally published in the Spring 2026 issue of the Dairy Goat Digest. Introduction Caprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAE) virus is a Lentivirus that infects a goat’s white blood cells leading to caprine arthritis-encephalitis disease. The virus travels through the body inside infected white blood cells, where it is unable to replicate and stays inactive. During this time, the goat is infected, but the virus is almost impossible to detect via testing and the goat may look and act completely normal for a long time. The virus can remain inactive for months to years, allowing the virus to spread throughout the body like a “Trojan…
Scaling up Dairy Goat Operations: What To Consider When Planning Expansion
This article was written by John Molenhuis (Business Analysis and Cost of Production Specialist, OMAFA). This article was originally published in the Spring 2026 issue of the Dairy Goat Digest. Introduction Planning for expansion will bring with it many questions that need to be considered before shovels hit the ground. This article will highlight some of these key considerations and a suggested thought process to ensure the expansion is a success. Think Strategically First While strategic planning may seem too removed from the practical day-to-day operations, expansion decisions need to start here: what are you trying to achieve and is expansion the best choice to achieve it? Before pursuing expansion, evaluate your current productivity and profitability measures. Some common measures…
Manage Heat Stress In Your Dairy Goats This Summer
This article was written by Angie Wilson (Dairy Specialist, OMAFA). This article was originally published in the Spring 2026 issue of the Dairy Goat Digest. Introduction While goats generally tolerate heat better than other livestock species, they are still susceptible to heat stress. Heat stress has immediate and long-term negative effects on goat production and health. For example, individual studies have reported that heat stress in dairy goats is associated with approximately a 29% reduction in feed intake, a 10% reduction in milk production and a 14% decrease in milk protein (Salama et al., 2021). What Causes Heat Stress? Heat stress occurs when environmental conditions become too hot for goats to dissipate heat, and they can no longer regulate their…
Research Update: Simulating Disease Spread On Goat Farms Using Glo Germ
This article was written by Juliet Germann (PhD Candidate, University of Guelph). This article was originally published in the Spring 2026 issue of the Dairy Goat Digest. What’s being done? This study is using a product called Glo Germ to simulate the spread of infectious fluid during abortion events on three different types of goat farms: meat, fibre, and hobby operations. Glo Germ is a powder that becomes visible under ultraviolet (UV) light and is commonly used to demonstrate cross contamination. In this study, it is being used as a proxy for environmental contamination. Glo Germ is applied to a defined area at the centre of a goat pen to represent a contamination event. The spread of the Glo Germ…
Research Update: Goat Enrichment Within Ontario’s Goat Sector
This article was written by Madison Penney (PhD Student, University of Guelph). This article was originally published in the Spring 2026 issue of the Dairy Goat Digest. Introduction Allowing goats to express natural behaviours can reduce hoof overgrowth, aggression, and destructive behaviours. Providing enrichments could help promote positive natural behaviours like browsing and scratching. Goat farmers in Canada are required through NFACC’s Code of Practice to provide at least one form of enrichment to their goats. Therefore, it is important to know current practices and to study the effectiveness and feasibility of enrichment options to inform future best practices. What we did: We surveyed goat farmers across Canada to understand current practices surrounding the use of housing enrichments. We asked…
A Step In The Right Direction: The Importance of Goat Hoof Trimming
This article was written by Dr. Lisa Sharko (Lead Veterinarian Animal Health and Welfare, OMAFA). This article was originally published in the Spring 2026 issue of the Dairy Goat Digest. Introduction Healthy hooves are fundamental to a dairy goat’s productivity, longevity and welfare. Goat hooves grow continuously and in most confined goat housing systems, there is nothing abrasive to wear hoof growth down. Hoof trimming then becomes an essential herd health management task that must be performed to prevent long hooves from negatively impacting your goats. Most goats require trimming 2-3 times a year. Hoof overgrowth and lameness have significant economic impacts on your herd. Unmaintained Hooves Lead to Lameness and Production Loss When a goat’s hooves overgrow or become…
Frost Seeding FAQ
Frost seeding is a popular way to renovate an existing forage stand and is most effective in fields where patches of bare soil at least the size of a loonie are visible. With spring around the corner, many producers have questions about how to best use this technique to improve their hay fields and pastures. When can I frost seed forages? The optimum time to frost seed is when the snow has melted, but the ground is still frozen. Waiting until there is bare soil prevents the seed from being washed away with melt water. Frozen ground can support the weight of equipment and prevent ruts and compaction. Often the ideal window for frost seeding is very short, and sometimes…
The Basics of Pregnancy Toxemia (Ketosis)
This article was written by Kristy Blankers and Dr. Lisa Sharko. Introduction Pregnancy toxemia, also known as ketosis, is a metabolic disease in dairy goats that occurs during late pregnancy and is caused by an elevation in ketone bodies. Pregnancy toxemia most commonly develops one to three weeks before kidding. Late gestation is a period of high energy demand as the animal supports multiple fast-growing fetuses. If these energy demands exceed the goat’s intake, they enter a state of negative energy balance. Fat is mobilized from the doe’s fat stores and transported to the liver to be used as an energy source. The fat is broken down into ketones, which can be used as an alternative emergency energy source. However,…
Colostrum Quality Impacts on Kid Viability
This article was written by Marlene Paibomesai and originally published in the August 2018 issue of the Dairy Goat Digest. What is colostrum? Colostrum is the first secretion from an udder after birth. Colostrum is rich in nutrients and immune factors, such as immunoglobulins and immune cells that are important for immune and digestive system development (Sanchez-Macias et al., 2014). Colostrum is higher in protein, fat, growth hormones and immune factors than milk. Why do newborns need colostrum? Unlike other mammals, ruminants transfer limited amounts of immunoglobulins and other immune factors from the dam to the fetus during pregnancy. Instead, the majority of immune factors are transferred through colostrum to the goat kid after birth. This is called passive immunity.…
