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 tagged 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…
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,…
Machine Options to Reduce Labour when Feeding Milk Replacer
Introduction Artificially rearing lambs and kids is costly and labour intensive. Investing in a machine to help reduce the labour costs associated with feeding is something to consider. There are various types of milk replacer machines on the market. Which type of machine is best suited for an operation depends on the size of operation, current infrastructure and budgets. This article aims to introduce three types of milk replacer machines. Automatic Milk Machine (e.g. Grober/Forester Technik) Automatic milk machines continuously mix small portions of milk replacer for ad libitum milk feeding. A common machine in Ontario is sold by Grober in partnership with Forester Technik. This machine allows for portions to be set and counted and has various features to…
Milk House Matters
This article was written by Peter Maw and originally published in the August 2018 issue of the Dairy Goat Digest. Introduction Your milk house is the first impression visitors get of your farm. A clean and tidy milk house is important for safely storing a quality product and allowing your Bulk Tank Milk Grader (BTMG) to properly grade, sample and pump milk to the transport tank. Hose Port Hose Ports must be kept clean and smooth to prevent damage to hoses. The outer flap that covers the port needs to be self-closing and tight-fitting to keep pests out. Concrete or clean crushed stone should be laid on the ground under the hose port and the area kept free of all…
Milk Sampling Strategies
This article was written by Mike Foran and originally published in the August 2018 issue of the Dairy Goat Digest. Troubleshooting a high Bactoscan result can be one of the most frustrating issues a dairy goat producer encounters. A complete evaluation of milking equipment and bulk tank, and a review of the sanitation program is recommended. Often producers and equipment dealers will make minor or even significant upgrades to the milking system, yet high bulk tank Bactoscan results persist. In these cases, producers should consider that one or more goats are shedding high numbers of bacteria and may be the root cause of the high Bactoscan results. Can one goat with high bacteria milk in a large herd spike the…
