Dairy Goat Farming Practices for Specialty Cheese & Other Products
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Dairy Goat Farming Practices for Specialty Cheese & Other Products A report for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation by A.K. Stubbs and G.L. Abud May 2003 RIRDC Publication No 03/057 RIRDC Project No PTP-11A © 2003 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 0 642 58624 1 ISSN 1440-6845 Dairy Goat Farming Practices – for specialty cheese and other products Publication No. 03/057 Project No. PTP-11A The views expressed and the conclusions reached in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of persons consulted. RIRDC shall not be responsible in any way whatsoever to any person who relies in whole or in part on the contents of this report. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager on phone 02 6272 3186. Researcher Contact Details Mr Arthur Stubbs Ms Gaille Abud Director 395 Flat Rock Road Primary Tasks Pty Ltd HURSTBRIDGE, VIC 3099 Unit 58, Level 2 247-255 Drummond Street CARLTON, VIC 3053 Phone: 03 9844 1135 03 9718 2041 Fax: 03 9844 4554 03 9718 2041 Email: [email protected] [email protected] In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form. RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 1, AMA House 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6272 4539 Fax: 02 6272 5877 Email: [email protected]. Website: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Published in May 2003 Printed on environmentally friendly paper by Canprint Foreword The sector of the dairy goat industry involved with cheese production in Australia grew rapidly over the last decade in response to increasing market demand for goat cheese. By the turn of the decade, supply had exceeded domestic demand and attention was turned towards export markets and other products. The industry has now reached the point where it needs co-ordination and direction to be a viable and sustainable rural industry of the future. Various technical and commercial aspects of production, processing and marketing have been investigated through this project and its predecessor to provide a firm basis for industry advancement. However, further research, development and extension will be needed to consolidate the gains made to date, and to exploit future opportunities. The industry should play a leading role in guiding these activities. This publication outlines progress made by the industry and gives recommendations for future initiatives to help secure and progress the position achieved. Proposals made will assist careful guidance of development towards a profitable, self contained and controlled Australian Dairy Goat Industry, with an emphasis on specialty cheese production. This project was funded from RIRDC Core Funds which are provided by the Federal Government. This report, a new addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 900 research publications, forms part of our New Animal Products R&D Program, which aims to accelerate the development of viable new animal industries. Most of our publications are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through our website: • downloads at www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/Index.htm • purchases at www.rirdc.gov.au/eshop Simon Hearn Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii Acknowledgements Development, planning and conduct of this project, and its forerunner, was encouraged and assisted at all times by Dr Peter McInnes, Research Manager. His support, ready availability and sound advice is greatly appreciated. Much of the information collected, opinions formed and conclusions reached would not have been possible without the willing co-operation of many producers, manufacturers, distributors and marketers, particularly survey respondents, and representatives of government, industry and service organisations. Their inputs are gratefully acknowledged. A key component of the project was the Focus Farm study and Field Days, held on the properties of Jo & Robert Hall, Michael & Stacey Rocca and Malcolm & Darlene Barton. Their co-operation and hospitality was greatly appreciated. Considerable assistance was given at the Rocca farm by Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment officers, Jonathan Porteous and Basil Doonan. Special thanks are due to these two men. The computer program developed especially for dairy goat farms was expertly written by Werner Osewald of Culcairn, NSW, and assistance with testing the program was given by Bob Maczkowiack, Gatton, Qld; Sandra & Terry McPhee, Pheasant Creek, Vic; and Jonathan Porteous. Their willing contributions are acknowledged. Those who attended the industry meetings which led to the formation of the Australian Goat Milk Association, and the subsequent officebearers, have played a significant role in the evolution of the industry. Finally, the other members of the Study Tour group, David Brown of Milawa Cheese and Jo Hall, together with Bruce McGregor and Tony Barker who helped with the report, are thanked for their input to this phase of the project. About the Authors Arthur Stubbs (B.Agr.Sc.) is currently Managing Director of Primary Tasks Pty Ltd, Agricultural Consultants, and formerly held positions with the Victorian Department of Agriculture, ICI Australia, and the Herd Improvement Organisation. He has a strong background in dairy herd improvement, agronomy and grazing systems with recent experience in rural industry analysis and development. Gaille Abud (B.A.) is Secretary of the Herd Improvement & Producers’ Association, Dairy Goat Society of Australia, Victorian Branch. She has extensive knowledge and experience of the dairy goat industry, dairy goat farming and manufacture and marketing of dairy goat products. Both authors were engaged in the previous RIRDC project on this subject, “Specialty Goat Cheese – Improving Productivity in Australia”, available as RIRDC Publication No 98/116. iv Contents Foreword............................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements............................................................................................................................... iv About the Authors................................................................................................................................ iv Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................. vi Objective ............................................................................................................................................... vi Results & Discussion ........................................................................................................................... vii 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 1 2. Objective ............................................................................................................................................ 2 3. Methodology ...................................................................................................................................... 2 Dairy Goat Focus Farms...................................................................................................................... 2 Computerised Recording System ........................................................................................................ 2 Technical Information System ............................................................................................................ 2 Dairy Goat Farm Surveys.................................................................................................................... 2 Goat Cheese Market Surveys .............................................................................................................. 2 Industry Development ......................................................................................................................... 2 Overseas Study Tour ........................................................................................................................... 2 4. Results & Discussion ......................................................................................................................... 3 Focus Farms ........................................................................................................................................ 3 Farm Summaries.................................................................................................................................. 3 Observations & Conclusions............................................................................................................. 19 Recommendations ............................................................................................................................. 19 Computerised Recording................................................................................................................... 20 Technical Information ....................................................................................................................... 21 Farm Surveys....................................................................................................................................