Calgary, Alta. (Rural Roots Canada) – The dairy goat industry in Alberta is small but showing signs of growth, as producers point to rising consumer demand and ongoing processing challenges.
Kathleen Arkes, a dairy goat breeder with Homestead Valley Farms in Millarville, Alberta, says goat milk is becoming increasingly popular, especially among people who have difficulty digesting cow’s milk.
“Goat milk is becoming more and more popular for a lot of people who are unable to digest cow’s milk,” she says. “They can often digest goat’s milk and enjoy goat milk products.”
While the industry remains niche in Alberta, between eight and ten dairies are operating in the province, each milking herds of roughly 200 to 600 animals.
Most of the province’s goat milk is processed into cheese. Arkes says the majority of goat milk in Canada is used for cheese production.
“In Canada, apparently, we’re all about the cheese,” she says. “About 85% of our goat milk actually goes into making goat’s cheese. So we can make anything with goat milk that we can make with cow’s milk, but it lends itself particularly well to soft, fresh cheeses like feta or chèvre.”
However, limited processing capacity in Alberta continues to restrict growth. With only a few processing facilities available, some milk is shipped to other provinces, including British Columbia, for processing and later returned to market.
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Arkes says consumer interest is strong. At agricultural events, she says people frequently ask where they can buy goat milk products. Despite the demand, products are not always readily available in stores.
“The public has always asked me, ‘ Where can I buy it? Where can I get it? I want to see it. And they’re just not seeing it in their stores. So I think the demand is there, and we just somehow need to meet that demand with the processing facilities and getting people to milk the goats to feed the processing plant.”
Industry development is also shaped by geography and infrastructure. While Alberta has the land base to support large-scale cattle operations, dairy goats offer an alternative for producers and consumers looking for different options.
Arkes believes the sector has made progress, noting that dairy goats were once largely unheard of in the province. Today, while still relatively small, the industry is more established and continues to evolve, not just in Alberta but across the country.
“I think there’s a small dedicated group of dairy breeders in almost every province,” she says. “BC would definitely be higher numbers. Ontario and Quebec are definitely our highest numbers of dairy producers. We have folks in the Maritimes, as well. A few from Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Like, there’s at least one everywhere.”
While dairy goats remain less common than cattle in Alberta, Arkes says the industry has come a long way, and there’s still plenty of room to grow.
Arkes participated in the Calgary Stampede’s Aggie Days, talking to consumers about the importance of the goat industry.
