Ontario’s goat industry is steadily gaining more attention as consumers learn the health benefits of the animal that supplies quality milk, meat and even soap, reports the Toronto Star.
“The goat industry represents one of the largest growth opportunities in Ontario agriculture today,” Gary Schellenberger, a Perth-Wellington MP told the Wellington Advertiser.
The growing popularity of something like goat cheese can be attributed to a number of factors. According to the Star, Jennifer Haley, executive director of the Guelph, Ont-based, suspects our multicultural influences and adventurous palates may be the reason. And, the easy-to-digest milk is also gaining favour among people who are lactose intolerant.
In August, the federal government announced plans to offer more than $700,000 in spending to help Ontario’s goat industry by establishing an integrated dairy goat genetic improvement program to increase milk production and meat quality.
