A study conducted by eBiz Professionals Inc. has concluded that a Centre of Excellence for Dairy Goat Research is both timely and feasible and should build upon the synergies that exist between Trent University and the University of Guelph. Such a Centre should strive to promote the growth and competitiveness of the dairy goat and small ruminant sectors by servicing consumer demands for consistent, quality products in the marketplace.
The study was undertaken in response to requests from Ontario goat producers and was jointly funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Program through the Agricultural Adaptation Council’s CanAdvance Program, the Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster and the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation (GPA EDC). The study was guided by a steering committee, which included producers and representatives from Trent University, the University of Guelph and from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).
”We are extremely pleased with the report’s findings and want to congratulate members of the steering committee, whose help and guidance made this project possible,” said Andy Mitchell, President of the Innovation Cluster.
The report identified a number of key issues that a Centre of Excellence should address, including:
- Industry Sustainability
- Market Responsiveness
- Animal Health
- Product Development
- Basic Research
“We are pleased the report has recognized both the potential of the goat industry as well as recognizing the specific issues which need to be addressed,” commented Garry Claassen, President of the Ontario Goat Breeders Association and the Canadian National Goat Federation.
The report also examined approaches to help ensure a Centre of Excellence would be well positioned to deliver on a mandate of technology transfer activities, demonstration of production practices and basic and applied research.
“We are committed to working with the Innovation Cluster, the small ruminants industries, Trent University and the relevant researchers to develop the Centre which builds on existing activity and infrastructure and maximizes current and future public investments,” said Rich Moccia, Interim Associate Vice-President (Research) for Agri-Food and Partnerships at the Office of Research at the University of Guelph.
“Trent University is well positioned to meet the vision of a Centre of Excellence and we look forward to working with our partners to ensure the vision is turned into a reality,” stated Gyles Iannone, Associate Vice-President of Research at Trent University.
The Innovation Cluster will be facilitating a meeting of the steering committee to create an implementation phase for the project. Activities will include developing a governance and administrative structure that will be designed to be responsive to the industry, developing an initial research agenda and sourcing appropriate funding.
“In conducting Phase 2 of this project, we will develop a set of principles that will ensure new investments will build effectively on existing activity and will maximize the commercial opportunities of the industry,” said Innovation Cluster President Andy Mitchell. “We are determined to complete this process in 2009”.
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