The Canadian Goat Society

 It is with great regret that the CGS Board has received notice of resignation from Russell Gammon, current Secretary-Manager of CGS.  He will continue to serve CGS until a replacement is found and will ensure a smooth transition to new management as the association wishes. 

Russell took the position of Secretary-Manager at a time when CGS was in great need of someone who had the ability and dedication in secretarial/management services and agriculture.  

Russell is investigating new opportunities after serving the CGS since September 11, 2019.

Gammon wishes CGS all the very best in growth and business success.

CFIA is hosting an hour-long webinar to present the proposed changes to the Traceability regulations that will include goats.

AgriStability is an important tool to help you manage risks and financial losses due to poor yields, low commodity prices, or rising input costs. AgriStability provides support when you experience a large margin decline.

AgriStability is delivered by the federal government in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador and Yukon.

For more information visit Agriculture Canada

Staff and directors of the Canadian Livestock Records Corporation (CLRC), and those involved with CLRC member associations were shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Jim Washer, General Manager of CLRC on January 14, 2023. Jim was in his 62^nd year at the time of his passing.

Jim assumed the role of General Manager of CLRC in 2014 after previous experience with 4-H Canada. As Manager he was heavily engaged in communication with member associations, the CLRC Board and served on a variety of relevant industry committees.  

Jim was exceedingly helpful in answering a large volume of questions, listened well to comments from member associations, was a family man and had a deep and abiding love for spending time outdoors in nature. He will be deeply missed by a wide array of friends.

Deadline for responses is February 25, 2022

From CNGF post linked here: LINK

The following survey was released by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), to garner feedback from producers who import goats and sheep from the United States. The survey is part of CFIA’s review of the recently suspended option 2C for importing bucks and rams.

Previously, there were 3 options by which male small ruminants could be imported.  They were as follows:

a) Male small ruminants may be imported to any premises in Canada provided that they have acquired five (5) years of status in accordancd with the Export Category of the USDA Scrapie Flock Certification Program

OR

b) Male sheep may be imported to any premises in Canada from any flock in the USA if they have undergone genotype testing and have been determined to be of the codon 136AA 171RR or 136AA 171QR genotype.

OR

c) Male small ruminants may be improted from any premises in the United States provided that the imported premises in Canada must have been enrolled in the Scrapie Flock Certification Program for a minimum of one (1) year and completed at least one (1) annual inventory or if the importing farm meets ‘temporary enrollment’ criteria.  Other post-import requirements including management of males separate from females and movement from importing farms apply.

This is the small ruminant industry’s first opportunity to consult on the CFIA’s decision to suspend option c), a decision that has left producers with fewer options by which to import new genetics.  This has been particularly impactful for the goat industry who is left with only one import pathway for bucks, option a).

We would like to encourage all producers who have a vested interest in importing breeding stock to take a few minutes to respond to the survey.  Please understand that your responses could significantly impact the future of small ruminant imports from the US.

Canada’s small ruminant producer groups are working together to craft recommended alternatives to option c), to present to the CFIA as part of the consultation process. The goal is to present a collective and united position on this issue in the best interest of Canada’s sheep and goat farmers. 

You can participate in the CFIA survey directly from the following link.  Please keep in mind that your responses will go directly to the CFIA.

English Survey:  https://share.hsforms.com/1LDfHzhiHSrux3tueO5Y18Acni2q 

Questionnaire en français :  https://share.hsforms.com/1hnmV1itYSByBhoWxSgUHjAcni2q