Goat industry poised to invigorate New Zealand farming
New Zealand’s goat sector has taken a positive step towards a profitable, sustainable future following the conclusion of
the inaugural NZGoats conference, held in Queenstown last weekend.
“For the first time, the event brought together three organisations representing the New Zealand goat fibre and goat
meat sectors; Mohair New Zealand (Inc.), Meat Goat New Zealand and the New Zealand Boer Goat Breeders Association
(Inc.),” says Dawn Sangster, Chairperson of NZGoats.
“The event marked the first conference of NZGoats, an organisation established by Mohair NZ and Meat Goat New Zealand
and operating under the Federated Farmers umbrella. The objective is to add value by fostering the development of a
reinvigorated and unified goat sector,” Dawn Sangster continued.
The value of open dialogue on common issues was seen as an immense opportunity to build the goat industry in New
Zealand. This event provided the first occasion for some years where Boer goat breeders had the opportunity to meet
their Mohair colleague’s face-to face.
“The opportunity for farmers to visit both Angora and Boer goat farms on the two field trips, together with the social
interaction that the conference, fostered was especially valuable ” Geoff Muggeridge, the NZ Boer Goat Breeders
Association Chairman added.
The 2014 conference was fortunate to have a number of high calibre industry speakers providing reports of practical use
to goat farmers.
“Presentations challenged those attending to think critically about their industry and how they can work with others in
the value chain to farm goats sustainably and profitably,” explained Doug Lineman, Chairman of Meat Goat New Zealand.
While the NZGoat industry was realistic that there were challenges to overcome, before a sustainable and profitable
sector on equal footing with sheep and beef or dairy farming was realised, this event marked an important first step.
“Goat farming is very well placed to capitalise on environmental constraints likely to increasingly impact New Zealand’s
wider pastoral farming system. We believe the industry has a very bright future indeed,” concluded John Woodward, Chair
of Mohair New Zealand.
Ends