Dairy goat workers to get industry-specific training

The practical training involves the Dairy Goat Cooperative (DGC) and Primary ITO. 

The course and a review of previous training were enabled by Caprine Innovations NZ (CAPRINZ) -- a five-year $29.65 million partnership of Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and DGC, launched in August 2018.

DGC chief executive David Hemara says training has always been available for dairy goat industry workers, but it was largely modelled on the bovine dairy industry. 

“Given the growth of the dairy goat industry, we worked – and continue to work -- with Primary ITO to review available resources,” he said. 

“We customised where needed and introduced new courses to provide the skills needed for New Zealand to retain its position as a leading producer of dairy goat milk.

“Two training courses have been customised to better suit goat farms, providing skills which are easily and consistently applied on farm. 

“Targeted, timely training is key for ensuring goats are healthy and able to produce quality milk. Highly skilled staff play a vital role, continuing to improve animal welfare, environment, consistency and use of technology on dairy goat farms.” 

Hemara says DGC last year, with Primary ITO, reviewed the existing Milk Quality and Food Safety (Stage One) course and then began work on the inaugural Livestock Husbandry – Dairy Goat (Level 3) course now being trialled with 16 students from DGC farms in Waikato.

A dairy goat farmer and DGC shareholder, Kerry Averill, helped to review current training and is leading the rollout of the husbandry course.

“I have always had a particular interest in training to ensure consistency across the industry,” Averill said. 

“As an ex dairy farmer converting to dairy goats 15 years ago I was aware that most of the training elements available to people working in the industry were based on bovine and needed to be tweaked to the dairy goat industry.

“The new course is being trialled with DGC suppliers but will eventually be rolled out across the industry, available through Primary ITO.

“Current students range from newbies through to people who have worked in the industry for more than eight years but who say even if they learn one new thing it will be an asset they can apply back on farm.”

Averill says delivery of course elements is timed to match what’s happening on farm.

“For example, kidding is underway now, so students have been provided with the specific knowledge and skills they need to confidently take care of does and kids on farm. 

“Training is balanced between classroom and on farm so students get a chance to practically apply the skills they’ve just learned.

“This training is designed to provide a consistent standard which will attract and retain people and give our international markets confidence in the quality standards which apply to NZ’s dairy goat industry,” Averill said.

Primary ITO chief executive Linda Sissons says the joint work of DGC with Primary ITO people was critical, as capability development is a priority across the industry. 

“It’s great that the dairy goat industry is so passionate about training as this will clearly advance consistency in milk quality and animal health,” she said.