Farm Tours

South Tour

South Tour 1

South Tour 2

Tobin and Erin Schlegel, Tavistock

Tobin and Erin Schlegel own and operate Sugarfield farm. Tobin has been raising meat goats since 1996 when he started with 7 Boer Nubian Cross does and a purebred Boer buck. He began to incorporate purebreds into the herd in 1998. With the addition of a new coverall barn in the spring of 2009, the herd has since expanded to roughly 350 breeding does consisting of approximately 300 purebred Boers and 50 purebred Nubians.

Ian and Vicki Mayberry, Ingersoll

Ian and Vicki Mayberry run a small dairy goat operation just south of Ingersoll, in Oxford County. They bought their first goats in 2005 and started milking the following spring. Starting with only 80 milkers, the plan was to concentrate on milk production through solid genetics and an intensive feeding program before expanding the herd. After settling into the new milking routine, Ian and Vicki quickly invested in a milk metering system with the confidence that the new tool would accelerate milk production. In 2009, Ian and Vicki continued their ongoing goal of increasing animal comfort and production by expanding the housing area, building a new goat friendly parlour, and incorporating a new tunnel ventilation system. Ian and Vicki will be increasing their herd to just over 200 goats as market conditions permit.

Peter and Carol Kerkvliet, Shedden

Peter and Carol Kerkvliet and family from the St. Thomas area milk Saanen and Alpine goats in a double 24 rapid exit parlour. The parlour is fitted with milk metering and RFID technology. The milking barn has capacity for 500 goats which are being fed forages as a total mixed ration at the present time. With the help of the Ostrander Veterinary clinic, the Kerkvliet’s have implemented a program aimed at eliminating CAE from their herd. Their nursery can accommodate up to 200 young stock and they circulate warm, acidified milk replacer throughout it. 

Andrew and Deana Hansford, Melbourne

Andrew, Deana, and their 4 children own and operate Ancrest Dairy Goats. The Hansfords have been breeding Alpines, Saanens, Nubians and Lamanchas for 30 years. They have numerous top ten records, have bred many National and Royal champions, and have won many Premier and Exhibitor awards. In 2000, the Hansfords were recognized with a master breeder award for the Alpine breed. They originally began shipping milk in 1992 and continued for 5 years before moving to Melbourne where they began to ship again in 2002. Milking 80 does on 47 acres, the Hansfords grow mostly hay and buy grain for the ration. They also milk 4 Jersey cows to feed milk to their kid goats. The Hansfords show at approximately 9 to 10 shows per year and sell many young herd sires to breeders in Ontario and throughout Canada.