Goat or sheep dairy with an on-farm creamery

Farm-gate and farmers' market customers, local shops, restaurants and people who like specialty or lactose-friendly dairy.

You sell finished products at a higher price than raw milk. Some farms also sell breeding stock or milk to other processors where the rules allow.

• Animal handling and basic livestock health
• Dairy processing and food safety
• Direct selling and marketing

• Milk marketing rules for goat and sheep milk vary by province; some provinces regulate goat milk, so check before buying animals
• Dairy plant licensing, water testing and inspection requirements for the creamery
• Daily milking with no days off, and the cost of vet care, feed and winter housing
• Farm liability and product liability insurance, and WCB/WSIB rules if you hire help
• Land, zoning and building costs, which can push startup well above the estimate

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $60,000 to $300,000, depending on land, buildings, animals and creamery setup. Land, zoning and building costs can push the total well above that estimate, so price your own site carefully before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on herd size, products and how much you sell direct. Expect around 40 hours a week or more, with daily milking and ongoing costs for vet care, feed and winter housing.

Things to check include provincial milk marketing rules, since some provinces regulate goat milk, and dairy plant licensing, water testing and inspection for the creamery. Also check liability insurance, WCB/WSIB rules if you hire help, and land and zoning requirements.