MIDDLE LAKE — Jasmin Bautz does not see many young people in her line of work.
The University of Saskatchewan student has her own goat and sheep herds on her family farm, Country Log Ranch, north of Middle Lake.
As an involved member of the goat production community, Bautz sees more goat and sheep producers getting into the industry as a way to transition away from more demanding agricultural sectors and into retirement compared to new producers who are just starting out.
This is a common trend with older farmers dominating across many agricultural industries. Statistics Canada reports show the average age for Canadian farmers is 55 years old.
Bautz said wants to see more young people get involved in agriculture – including in more uncommon industries like goat and sheep production – and get involved with producers’ associations.
“Just being a part of the association lets me talk to all the other producers and other members and shows them what I think as a young producer. That’s absolutely possible and doable for young people to get involved in the industry.”
Goat and sheep productions have the lowest number of operations in Canada, according to Statistics Canada, with only 3,056 operations across the country.
Bautz got into goat production at a young age when her mother started the herd.
Goats and sheep were an appealing alternative to other livestock choices, Bautz said, because they were safer to work with as a family, despite being more hands-on compared to other livestock, especially during lambing and kidding seasons.
“She raised goats so she could be a stay-at-home farmer and take us out to the barn and we would all work together as a family. It was a good option for us to work around them.”
Goats and sheep are great additions to any farm, Bautz said. Many people do purchase animals from Bautz for their farm, either to introduce farm work to children with a few animals or to start their own meat and milk herds.
Bautz sees the goat industry as still virtually unknown in Saskatchewan, but that is starting to change with more calls regarding herd development. When she tells people that she is a goat producer, people still assume that she is raising them to sell as farm pets. There is much more to the industry than that, she said.
“There are lots of producers, like me, who will raise breeding stock or meat who will sell them to other producers.”
It can be difficult for young people to get into farming with many agriculture sectors having high start-up costs.
When Bautz talks to potential producers, she is quick to mention the wide-open market with easy to manage livestock and a quick production turn around. Both goats and sheep can be breed starting at seven months of age, she said.
While Bautz is going to university in Saskatoon to get her degree in animal sciences, she is home on weekends and holidays to take care of her herd. Bautz said she is grateful for her family who looks after her herd for her during the week so she can study.
“It would be impossible for me to own and work with Country Log Ranch without them by my side being on my team.”
Balancing farm and school work and being part of the goat and sheep production community is a rewarding experience, Bautz said.
Bautz hopes to grow the industry by promoting goat and sheep production as a family-friendly farming option for incoming producers.
