The study "Natural milk powder for rearing in organic goat farming" explores the use of organic goat and cow milk powder as an alternative to artificial milk containing synthetic vitamins, necessitated by new EU regulations. At Annelies Paelinck's farm in Lokeren, lambs were fed different milk powders, with health parameters such as weight and temperature monitored. The natural powders showed deficiencies in essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, copper, B vitamins, and fat-soluble vitamins resulting in lower growth performance and an increased incidence of diarrhea. The question arises as to the cause of the observed nutritional deficiencies. Do the deficiencies stem from a coincidence, from the cow and goat milk as raw material, from the drying process or from exceeding the expiration date for human consumption of the investigated powders? Further research in this direction seems necessary.

The study suggests that these deficiencies can be compensated by supplementation with a modified mineral core, which may be a farm economically advantageous strategy. Remedying these hurdles could also open a new market for surplus organic goat milk. Rearing the animals longer would compensate for the growth deficit, although in that case the increased rearing cost has an impact on farm performance.