Released October 15, 2010
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – If you raise sheep or goats for meat or milk you can learn more about how to raise and market them successfully at the Sheep and Goat Initiative Meeting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Southwest Research Center south of Mt. Vernon on Highway HH between exits 38 and 44.
The conference will provide participants with the basic information needed to work with sheep and goats according to organizer Jodie Pennington, small ruminant educator with Lincoln University Extension.
Program topics will include: how to get started with goats, an update on sheep and goat diseases, and demonstrations on hoof trimming, deworming, injections, weight estimates, body condition scoring, and bio-security measures to prevent spread of disease.
The conference also includes information on marketing animals and meat products, ranging from how to sell animals or their products at livestock markets, from home, and at farmers' markets.
Speakers include Todd Shubert, manager of the sheep and goat sale at Diamond, and two producers: Rick Christmann of Stoney Acres Sheep Dairy near Competition and Nancy Rasmussen of Sunny Lane Farm, Lockwood, Mo.
Meat processors — Robert and Rudy Long of Golden City Meat Company and Andy and Nicky Cloud of Cloud's Meat in Carthage — will talk about factors in getting animals ready to process and sell the meat.
Other speakers include Helen Swartz and Dr. Charlotte Clifford-Rathert from Lincoln University Cooperative Extension Service in Jefferson City. Swartz is a sheep and goat specialist who has worked with small ruminants for over 30 years. Clifford-Rathert is a small ruminant veterinarian who routinely works with goat diseases and health issues.
Jodie Pennington, extension educator with Lincoln University at the Newton County Extension Center in Neosho, will talk about factors in getting started with goats.
Pre-registration (done before Nov. 2) is $10 including lunch and educational materials. Registration is $15 at the door, including lunch. To register, or get more information about the meeting, call the Newton County Extension Center at (417) 455-9500.
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http://agebb.missouri.edu/news/swnews/queries/showall.idc?story_num=5368
Source: Jodie A. Pennington, (417) 455-9500
