First Southern Missouri Sheep and Goat Field Day in Bolivar Oct. 15

University of Missouri and Lincoln University are teaming up to host the first annual Southern Missouri Sheep and Goat Field Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Polk County Fairgrounds in Bolivar, Mo.

The program includes a wide variety of educational topics (for both beginning and experience producers), as well as live demonstrations and hands on activities outside.

“Here in southern Missouri we are getting more and more calls for information about sheep and goat production,” said Wesley Tucker, agriculture business specialist with University of Missouri Extension in Polk County. “There is simply more profit potential in sheep and goats than most other enterprises that can use our local resources.”

Of course, producers have to be willing to put in more labor as well as an investment in facilities.

“Through this event we hope to provide producers with practical management tips they can use to focus on improving the profitability of their own sheep and goat operations,” said Tucker.

Topics to be covered will include: breeds of sheep and goats, stretching limited forage supplies, vaccination and deworming (including Famacha), foot rot management, selection of breeding stock, producer panel on profitability, foot trimming and hoof care and cograzing of livestock species.

“The live demonstrations and hands on activities are going to provide an excellent way to learn. It’s not often you get to listen while the industry experts show you animals and point out what to look for and what to avoid when selecting breeding stock, or how to diagnose foot rot or properly trim hooves,” said Tucker.

The cost of the entire day is only $5 per person and includes lunch for the first 100 people who preregister.

For more information, or to register, call the Polk County Extension Center at (417) 326-4916.