Sheep and Goat Conference May 1

Interest is expected to be high for the Southwest Missouri Sheep and Goat Conference planned for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 1, at the McDonald County Fairgrounds, (located between the McDonald County High School and Middle School) in Anderson, Mo.

Goats have been the fastest-growing livestock enterprise in the United States in recent years according to Dr. Jodie Pennington, small ruminant educator with Lincoln University Extension.

"If you want to raise goats for meat or milk, you can learn how to raise them at this conference," said Pennington. “Participants will learn the basic information needed to work with goats.”

Topics like how to get started with goats, goat diseases, internal parasite control, goat nutrition including pasture and forage management and kidding management will all be addressed.

This conference will also include information about the current sheep industry in Missouri.

Speakers include nationally known goat nutritionist Dr. Steve Hart, from Langston University in Langston, Okla. Hart will discuss fencing to contain goats and to control predators as well as grazing goats with cattle.

Other speakers include Dr. Helen Swartz and Dr. Charlotte Clifford-Rathert from Lincoln University Extension 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 internal parasites.

Pennington will talk about factors in getting started with goats. John Hobbs, an agronomy specialist with MU Extension, will moderate the meeting and conduct an information exchange.

For those who pre-register before April 23, the cost is $10 person. Registration is $15 at the door the day of the event.

For more information, call the Newton County Extension Center, 601 Laclede, Smith Hall (Crowder College), Neosho, MO 64850 at 417-455-9500 or email simkinsv@missouri.edu.