ETGRA production seminars January 21

Submitted by:  Cooperative Extension Agent, Rene’ McCracken

                
Jacksonville, Texas-based East Texas Goat Raisers Association or ETGRA will host its annual free production seminar, Saturday, January 21, 2012 for the benefit of goat producers, 4-H members and leaders and other persons interested in learning the latest agricultural research and techniques to surviving the economy and raising goats in east Texas.

This year’s round robin seminar will be held at The ETGRA Center, 32186 Highway 69 North, Jacksonville, TX (mid-way between Rusk and Jacksonville) beginning at 10 a.m.  


Hands on demonstrations will be presented on topics including:  tattooing, nutrition and feeding, hoof trimming and other health management strategies, parasite control, working with the Kiko breed, and kidding ~ difficult births from several area goat producers, and no registration fees required!  There will be a demonstration of the association’s sonogram equipment to detect pregnancy. 


After the demonstrations, there will be a special presentation on Developing Healthy Soils in a Drought, presented by Willie Durham – State Conservation Agronomist for USDA.  He will be leading the discussion on new techniques to build up the soils utilizing NRCS approved techniques.  If you have been working with over-stressed soils with low fertility,  don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an expert in the field of re-conditioning soils.  


ETGRA members will have contact information available at the membership table for those looking to purchase goats.  If you are a vendor or wish to sell goat related items, or just interested in sponsoring the event or donating an item for the door prizes, contact Rene’ McCracken at the number below.

Many area producers looking for tips on alternative feeds, forages and marketing that would help move their operations into a more profitable position will definitely find solutions at this round robin style seminar.  


The ETGRA general membership meeting, nomination of 2012 officers and pot luck lunch will also be held directly after the demonstrations. Topics such as future production sales and shows, membership and fundraising drives, where to market goats, and nominations for leadership roles will be addressed. Members and non-members are encouraged to attend the meeting. 


The ETGRA members would like to issue a special invitation to area cattle producers interested in improving their soils or in purchasing goats to supplement their cattle or timber operations during the drought projected for the coming year.  


For more information on this and other goat events contact Cooperative Extension Agent, Rene’ McCracken at 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu.  You may also find additional information on the website at www.etgra.com.