Southern Mo. Sheep & Goat Conference Oct. 20

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- University of Missouri and Lincoln University are teaming up to host the Southern Missouri Sheep and Goat Conference from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Polk County Fairgrounds, 4560 S. 100th Road, Bolivar, Mo.

MU Extension offices in southern Missouri continue to receive calls for information about sheep and goat production according to Wesley Tucker, an 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 you have to be willing to put in more labor as well as an investment in facilities and fences,” said Tucker.

This conference will provide producers with practical management tips they can use to focus on improving the profitability of their own sheep and goat operations.

The following topics will be presented at the conference: economics of sheep and goat production, producing quality hay, limited versus intensive management of sheep and goats, a panel discussion on how to cope with the drought, alternative feeding strategies for this winter, and live demonstrations of electric fencing, a fecal egg count workshop, and selection and showing for youth.

Topics will be presented by personnel from MU Extension and Lincoln University Cooperative Extension.  “This conference is for beginners as well as experienced producers,” said Tucker.

Registration for the conference is $5 which includes lunch.  To arrange for the food, preregistration is needed by Oct. 15.

For more information about the conference or to register, stop by or call the Polk County Extension Center at (417) 326-4916 or by e-mail at polkco@missouri.edu

  

Kikos sell well in Cream of the Crop Sale

The high-selling goat in the sale was this 2007 New Zealand Kiko doe. 

From left, Christian McGill, Ron McGill, Jenny Zink and John Zink.

Buyers continued to pay top-dollar for high quality Kiko breeding stock at the Cream of the Crop Production Sale held Oct. 6 in Corydon, Ind. The sale, hosted by Goat Hill Kikos of Porum, Okla., and Egypt Creek Ranch of Sarah, Miss., included 12 guest consignors.

Fifty-four registered buyers paid a total of $108,075 for 118 animals. Average prices included:

     • 7 purebred and New Zealand bucks averaged $975.

     • 14 percentage does averaged $461.

     • 47 purebred does averaged $787.

     • 50 New Zealand does averaged $1157.

The high-selling goat in the sale was a daughter of Blue's Son consigned by John and Jenny Zink of Norman, Okla. She was purchased for $2,900 by Ron McGill of Triple M Kikos in Cicero, Ind.

The high-selling buck was a son of Iron Horse consigned by Linda Sparks and purchased for $1,425 by Stephen Walker of South Point, Ohio.

The high-dollar buyer was Brent Ballinger of Mill Creek Ranch in Bardstown, Ky. 

Nebraska sheep & goat conference Nov. 2-3

Mark your calendars for Nov. 2-3 for the 2012 Nebraska Sheep and Goat Conference sponsored by the Nebraska Sheep and Goat Producers Association and the Nebraska Dairy Goat Association! 

Meet at the Heritage Inn in Wahoo, Neb., on Friday, Nov. 2, for an afternoon of tours at a meat goat operation converted from a dairy farm, and then to an on-farm museum of antique tractors, tools, and other farm equipment. Later, enjoy supper as a group back at the Heritage Inn.

On Saturday, Nov. 3, the conference begins with registration at 8 a.m., followed by the Annual Meeting of the Nebraska Sheep and Goat Producers Association and the Nebraska “Make It With Wool” Style Show before the lineup of speakers begins at 10:15 a.m.:

·         Michelle Wendell of Brewster will talk about controlled grazing with goats.

·         Mike Caskey will come from Pipestone, Minn., where he leads a producer education program that reaches around the world, to give a sheep and goat industry overview as well as do a health and nutrition presentation.

·         John Holman, an internationally renowned stock dog trainer, will give a demonstration of his herding dogs in action.

·         Randy Saner with the UNL Extension in North Platte will provide training in monitoring herds for internal parasites.

·         A representative of the Nebraska Cattlemen will speak about the new “We Support Ag” initiative to protect producers from extreme animal rights activism.

Other highlights include a .22 mag Henry rifle auction, silent auction, potluck lunch, cooking contest, and networking opportunities.

Cost is $25 per member or $35 per member family, and dues can be paid at the door; or $35 per person or $45 per family, while 4-H and FFA members can attend for $10 per person if attending alone.

No pre-registration needed. For more information, call Deb Dauel at 402-642-5887.

Goat conference, Kiko sale in Ind. this weekend

The meat goat industry continues to grow each year but many producers still have difficulty making a profit with their goat operations. The fourth annual Corn Country Commercial Meat Goat Conference will tackle that problem this year with a focus on issues that can turn farmers’ red ink into black.

The conference, sponsored by the National Kiko Registry and the Purdue University Harrison County Extension Service, returns to the fairgrounds in Corydon, Ind., October 5-6 and features some of the top small ruminant professionals in the country, as well as a panel discussion with a group of experienced goat breeders.   

This year the whole conference will be devoted to helping producers make their goat operations, large or small, more profitable. The conference is open to all who are interested in meat goats and there is no registration fee. 

No matter if you are new to meat goats, an old hand, or a meat goat wannabe, this team of educators has the experience and the knowledge to help you take your meat goat production to the next level. At the conclusion of the conference,  all those present will be treated to a free goat meat lunch. 

If you are not familiar with the area, Corydon, Ind., is located across the river from Louisville Ky.  Located in beautiful and historic Harrison County, attractions include wooded scenery, natural caverns, a civil war battlefield and a picturesque fairgrounds. To help get the most out of your trip, visit the county website at www.thisisindiana.org.  

For more information on the conference contact Dave Sparks, DVM, at 918-686-7800 or dave.sparks@okstate.edu or visit www.creamofcropkikos.com.

After the conference on Saturday afternoon, a group of 14 Kiko goat breeders from across the country will be holding the Cream of the Crop Production sale, offering approximately 125 head of New Zealand, purebred and percentage Kikos.

           

2012 Corn Country Commercial Goat Conference

October 5 & 6

Making Money With Meat Goats

Friday

8:00 – 9:00      Registration

9:00 – 11:30    Maximize Production and Minimize Expenses with Parasite Management. Includes FAMACHA certification with live goats – Kraig Stemme DVM

11:30 – 12:00  Goat Meat Recipe Cook-off and Tasting

12:00 – 1:00    Break and Visit Sale Consignments

1: 00 – 1:45     Better Profits with Healthy Goats – Fred Brown DVM

1:45 – 2:30      Reproductive Efficiency and the Bottom Line – Dave Sparks DVM

2:30 – 3:00      Break

3:00 – 3:30      Take Advantage of Grants and Low Interest Loans - Ronald McGill

3:30 – 4:00      Myth Busting on Marketing - Kent  Perkins

4:00 – 5:00      Panel of Experienced Producers Answers Questions on Profitable Production

6:00 - ???         “Come and Go” Informal Social at the Hampton Inn (refreshments provided)

Saturday

8:00 – 9:00      Registration

9:00 – 10:00    Make Advertising Pay – Terry Hankins

10:00 – 11:30  Breeding Stock Selection – Dave Sparks DVM. The tools to make success happen. (Includes free record keeping software.)

11:30 – 12:30  Goat Meat Lunch - Courtesy of National Kiko Registry

1:00         5^th Annual Cream of the Crop Kiko Sale