Arkansas small ruminant conferences in July & August

By Ryan McGeeney

University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — Pasture management, herd health and other aspects of raising sheep and goats will be the topics of discussion at a series of five University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture workshops to be held around the state in July and August. 

Chelsey Ahrens, extension animal science specialist with the Division of Agriculture, said the five Small Ruminant Conferences will give attendees opportunities to brush up on “a lot of ‘small ruminant 101’ stuff,” as well learn more advanced aspects of caring for sheep and goats. 

Each of the five conferences is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. and will feature three concurrent, 45-minute sessions in the morning. Afternoon sessions will focus on parasite control and FAMACHA, a technique developed by South African researchers for detecting parasites and pursuing deworming. Participants will become FAMACHA certified. 

There is no cost to attend the conferences and lunch will be provided. Each conference is scheduled to conclude by 4 p.m. 

Conferences currently scheduled include: 

•    July 16 – Greenbrier High School Ag Building

•    July 23 – ASU Farm, Jonesboro

•    Aug. 6 – Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Arena, Fayetteville

•    Aug. 20 – SW Research and Extension Center, Hope

•    Aug. 27 – Southeast Research and Extension Center (SEREC) in Monticello  

Speakers will include veterinarians, Cooperative Extension Service agents and University of Arkansas animal science faculty, Ahrens said. 

To register for any of the conferences, visit https://forms.uaex.edu/animal-science/registrations/famacha.asp.