NDSU is hosting the Tri-State Meat Goat Conference on Sept. 25-27 at Shepperd Arena. The event is open to new and experienced meat goat producers, Extension Service educators, veterinarians, agricultural businesses, 4-H Club members, Future Farmers of America members and university researchers.
To register for the conference, go to www.ndsu.edu/sheepandgoat. The registration deadline is Sept. 20 and the full conference registration fee is $50 or $25 for one day. The youth portion of the conference is free.
The conference begins on Friday, Sept. 25, at noon and ends at 4 p.m. Friday’s program includes sessions on basic goat care and handling; nutrition; health, welfare and ethics; and a live goat evaluation.
A welcome dinner and social hour are planned at the NDSU Alumni Center at 5 p.m. The keynote speaker, Frank Pinkerton, Martindale, Texas, a retired specialized goat specialist from Langston University and current writer for Goat Rancher magazine, will discuss the past, present and future direction of the U.S. meat goat industry.
Saturday’s events begin at 8:30 a.m. with breakfast. The day’s events include sessions on advanced goat nutrition and genetic selection programs to advance the meat goat industry. After lunch at noon, participants are invited to workshops on first aid for meat goats, getting the most out of your veterinary diagnostic lab and the goat carcass.
On Sunday, a Youth Goat Clinic begins at 8:30 a.m. with juice, coffee and rolls. The clinic runs from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and includes a clipping and showmanship demonstration. Youth, parents, Extensions agents and FFA advisers are invited to attend.
Conference speakers include NDSU Department of Animal Science faculty, the director of NDSU’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, a goat producer from Iowa, a representative from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, South Dakota State University’s veterinarian and an Extension Service educator from the University of Minnesota.
The event is co-sponsored by the U of M and SDSU. For more information, contact Charlie Stoltenow, NDSU Extension veterinarian, at 1-7522 or charles.stoltenow@ndsu.edu.
July 24, 2009