Small Ruminant field day, continuing education session set for April 23, 24

The latest research-based information on raising small ruminants – sheep and goats – will be presented at two consecutive events: a continuing education session for extension agents and veterinarians on April 23 and a field day for producers on April 24. 


Both events will be at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in Baton Rouge.


Registration for the April 23 continuing education sessions will begin at 9 a.m. in room 1212C of the School of Veterinary Medicine on Skip Bertman Drive between Nicholson Drive and River Road. The sessions will begin at 9:30 a.m. on small ruminant herd and flock health and parasite control. Lunch is included in the registration fee and will be followed by sessions on nutrition for show and commercial production and grooming and management essentials. Continuing education fees are $20 for agents and $50 for veterinarians to receive five hours of credit from the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association. Speakers include Dr. David Pugh from Fort Dodge and Dr. Christine Navarre and Dr. Jim Miller from LSU.


The April 24 Small Ruminant Producer Field Day will feature speakers on the status of small ruminant production, grazing and forages, carcass yields and meat characteristics from different breeds, management and marketing for new and existing sheep and goat enterprises, and target marketing. Afternoon demonstrations will be on farmer market booths, FAMACHA training for parasite loads, and routine management practices.


Registration fees for the producer field day are $10 for an individual and $20 for families, with an additional $10 fee for FAMACHA certification. 


Field Day registration begins at 8 a.m. in the same room and will start at 8:30 a.m. Field Day speakers include Stuart Gardner from Natural Resources Conservation Service; Curtis Chisley from Southern University; and Blake Ryals of  Ryals Goat Dairy in Mississippi. The events are co-sponsored by the LSU AgCenter, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, and Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.


Producers, veterinarians and agents can pre-register or obtain additional information on the two events from Ken McMillin at 225-578-3438 or kmcmillin@agcenter.lsu.edu; Jim Miller at 225-578-9652 orjmille@lsu.edu; Sebhatu Gebrelul at 225-771-2262 or sebhatu_gebrelul@suagcenter.com; or Lisa Gray at 225-771-2262 ext. 316 or lisa_gray@suagcenter.com.

Goat field day opens doors for production, consumptions options

Goat producers from across the state exchanged ideas and learned new strategies Saturday at the Southern University Ag Center's annual goat field day. Ag Center research associate and retired USDA meat specialist Curtis Chisley (pictured) surveyed participants' opinion of goat sausage. Chisley and Albert Howard, meat manager, made four samples of goat sausage from 100% goat meat to a 50%-50% goat meat and pork combination. Fatemeh Malekian, Ag Center food scientist, analyzed the nutritional value of the variations and provided the findings to the producers. The group most preferred the 100% goat sausage and a sausage with goat and pork. "This shows promise for goat producers," said Chisley. "There is a market for goat products in the state." For complete coverage, see Advocate article SU hosts Goat Day <http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/43733417.html> .