Meat Goat Blog

Oklahoma: 25th Annual Goat Field Day

The 25th Annual Goat Field Day will take place April 24, 2010, at Langston University beginning at 9:00 a.m. (registration 8:00 a.m.). It is a one day event with numerous meetings and discussions including Dr. Frank Pinkerton, probably the most well-known and highly respected goat expert in the world. He's not only knowlegable, but entertaining at the same time. According to the Langston University,

"... Frank was reassigned to develop the International Dairy Goat Research Center. He recalls that the interview for the new job was very short. The Dean asked him if he knew anything about dairy goats; yes, he said, they were those funny little cows with two tits. Close enough, said the Dean, and so it was that The Goat Man came to be. In '83, as the result of a bureaucratic political shuffle, he relocated to Langston University in OK, to do extension work in dairy, Angora, and meat goats. He retired in '93 to raise meat goats in east TX and do consultant work in goat management and marketing in TX, NY, VA, NC, and LA."

There will be instruction in Famancha, trimming feet, body scoring, parasites, vaccinations, disease control, disposal of dead animals, cheese making, and even goat packing.

It is a little pricey, $10 per person if you want the goat barbecue for lunch. Otherwise, it fairly affordable with free registration. Don't think free means it isn't worth trip, just the opportunity to sit in a meeting with Dr. Pinkerton is more than enough to make us go.

If you want to find out more, call Dr. Terry Gibson, another respected authority on goats at 405-466-6126 or go to http://www2.luresext.edu/goats/library/fd2010.html.

The field day is centrally located and guaranteed to be worth your time!!

Goat Seminars Everywhere

We noticed more seminars and conferences on raising goats this year than we can ever recall. The classes are just about everywhere it seems. If you are new to the industry or think you want to raise goats, you need to sign up at some of these opportunities and LEARN. Goats are not small cows, nor are they large dogs! There are some similarities to cows and dogs, but they are Goats!!

If you are just getting started, save yourself some money and a lot of headaches by attending some of these educational opportunities instead of learning the hard way like some of us do!

Master Goat Producer Certification Offered at Florida A & M

Florida A & M Extension has created a program to certify breeders and producers as Master Goat Producers.  The purpose of the certification is to provide education in small ruminants, management, and profitable goat and sheep production.

The course is offered to experienced meat goat ranchers as well as beginners. In order to qualify for the certification, you have to attend the four days of classes and pass all the tests. Afterward,  there is a farm inspection that must be completed and you have to pass the web-based certification course at Langston University. Obviously only those willing to work hard and demonstrate the willingness to learn will achieve the certification. However, the course is open to folks just wanting to gain the information and not necessarily the certificate.

So even if you don't like tests, you can still take the class. It is scheduled May 14 -15th and May 28-29th at Florida A & M University's Research and Extension Center in Quincy, Florida.  Free orange juice to all attendees! ( I made that part up ).

Contact Joy Dixon at 850-875-8555 or send her an e-mail at joy1.doxon@famu.edu if you need more information or want to register.