https://psla.umd.edu/extension/maryland-forages-program/upcoming-forage-events
Showing posts with label Mid-Atlantic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mid-Atlantic. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Fall 2017 Wild & Woolly
The Fall 2017 issue of Wild & Woolly has been published. Wild & Woolly is a quarterly newsletter for sheep and goat producers. It is published by University of Maryland Extension.
Subscribe to the newsletter listserv to receive an email when a new issue of the newsletter has been published. Send an email to listserv@listserv.umd.edu. In the body of the message, write unsubscribe sheepandgoatnews.
PDF file
via ISSUU
Newsletter Archive
Subscribe to the newsletter listserv to receive an email when a new issue of the newsletter has been published. Send an email to listserv@listserv.umd.edu. In the body of the message, write unsubscribe sheepandgoatnews.
PDF file
via ISSUU
Newsletter Archive
Friday, August 18, 2017
Upcoming Programs in Virginia
The 42nd Annual Virginia Performance Tested Ram Sale, Ewe Lamb Sale, and Sheep Field Day will be held Saturday, August 26 at the Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research & Education Center near Raphine, Virginia. The educational program starts at 10:30 am, with the ram and ewe lamb sale starting at 1 pm. Information is available on the Virginia Sheep Producers Association web site at www.vasheepproducers.com.
The Virginia Tech Sheep Center will be hosting its 18th annual Production Sale on Saturday, September 2 at the Alphin-Stuart Livestock Arena on the campus of Virginia Tech. Approximately 50 head of Suffolk and Dorset ram lambs and ewe lambs will be offered. Additional information is available at http://www.apsc.vt.edu/extension/sheep/.
On Friday, September 22, a Sheep Field Day and Katahdin Ram Sale will be held at the Southwest Agricultural Research & Education Center in Glade Spring, Virginia. This is the fifth year for this hair sheep ram performance test which includes evaluation of parasite resistance. The educational program will center around this activity, and the top end of the rams will be sold. The Field Day will begin at noon with sale to follow. Details and information will be forthcoming on the Southwest AREC web site at https://www.arec.vaes.vt.edu/arec/southwest-virginia.html.
The Virginia Tech Sheep Center will be hosting its 18th annual Production Sale on Saturday, September 2 at the Alphin-Stuart Livestock Arena on the campus of Virginia Tech. Approximately 50 head of Suffolk and Dorset ram lambs and ewe lambs will be offered. Additional information is available at http://www.apsc.vt.edu/extension/sheep/.
On Friday, September 22, a Sheep Field Day and Katahdin Ram Sale will be held at the Southwest Agricultural Research & Education Center in Glade Spring, Virginia. This is the fifth year for this hair sheep ram performance test which includes evaluation of parasite resistance. The educational program will center around this activity, and the top end of the rams will be sold. The Field Day will begin at noon with sale to follow. Details and information will be forthcoming on the Southwest AREC web site at https://www.arec.vaes.vt.edu/arec/southwest-virginia.html.
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
FAMACHA© & Precision Farming
The workshop will also include a demonstration of precision farming techniques, including use of electronic ID and automatic scales. Along with the University of Maryland, Northeast SARE is a co-sponsor of the workshop. Vista View Farm received a SARE grant to use realtime generated gain-of-gain to determine anthelmintic need in lambs.
Workshop participants (over the age of 16) will become certified in the use of the FAMACHA© eye anemia system. The FAMACHA© system, along with the Five Point Check© is used to determine the need for deworming small ruminants. Only animals with clinical signs of parasites should be dewormed.
The workshop will consist of two hours of lecture/discussion and two hours of hands-on activity (FAMACHA© + fecal egg counting). Participants will receive a FAMACHA© card and resource booklet. Additional cards may be purchased for $10.
Pre-registration is required by Monday, July 17. The registration fee is $35 per person, family, or farm. Register at https://famacha1.eventbrite.co
For information about the workshop, contact Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu.
https://famacha1.eventbrite.co
Friday, March 24, 2017
2017 Junior Sheep & Goat Skillathon
The 2017 Junior Sheep & Goat Skillathon will be held Sunday, May 7 at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. The festival is always held the first full weekend in May at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship. For the first time, there will be an admission fee for adults ($5). Everyone under 18 enters for free. Parking remains free.
A skillathon provides youth with the opportunity to blend knowledge and skills acquired in livestock judging, demonstrations, and care and exhibition of animals into a single activity. It consists of a series of stations where youth are tested on their knowledge and abilities related to livestock. In the Sheep & Goat Skillathon, all stations pertain to sheep and goats (meat, milk, and fiber).
The Junior Sheep & Goat Skillathon is open to any youth between the ages of 8 and 18. Individuals and teams (of 3 or 4) from any county, state, or province may compete. Youth compete according to their age as of January 1st of the current year. Youth ages 8 to 10 compete as juniors; youth ages 11 to 13 compete as intermediates; and youth 14 to 18 compete as seniors.
Questions pertaining to this year's skillathon should be directed to Christopher Anderson, 4-H Youth Development Specialist, Animal Science, University of Maryland Extension, Maryland 4-H Center, 8020 Greenmead Drive, College Park, MD 20740, phone: (301) 314-7187, fax: (301) 314-7146 or canders2@umd.edu. Register online by April 28 at https://form.jotform.com/70254820764961.
A skillathon provides youth with the opportunity to blend knowledge and skills acquired in livestock judging, demonstrations, and care and exhibition of animals into a single activity. It consists of a series of stations where youth are tested on their knowledge and abilities related to livestock. In the Sheep & Goat Skillathon, all stations pertain to sheep and goats (meat, milk, and fiber).
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| Fleece judging is always one of the stations. |
The Junior Sheep & Goat Skillathon is open to any youth between the ages of 8 and 18. Individuals and teams (of 3 or 4) from any county, state, or province may compete. Youth compete according to their age as of January 1st of the current year. Youth ages 8 to 10 compete as juniors; youth ages 11 to 13 compete as intermediates; and youth 14 to 18 compete as seniors.
Questions pertaining to this year's skillathon should be directed to Christopher Anderson, 4-H Youth Development Specialist, Animal Science, University of Maryland Extension, Maryland 4-H Center, 8020 Greenmead Drive, College Park, MD 20740, phone: (301) 314-7187, fax: (301) 314-7146 or canders2@umd.edu. Register online by April 28 at https://form.jotform.com/70254820764961.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Hold the Date: All Worms, All Day
A Delmarva Small Ruminant Conference dubbed "All Worms, All Day" will be held Saturday, December 9, 2017, at Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware.
The all-day program will be devoted 100 percent to internal parasites (worms). Speakers will include members of the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Control (ACSRPC). A youth program is also being planned.
Save the date now. Details will follow.
The all-day program will be devoted 100 percent to internal parasites (worms). Speakers will include members of the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Control (ACSRPC). A youth program is also being planned.
Save the date now. Details will follow.
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Southwest Virginia Ram Sale & Field Day
The 2016 Southwest AREC Sheep Field Day and Ram Test Sale will be held Saturday, September 23 at Virginia Tech's Southwest Agricultural Research & Extension Center in Glade Spring, Virginia. Katahdin rams participating in the ram test will be offered for sale.
The purpose of the test is to quantify the growth and parasite resistance of rams. For more information, please contact Lee Wright at (276) 944-2200 or Dr. Scott Greiner at (540) 231-9159.
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| Katahdin rams from 2014 sale |
Monday, April 4, 2016
Shepherd's Workshops at MSWF
The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival has an excellent line-up of Shepherd's Workshops this year. Each workshop costs $20 to attend. Pre-registration is required. To register, go to http://www.sheepandwool.org/2016-festival/shepherd-workshops/.
All the workshops will be held in the show ring.
About the speakers
Dr. Andrea Loar is a 2014 graduate of Cornell University. She is owner of Windy’s Legacy Livestock Reproduction Services, LLC, a practice specializing in food animal and small ruminant reproduction and neonatal care. She also works for the Mountain View Animal Emergency Clinic in Hagerstown, Maryland. She grew up raising market lambs in Howard County.
Dr. Kreg Leymaster joined the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (in Clay Center, Nebraska) in 1978 and has led sheep and swine genetic research. Dr. Leymaster’s sheep research has emphasized evaluation of dam and sire breeds in terminal crossbreeding systems, estimation of genetic parameters, investigation of mutations affecting muscle development, and genetic resistance to disease.
- Keeping Parasites at Bay with Dr. Andrea Loar
Thursday, May 5, 8:30-10:00 am. - Best Breeding Practices with Dr. Andrea Loar
Thursday, May 5, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon - Differences among sheep breeds for growth, carcass, and meat quality traits with Dr. Kreg Leymaster
Thursday, May 5, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. - New Approaches to Eradicate Ovine Progressive Pneumonia with Dr. Kreg Leymaster
Friday, May 6, 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. - Get greater genetic improvement with cooperative breeding schemes with Dr. Kreg Lemaster
Friday, May 6, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon - What are the production limits for easy-care sheep? with Dr. Kreg Leymaster
Friday, May 6, 1:30 to 3 p.m.
All the workshops will be held in the show ring.
About the speakers
Dr. Andrea Loar is a 2014 graduate of Cornell University. She is owner of Windy’s Legacy Livestock Reproduction Services, LLC, a practice specializing in food animal and small ruminant reproduction and neonatal care. She also works for the Mountain View Animal Emergency Clinic in Hagerstown, Maryland. She grew up raising market lambs in Howard County.
Dr. Kreg Leymaster joined the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (in Clay Center, Nebraska) in 1978 and has led sheep and swine genetic research. Dr. Leymaster’s sheep research has emphasized evaluation of dam and sire breeds in terminal crossbreeding systems, estimation of genetic parameters, investigation of mutations affecting muscle development, and genetic resistance to disease.
Monday, March 21, 2016
2016 WV Small Ruminant Evaluation
West Virginia University conducts an annual performance test for rams and bucks. Due to changes in funding, the test has been moved from Wardensville to Morgantown.
Rams/bucks should be delivered to WVU Animal Science Farm on Saturday, May 14. Nomination forms need to be post-marked by April 29 and include a check for $20 per ram/buck. The estimated cost of testing is $100, due at the time the rams/bucks are delivered to the test site.
A maximum of 30 rams and 30 bucks will be accepted for the test. Rams/bucks of any meat breed will be accepted to the test. Rams/bucks will be sold August 20.
Pertinent documents can be downloaded from the West Virginia Small Ruminant Evaluation web site at http://sheepandgoats.wvu.edu/.
Rams/bucks should be delivered to WVU Animal Science Farm on Saturday, May 14. Nomination forms need to be post-marked by April 29 and include a check for $20 per ram/buck. The estimated cost of testing is $100, due at the time the rams/bucks are delivered to the test site.
A maximum of 30 rams and 30 bucks will be accepted for the test. Rams/bucks of any meat breed will be accepted to the test. Rams/bucks will be sold August 20.
Pertinent documents can be downloaded from the West Virginia Small Ruminant Evaluation web site at http://sheepandgoats.wvu.edu/.
Friday, February 26, 2016
Workshop: Increasing Sheep Productivity
West Virginia University will be hosting a workshop on Increasing Productivity through the use of Genetically Evaluated Breeding Stock.
The workshop will cover the following areas: 1)Approaches to selection of breeding animals; 2) Benefits of knowing the genetic value of animals using genetic evaluation in selection of animals; 3) Traits and indices evaluated in flocks/animals enrolled in NSIP/Lambplan; and 4) The NSIP/Lamplan System.
Please let us know if you are interested and what time suits you best for the workshop by completing a survey at http://goo.gl/forms/KupC2PnVN4. For more information, you can contact Dr. Marlon Knights at marlon.knights@mail.wvu.edu or (304) 293-1946.
The workshop will cover the following areas: 1)Approaches to selection of breeding animals; 2) Benefits of knowing the genetic value of animals using genetic evaluation in selection of animals; 3) Traits and indices evaluated in flocks/animals enrolled in NSIP/Lambplan; and 4) The NSIP/Lamplan System.
Please let us know if you are interested and what time suits you best for the workshop by completing a survey at http://goo.gl/forms/KupC2PnVN4. For more information, you can contact Dr. Marlon Knights at marlon.knights@mail.wvu.edu or (304) 293-1946.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Sheep & Goat Workshop in Spring, PA
There will be a sheep and goat workshop on Saturday, January 23, 2016, from 1 to 3 p.m. The workshop will be held at the Springs Meeting Hall in Springs, Pennsylvania.Workshop topics include nutritional diseases of pregnant females and parasite control strategies. the primary speaker will be Susan Schoenian, Sheep & Goat Specialist for University of Maryland Extension.
The workshop is being hosted by the Dr. Wendy Guingrich and the Casselman Veterinary Service in Grantsville, Maryland. To register for the workshop, contact the Garrett county Extension Office at (301) 334-6960 or susanp@umd.edu.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Sheep Field Day & Ram Lamb Sale
The 2015 Virginia Tech Southwest Sheep Field Day and Ram Lamb Sale will
be held Saturday, September 26 at the Virginia Tech Southwest
Agricultural Research & Extension Center, Glade Spring, Virginia.
Katahdin rams participating in the ram test at the AREC will be offered
for sale. Some of the rams sold will also have EBVs for parasite resistance.
The purpose of the Southwest Virginia AREC Ram Test is to provide a standardized post-weaning performance evaluation of growth
and parasite resistance that will furnish records which will be useful
to the consignor's breeding program. The test also serves as an educational tool for the sheep industry.
Download Sale Catalog
Editor's note: This is one of the few opportunities to buy a ram that has proven parasite-resistance.
 |
| Katahdin rams from 2014 Sale |
Download Sale Catalog
Editor's note: This is one of the few opportunities to buy a ram that has proven parasite-resistance.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Upcoming Events in Virginia
August 29
Sheep Field Day & 40th Annual Virginia Performance Tested Ram Lamb and Replacement Ewe Lamb Sale, Steele's Tavern, Virginia
The field day will start at 10:30 a.m. Field day topics will include selection for parasite resistance, fall lamb management, lamb marketing, and sheep health. The sale will start at 1 p .m. Eighty rams of various breeds were evaluated in the 2015 test.
September 5
16th Annual Virginia Tech Sheep Center Production Sale
Virginia Tech Alphin-Stuart Livestock Arena, Blacksburg, Virginia
Rams and ewes from Virginia Tech's registered Suffolk and Dorset flocks will sell. The Suffolk flock has been selected for growth and carcass composition. The Dorset flock is maintained primarily as a fall-lambing flock, with emphasis on maternal ability, growth, and moderate size. The sale will begin at 10 a.m. For the first time, sale-day internet bidding will be available at www.cowbuyer.com.
September 26
2015 Virginia Tech Southwest AREC Ram Test Annual Field Day & Ram Sale
Southwest AREC, Glade Spring, Virginia
The field day begins at 10:30 a.m. Field day topics will include flock health and management, parasite management, and test data summary. The sale starts at 1 p..m One hundred and nine rams are being evaluated in this year's test. Approximately 30 rams from the top end will be sold. A portion of the rams will be from NSIP flocks and have EBVs.
November 6-7
Sheep Management Basics Workshop
Virginia Tech Jack Copenhaver Sheep Center, Blacksburg, Virginia
This workshop is designed for individuals with a limited amount of experience in the care and management of sheep. Special emphasis will be placed on the management practices required during and around the time of lambing. Participants will get hands-on experience with a group of ewes that will be lambing during the two-day workshop. This workshop is limited to a maximum of 25 participants.
For more information about any of these events, visit the Virginia Tech Sheep Extension web site at http://www.apsc.vt.edu/extension/sheep/index.html.
Sheep Field Day & 40th Annual Virginia Performance Tested Ram Lamb and Replacement Ewe Lamb Sale, Steele's Tavern, Virginia
The field day will start at 10:30 a.m. Field day topics will include selection for parasite resistance, fall lamb management, lamb marketing, and sheep health. The sale will start at 1 p .m. Eighty rams of various breeds were evaluated in the 2015 test.
September 5
16th Annual Virginia Tech Sheep Center Production Sale
Virginia Tech Alphin-Stuart Livestock Arena, Blacksburg, Virginia
Rams and ewes from Virginia Tech's registered Suffolk and Dorset flocks will sell. The Suffolk flock has been selected for growth and carcass composition. The Dorset flock is maintained primarily as a fall-lambing flock, with emphasis on maternal ability, growth, and moderate size. The sale will begin at 10 a.m. For the first time, sale-day internet bidding will be available at www.cowbuyer.com.
September 26
2015 Virginia Tech Southwest AREC Ram Test Annual Field Day & Ram Sale
Southwest AREC, Glade Spring, Virginia
The field day begins at 10:30 a.m. Field day topics will include flock health and management, parasite management, and test data summary. The sale starts at 1 p..m One hundred and nine rams are being evaluated in this year's test. Approximately 30 rams from the top end will be sold. A portion of the rams will be from NSIP flocks and have EBVs.
November 6-7
Sheep Management Basics Workshop
Virginia Tech Jack Copenhaver Sheep Center, Blacksburg, Virginia
This workshop is designed for individuals with a limited amount of experience in the care and management of sheep. Special emphasis will be placed on the management practices required during and around the time of lambing. Participants will get hands-on experience with a group of ewes that will be lambing during the two-day workshop. This workshop is limited to a maximum of 25 participants.
For more information about any of these events, visit the Virginia Tech Sheep Extension web site at http://www.apsc.vt.edu/extension/sheep/index.html.
Monday, April 20, 2015
Spring 2015 Wild & Woolly
The Spring 2015 issue of Wild & Woolly is now available.
Via HTML at http://www.sheepandgoat.com/news/Spring2015.html.
Via PDF at http://www.sheepandgoat.com/news/PDF/spring2015.pdf.
Via ISSUU at http://issuu.com/mdsheepgoat/docs/spring2015.
The Spring issue contains articles about goat's milk, minerals, sheep and goat research, new resources, the 10th anniversary of the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test, and upcoming events.
Mailed copies of the newsletter are available for $10 per year. Send your check (payable to the University of Maryland) to Sheep & Goat Newsletter, 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD 21756.
Subscribe to the newsletter listserv to receive an e-mail when a new issue of the newsletter has been published. To subscribe, send an e-mail message to listserv@listserv.umd.edu. In the body of the message, write subscribe sheepandgoatnews.
Via HTML at http://www.sheepandgoat.com/news/Spring2015.html.
Via PDF at http://www.sheepandgoat.com/news/PDF/spring2015.pdf.
Via ISSUU at http://issuu.com/mdsheepgoat/docs/spring2015.
The Spring issue contains articles about goat's milk, minerals, sheep and goat research, new resources, the 10th anniversary of the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test, and upcoming events.
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| Is goat milk healthier than cow milk? |
Mailed copies of the newsletter are available for $10 per year. Send your check (payable to the University of Maryland) to Sheep & Goat Newsletter, 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD 21756.
Subscribe to the newsletter listserv to receive an e-mail when a new issue of the newsletter has been published. To subscribe, send an e-mail message to listserv@listserv.umd.edu. In the body of the message, write subscribe sheepandgoatnews.
Monday, April 13, 2015
2015 Junior Sheep & Goat Skillathon
The 2015 Junior Sheep & Goat Skillathon will be held Sunday, May 3, at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. The Festival is always held the first full weekend of May at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship.
Registration for the contest begins at 8 a.m. The contest starts at 9 a.m. Awards will be presented at approximately 1 p.m. A small donation is requested to cover the cost of lunch (pizza and sodas).
A skillathon provides youth with the opportunity to blend knowledge and skills acquired in livestock judging, demonstrations, and care and exhibition of animals into a single activity. It consists of a series of stations where youth are tested on their knowledge and abilities related to livestock. In the Sheep & Goat Skillathon, all stations will pertain to sheep and/or goats.
The skillathon is open to any youth between the ages of 8 and 18. Individuals and teams (of 3 or 4) from any county or state may compete. Youth compete according to their age as of January 1st of the current year. Youth ages 8 to 10 compete as juniors; youth ages 11 to 13 compete as intermediates; and youth 14 to 18 compete as seniors.
The Maryland Sheep Breeders Association provides ribbons and premiums to the top ten individuals in each age division and festival t-shirts to the members of the top three teams in each age division. Additional awards are provided by the University of Maryland Extension Small Ruminant Program
Pre-registration of individuals and teams for the 2015 Junior Sheep & Goat Skillathon is requested by April 28. Teams must be pre-registered. Pre-register by sending names, ages, and team affiliations via e-mail to Susan Schoenian at sschoen@umd.edu or via fax at (301) 432-4089.
For more information, contact Susan at (301) 432-2767 x343 or visit the skillathon web site at http://www.sheepandgoat.com/programs/skillathon/skillathon.html.
Registration for the contest begins at 8 a.m. The contest starts at 9 a.m. Awards will be presented at approximately 1 p.m. A small donation is requested to cover the cost of lunch (pizza and sodas).
The skillathon is open to any youth between the ages of 8 and 18. Individuals and teams (of 3 or 4) from any county or state may compete. Youth compete according to their age as of January 1st of the current year. Youth ages 8 to 10 compete as juniors; youth ages 11 to 13 compete as intermediates; and youth 14 to 18 compete as seniors.
The Maryland Sheep Breeders Association provides ribbons and premiums to the top ten individuals in each age division and festival t-shirts to the members of the top three teams in each age division. Additional awards are provided by the University of Maryland Extension Small Ruminant Program
Pre-registration of individuals and teams for the 2015 Junior Sheep & Goat Skillathon is requested by April 28. Teams must be pre-registered. Pre-register by sending names, ages, and team affiliations via e-mail to Susan Schoenian at sschoen@umd.edu or via fax at (301) 432-4089.
For more information, contact Susan at (301) 432-2767 x343 or visit the skillathon web site at http://www.sheepandgoat.com/programs/skillathon/skillathon.html.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
FAMACHA Workshop To Be Held at Festival
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| Bottle jaw |
All aspects of internal parasite control will be covered in the workshop.The 4-hour workshop will consist of 2 hours of lecture/discussion and 2 hours of hands-on activity (FAMACHA© scoring and fecal egg counting). The instructor will be Susan Schoenian, Sheep & Goat Specialist for University of Maryland Extension.
The registration fee is $50 per person, family, or farm. It includes a laminated FAMACHA© card and booklet of reference materials.
Go to the Festival web site to register online.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Goat AI Short Course in North Carolina
North Carolina State University will be holding a Goat Artificial Insemination (AI) Short Course on August 10-12, 2015, at the Small Ruminant Educational Unit on the North Campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The 3-day short course is designed to provide participants with both theoretical background and significant opportunity for hands-on practice needed to facilitate the adoption of artificial insemination into their goat breeding programs. With the use of improved transcervical AI breeding techniques for goats, pregnancy rates comparable to those routinely achieved for AI in cattle are now possible.
The short course will consist of an initial series of lectures on Monday morning coupled with four hands-on practice sessions (Monday pm, Tuesday am & pm, and Wednesday am). Lecture topics will include anatomy & physiology of the female reproductive tract, estrous & ovulation synchronization, AI breeding techniques (standard and improved), and the use of frozen semen for AI.
For more information and to register online, go to:
http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/ncsugoatAI/.
The short course will consist of an initial series of lectures on Monday morning coupled with four hands-on practice sessions (Monday pm, Tuesday am & pm, and Wednesday am). Lecture topics will include anatomy & physiology of the female reproductive tract, estrous & ovulation synchronization, AI breeding techniques (standard and improved), and the use of frozen semen for AI.
For more information and to register online, go to:
http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/ncsugoatAI/.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
A Successful Small Ruminant Expo
Over 140 people, including 35 youth, attended the first-ever Maryland Small Ruminant Expo. The Expo was held February 28 at the Frederick County 4-H Camp & Activities Center in Frederick.
The adult program featured concurrent educational tracks on pasture, health, marketing and alternative enterprises (dairy and fiber). There were four producer panels. Dr. Lindsay Lane was one of the featured speakers. Before attending veterinary school in the Cayman Islands and Minnesota,
Dr. Lane was the farm manager for the University of Maryland College
Park.
There was a separate educational program for youth, ages 8-18. It featured sessions on dairy, wool, and meat. In the dairy session, youth learned how to make soap. They felted wool and made wool grading posters in the wool session, and learned how to cook goat meat in the meat session. In the final session, "No Guts, No Glory," Dr. Lane taught the kids how to dissect lambs and kids to determine their cause of death.
Lunch was a taco bar, featuring locally-sourced goat meat and lamb and cheeses made from sheep and goat milk. Thanks to Bridgestone Manor Farm for providing the goat. The cheeses were provided by Caprikorn Farms and Shepherd's Manor Creamery. The lamb was purchased from Holsinger's Meats.
The Maryland-Pennsylvania-West Virginia Goat Producers Association and University of Maryland Beginning Farmer Success Project provided financial support for the Expo. Door prizes were donated by the University of Maryland Small Ruminant Extension Program, Maryland Ag Experiment Station, and Kent Feeds.
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| Youth program - goat necropsy |
There was a separate educational program for youth, ages 8-18. It featured sessions on dairy, wool, and meat. In the dairy session, youth learned how to make soap. They felted wool and made wool grading posters in the wool session, and learned how to cook goat meat in the meat session. In the final session, "No Guts, No Glory," Dr. Lane taught the kids how to dissect lambs and kids to determine their cause of death.
Lunch was a taco bar, featuring locally-sourced goat meat and lamb and cheeses made from sheep and goat milk. Thanks to Bridgestone Manor Farm for providing the goat. The cheeses were provided by Caprikorn Farms and Shepherd's Manor Creamery. The lamb was purchased from Holsinger's Meats.
The Maryland-Pennsylvania-West Virginia Goat Producers Association and University of Maryland Beginning Farmer Success Project provided financial support for the Expo. Door prizes were donated by the University of Maryland Small Ruminant Extension Program, Maryland Ag Experiment Station, and Kent Feeds.
Friday, January 9, 2015
2015 Maryland Shearing School
The 2015 Maryland Sheep Breeders Association (MSBA) Sheep Shearing School will be held Friday and Saturday, April 17-18 (Friday and Saturday), 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Ridgely Thompson's farm at 1942 Uniontown Road, Westminster, MD 21157.
The school is open to anyone in Maryland, Delaware and surrounding states who wants to learn to shear sheep. The New Zealand method of shearing will be taught. Shearing machines will be provided. Blade shearing will not be taught. Instructors are Aaron Geiman and Emily Chamelin-Hickman. Aaron is an Agriscience teacher at North Carroll High School. Emily is a professional shearer.
The registration fee is $80 per person and includes a copy of ASI's Sheep Shearing Notebook and an instructional DVD. Pre-registration is required. No registrations will be accepted after April 5. Participation is limited to 20 people. The minimum age is 16. Checks should be made payable to the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association, Inc. and mailed to Aaron Geiman at 429 Hook Road, Westminster, Maryland 21157.
Download registration form
The registration fee is $80 per person and includes a copy of ASI's Sheep Shearing Notebook and an instructional DVD. Pre-registration is required. No registrations will be accepted after April 5. Participation is limited to 20 people. The minimum age is 16. Checks should be made payable to the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association, Inc. and mailed to Aaron Geiman at 429 Hook Road, Westminster, Maryland 21157.
Download registration form
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
2015 Regional Hay & Pasture Conferences
January 13 - 14 - 15
Three regional Hay and Pasture Conferences across Maryland and Delaware will provide opportunities for farmers as well as agribusiness and agency personnel to obtain practical and quite useful information that can make a difference in the farm’s bottom line. This winter’s series of Hay and Pasture Conferences will take a slightly different program approach, says Les Vough, University of Maryland Forage Crops Extension Specialist Emeritus and conferences coordinator.
Featured speakers this year will be Dr. James Green, Professor & Extension Forage Specialist Emeritus, Dept. of Crop Science, North Carolina State University, and Dick Kaufman, Regional Manager, W-L Research, Columbia, PA. A variety of other topics and speakers will round out the programs at each location.
Certified crop advisor, pesticide and nutrient management, and Conservation Planner certification credits will be offered. For more information or to obtain the complete program agenda and registration materials, contact your local extension or soil conservation district office or go to Upcoming Forage Events.
Delmarva Hay & Pasture Conference
Southern Maryland Hay & Pasture Conference
Tri-State Hay & Pasture Conference
Three regional Hay and Pasture Conferences across Maryland and Delaware will provide opportunities for farmers as well as agribusiness and agency personnel to obtain practical and quite useful information that can make a difference in the farm’s bottom line. This winter’s series of Hay and Pasture Conferences will take a slightly different program approach, says Les Vough, University of Maryland Forage Crops Extension Specialist Emeritus and conferences coordinator.
Certified crop advisor, pesticide and nutrient management, and Conservation Planner certification credits will be offered. For more information or to obtain the complete program agenda and registration materials, contact your local extension or soil conservation district office or go to Upcoming Forage Events.
Delmarva Hay & Pasture Conference
Southern Maryland Hay & Pasture Conference
Tri-State Hay & Pasture Conference
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