https://psla.umd.edu/extension/maryland-forages-program/upcoming-forage-events
Showing posts with label events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label events. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Monday, October 23, 2017
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Next ASI Let's Grow Webinar
The next ASI Let's Grow Webinar is Tuesday, October 3, 2017, at 8 p.m. The title of the webinar is Selection of Replacement Ewes and Culling Underperforming Ewes. The presenter is Susan Schoenian, University of Maryland Sheep & Goat Specialist.
Sound, productive ewes are the foundation of a successful sheep farm. Selection and culling decisions will go a long way towards ensuring profitability.
This webinar is made possible with funding support from the Let’s Grow Committee of the American Sheep Industry Association.
http://www.optimalag.net/sheepagriculture/webinars/replacement-ewe-selection-and-culling-of-underperforming-ewes/
Sound, productive ewes are the foundation of a successful sheep farm. Selection and culling decisions will go a long way towards ensuring profitability.
This webinar is made possible with funding support from the Let’s Grow Committee of the American Sheep Industry Association.
http://www.optimalag.net/sheepagriculture/webinars/replacement-ewe-selection-and-culling-of-underperforming-ewes/
Thursday, August 31, 2017
First American Goat Federation Webinar
The American Goat Federation is hosting a webinar series in
September 2017. The first webinar will be Tuesday, September 5, 7-8 p.m. EST.
It will give a brief history and overview of the current state of the
goat industry. The speaker is Dr. Reid Redden, Extension Sheep &
Goat Specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
To participate go to: http://purdue.webex.com/
When prompted for meeting number, enter 649 382 652
When prompted for password, enter Goat1
Additional webinars will be held on September 12, 19, and 26.
The American Goat Federation (AGF) was organized in 2010 to represent the interests of all organizations and producers engaged in the sustainable production and marketing of goat milk, meat, fiber, pack and grazing services across the United States. The goal of AGF is to unify, improve, and advance the American goat industry by providing input to agencies on public policy and research, and providing information and education to producers to achieve maximum success.
To participate go to: http://purdue.webex.com/
When prompted for meeting number, enter 649 382 652
When prompted for password, enter Goat1
Additional webinars will be held on September 12, 19, and 26.
The American Goat Federation (AGF) was organized in 2010 to represent the interests of all organizations and producers engaged in the sustainable production and marketing of goat milk, meat, fiber, pack and grazing services across the United States. The goal of AGF is to unify, improve, and advance the American goat industry by providing input to agencies on public policy and research, and providing information and education to producers to achieve maximum success.
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, August 2, 2017
Webinar: Selection for Parasite Resistance
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| Dr. Joan Burke Image from USDA ARS |
To register, to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/regist…/1611123568671444227. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
The webinar is made possible with funding support from the Let's Grow Committee of the American Sheep Industry Association. The Let's Grow mission is to support and ensure the future of U.S. wool and lamb production.
Link to previous Let's Grow webinars
Monday, July 31, 2017
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Saturday, June 17, 2017
So. MD FAMACHA© Workshop: Aug 13
There will be an Integrated Parasite Management (IPM; FAMACHA©) workshop on Sunday, August 13, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Zekiah Farm, 5235 Bryantown Road, Waldorf, Maryland.
Participants (over the age of 16) will become certified in the use of the FAMACHA© eye anemia system. 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 Tuesday, August 8. The registration fee is $35 per person, family, or farm. Register at https://famacha2.eventbrite.com. The registration fee can be paid online with a credit card or a check (payable to University of Maryland) can be sent to the Western Maryland Research & Education Center, c/o FAMACHA workshop, 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD 21756.
The FAMACHA© system, along with the Five Point Check©, is a proven system for helping producers make deworming decisions for their small ruminants.
For information about the workshop, contact Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu.
https://famacha2.eventbrite.com
Pre-registration is required by Tuesday, August 8. The registration fee is $35 per person, family, or farm. Register at https://famacha2.eventbrite.com. The registration fee can be paid online with a credit card or a check (payable to University of Maryland) can be sent to the Western Maryland Research & Education Center, c/o FAMACHA workshop, 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD 21756.
The FAMACHA© system, along with the Five Point Check©, is a proven system for helping producers make deworming decisions for their small ruminants.
For information about the workshop, contact Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu.
https://famacha2.eventbrite.com
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.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Upcoming Webinar: Dairy Sheep
"Is Sheep Milk Production in Your Future" is the title of an upcoming webinar on March 14, 2017, at 8 p.m. EST. The presenter is Dr. Dave Thomas, Professor of Sheep Management and Genetics from the University of Wisconsin (retired). The host is Jay Parsons from Optimal Ag. The sponsor is ASI's Let's Grow Program.
The U.S. is the leading importing of sheep milk cheeses in the world with over half of all world trade in sheep milk cheeses coming to the U.S. Some common imported 100% sheep milk cheeses are Manchego from Spain, Pecorino-Romano from Italy, and Roquefort from France.
Therefore, it would seem that there is ample opportunity for the development of a dairy sheep industry in the U.S. for the production of domestic cheeses to compete with this large influx of imported sheep milk cheeses.
However, nothing is ever as simple as it looks. This webinar will discuss the things that are necessary to produce sheep milk efficiently .
To register for the webinar, go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2962937926909717505.
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| Milking sheep in Maryland |
Therefore, it would seem that there is ample opportunity for the development of a dairy sheep industry in the U.S. for the production of domestic cheeses to compete with this large influx of imported sheep milk cheeses.
However, nothing is ever as simple as it looks. This webinar will discuss the things that are necessary to produce sheep milk efficiently .
To register for the webinar, go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2962937926909717505.
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
2017 Maryland Sheep Shearing School
The school is open to anyone in Maryland, Delaware and surrounding states who wants to learn to shear sheep. Ownership of sheep or a desire to become a commercial shearer is preferred. Participation is limited to 15 people. The minimum age is 16.
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 $100 per person and includes a copy of ASI's Sheep Shearing Notebook, instructional DVD, and wall chart. Pre-registration is required. No registrations will be accepted after April 1. 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
Monday, February 6, 2017
Regional NSIP Workshops
There will be a series of National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) workshops, "Getting Your Genetics Right: Converting Performance Records into Relevant Decision-Making Tools." The workshops will be held March 1-11 in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The target audience is meat sheep and meat goat producers.
NSIP is a quantitative genetic evaluation program for sheep and goats. It calculates EBVs or estimated breeding values. The workshops are being conducted as part of a Northeast SARE project, "New Approaches for Improving Integrated Parasite Control Strategies for Small Ruminants in the Northeast."
NSIP is a quantitative genetic evaluation program for sheep and goats. It calculates EBVs or estimated breeding values. The workshops are being conducted as part of a Northeast SARE project, "New Approaches for Improving Integrated Parasite Control Strategies for Small Ruminants in the Northeast."
Thursday, January 26, 2017
2017 Maryland Shearing School
The shearing school is open to anyone who wants to learn to shear sheep. The minimum age is 16. The $100 fee includes instruction, ASI sheep shearing manual, DVD, and wall chart. The registration deadline is April 1. Registration should be mailed to Aaron Geiman, 429 Hook Road, Westminster, MD 21157. Checks should be made payable to the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association.
The New Zealand method of sheep shearing will be taught. Instructors will be Aaron Geiman and Emily Chamelin-Hickman.
Download information and registration form.
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 |
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Field Day, Ram & Ewe Sale in Virginia
The 41st Annual Virginia Performance Tested Ram Lamb Sale & Replacement Ewe Lamb Sale will be held Saturday, August 27, 2016, at the Virginia Sheep Evaluation Station in Steele's Tavern, Virginia. It will include a Field Day and Educational Program. The educational program will begin at 10:30 a.m. The sale will begin at 1 p.m.
Field Day topics include forage management and winter feeding, selecting for parasite resistance, lamb marketing, and sheep health. Eighty rams were delivered to the test site on May 3, 2016 (13 fall Dorset, 7 winter Dorset, 8 winter Hampshire, 3 fall Suffolk, 36 winter Suffolk, 6 winter North Country Cheviot, 3 fall White Dorper, 5 winter White Dorper, 1 fall Katahdin, and 10 Winter Katahdin). Unsound and unsuitable rams will not be sold.
More information, including videos of the sale rams, is available at www.vtsheep.apsc.vt.edu. Or visit the ram test on Facebook at www.facebook.com/VARamTest.
More information, including videos of the sale rams, is available at www.vtsheep.apsc.vt.edu. Or visit the ram test on Facebook at www.facebook.com/VARamTest.
Monday, July 11, 2016
Everything Sheep and Goats
A Twilight Tour & Tasting was held July 8 at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center in Boonsboro, Maryland, to celebrate everything sheep and goats. Attendance was capped at 100.
Local chef Todd Morren prepared six dishes made from lamb and chevon (goat meat) and one dish made from cheese (sheep milk). Small ruminant dairies were on hand to give out cheese samples and sell their products. There was a display of small ruminant fibers.
There were wagon tours to the Western Maryland Research & Education Center. Tour stops included the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test (11th year) and the Goat Performance & Carcass Contest (1st year).
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| Handing out samples of lamb and goat |
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| On the wagon tour |
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