01/08/2009

OSU Extension to Offer Sheep/Goat Production School

Writer:

Rory Lewandowski
lewandowski.11@osu.edu
(740) 593-8555

ATHENS, Ohio -- A small ruminant production school for sheep and goat producers will be held this winter in Athens County.

The event, sponsored by Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, will focus on marketing and breed selection and understanding what marketing options are available given the type of animal being produced for the best economic returns.

The small ruminant production school will be held on five consecutive Tuesday evenings beginning on Jan. 27 and continuing on Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:45 p.m. The school will take place at the Athens County Extension meeting room at 280 West Union St., Athens. Registration is $25 for up to two people from a farm operation and $10 for each additional person from the same operation. Cost includes speaker fees, handout materials and refreshments.

Topics that will be covered at the small ruminant production school include:

• Ethnic marketing options for sheep and goats; Katherine Harrison-Haley, Blystone Farm, Canal Winchester.

• Meat goat breed selection; Dave Mangione, OSU Extension educator, Ross County.

• Producing for the commercial sheep market; Rick Reynolds, manager, United Producers Inc., Mount Vernon

• Marketing considerations/direct marketing; Don Van Nostran, Athens County sheep producer.

• Sheep breed selection; Roger High, OSU Extension sheep specialist and director of the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association.

• Current issues in sheep and goat production; Rory Lewandowski, Extension educator, Athens County; and Curt Cline, Athens County sheep producer.

• Carcass Evaluation: Understanding your product from a consumer perspective; Paul Kuber, OSU Extension meat specialist.

• Pulling it all together/matching the animal to pasture production; Daryl Clark, retired OSU Extension educator and Muskingum County sheep producer.

Pre-registration is preferred by Jan. 23. For more information or to register contact Rory Lewandowski at (740) 593-8555 or e-mail lewandowski.11@osu.edu.