NDSU to Host Tri-State Meat Goat Conference

Anyone interested in meat goat production still has time to sign up for the Tri-State Meat Goat Conference that North Dakota State University is hosting Sept. 25-27 in Fargo.

The University of Minnesota and South Dakota State University are co-sponsoring the conference.

This conference is open to new and experienced meat goat producers, Extension Service educators, veterinarians, agricultural businesses, 4-H and FFA members and team leaders, university researchers and anyone else who is interested in meat goat production.

The conference will offer educational sessions on topics such as goat care and handling, nutrition, health and welfare, ethics, genetic selection programs, first aid for meat goats, getting the most out of a veterinary diagnostic lab and the goat carcass.

Other activities will include a welcome dinner, live goat evaluation and Youth Goat Clinic with a clipping and showmanship demonstration.

Frank Pinkerton of Martindale, Texas, a retired goat specialist from Langston University and current writer for Goat Rancher magazine, is the keynote speaker. He will discuss the past, present and future direction of the U.S. meat goat industry.

Other conference speakers include NDSU Animal Sciences Department faculty, the director of NDSU’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, a goat producer from Iowa, a representative from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, South Dakota State University’s veterinarian and an Extension Service educator from the University of Minnesota.

Participants may register at the door or online at http://www.ndsu.edu/sheepandgoat/.

The registration fee is $60 for the full conference and $30 for Sept. 25 or Sept. 26 only. The Youth Goat Clinic on Sept. 27 is free of charge.

For more information, contact Charlie Stoltenow, NDSU Extension veterinarian, at (701) 231-7522 or charles.stoltenow@ndsu.edu.

NDSU Agriculture Communication