EXTENSION REPORT

Goat production has seen a steady increase over the last few years in Alabama. Southwest Alabama has followed this trend. There are several reasons for this steady increase in goat numbers. The limited acreage available for grazing animals is one reason. People interested in grazing animals can graze more goats on less acreage than they can larger animals like cattle. There has been a stabilization of goat prices and markets that allow goat producers to have a reliable market for their animals. Goats are also good participants in multi-species grazing situations. They eat much of the weeds and browse that cattle and other grazers do not eat. They do this while having very little effect on the grasses available for other species. Extension recently offered three monthly goat production meetings at the Escambia County Stockyard in Brewton Alabama. Regional Extension Agents, Extension Specialists, USDA personnel, and local order buyers presented short educational programs on USDA goat grades, goat quality assurance, and goat health. These programs were well attended and well received, so we will offer another great educational opportunity for goat producers this spring.

The annual Farm-Day program will focus this year on goats. There will be numerous knowledgeable, well-respected speakers present from different universities around the southeast. Topics covered will include sessions on nutrition, forages, and herd health. There will also be an optional FAMACHA training following lunch. FAMACHA is a program designed to determine the parasite load present in goats. This is an excellent procedure that will prove beneficial to all goat producers. The Farm-Day program will be held at the Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center in Fairhope, AL. The program will be February 13, 2007. Anyone who is interested in this program should call their local county extension office to have their name added to the Farm-Day mailing list. Anyone who would like more information on this program can give me a call (Cell phone – (251)238-0373), or send me an e-mail (kellewi@auburn.edu

Email address: kellewi@aces.edu
Phone number: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.