Highlights of Breed Stock Workshop

On April 12, approximately 100 participants attended the Breed Stock Workshop at Alabama A&M University's Agribition Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

"I like it when a plan comes together," echoed members of the Goat and Sheep Producers of Alabama and Dr. Maria Leite-Browning, Extension animal scientist at Alabama A&M University.

Dr. Frank Pinkerton, columnist for Goat Rancher magazine and retired Extension specialist, started the day with a presentation on selecting and marketing breeding stock for commercial meat goat herders. He discussed the avenues in which supply and demand affect the import industry, as well as the trends, costs, and opportunities goat producers have to curtail imports and seize profits that are now available to Alabama farmers.

Louisiana State University Animal Scientist Dr. Ken McMillin explained the meat goat grading standards on live and carcass animals and how to apply these standards to goat herds. Dr. McMillan, along with Dr. Pinkerton, went on to demonstrate the different cuts of meat on a real goat carcass.

The afternoon began with an anonymous meat goat show with Kay Garrett, a certified judge with the American Meat Goat Association. Garrett not only judged the show, but took great care to explain her selections. It was a wonderful learning experience for participants who had never witnessed a live goat show.

Participating in the show was Anthony Hale, and Jake and Karen Hale of HH Boer Goats from Parrottsville, Tennessee; Mark Lucas of JML Farm from Florence, Alabama; Lane Hay of Hey Goat! Farm in Sylacauga, Alabama; Dr. Richard Browning of Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee; Tommy Burton from Childersburg, Alabama; and Richard Ramsey from Gadsden, Alabama. Mark Lucas was the grand champion, while the reserve champion award went to Jake and Karen Hale.

An auction immediately followed the show and many participants left smiling. The producers were confident they had purchased quality animals and obtained excellent information from the experts they heard throughout the day.

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