Sheep and Goat Production Systems: An Extension Team Project

About Extension

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Extension) is the land-grant and outreach arm of Alabama A&M University and Auburn University. A publicly funded organization, Extension provides quality programs that meet the needs of people wherever they live. The Urban Affairs & New Nontraditional Programs Unit, housed at Alabama A&M University, is a base unit of Extension that focuses on programs and services for urban and nontraditional audiences.



Boer buck		Boer doe & kids

Sheep & Goat Production Systems

Extension Team Project 11B: Sheep and Goat Production Systems is designed to respond specifically to production and consumer demands of alternative animal production systems. Outreach efforts support integrated approaches to nontraditional agriculture with a focus on sheep and goats. Such efforts allow Extension staff to address the needs of small and underserved farmers through educational resources and technological advances relevant to small ruminant production systems.

Goals

Educate goat and sheep producers and youth on the several aspects of nontraditional livestock
Establish an interdisciplinary applied outreach program to improve the nontraditional animal agriculture industry in Alabama
Transfer technology and establish linkages that will enhance the knowledge of Extension regional agents and producers in areas of goat and sheep health, reproduction, genetics, nutrition, management, and marketing
Provide technical support to producers interested in goat and sheep production
Assist producers and organizations seeking marketing alternatives for goat products



Kiko buck		Kiko doe & kids

Outcomes

In the past few years, there has been an increase in the interest and demand for more healthy food alternatives in the form of nontraditional animal products, such as sheep and goat meat. Within the Sheep and Goat Extension Team Project, alternative animal production systems and nontraditional animal science research and the development of technology, allow Extension to address specific issues related to small ruminant production. Farm production and management along with animal science, must complement one another as research and technology brings about advances in nontraditional livestock production.

By educating potential and existing goat and sheep producers, and by promoting opportunities within the sheep and goat industries, producers have an opportunity to earn extra income and thus improve the economic status of their households.

Research, education, and outreach efforts are essential to the success of the sheep and goat industry within Alabama.



Spanish buck		Spanish doe & kids

Extension Team Project 11B Members:

Dr. Julio E. Correa, Extension State Specialist, (256) 372-4173
Dr. Maria L. Leite-Browning, Extension State Specialist, (256) 372-4954
Dr. Jacqueline U. Johnson, Extension State Specialist, (256) 372-5713
Dr. Diego M. Gimenez, Extension State Specialist, (334) 844-1520
Mr. Robert Spencer, Urban Regional Extension Specialist, (256) 766-6223
Mr. Eddie J. Wheeler, Urban Regional Extension Agent, (256) 582-2009
Mr. Tommie Teacher, Urban Regional Extension Agent, (334) 624-8710
Mr. Max W. Runge, Extension Associate, (334) 844-5603

Goat photos courtesy of Dr. Richard Browning, Tennessee State University

For more information, please contact a team member.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University).

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Page was last updated:
2 March 2007