The Alabama Goat and Sheep Summit was held Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Alabama A&M University’s Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station in Hazel Green, Alabama. This event was led by Alabama Cooperative Extension System Animal Science Specialist Felix Samuel and his team, Goat Technician Daivon Allen, and Urban Regional Extension Agent Lauren Shortnacy. The summit brought together farmers, producers, students, researchers, and agricultural professionals to tackle pressing issues in small ruminant production. It also featured the latest advancements and strategies for sustainable farming.

The Problems

Small ruminant farmers in Alabama face numerous challenges, including limited access to modern management techniques, as well as the following:

• Increasing parasite resistance
• High prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites, such as Haemonchus contortus
• Impacts of weather-related factors on forage availability
• Limited sustainable practice
• Youth disengagement

Additionally, farmers often lack opportunities for networking and sharing knowledge with peers and experts, which can stifle innovation and productivity. These challenges contribute to reduced profitability and sustainability for goat and sheep producers in the state.

Summit Activities

The 2024 Alabama Sheep and Goat Summit was organized as a collaborative platform, combining knowledge-sharing, hands-on demonstrations, and networking opportunities on parasite management, body condition scoring, and goat aging techniques to optimize feeding strategies and ensure proper animal care.

Field sessions were also conducted involving silvopasture management, highlighting its benefits for forage diversification, heat stress mitigation, and soil health. In addition, participants learned about reproductive management, pest control, poisonous plant identification, and cost-effective fencing solutions.

Youth Activities

Young people engaged in interactive sessions, including farm tours, petting zoos, and hands-on experiments designed to inspire young participants to explore agricultural careers.

Networking Activities

The summit facilitated networking opportunities between producers, extension agents, professionals, students, and market representatives to foster collaborations and market access.

Event Impacts

The event equipped over 120 attendees with actionable insights to improve farm productivity and profitability. Producers reported a better understanding of integrated parasite management, silvopasture, improving herd health while reducing dependence on chemical dewormers.

The 2024 Alabama Goat and Sheep Summit also reaffirmed Alabama Extension’s commitment to supporting the agricultural community and fostering innovation in livestock management.

Contact Felix Samuel at (256) 372-4983 for more information about Alabama Extension’s small ruminant programs.