North Dakota State University is hosting the Tri-State Meat Goat Conference Sept. 25-27 in Fargo.
The University of Minnesota and South Dakota State University are co-sponsoring the conference.
This conference is open to anyone with an interest in meat goat production, including new and experienced meat goat producers, Extension Service educators, veterinarians, agricultural businesses, 4-H and FFA members and team leaders, and university researchers.
The conference begins at noon Sept. 25. Events will run until 4 p.m. in NDSU's Shepperd Arena, including sessions on basic goat care and handling; nutrition; health, welfare and ethics; and a live goat evaluation.
A welcome dinner and social hour are scheduled for 5 p.m. at the NDSU Alumni Center. Following the dinner, the keynote speaker, Frank Pinkerton of Martindale, Texas, a retired goat specialist from Langston University and current writer for Goat Rancher magazine, will discuss the past, present and future direction of the U.S. meat goat industry.
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Events on Sept. 26 begin with a breakfast in Shepperd Arena at 8:30 a.m., followed by sessions on advanced goat nutrition and genetic selection programs to advance the meat goat industry. After lunch at noon, conference participants will be able to attend 1½-hour workshops in Shepperd Arena and the NDSU Veterinary Diagnostic Lab on the following topics:
- First aid for meat goats.
- Getting the most out of your veterinary diagnostic lab.
- The goat carcass.
Youths, parents, Extension agents and FFA advisers are invited to attend the Youth Goat Clinic on Sept. 27. The program begins at 8:30 a.m. with juice, coffee and rolls in Shepperd Arena. The clinic is from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will include a clipping and showmanship demonstration.
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.
To register for the conference online, go to www.ndsu.edu/sheepandgoat .
The registration deadline is Sept. 20. The registration fee is $50 for the full conference and $25 for Sept. 25 or Sept. 26 only. The cost of registration after the deadline will be as follows: full conference, $60; Sept. 25 or Sept. 26 only, $30. The youth potion of the conference on Sept. 27 is free of charge.
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For more information, contact Charlie Stoltenow, NDSU Extension veterinarian, at (701) 231-7522 or charles.stoltenow@ndsu.edu .
