MERTZON — Meat goat producers have a rare opportunity to learn from the pros during the upcoming “Concho Valley Goat A.I. and Embryo Seminar” Sept. 8 in Mertzon’s Community Center.
Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. The program begins at 10 a.m. The seminar is sponsored by Extension agriculture committees in counties from the Concho Valley and the Texas Agricultural Extension Service offices in Irion, Coke, and Sterling counties.
“Come rain or shine, meat goats have consistently been the stars of animal agriculture in West Texas the last several years,” said Kerry Shropshire, Irion County Extension agent. “There’s a growing interest in genetic improvement among small to moderate goat operators who may not have the land or money to justify buying high-dollar breeding stock on their own. We’ve designed this seminar to open avenues and options to smaller breeders who really want to produce top animals.”
One of the program highlights is a special panel discussion featuring goat raisers Ann Schafer of Garden City and Norman Kohls of Eldorado and Dr. Frank Craddock, Extension sheep and goat specialist at San Angelo. The panelists will each discuss genetic improvement of goats. They will then field questions from the audience.
“The Hugh and Ann Schafer operation concentrates on high quality rather than quantity,” said Shropshire. “Their numbers are comparable to many of the seminar’s target audience. What they have done is produce a superior animal from limited numbers. They have proven that success is made from self-education, hard work, and timing with a little bit of luck thrown in.
“Norman Kohls of N&K Ranches is a pioneer Boer goat breeder. Today, his animals are some of the winningest’ in the business. If embryo transfer is in your flock’s future, then Norman’s panel segment on recipient does, their selection and management should be of keen interest.”
“Dr. Frank Craddock is probably as well-known and well-informed as anyone in the business,” Shropshire said. “He will discuss the possibilities of forming breeder cooperatives. These coops, if run correctly, are an ideal way for breeders with small numbers to obtain superior genetics through the pooling of top animals and financial resources. Craddock will cite examples and tell participants how to get started in this exciting possibility.”
The morning opens at 10 a.m. with Mike Jernigan, Iraan area rancher, presenting his thoughts on artificial insemination (A.I.) procedures and techniques. He has successfully used the procedures in his own flocks for several years.
At 11 a.m., Dr. Dan Waldron, San Angelo-based Texas Agricultural Experiment Station geneticist, will speak on the results of goat A.I. trials and goat breeding research. Waldron pioneered the nation’s first large-scale Boer goat cross-carcass evaluations.
Castroville veterinarian Dr. Sam Castleberry, operator of Veterinary Reproduction Services, speaks at 1 p.m. following a catered lunch by Ken Cook, retired Extension district director. Castleberry, whose firm specializes in commercial embryo technology, will explain embryo collection, transfer techniques, and procedure.
Registration including the noon meal is $25 per person. Those planning to attend should contact the Irion County Extension office at (915) 835-2711 by Sept.4 so a lunch count can be made.
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