Major sheep and goat educational events are fast approaching

Aug. 18-19 mark field day, Texas expo in San Angelo

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, [email protected]
Contact: Marvin Ensor, 325-653-4576, [email protected]

SAN ANGELO – Officials said plans for the 2017 Texas Sheep and Goat Expo featuring new events are finalized.

The statewide Texas A&M AgriLife event set for Aug. 18-19 in San Angelo is one of the largest sheep and goat programs in the world, particularly in the way it addresses different segments of the industry, said Marvin Ensor, event coordinator and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service regional program leader in San Angelo.

New this year will be a session on Angora goats, a major youth component and sheep performance data instruction as well as a sale of performance-tested rams. More information specific to these events will be available in coming weeks, Ensor said.

Now in its third year, the educational program is preceded by the 44th annual Sheep and Goat Field Day. The field day opens with registration at 8 a.m. followed by the program at 8:30 a.m. and ends with lunch at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 18 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center north of San Angelo on U.S. Highway 87. The field day touts topical information stemming from work done at the center.    

Following lunch on the center grounds, the expo begins at 1 p.m. with a move to San Angelo’s 1st Community Federal Credit Union Spur Arena. Aug. 18 activities end at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 19 activities will run from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. also at the Spur Arena.

“There are other sheep and goat events and educational opportunities across the nation, but this unique program addresses the Texas area and the southwest part of the United States by having concurrent sessions that address wool sheep, Angora goats, meat goats, club lambs and hair sheep,” Ensor said. “We have all the different segments covered with educational programs to address the specific needs of the industry. So make plans now to join us as these are the two educational events, back to back, you won’t want to miss this year.”

Early expo registration by Aug. 15 is $40 for adults, while student registration is $15 per day. Late registration after Aug. 15 is $60.

The final expo agenda and online registration is available at http://agrilife.org/westresults/registration .