2018 Texas Sheep and Goat Expo dates announced

Fourth AgriLife Extension statewide event set for Aug. 17-18 in San Angelo

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

SAN ANGELO – The fourth Texas Sheep and Goat Expo conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is set for Aug. 17-18 in San Angelo’s 1st Community Federal Credit Union Spur Arena on the San Angelo Fairgrounds.

The statewide event is billed as one of the largest sheep and goat industry educational programs in the world focusing on the different segments of the industry, said Marvin Ensor, event coordinator and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service regional program leader in San Angelo.

“The expo is a unique educational event targeting not only the various segments of the industry, but also the various issues we face here in Texas and elsewhere in the U.S.,” Ensor said.

The expo is unique in that it offers much hands-on activity and speaker interaction for participants, he said.

“The format will remain the same as years past with the general session covering issues affecting all producers in the sheep and goat industry and the concurrent sessions focusing on specific interests voiced by producers within the respective industry sectors,” Ensor said. “Specifically, the 2018 expo will again feature segments for Angora and meat goat producers, wool and hair sheep producers, show stock producers, and we will again offer a youth program.

“This year, as in previous years, we are fortunate to have a very active planning committee who consider it a standing priority to procure top speakers and to keep the topics new or approached from a different perspective than done previously.”

Ensor said the Texas Sheep and Goat Expo was first conducted in 2015 as a stand-alone educational program, which attracted more than 200 participants. Though currently not dubbed an annual event, the program continues to grow with the 2017 event attracting almost 400 participants from across Texas and several other states.

“Through the years, we have also enjoyed an increase in participation and interest in the accompanying trade show, which has become a significant part of the expo’s success,” Ensor said. “To further highlight the products being offered, we tried a session in which exhibitors had a chance to demonstrate their equipment with live animals. The feedback from this first attempt was so positive, I suspect we will continue with this aspect.”

From an educational standpoint, Ensor said post-event evaluations indicated 83 percent of the sheep and goat producers attending the latest event plan to adopt at least one practice or technology offered during the event. Also, 80 percent said they anticipate an economic benefit from information gleaned from the expo.

Specific topics and information on registration for the 2018 Expo will be forthcoming, Ensor said.

For information on any aspect of the Texas Sheep and Goat Expo, contact Ensor at 325-653-4576.