The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will be hosting the Real County Goat and Sheep program on Dec. 18 from 2-4 p.m. at the Leakey Nutrition Center, 420 West Ranch Road 337 in Leakey.
The program is free and open to producers throughout the area.
“Several trends across the Texas Hill Country have generated increased interest in sheep and goat production in our area,” said Justin McGriff, AgriLife Extension agent for Real County. “These trends include land fragmentation, brush encroachment, and strong lamb and goat prices.”
Bill Thompson, AgriLife Extension economist, San Angelo, will be the featured speaker. Thompson will also demonstrate the AgriLife Extension lamb and goat market forecast app.
Topics will include:
— Overview of Lamb Markets – cold storage, imports, per capita consumption and prices.
— Overview of Goat Markets – imports and prices.
— Price Seasonality – lambs, kid goats and factors affecting lamb and goat auction prices.
“This program is the first in what may become a series on sheep and goat production programs in the Hill Country if there is enough community interest,” said McGriff. “Texas is the leader in goat production and a major producer of lamb and wool.
“We have so many resources through AgriLife Extension to help folks involved with, or looking to become involved with, raising sheep and goats. I hope folks will take advantage of this program to come and learn more.”
Later programs tentatively scheduled will cover nutrition, breeding management, range management, predator management and the use of livestock guardian dogs.
Contact McGriff at 830-232-5464 or Justin.McGriff@ag.tamu.edu for additional information.
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