Small ruminant production is on the rise in Kentucky, as farmers realize the potential of raising sheep and goats in the commonwealth. The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture is teaming up with sheep and goat breed associations, Kentucky State University and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund to offer the 2011 Kentucky Small Ruminant Grazing Conference at the Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service office in Elizabethtown.

Scheduled for Jan. 15, the conference will offer many sessions for all levels of experience.

“We’ve got something for anyone who is interested in raising small ruminants,” said David Ditsch, director of the UK Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability in Quicksand. “We’re going to present science-based research in ways that producers can understand and apply in their own operations.” 

Registration begins at 9 a.m. with sessions starting at 9:15 a.m. The conference is divided into four main areas including nutrition, grazing management, producer presentations and an economic and marketing outlook. Topics include:

• Using annual forage species for grazing
• Endophyte-infected tall fescue: do we have a problem?
• Characterizing the parasite challenge of meat goats grazing summer pastures in Western Maryland
• Predator control for sheep and goat production
• From IBM to goat production
• Lambing in the fall
• Sheep and goat marketing for 2011
• A five-point evaluation system for deworming and decision making. 

KSU’s Ken Andries will offer an optional FAMACHA training at 3:10 p.m. 

Registration, due Jan. 7, is $20 for the conference and an additional $10 for the FAMACHA training. Those planning to attend the conference should send name, address, phone number and e-mail along with payment to UK Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability, Attn. Jackie Allen, 130 Robinson Road, Jackson, KY 41339. 

The 2011 Small Ruminant Grazing Conference is sponsored by the UK Cooperative Extension Service, Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office, Kentucky Goat Producers Association, Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Association and Kentucky State University.