Tuesday, June 12, 2012
PRINCESS ANNE, MD – (May 25, 2012) -Two continuing education programs for sheep and goat producers will be held this month at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
A Saturday, June 9 roundtable will focus on an integrated management of internal parasites in sheep and goats. A roundtable that explores how to determine body condition in will be held the following Saturday, June 16.
Both run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the UMES Center for Food Science and Technology on the east side of campus.
The June 9 event offers a hands-on workshop that will teach sheep and goat producers how to use the FAMACHA© card to reduce the use of dewormers and minimize worm resistance to anthelmintics. Dr. N. Enrique Escobar, associate professor and small ruminant specialist, will present an overview of methods for parasite fecal egg counts. Participants are encouraged to bring fecal samples from their farms for analysis, but must contact the UME office for detailed instruction on sample collection and transport.
The June 16 event will offer tips on how to tell if does are too thin (under-conditioned) or too fat (over-conditioned). By knowing how to score the body condition of their animals, goat producers will be able to adjust feed intake as well as improve fertility, kid survival, and milk production and avoid decreasing productivity. Participants will take home a body condition scoring card to help evaluate their goat herds.
Both events offer a classroom style lecture for the morning session and hands-on exercises during the afternoon session. Pre-registration is required for both events. Registration fees for the June 9 workshop are $35 per person. A $12 charge will be assessed for each additional FAMACHA card. The June 16 workshop costs $20 per person. Additional scoring cards will be provided at $2 per card. Registration fees include lunch and one set of materials.
For more information about the June roundtables or to register, visit www.umes.edu/1890-mce or call 410-651-6206.
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Suzanne Waters Street, agriculture communication specialist, UMES – University of Maryland Extension, 410-651-6084, sstreet@umes.edu
