Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Marvin Ensor, 325-653-4576, m-ensor@tamu.edu
SAN ANGELO – It’s not too early to mark your calendar for two days of sheep and goat educational events on Aug. 18-19 in San Angelo.
The lead-in event is the annual Sheep and Goat Field Day conducted by and on the grounds of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center located at 7887 N. U.S. Highway 87 just north of San Angelo.
That event, which touts work being conducted at the center, starts with registration at 8 a.m. followed by the program from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 18. The second event is the Texas Sheep and Goat Expo set from 1:30-7:30 p.m., also on Aug. 18, and again from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 19 at the San Angelo Fairgrounds, 200 W. 43rd St.
The overall format will be the same as the previous two years, but the content will be much different, said Marvin Ensor, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program leader at San Angelo and a coordinator on both events.
Two sheep and goat events, which will include a number of live animal demonstrations, are set for Aug. 18-19 in San Angelo. (Texas A&M AgriLife Communications photo by Steve Byrns)
“A primary goal of the planning committee is to add relevant new material each year, so loyal participants won’t just get a repeat performance of previous years,” Ensor said. “There’s a lot going on in the sheep and goat industry these days and a good bit of it is very positive. So for those producers seeking ways to maximize profits or even those just thinking about getting some sheep or goats for the first time, these events will be the place to be.”
Ensor said new activities for this year include a shearing demonstration and contest, an Angora goat session, youth program and a ram and buck sale with performance data provided.
“We’ll still offer concurrent sessions on Aug. 19 featuring wool breeds, hair sheep, club lambs, meat goats and now Angora goats, “ he said. “And we will still have plenty of demonstrations and hands-on activities. A sampling of the new subject matter shared during these concurrent sessions will include using performance data to select breeding animals, opportunities in fiber production, sheep and goat forages, and a livestock guardian dog demonstration. So basically, we’ll have something for just about anybody involved with sheep and goats on any scale or knowledge level.”
A trade show is again scheduled for this year.
For more information on the expo, contact Ensor and for information regarding the trade show, contact Phyllis Benge. Both Ensor and Benge are located at the AgriLife Research and Extension Center in San Angelo at 325-653-4576.
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