Eric Richer, OSU Extension Educator ANR, Fulton County
OSU Extension to Host Sheep & Goat Series in February
The Ohio State University Extension-Fulton County will be offering a two-night Small Ruminants 101 Series at the Robert Fulton Ag Center, 8770 St. Rt. 108 in Wauseon. The series is intended to cover the basics of small ruminant (sheep & goat) production and marketing for new, current, and interested producers. The program runs from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm each night.
On February 5th, key topics discussed will be small ruminant nutrition and feeding, reproduction and birthing, animal health, and pasture management. For 4-H & FFA youth who exhibit sheep or goats at the Fulton County Fair, the first night of the series can be used to meet your Quality Assurance requirement in 2019 and is no cost to youth exhibitors.
On February 19th, key topics will include calendar based management, identifying and fitting your market, and budgeting for small ruminant enterprises. Additionally on the last night, participants will have the opportunity to evaluate a carcass and learn of ways to use sheep & goat at the table. Participants will have a chance to sample sheep/goat prepared by professionals.
The cost to attend the series is $20 per person (except youth on the first night). A registration form can be downloaded here and registration is due by February 1st. A light meal will be provided on both nights of the series. This series is coordinated in cooperation with Ohio Sheep & Wool Program and taught by OSU Extension Sheep Team specialists and local experts.