7.29.2014

Pasture-Based Sheep and Goat Production, Management and Marketing Workshop Slated for August 15-16 in Manhattan


Dr. Jim Gerrish, well known rancher, researcher, grazing educator and co-founder of the Missouri Grazing School, returns to Kansas to kick off Amazing Grazing II for Ruminants Great and Small.  A workshop entitled “Pasture-Based Sheep and Goat Production and Marketing” will be August 15-16, 2014, in Manhattan at Four Points by Sheraton. Both days will run 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Jim will be able to help producers make better choices for their pasture situation.  This workshop is tailored for small ruminant producers specifically!  Jim Gerrish stated that “Sheep and goats offer opportunities for landowners as alternatives to raising cattle.

Greater production efficiencies, niche market values and ease of handling make sheep and goats particularly attractive for smaller acreages.  Managing the smaller ruminants does require a different skill set than do cattle and require more attention to details of management.  This workshop will cover topics including grazing practices for parasite management, fence and stock water development for ease of grazing, extending the grazing season and many others.”

Dr Brian Faris, KSU Animal Science Department Head of Sheep and Goats and the newly built small ruminant facility, will join the Manhattan Small Ruminant Workshop. Brian was raised in Texas and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the sheep and goat industry to this workshop.  The workshop will include a tour of the new facility; where a hands-on workshop for producers to learn small animal health management techniques will be held later in the fall.  

Program Director, Mary Howell reported that, “Amazing Grazing II was written specifically to address many of the issues that small animal producers keep asking for. Two days spent with Jim and Brian will be well worth the time and money invested.  Ranch managers will learn valuable grazing information and management skills that will improve production and profitability of their livestock enterprise. In addition to being educators, both Jim and Brian also are actual producers who raise sheep and goats.

Cost for the workshop is $60.00 and includes lunch and handouts.  


For question on the workshop, please contact Mary Howell at kfu.mary@gmail.com, or call 785-562-8726

A block of rooms is being held until August 10th, at Four Points by Sheraton, Manhattan call 785-539-5311 and ask for Amazing Grazing Sheep and Goat Meeting. 

Amazing Grazing II Partners with Kansas Farmers Union are: Kansas NRCS, Kansas Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops, Kansas State Research and Extension, Farm Credit, Kansas Grazing Land Coalition, and Kansas Graziers with funding from North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

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