Show-Me Sheep and Goat Project

HARRISONVILLE, MO - University of Missouri – Extension and Lincoln University Cooperative Extension Farm Outreach Program are working together to put on the Show-Me Sheep and Goat Project.

“With the ability to have more profit potential than most other enterprises, sheep and goat producers sometimes have problems marketing their animals or products,” says Susan Jaster of the Lincoln University Innovative Small Farms Outreach Program. If you want to raise sheep or goats for meat or milk, you can learn how to raise and market them successfully from this series of classes. This four week program will allow participants the ability to learn how to run their sheep and goat operation as a business. It will also allow participants to learn how to manage their sheep and goats to enhance productivity.

This series of classes is for beginners or experienced producers as well as those looking to enter into another farming enterpise to increase revenues. When more than one kind of livestock graze a pasture, there can be several advantages gained. Grazing more than one species on a unit of land can more fully utilize the plants available and produce more meat (and profit) from that unit. This type of multi-species grazing behavior is also healthier for the land and forage, keeping the various types of plants in better ecological balance.

The Show-Me Sheep and Goat Project course includes 4 evening classes on: May 21, May 28, June 4, and June 9. The classes will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Cass County Extension Center in Harrisonville, MO (201 West Wall St., Harrisonville, MO 64701).

The program includes a wide variety of educational topics for both beginning and experienced producers. Topics to be covered will include: the sheep and goat industry, selection of breeding stock, pasture management, marketing, diseases in sheep and goats, and business relationships.

Class size is not limited but registration is required by May 20th. The cost of the classes is $30 per person or $50 per couple/entity with refreshments and materials provided. If participants need special accommodations because of a disability, or if you need materials in an alternative format, please inform at time of registration.

For registration and additional information, contact Nathanial Cahill University of Missouri Agricultural Business Specialist at 660-747-3193 (135 W. Market, Warrensburg, MO) or cahilln@missouri.edu.