MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – An effective animal health program is a crucial part of a successful small ruminant production system, said University of Missouri Extension sheep and goat specialist David Brown.

MU Extension’s second annual Sheep and Goats Field Day will focus on a small ruminant health awareness program. The event is Friday, July 12, at the MU Southwest Research, Extension and Education Center, 14548 Highway H, Mount Vernon.

“Developing necessary knowledge and skills to maintain the health and well-being of the animal is essential for a profitable sheep and goat enterprise,” said Brown. “It is possible to bring animal morbidity and mortality to the barest minimum when producers recognize the clinical signs of diseases common to their animals.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge in assessing small ruminant health, vaccination programs, on-farm biosecurity, metabolic diseases, feed and forage options and more. Producers will have hands-on training on fecal egg count, five-point check and FAMACHA score.

Special guest Nick Forrest, director of the American Lamb Roadshow, will join MU Extension to cook lamb in five different ways for participants to taste for lunch. Forrest has more than 35 years of experience as a lamb producer and 45 years as a meat, deli and bakery manager for Kroger Co.

Topics and speakers

• “Herd Health Management for Sheep & Goats.” Celeste Morris, University of Missouri.
• “Managing Sheep & Goats in Late Gestation.” Luis Rivero, University of Missouri.
• “Nutritional Disorders of Sheep & Goats.” Linda Coffey, National Center for Appropriate Technology, Arkansas.
• “Feed & Forage Options for Sheep & Goats.” Ken Coffey, University of Arkansas.
• “Fecal Egg Count Demo.” Mohan Acharya, Lincoln University.
• “FAMACHA System & Certification.” Homero Salinas, Lincoln University.

Registration is required by July 10. The $25 registration fee includes snacks, coffee, pizza, salad, lamb chops/meatballs and classroom materials. Register at http://muext.us/SheepGoatsFieldDay2024.

Optional FAMACHA card will be available on site for $15 (cash payment only).

For more information, or if you have a disability that requires special materials or services, contact the MU Extension Center in St. Clair County at 417-646-2419 or David Brown at davidbrown@missouri.edu.

Sponsors include USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture North Central Extension Risk Management Education, American Lamb Board, FCS Financial, Missouri Katahdin Breeders Association, Mazzio’s Pizza, Vit-A-Zine, Missouri Forage and Grassland Council, and Southwest Livestock Sales LLC.

Partners are the MU Southwest Research, Extension and Education Center; Lincoln University; University of Arkansas; and University of Missouri Extension.