The Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Alabama A&M University is promoting the Annual Small Ruminant Conference on August 22nd and 23rd at the Alabama 4 H Youth Development Center in Colombiana Alabama.

(Download the Brochure as a PDF, click here)

Sponsors: GSPA and ACES

Presenters and their topics :

Moderator : Julio Correa , Ph.D.

1. Richard Browning Jr, Ph.D.
Associate Research Professor
Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN

 Dr Browning has developed an unique multi-breed meat goat breeding herd that was established in 2002 at Tennessee State University. Dr Browning has an active 5 years research projects designed to assess meat goat performance as influenced by breed under a 3-breed diallel mating scheme involving purebred Boer, Kiko, and Spanish animals. This breed evaluation project has been finalized and the five-years of records of fitness, including measurements of animal susceptibility to internal parasites, survivability and carcasses traits will be presented.

2. Dr Will Getz , Ph.D.
Extension Animal Science Specialist
Fort Valley State University

Will present a topic "Understanding the Genetics of Sheep Improvement and Mating Plans".  The presentation will cover the basics of factors influencing change in gene frequency and the manner this impacts the whole flock.  Consideration will be given to the impact of selection and the factors that make selection less effective. Finally the differing genetic goals of seed stock producers and commercial producers will be discussed. There will be reasons given for why genetics can be predictable but not exact in flock change. 

3. Dr Terry A. Gipson, Ph.D.
Interim Goat Extension Leader
Agriculture Research & Cooperative Extension Langston University

- Genetic Aspects of Dairy Goat Production
    This presentation will focus on selection for milk yield, fat and protein, will examine genetic parameters for these traits, will discuss the role of and the utilization of national genetic evaluations to improve these traits, and will explore the use of pedigrees to minimize inbreeding and inbreeding depression.
 
- Innovative Alternatives to Traditional Dairy Goat Management
    This presentation will focus on management alternatives such as forage-based dairying, extended lactations, and management by exception to improve dairy goat efficiency and/or profitability.

4. James Morgan, PhD
President of the Board, National Sheep Improvement Program,

Presentation  "Selecting Superior Meat Sheep in the 21st Century : based on  performance and EPDs “

5. Maria Leite-Browning
“Reproductive Management of Sheep flock and Goat herds”
Producers will learn about the anatomic, physiologic, and
endocrinologic and environmental interactions that regulates the
reproductive process of small ruminants. The seasonality and its effects
on the reproductive management of sheep and goats. Breeding season,
kidding season.

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Information From the Brochure

2nd Annual Small Ruminant Conference
August 22 – 23, 2008

PROGRAM

Moderator: Julio Correa , Ph.D.
Extension Animal Scientist
Alabama A&M University

Friday, August 22nd

1:00 to 3:00 p.m. – On Site Registration

3:00 to 5:00 p.m. – Hands-on Demonstration: injection site, hoof trimming, identification, how to tell the age of the goats by dental examination, drenching, how to take a temperature and other health parameters.

WELCOME

5:30 to 5:45 p.m  — J. Carter, Ph.D,
Extension Assistant Director
Urban Affairs & New Nontraditional Programs
Alabama Cooperative Extension System

5:45 to 6:00 p.m  — Mr. Ernie Hay
President of the GSPA

6:00 to 7:00 p.m. – DINNER & MUSIC (Sponsored by ACES and GSPA)

8:00 to 8:30 p.m. – A 5-year report on the unique multi-breed meat goat breeding herd that was established in 2002 at Tennessee State University. Five years of research projects designed to assess meat goat performance as influenced by breed under a 3-breed diallel mating scheme involving purebred Boer, Kiko, and Spanish animals. This breed evaluation project has been finalized and records of fitness, including measurements of animal susceptibility to internal parasites, survivability and carcasses traits will be presented.

Richard Browning Jr, Ph.D.
Associate Research Professor
Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN

8:30 to 9:00 p.m – Q’s and A’s

Saturday, August 23nd

7:00 to 8:00 a.m – BREAKFAST

8:00 to 9:00 a.m – “Innovative Alternatives to Traditional Dairy Goat Management” This presentation will focus on management alternatives such as forage-based dairying, extended lactation, and management by exception to improve dairy goat efficiency and/or profitability.

Terry A. Gipson, Ph.D.
Interim Goat Extension Leader
Agriculture Research & Cooperative Extension, Langston University

9:00 to 10:00 a.m – "Understanding the Genetics of Sheep Improvement and Mating Plans" The presentation will cover the basics of factors influencing change in gene frequency and the manner this impacts the whole flock. Consideration will be given to the impact of selection and the factors that make selection less effective. Finally the differing genetic goals of seed stock producers and commercial producers will be discussed. There will be reasons given for why genetics can be predictable but not exact in flock change.

Will Getz, Ph.D.
Extension Animal Science Specialist
Fort Valley State University

10:00 to 10:30 a.m – COFFEE BREAK

10:45 to 11:45 a.m – On-Farm Performance Testing for Meat Goat Herd. This presentation will focus on record keeping for comparative evaluation of goats for production traits of economical importance: reproduction, growth and carcass merit.

Richard Browning Jr, Ph.D.,
Associate Research Professor
Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN

Noon to 1:00 p.m – LUNCH BREAK

1:30 to 2:15 p.m – Genetic Aspects of Dairy Goat Production.
This presentation will focus on selection for milk yield, fat and protein. It will also examine genetic parameters for these traits, discuss the role and utilization of national genetic evaluations to improve these traits, and explore the use of pedigrees to minimize inbreeding and inbreeding depression.

Terry Gipson, Ph.D.
Interim Goat Extension Leader
Agriculture Research & Cooperative Extension
Langston University

2:30 to 3:45 p.m – "Selecting Superior Meat Sheep in the 21st Century: based on performance and EPDs”

James Morgan, PhD
President of the Board, National Sheep Improvement Program

4:00 to 4:45 p.m – “Reproductive Management of Sheep Flocks and Goat Herds”
Producers will learn about criteria for choosing a good dam and herd sire to improve reproduction; the seasonality and its effects on the reproductive management of sheep and goats; and, criteria to determine breeding and kidding seasons.

Maria Leite-Browning, PhD
Extension Animal Scientist, Alabama A&M University, Alabama Cooperative Extension System

5:00 p.m. Final Remarks – Maria Leite-Browning