Small Ruminant Conference Welcomed Sheep, Goat Producers

ROBERT NATHAN GREGORY

STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI

Sheep and goat producers, researchers and industry professionals convened at Mississippi State University June 13-14 for the sixth annual Small Ruminant Conference.

The two-day event, hosted by the MSU Extension Service and the MSU Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, highlighted cutting-edge research and practical applications in small ruminant production.

The conference’s first day began at 12:30 p.m. with a preconference tour of the university’s animal and dairy sciences department and Henry H. Leveck Animal Research Farm, also known as South Farm. The tour started at MSU’s goat and forage research units. Attendees were able to learn more about ongoing small ruminant and forage research along with the use of sheep on solar farms.

The second day of the conference took place at The Mill Conference Center, beginning with registration and a welcome session at 8:30 a.m. That was followed by a series of expert-led presentations on silvopasture systems, health management, solar farms in the sheep industry and small ruminant management. After a provided lunch, afternoon sessions covered meat quality, reproductive strategies and grazing technologies, offering attendees an overview of the latest advancements in the field.

Presentations during the event was led by faculty from MSU, North Carolina State University, Florida State University, Tuskegee University and West Virginia University.

Both new and experienced producers were encouraged to attend and learn from top experts in the small ruminant industry.

MSU is an equal opportunity institution. For disability accommodation or more information, contact Leyla Rios at 662-325-0123 or leyla.rios@msstate.edu, or Rocky Lemus at 662-325-7718 or rlemus@pss.msstate.edu.   ∆

ROBERT NATHAN GREGORY

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY