1. Regional Educational Outreach Program For Producers Of Small Ruminants In South Alabama Presented By Regional Extension Agents Anthony Wiggins & Ken Kelley

2. Whys of the Outreach Program Increased number of calls Increased number of calls More calls concerning small ruminants than traditional livestockMore calls concerning small ruminants than traditional livestock Limited information available for producers Limited information available for producers Information was datedInformation was dated No previous educational efforts made for small ruminantsNo previous educational efforts made for small ruminants Increased number of ranchettes conducive to small ruminant production Increased number of ranchettes conducive to small ruminant production < 5 acre ranchettes not large enough for traditional livestock production and the associated costs< 5 acre ranchettes not large enough for traditional livestock production and the associated costs Producers with little livestock experience Producers with little livestock experience Inexperienced producers raising small ruminants as hobbies or as therapyInexperienced producers raising small ruminants as hobbies or as therapy Increased demand by ethnic groups Increased demand by ethnic groups Food safety concerns Food safety concerns Many producers had given little thought to the fact that they were raising foodMany producers had given little thought to the fact that they were raising food

3. How to Reach Producers? No mailing lists No mailing lists No organized producer groups No organized producer groups Who had small ruminants (goats)? Who had small ruminants (goats)?

4. ??????

5. How to Reach Producers? Livestock Sale Barn Livestock Sale Barn

6. Goats

7. What Information Was Needed? Order buyers/State Marketing Agents Order buyers/State Marketing Agents Marketing/GeneticsMarketing/Genetics Producers Producers ChallengesChallenges Observation Observation Information producers needed to knowInformation producers needed to know Designed a program from information gathered Designed a program from information gathered

8. Programs Regional Multi-state Mini-workshops (AL,FL)Regional Multi-state Mini-workshops (AL,FL) 3 monthly 1 hour workshops held on sale day3 monthly 1 hour workshops held on sale day TopicsTopics Marketing/GeneticsMarketing/Genetics Parasite & Disease ManagementParasite & Disease Management Meat Goat Quality AssuranceMeat Goat Quality Assurance

9. Programs Marketing/GeneticsMarketing/Genetics What buyers are looking for in a goatWhat buyers are looking for in a goat When/What to sellWhen/What to sell How to produce a no. 1How to produce a no. 1

10. Programs Parasite & Disease ManagementParasite & Disease Management PreventionPrevention VaccinationsVaccinations Treatment/VCPRTreatment/VCPR Parasite control productsParasite control products Managing parasites with cultural practicesManaging parasites with cultural practices

11. Programs Meat Goat Quality AssuranceMeat Goat Quality Assurance Injection sites (where, how, lesions)Injection sites (where, how, lesions) Veterinarian/Client Patient RelationshipsVeterinarian/Client Patient Relationships HandlingHandling Drug ResiduesDrug Residues Goats are Food! Would you eat what you sell?Goats are Food! Would you eat what you sell?

12. What Did We Accomplish? Base clientele (mailing list)Base clientele (mailing list) EvaluationsEvaluations Producers learned from the mini-workshopsProducers learned from the mini-workshops Producers needed more informationProducers needed more information Next stepNext step Regional Multi-state Field DayRegional Multi-state Field Day

13. Regional Multi-State Field Day Farm Day; Meat Goat Management Publicized in the panhandle of FL. and S.W. AL Publicized in the panhandle of FL. and S.W. AL Speakers from A.U., U. of FL, and FL. A&M Speakers from A.U., U. of FL, and FL. A&M All day event All day event Used classroom and hands-on training Used classroom and hands-on training

14. Regional Multi-State Field Day Farm Day; Meat Goat Management TopicsTopics Feeding the Goat Herd/Nutritional RequirementsFeeding the Goat Herd/Nutritional Requirements Reproductive ManagementReproductive Management ForagesForages Toxic PlantsToxic Plants Meat Goat Quality AssuranceMeat Goat Quality Assurance Managing Parasites/DiseasesManaging Parasites/Diseases FAMACHA TrainingFAMACHA Training

15. FAMACHA Training Very Informative Very Informative Producers had another parasite management toolProducers had another parasite management tool

16. Small Ruminant Pocket Guide www.aces.edu

17. Evaluation 92% learned something they could implement to improve management practices on their farm 92% learned something they could implement to improve management practices on their farm Using rotational grazing and implementing the FAMACHA system to aid in managing parasites rated the most useful Using rotational grazing and implementing the FAMACHA system to aid in managing parasites rated the most useful 100% interested in having more of similar programs 100% interested in having more of similar programs

18. Questions?