Opinion

Putnam County has the goats

Monday, September 27, 2010

Several programs are coming up soon related to goat production that will be beneficial for both the 4-H'er or adult with small or large goat herds.

Did you know that based on the last National Agricultural Statistics Service census released in 2007 that Putnam County ranked second in the state among Indiana's 92 counties in terms of goat production?

Three programs will occur between 7 and 9 p.m. on Oct. 26, Nov. 2 and Nov. 9. Each program will have a different topic.

The October program will have parasite management featured with Kenneth Andries (Kentucky State University) and Mike Neary (Purdue University). The second program will focus on nutrition and grazing programs featuring Andries, David Trotter (Purdue University) and Terry Hutchens (University of Kentucky).

General or alternative forage options and supplementation and feeding of gestational does will be the specific topics.

The last program will feature health programs for sheep- and goat-related diseases, medication availability, foot rot and urinary calculi issues in small ruminants.

Speakers will include Dr. Michelle Bilderback, DVM (University Kentucky) as well as Dr. Neary and Hutchens.

All three of the goat video seminar programs in the series will be offered via Adobe Connect programs. The Purdue Extension Hendricks County office is the closest official host site.

If you are interested in the link to view from home or want to arrange to watch in the Putnam office please contact the office as the exact website becomes available.

The flyer for this program series is on the Purdue Extension Putnam County website and listed on the calendar of events.

There is no charge for the programs.

Check our website, www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam to view the most up-to-date information.

Also, all interested in the Putnam County 4-H program are encouraged to join the Putnam County 4-H Facebook group, which has nearly 200 members. You can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding column topics or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs.

While many publications are free, some do have a fee. All times listed are Eastern Time.