COMING EVENTS!!
Spooner Sheep Day
The 53rd Biennial Spooner Sheep Day will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at the Headquarters Building, Spooner Agricultural Research Station of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The theme for this year's program is "Surviving in the Sheep Business with $7.00/bu. Corn, $200/ton Alfalfa Hay, and $4.00/gal. Fuel."
Yves Berger, recently retired Superintendent of the Spooner Station, will set the stage with a presentation of the current economics of sheep production. This will be followed by presentations on ways to increase income or reduce costs. Dr. Dan Morrical, Sheep Extension Specialist at Iowa State University, will discuss the use of alternative energy feeds, including distillers grains, in practical rations for lambs and ewes. Dan also will discuss considerations in pasture versus grain finishing of lambs in a second presentation. Jim and Ruth Ann Schultz, long-time sheep grazers from Clintonville, WI will discuss successful management strategies for ewes and lambs on pasture. Spooner research results with several alternative forages will be presented by Phil Holman, the new Spooner Station Superintendent. Getting more value from your wool will be the subject of the presentation by Paul and Carol Wagner, sheep producers and successful value-added wool processors from Valders, WI.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and the formal program is scheduled to end at 3:00 p.m. Participants are invited to view the sheep and visit the sheep facilities and pastures in the afternoon after the conclusion of the program. Attendance at the educational sessions of the Spooner Sheep Day is free, but there is a nominal charge for the lamb barbecue lunch served at noon.
The Spooner Agricultural Research Station is located in northwestern Wisconsin on Highway 70 just west of Highway 53 and just east of the town of Spooner. For more information, contact Lorraine Toman (715-635-3735, lltoman@wisc.edu).
State-Wide Summer Goat Field Days Set
Goat farmers, lenders, milk processors, 4-H leaders, extension agents and goats enthusiasts should plan to attend a series of goat farm field days scheduled across the state in the coming months.
On-farm field days scheduled this year include:
- Sept. 9, Mark Walrath farm, South Beloit
- Oct. 11, Ethel and James Jenson farm, Mt. Horeb
While each stop in the summer’s field day series will vary, all sessions will address aspects of goat herd health, nutrition and current topics. Field days are a great opportunity to ask questions, share information, and learn how different farms operate. Each session will include presentations by the farm owner and other speakers. The day will also include a farm tour and time for questions, discussion and information sharing.
All field days are free to the public but advance registration is required so that sufficient materials are available for attendees. For more information and to register, please contact Jeanne Meier by calling 608-224-5121 or e-mail at Jeanne.Meier@wisconsin.gov. The upcoming field day series is sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, as part of the Value Added Dairy Initiative’s Goat Project. Check the ‘Coming Events’ information on the Wisconsin Dairy Goat website at www.wdga.org for up-to-date information on this field day and other goat events.
“Buy Wisconsin First” Swine Directory Available
This directory features Wisconsin Seedstock and show pig producers. The directory was printed to highlight the top quality show pigs and breeding stock available here in the state.
The directory also has tips on showmanship, information on the Pork Quality Assurance program, as well as some helpful hints when it comes to selecting a show pig. The directory is free of charge. If you are interested in receiving a directory please call the WPA office at 800-822-7675 or email the WPPA at wppa@wppa.org.
Scrapie Program Information for Sheep & Goat Producers factsheet
All sheep and goat operations, including small hobby flocks/herds and 4-H members with just one or a few animals, are required to have their flocks/herds registered with USDA. Most sheep and goats leaving a farm must carry an official scrapie ear tag. There are some classes of sheep and goats that do not need to be tagged according to the USDA regulations (e.g. young castrated males moving directly to slaughter). However, many marketing organizations require all animals to carry the official USDA scrapie tag regardless of age or sex, so the best advice is to have an official USDA scrapie ear tag in every sheep and goat that leaves the farm; including lambs, kids, sheep, and goats going to shows.
The ear tags and applicator are free. Sheep and goat operations can be registered and ear tags ordered through the USDA/APHIS office in Madison by calling their toll-free number at 1-866-873-2824.
STAFF
If you have
any questions regarding beef production in Iowa County, please contact:
Rhonda Gildersleeve
Iowa County - UW Extension
222 N Iowa St, Ste 1
Dodgeville, WI 53533
Phone: 608-935-0391
Fax: 608-930-1220
Email: rhonda.gildersleeve@ces.uwex.edu
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