Small Ruminant Conference Welcomes Sheep, Goat Producers

By Mr. Robert Nathan Gregory

Sheep and goat producers, researchers and industry professionals will convene 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, highlights cutting-edge research and practical applications in small ruminant production.

The conference’s first day begins 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 starts at MSU’s goat and forage research units. Attendees will be 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 will take place at The Mill Conference Center, beginning with registration and a welcome session at 8:30 a.m. That is 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 will cover meat quality, reproductive strategies and grazing technologies, offering attendees an overview of the latest advancements in the field.

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

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