Texas

The 32nd annual Sheep and Goat Field Day conducted by the Texas A&M University System Research and Extension Center here has a new twist.

For the first time since its inception, Texas A&M will partner with Angelo State University for the Sept. 1 event.

Registration starts at 8 a.m., with tours to follow at 9 a.m. at the Texas A&M center and Angelo State's nearby Management, Instruction and Research Center.

"This is the first time this event has been held in conjunction with ASU, although in the past many of the projects presented involved faculty and students from both institutions," said Dr. John Walker, the Texas A&M center's resident director of research and a field day coordinator. "This year we are taking the opportunity to highlight the long-term collaboration between the two institutions."

Morning Texas A&M tour topics are: Nutritional Programs for Small Ruminant Production Systems by Dr. Travis Whitney, research nutritionist at the Texas A&M center; Dorper vs. Rambouillet Comparison Study, Dr. Dan Waldron, Texas Agriculture Experiment Station research geneticist; and Super Juniper Eating Goat, Dr. Erika Campbell, Experiment Station research associate at Sonora.

The Angelo State tour will be conducted by university animal science department assistant professors. Topics will include: Trends in Buck Performance on the Central Meat Goat Performance Test, Dr. Mike Salisbury; Food Safety and Product Development Laboratory Tour, Dr. Mandy Carr; and Development and Consumer Acceptance of Pre-cooked Lamb and Goat Roasts, Dr. Gretchen Hilton.

A noon meal is planned at the Texas A&M center to benefit Angelo State's meats judging team and meat science programs. Following lunch, the afternoon session will convene at the Texas A&M center's auditorium for industry and research updates.

The field day will conclude with a talk on goat marketing by Wade Polk, Texas Cooperative Extension economist at San Angelo, and Jack Groff, Extension sheep and goat specialist emeritus and rancher from Kerrville.

Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available.

For more information contact the center at 325-653-4576.

Date: 8/25/05