EVENT REPORTS - 2007

Midwest Goat Producers Annual Meeting was held Sat., Nov. 10, 2007 at Ty's Buffet Restaurant with an attendance of 44.  Speakers: Rebecca Atkinson, Associate Professor, Dept. of Animal Science, Southern Illinois University. "SIU and Goats" and Terry Hutchens, Extension Associate Specialist, University of Kentucky. "Nutrition Facts for Goats".  Business Meeting-Directors elected: Ralph Beabout, Dave Griswold, Randy Hancock, Mark Wells.  At the directors meeting 2008 Officers were elected:  President-Mark Wells, Vice-President-Randy Hancock, Secretary-Alice Marriott, & Treasurer-Vicky Wetzel.  Door Prizes awarded

The annual fall production sale and seminars (GOAT EXPO 2007) was held September 22 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds.  There were 28 members with 218  animals for sale and numerous goat vendors from everything from equipment to soap.  Seminars were held throughout the day with approximately 300-350 people in attendance.  26 new members signed up that day.  Goat Stew & BarBQ were the featured concessions.

The FAMACHA training was held June 23rd.  Andrew and Dr. Jennifer Miller, DVM presented a great program at the Dix Community Center followed by a hands on clinic at Deerhaven Farms.  There were over 27 participants at the clinic with 16 FAMACHA cards dispensed.  A great big thank you to all who assisted in bringing this program together.

President, Mark Wells was part of a panel discussion on "Marketing Meat Goats" June 2 at the Illinois State University Research Farm north of Bloomington as part of the Illinois Meat Goat Marketing Seminar.   Several producers from Illinois, Alabama, & Wisconsin discussed meat goat marketing & opportunities in Illinois.

SUSAN SCHOENIAN was the speaker at our April 20th meeting in Flora, IL.  Over 60 members enjoyed her informative and entertaining presentation on goat herd management.  Susan is considered one of the country's top small ruminant animal specialist.  Sheep and Goat Specialist at the University of Maryland's Western Maryland Research & Education Center. Susan has been with Maryland Cooperative Extension since 1988. She earned Animal Science degrees from Virginia Tech and Montana State University

March 23 a wether & young doe sale & show clinic was held in Mt. Carmel at the 4-H grounds.  Brenda Larner of Agnew Goats presented workshops on showing & fitting your goat.  Jim Blue with Blue Jean Genetics gave a presentation on AI and genetics.  Nutrena helped sponsor the workshops.

Over 50 members attended the Dix area meeting on Feb 23rd with much discussion about shipping goats to the New Holland, PA market via Darin Cox.  Also discussed the upcoming Wether Sale & Clinic and the May Fun Show.

Despite threat of more snow, a good crowd attended the Oblong Feb 16 meeting.