SHSU to Host American Meat Goat Association Meeting
The Agriculture Complex at Sam Houston
State University will be the site of the 12th Annual American Meat
Goat Association Membership Meeting June 20-21.
"The meat goat industry in the United States has expanded tremendously in the
past 10 to 12 years," said Bobby Lane, chair of the SHSU Department of Agricultural
Sciences.
"This is our second year to host this event, and it provides a great opportunity
for anyone interested or involved in the meat goat industry to see some outstanding
animals and have a chance to start their own flock or add to an existing one," Lane
said.
"Of course, producers in the East Texas region are already producing some excellent
breeding stock, and this will give producers from this region a chance to exhibit
and market some of their best livestock along with those from Central, South
and West Texas," he added.
Goats can be checked in between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on June 20. An "anonymous
show" where goats are released into a ring with no handlers and are judged anonymously
will begin the activities that day at 3 p.m. Awards will include ribbons,
plaques, and prizes for the grand champion buck and grand
champion doe. Frank Craddock of San Angelo will be the judge.
Also at the show, Joe David Ross of Sonora will speak on scrapie---a degenerative
and eventually fatal disease affecting the central nervous system of goats, and
David Holubec of Melvin will speak on what buyers and feeders look for in goats
they purchase.
The nomination and election of officers of the association will take place during
the general membership meeting, which will follow the show. Also, the Willie
B. "Bill" Whitehead Jr. Scholarship will be awarded to a 2003 graduating high
school senior.
On June 21, presentations will take place from 9 a.m. until noon. A silent
auction will feature donated items including feed, feed troughs, a director's
chair with the AMGA logo, home made jams and jellies, caps, shirts, and other
items.
A sale will take place following lunch, and any association member may consign
animals to the sale. Goats do not have to be shown to be included in the
sale.
Conference fees are $20 for individuals and $30 for family registrations. Consignment
fees are $10 per head or set consigned, and the show fee is $5
per head.
The American Meat Goat Association was formed in 1992 in Mertzon. Initially
the largest majority of members were in Texas, but membership now includes representatives
from almost 40 states and provinces in Canada.
For additional information about the association or the membership meeting, contact
Bill Laning at 830.895.5886 or visit www.meatgoats.com.
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SHSU Media Contact: Julia May
May 30, 2003
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