Master Goat Producer's Certification Training Program

Tuskegee University Master Goat Producer's Certification Training Program will be conducted from August 5 to 7, 2013 at Caprine Research and Education Unit of Tuskegee University. Early registration ($75) deadline is July 16 with late registration $100 thereafter. Lodging scholarships are available for the first 10 registrants (outside 60 mile radius of Tuskegee, AL). Program detail and registration form are available at this link: http://www.tuskegee.edu/academics/colleges/caens/master_goat_producer_training.aspx

 

AgriTREK/S​ciTREK and AgDiscover​y at Tuskegee University

Summer Program Opportunit​ies at Tuskegee University for High School Students - AgriTREK/S​ciTREK and AgDiscover​y

Tuskegee University to host high schoolers 14-17 years or 9th-12th grades (See program details) this summer through two residential programs - AgriTREK/SciTREK and AgDiscovery.

The program dates are June 9 - June 23,2012.

These USDA and NSF supported program provide high schoolers interested in science, technology engineering, agriculture, and mathematics an opportunity to perform find out about careers in these fields as well as participate in mini-research projects under the guidance of graduate student and faculty mentors in a variety of life and natural science fields, including biology, chemistry, animal science, plant science, soils sciences, engineering, and more!

There is NO COST to attend either of these programs; however, parents/guardians are responsible for bringing scholars to the program and retrieving them on the designated day and time. Students may be eligible to receive up to $200 to help defray the cost of transportation to the program. Scholars receive complimentary housing in a Tuskegee University dormitory as well as meals at the university cafeteria.

Visit the program website (http://www.tuskegee.edu/agritrek.aspx) to find out more about the programs and to obtain the program brochures, applications, FAQs, etc. Please note that there are separate application processes for each program. Individuals are encouraged to apply to both programs to increase the probability of selection.

The application deadline is Thursday, March 15, 2012.

For additional information, please contact the Program Assistant, Ms. Marilyn Hooks at mhooks@mytu.tuskegee.edu or 334-727-8453 or visit the program website indicated above.

Tuskegee University - Year-round Pasture Field Days

Sustainable Livestock Production through Year-round Pasture

 



Summer pasture in June 2011, Selma, AL

Ruminant-livestock production in Alabama is based on pasture. Highly productive and quality pasture persisting throughout a year or most of the year is important for sustainable livestock enterprises. Most of the livestock producers in Alabama have warm-season perennial pasture that produce from April to October and have negligible or no production from November to March, when farmers need to invest much on supplementary feedstuffs like hay, commercial feed, and agricultural byproducts to sustain their livestock. Feeding purchased feed for 5-6 months each year is not cost-effective. Therefore, every producers who are seriously involved in livestock farming must develop year-round pasture and implement appropriate grazing practice. Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program (TUCEP) has been providing education and technical support to livestock producers who are interested in improving their pastures and grazing practice. Following are imminent two field days on ‘Year-round pasture production and grazing/browsing management’ that livestock producers can benefit from.

 Winter pastures in January 2012, Phenix City, AL

March 24, 2012 (Saturday, 9 A.M. to 3 P.M.) - The Central Ala. Farmers Co-Op. 2519 U.S. highway 80 west Selma, Al 36701



April 7, 2012 (Saturday, 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. Central time) - 508 14th Street, Phenix City, Alabama (Russell County Extension Office Auditorium)

  

Major topics of the field day

•  Soil test, lime and fertilizer application, land preparation
• Forage selection and plantation
• Grazing management
• Supplementation of the grazing animals
• Listen to the lead farmer
• Group discussion - share your ideas
• Demonstration and hands-on in the afternoon session

 Demonstration and hands-on topics

Visit Mr. Gregory Scott’s Farm, Selma, AL on March 24 field day, and perform the following activities:

• Soil sample collection and make a composite sample for lab test
• Measuring the forage height
• Identification of different forages
• Observation of the planting equipment
• Take a tour of the pastures

 2. On April 7 field day, we will visit Mr. Nimrod Stephens’s farm and perform similar activities as listed for the Selma field day.

How can you participate in the field days?

Fill the Registration Form and submit it by March 10, 2012 as indicated in the form.

For more information, contact Dr. Uma Karki at karkiu@mytu.tuskegee.edu; Phone:(334) 727-8336









Tuskegee University Goat Day - April 20, 2013

Tuskegee University Annual Goat Day will be held on Saturday April 20, 2013 from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.  "Dairy Goat" is our theme for this year’s Goat Day. Morning session will be held at Patterson Hall Auditorim.  Then we will move to Caprine Research and Education Unit for lunch and afternoon sessions. If you plan to attend, please register by April 1 for the discounted registration rate of $15.00. Registration form can be downloaded from this link  - Registration Form
For more information, see the Goat-Day Flyer

If you need help, contact Dr. Nar Gurung @334-727-8457, 334-421-8620 or email: ngurung@mytu.tuskegee.edu.  Vendors/Exhibitors, please contact Mr. Danny Williams at 334-401-9472.


Updated March 22, 2013

Year-round Pasture Production and Management Workshop

July 29, 2011

Union Hill Baptist Church

434 County Road 59, Union Spring, AL 36089

Ruminant livestock production in Alabama is based on pasture. Highly productive and quality pasture persisting throughout a year or most of the year is important for profitable livestock enterprises. Most of the livestock producers in Alabama have warm-season perennial pasture that produce from April to October and have negligible or no production from November to March, when farmers need to invest in supplementary feedstuffs like hay and agricultural byproducts to sustain their livestock. Feeding supplement for 5-6 months each year is not cost-effective. The purpose of this workshop is to educate and train Extension professionals and livestock producers on pasture improvement, grazing management, and conservation and proper use of surplus forage biomass produced.

For more information please look at the workshop flyer at the following link:
Workshop flyer with registration form

Useful links

For educational materials and updated information about farming and different other aspects of your life, please visit this link: eXtension

Silvopasture Workshop - June 15, Tuskegee, AL

Silvopasture Practice

June 15, 2011

Macon County Commission Chamber, 205 N Main Street, Tuskegee, AL 36083



Southern Pine Silvopasture



Silvopasture is a sustainable agroforestry practice where trees and forage crops are grown together in a single piece of land, and grazing animals are introduced into the system to utilize the forages. Forage and livestock components provide regular short-term income while waiting for trees to be ready for sale. Studies have shown that, if properly managed, silvopasture can be more beneficial economically and environmentally than either tree or pasture mono-crop. This workshop will aware and train participants on establishing, managing, and utilizing silvopasture system. For more information and registration form, please look at the workshop flyer.

Workshop Flyer (Reduced-fee registration deadline is June 3.)

Workshop Agenda will be made available soon.

More Livestock Programs from Tuskegee University

Following are the upcoming Extension education/outreach programs in 2013.

1. Sustainable year-round forage production and grazing/browsing management in the Southern Region, Trainers’ Training – March 26-28, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
2. Tuskegee University Goat Day - April 20, Saturday, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
3. Sustainable livestock production – third week in May, Union Springs, AL 
4. Master goat producer’s certification training program (3-day training) – August, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
5. Youth goat show – October - 3rd Saturday, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
• Youth goat show training will be conducted in different counties in Alabama starting April
6. Integrated management of internal parasites in small ruminants - Date and venue not decided yet.
7. Silvopasture practice workshop – Date and venue not decided yet

More detail on the above programs will be posted soon.

 

Workshop on April 26 - Integrated management of internal parasites in goat

Integrated Management of Internal Parasites in Goats

April 26, 2011

1221 County Road 14, Camden, Alabama 36726

Internal parasite infestation is one of the major problems in goat enterprise. Barber-pole worm is the most important internal parasites in goats leading to poor performance and death of numerous animals every year in Alabama and neighboring states. Goat farmers are using chemical dewormers against this parasite very frequently. However, using this method alone is not effective to solve the problem because of parasites’ resistance against the chemical dewormers available in the market. This situation leads to the necessity of involving alternative methods for minimizing parasite problems. The purpose of this workshop is to impart necessary skills and knowledge to goat farmers and Extension personnel in applying integrated approach for managing internal parasites. Major topics of the workshop will be 1) internal parasite introduction, identification, and life-cycle, 2) pasture and grazing management to minimize parasite problem, 3) FAMACHA and smart drenching, 4) nutrition and immunity, 5) anthelmintic resistance and novel approaches of parasite control, and 6) Hands-on activities: parasite identification, using FAMACHA, measuring body condition score, hoof trimming, and fecal sample collection and examination. For more information, please look at the Workshop Flyer and Workshop Agenda by clicking the following links:

Workshop Flyer and Registration Form
Workshop Agenda

The 12th North American Agroforestry Conference ((June 4-9, Athens, GA)

This conference will be a good opportunity to understand the importance and benefits of agroforestry system, as well as how to develop and maintain it. Moreover, you will have opportunity to visit some of the sites where agroforestry is being practiced. For those of you who are planning to develop agroforestry system such as silvopasture, this conference is NOT TO MISS. For more information, please visit the following site.
http://hosting.caes.uga.edu/2011NAAC/more.html