Cherokee County Market Goat Clinic, Oct 9, 2010

To Goat or Not to Goat? That is the Question
Submitted by: Rene' McCracken, Cherokee County Extension Agent CEP-AgNR


Is there a goat in your life? It is that time of year again, when 4-H and FFA youth and their parents begin scouring the countryside looking for project animals. For several, the market goat project is the perfect combination of challenge, skill, and requirements of space, time and money that fit their needs. But, where do you go to get a good goat? It is not as easy and putting your money in a vending machine and waiting for a good one to drop in your lap. Due to the humid "jungle-like" climate we East Texans live in, several challenges to raising goats are multiplied. There have been several instances in which students from our area have purchased goats raised in West Texas only to lose them early on due to parasite overload.

Last year was the first time that a selection and care clinic was held in Cherokee County. The goal to provide youth and their parents with the tools and information they would need not only raise goats here but to connect them with local producers who could provide some of their experience that would get them in the winner's circle. Over 30 people attended the event last year and more are expected to be back for "seconds" this year. The 2nd Annual Cherokee County Market Goat Clinic for youth in FFA and 4-H interested in showing market wethers will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2010 beginning at 3 pm at the Cherokee County Show Barn on Loop 456 in Jacksonville,TX.

Clinic will focus on how to select your goat, feed and care for it and determine steps you need to take to get to the winner's circle in your county show. There is no charge for the clinic and all are welcome. Beginning at 3 pm we will meet, pass out guide books on showing goats as a project, then receive hands on demonstrations with goats. You do not need to bring your goat if you have already purchased one however, you may do so if you would like some one-on-one coaching or evaluation of the animal. This is primarily a selection clinic and their will be little information neither on “showmanship” skills nor with this be a jackpot show. Breeder, former ag-teacher and judge, Ernie Hare will be providing the "coaching" with extension agent and goat producer, Rene' McCracken providing information on feeding and nutrition as well as general goat health. There will be a showmanship clinic and jackpot show at the Show Star Series in Nacogdoches on October 23-24, 2010. Contact this office for more details on it.

In some cases, the hardest part about the market goat project is finding and buying the right goat. Hopefully, this clinic will allow you to connect with area goat producers and purchase animals that have been raised in this climate and under similar conditions that you will have them at later on in your backyard or at the school farm. All those producers who have wethers for sale are welcome to bring them, bring information about their farm or contact me and I will pass along to those youth still looking for goats.
The clinic should last just over and hour and will be followed at 5 pm by a Cherokee County 4-H playday and awards banquet. If you have not had the opportunity to get going with 4-H or join a club, don't miss this opportunity to meet with the clubs in the area and get starting with your 4-H experiences today! For more information on this clinic and other extension events, contact the Cherokee County Extension Office at 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu.