October 14, 2009
Contact: Betsy Hodge, Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County, 315-379-0607

October 31 Beginning Goat Feeding Teleconference Links Canton, Watertown, Plattsburgh, Mexico & Oriskany

Proper diet is a hot topic not only for people, but for goats in Northern New York. On Saturday October 31st at 10:00 am, Small Livestock Educator Betsy Hodge of Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County will host and telecast a meeting that will provide basic how to feed goats information and help people develop a goat ration to feed their animals for the winter season.

Nutritional requirements, the goat feeds used to meet those requirements and feeding management strategies are the focus of the October 31st meeting. Hodge will be presenting in-person at the Extension Learning Farm in Canton; the presentation will be videotelecast to Cornell Cooperative Extension offices in Jefferson County at Watertown, Clinton County at Plattsburgh, Oswego County at Mexico, and Oneida County at Oriskany.

Those attending any of the sessions will receive information handouts and sample feed rations.

“As more and more people become interested in raising goats – for meat, milk, cheese and soapmaking, and pets, we are emphasizing the importance of learning good basic feeding management for goats,” says Hodge. “This program is designed to help goat farmers get the most out of their investment in feeds and informed feeding management.”

Hodge manages a small herd of six goats and works with goat farmers throughout St. Lawrence County as well as fielding calls from farmers in neighboring North Country counties. She communicates the results of livestock-related research conducted at Cornell University.

Registration with the local Cornell Cooperative Extension office for the feeding program is requested. For the Canton site, call 315-379-0607 or 315-379-9192; for the Watertown site, call 315-788-8450; for the Plattsburgh site, call 518-561-7450; for the Oswego site, call 315-963-7286; and for the Oriskany site, call 315-736-3394.

Learn more about raising goats, sheep, beef cattle and other livestock on the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program website at www.nnyagdev.org.  #