Sheep and Goat Day marked by students
College of Agriculture students had the opportunity to participate in Utah’s annual Sheep and Goat Day, hosted by the Utah Wool Growers Association and USU Extension in Provo Saturday. The all-day field trip for students included presentations by experts in the sheep, goat and wool areas and the chance to meet and talk with producers in the industry.
Tami Spackman, animal, dairy and veterinarian sciences adviser, said the students who attended are either in a sheep production or an introduction to animal science class and were able to earn college credit for attending Saturday’s workshops.
“Some students are also small farm or flock operators and are interested in learning more from successful operations and producers,” Spackman said. “This is a great opportunity and experience for students to learn valuable information about their future in these industries with encouragement from professionals.”
Teaming USU with the Utah Wool Growers Association was a great combination and relationship to help relay information on to Utah producers and to students, she said.
The workshops and trade show attracted more than 150 producers, USU faculty and veterinarians and also 50 USU students.
Bret Taylor from the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois, Idaho, stressed the importance of basic nutrition and the role students can play.
“The more knowledge that students can learn about mastering the basics of a healthy, successful operation, the better,” Taylor said. “That’s why it is so important to hold workshops like this where we can interact with each other, learn more and hopefully advance the sheep and goat industry into a healthy, efficient and more productive future.”
Beth Burritt, research associate from USU also lectured on basic principles of dietary selection and the toxicity of plants.
Goats have the potential to effectively manipulate noxious range plants such as black brush, Burritt said to students.
“Diet selection and food intake is a behavior, and learning from negative behavior can help keep grazing sheep or goats safe from toxic plants,” Burritt said. “However, range managers and producers must continually evaluate their animal’s diet and adapt to changes.”
Lyle McNeal, USU professor and Utah Wool Growers Association board member, said Saturday’s workshops were an outstanding program for animal science majors and all agriculture students.
“Students have the chance to speak and listen to professionals outside of the campus who really bring new perspectives and insight to their particular major,” McNeal said.
McNeal said there are also four producers that students are able to meet, and the students will later visit their individual operations in the spring during his sheep management class.
Lane Gardner, USU senior, said the day was well spent learning about an industry and meeting new people.
“This is a great event that encompasses many views and opinions and we are gaining valuable knowledge from outside the classroom, and that alone is worth it,” Gardner said.
Scott Knight, junior in animal science, said he hopes this program continues to grow in popularity with students and operators.
“This is the one chance where students can develop a network of professionals in the degree in which they are studying,” Knight said. “Animal science majors need to be familiar with all animals, the different industries and the problems facing producers. This is the way for us to do that.”
-m.l.r@aggiemail.usu.edu