Contact: Brenda Postels, U of M Extension, (763)-682-7381, Post0060@umn.edu

Attend 2008 All Goat Expo

ST. PAUL, Minn. (4/15/2008) — The Minnesota Meat Goat Producers, University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture are pleased to bring you the Fourth Annual All Goat Expo. The expo will be held at the Stearns County fairgrounds in Sauk Centre, Minn. on May 3 and 4, 2008. 

Saturday, May 3, will be devoted to educational topics:

• Sandra Solaiman, author of "Simply Meat Goats" and Director of Small Ruminant Research in the Caprine Research Unit at Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Ala., will give an in-depth presentation on meat goats' mineral needs and overall health tips.
• Vern Thorp ofWindrush Farms, Oskaloosa, Iowa, will give a presentation on fitting and preparing goats for the show ring.
• Doug Glosser, a sanctioned judge of the American Boer Goat Association (ABGA), from Blakesburg, Iowa,  will explain how to show meat goats and what a judge looks for in both conformation and showmanship competition. 
• Brenda Postels, Extension educator in Wright County, Minn., will offer FAMACHA training, which is a method to monitor and control parasite loads in sheep and goats.

Cost for the clinic, which includes lunch, is $40 per adult; $25 for ages 17 and under, if registered by Apr. 30. Add $5 if registering after Apr. 30.

Sunday, May 4 is FREE to the public and features an ABGA-Sanctioned Meat Goat Show. The official judge for the show is Doug Glosser, Blakesburg, Iowa. The show includes classes for junior exhibitors as well as an open show. Classes are for junior and senior does and bucks. Wethers will be weighed and shown by weight class. Premiums paid to fifth place in individual classes. Entries must be in place by Apr. 15.

In addition to the show there will be vendors, demonstrations, a “Fun with Your Goat” obstacle course, photo contest and a pen sale. The private treaty pen sale is open to any meat goat producer.

For complete information about the MMGP Meat Goat Expo, please contact
Heidi Greniger at (320) 963-5430 or justkiddinggoatfarm@hotmail.com or visit the website www.mmgponline.com.