Small Ruminant Workshop. 2018.

SSARE REPORT – Small Ruminant Small Ruminant Workshop. 2018. Starkville, MS. March 17. Participants herd presentations on (1) beginning a sheep/goat operation, (2) marketing strategies, (3) animal health, (4) nutrition, (5) reproduction, (6) integrated grazing management, (7) toxic plants, (8) meat quality, and (9) farm assistance programs. The topics were presented by Mississippi State University Extension Specialists, State and Federal Agencies and they were available to answer questions and provide detailed information in each of the subjects that were covered. There were total of 115 participants across 56 counties in Mississippi and Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Louisiana. Fifty-four percent of workshop participants (N= 115) were male and 46% female. Sixty-five percent of the respondents are under the age of 50. Participants were asked to complete a survey at the event of the event. In some cases, percentages do not total 100% due to differing number of respondents who answered land cover questions above. Twenty-four percent of the participants (N=72) indicated that agriculture is their primary occupation, and the rest are part-time farmers. Eighty-two percent of the attendees indicated that they have been in agriculture more less than 10 years and 43% are meat goat, 39% dairy goat, and 18% sheep. Participants indicated that they like to adopt the new management practices in their farms. Sixty-five percent plant to incorporate new forage varieties and 87% plant to do more routine inspection for parasites. Twenty-nine percent of the respondents also indicated that they knew some of the information presented at the event while 36% will use some of the information and 74% will use a lot of the information. On average, respondents indicated that would earn approximately $830 in additional income per individual based on the information received and the knowledge gained by attending this program. This expectation resulted in an approximate cash flow of $95,450. Participants were asked to rate the quality of instruction presented to them by the Extension faculty. They were rated using a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Instructors were found to be knowledgeable of the subject matter (4.85) and they also related content of the program to real-life situations (4.79). Participants indicated that the content was relevant to their needs (4.75) and was at understandable level (4.71). They also indicated that the content was well-organized (4.75) and based on credible, up-to-date information (4.76). Participants also indicated that attending the field day was worth their time (4.83) and they will recommend this program to others (4.83). They also indicated that they increased their knowledge (4.85) and learned new skills related to the topics covered (4.76). They also indicated that will use the information gained in this program (4.82) and will also provide information to others (4.81). Sixty-seven percent of respondents indicated that the information presented met a lot of their expectations. Most of the respondents learned about the event though Facebook (25%), a friend/colleague (20%), and their local Extension Office (55%).