LSU AgCenter graduates first Master Goat Producer Program class Writer: Olivia McClure at 225-578-3262 or omcclure@agcenter.lsu.edu (05/01/19) BATON ROUGE, La. — More than 20 people were named Master Goat Producers on April 27 after completing a new LSU AgCenter training program. Participants in the Master Goat Producer Program attended three daylong classes that featured lessons and demonstrations by fellow goat producers and AgCenter and LSU School of Veterinary Medicine personnel. They covered topics such as facilities, fencing and equipment; breeds, reproduction and genetics; grooming; health and nutrition; marketing goat products; and 4-H programs. “Those who graduated this class and who are interested can participate in a goat educational trip to Oklahoma in August to several producer farms, Reproductive Enterprises, Inc. and Langston University Small Ruminant Research Center,” said Rodney Johnson, livestock specialist for the AgCenter Central Region. The trip will be Aug. 9 to 11. The Master Goat Producer Program is one of several AgCenter programs — including the Master Farmer Program, the Master Cattleman Program and the Master Gardener Program — that help people in agriculture improve their skills and network with one another. Those who finish the programs are designated “masters” of their respective disciplines. Graduates of the first Master Goat Producer session are: Stacey Baker, Caddo Parish, Benny Bell, Sabine Parish, Marion Bell, Sabine Parish, Chris Bennett, LaSalle Parish, David Dixon, East Carroll Parish, Lauren Dodds, Lincoln Parish, Dale Anne Dupre, Acadia Parish, Kristina Haltom, Caddo Parish, Jane Hernandez, Washington Parish, Charles Hoffpauir, Beauregard Parish, Monique Ledet, St. Landry Parish, Nathan Miller, Washington Parish, Sydni Noakes, Grant Parish, Robert Richard, Lafayette Parish, Kay Stough, Caddo Parish, Teresa Talley, Washington Parish, Carly Talley, Washington Parish, Kristy Trahan, Vermilion Parish, Mackenzie Umling, Caddo Parish, Debbie Vosloh, St. Charles Parish, Angela Zigler, East Baton Rouge Parish, Henry Zigler, East Baton Rouge Parish, AgCenter 4-H agent Hannah Devall, St. Martin Parish, AgCenter 4-H agent Mike LaVergne, Beauregard Parish.
Johnson is now planning a second round of Master Goat Producer classes. Meetings will be at Reese Hall at the Louisiana Tech University farm, 1501 Reese Drive in Ruston, on Aug. 17, Aug. 24 and Sept. 28. The following sessions must be attended to become Master Goat Producer certified: August 17, 2019 Facilities, Fencing, Equipment, Predators, 4-H offerings & requirements, Behavior, Breeds & Selection, August 24, 2019 Genetics, Reproduction & Breeding, Health (dehorning, hoof trimming, collecting fecal sample and egg counts), carcass quality, September 28, 2019Nutrition, Forages, Silvopasture, Marketing, End Production (soaps, lotions, milk, meat), Food safety and Preparation, record keeping. Registration costs $125, and participants must attend all three meetings to become a certified Master Goat Producer. Contact Johnson atRJohnson@agcenter.lsu.edu or 318-767-3968 to sign up.