Jerusalem Ridge Farms

The sun refused to shine bright for University of Kentucky?s 2006 All-Commodity Field Day at Robinson Station, near the community of Quicksand in Breathitt County on September 28.    In fact, the weather was pretty miserable - rainy and cold - but it really didn't seem to dampen anyone's enthusiasm.

Thirty-five or so participants in the Goat Production workshop braved the elements back and forth between the tent and the barn at Sebastian Farm to hear a variety of speakers, including Dr. Patty Scharko of the UK Diagnostic Lab and Dr. Richard Browning who heads the goat research at Tennessee State University and serves as a director of the American Meat Goat Association.  Dr. Browning talked about TSU's ongoing breed evaluation research but noted that his program would be completely different at the KGPA Annual Meeting and encouraged those attending to join him at the meeting.

Additionally, Kentucky Department of Agriculture's goat marketing specialist Tess Caudill provided an update on the status of goat marketing efforts in the Commonwealth and UK's goat extension specialist Terry Hutchens talked about nutrition and mineral recommendations.  Dr. Ken Andries of Kentucky State University talked about fencing and host Brandon Sears, UK extension associate, talked about the forage research taking place at Robinson Station and the cattle co-grazing project that's just begun on the Sebastian Farm.

I can't say enough good things about Brandon Sears.  The UK and KSU extension folks are all working hard to help Kentucky retain its prominence in the goat industry, but this young man is really dedicated  to the cause.  To underscore UK's envolvement, Dr. Robert Harmon, chair of the UK Department of Animal Sciences spent the day in the rain with us.  Dr. Harmon and Dr. Jimmy Hennning have both been actively involved with the industry and can be credited with the first Kentucky Goat and Sheep Summit last spring.

On Saturday, September 30, Robinson Station hosted the 2006 Pride of the Mountains Goat Show, sanctioned by the International Boer Goat Association.