2009 Conference

More than 60 producers and industry supporters attended the 2009 Nebraska Sheep & Goat Conference in Wahoo.

More than 60 producers and industry supporters attended the 2009 Nebraska Sheep & Goat Conference in Wahoo.

Not even a surprisingly strong storm system that dumped a foot of snow in some locations of the state could keep more than 60 producers and industry supporters from attending the 2009 Nebraska Sheep & Goat Conference — the joint annual convention of the Nebraska Sheep and Goat Producers and the Nebraska Dairy Goat Association — October 9-10 at the Heritage Inn in Wahoo, Nebraska.

“I really enjoyed the conference on Saturday. The speakers gave me much to think about. Thanks for all the work that went into it!” ~ Shelene Costello, Nebraska dairy goat producer

The event began the evening of Friday, October 9, with a General Membership meeting of the Nebraska Sheep and Goat Producers, and a complimentary pizza supper. There was much discussion about how to move the Nebraska sheep and goat industries forward. In addition, Alice Doane of Waverly, Nebraska, spoke about the status of the Nebraska Make It With Wool Contest.

On Saturday, the General Membership meeting of the Nebraska Sheep and Goat Producers continued from the evening before. Rolls were sponsored by Mid-States Wool Growers.

Morning speakers included:

  • Dr. G.F. Kennedy spoke on sheep management strategies.Dr. G.F. Kennedy, a renowned sheep veterinarian and founder/partner of Pipestone Veterinary Clinic out of Pipestone, Minnesota. He spoke about his perspective on various aspects of sheep management such as parasite control, castration, and vaginal prolaspse.
  • Dr. Ross Baker, a veterinarian with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture in Lincoln, Nebraska, and coordinator of Nebraska’s Locate in 48 program. He spoke about the reasons behind the National Animal Identification System, helping to clarify previous misunderstandings between producers and government officials.Dr. Ross Baker clarified points on the National Animal ID System.

Attendees then enjoyed a potluck lunch. Butch and Suzy Hassler of Sutton, Nebraska, provided the meat dish. Camille Gerkins of Randolph, Nebraska, won the award for the Best Dish with her lamb sloppy joe sandwiches.

The election of Eastern District Directors for the Nebraska Sheep and Goat Producers followed. Fritz Steinhoff and Ellis Nelson, both of Hartington, Nebraska, chose to step down after many years of service to the Board of Directors. The new slate of directors for the district, which includes the counties east of Highway 81, are:

  • incumbent and sheep producer Charles Reppert of Pender, Nebraska
  • sheep producer Al Weeder of Columbus, Nebraska
  • meat goat producer Deb Dauel of Malmo, Nebraska. 

Afternoon speakers included:

  • Alex McClure of South Hutchinson, Kansas, is a representative with the Mid-States Wool Growers. He spoke about trends in the wool industry and how the market has changed to one where sheep producers receive incentives for managing for wool quality.
  • Suzy Hassler is a dairy goat producer from Sutton, Nebraska. She stepped in last minute to fill in for Doris Uphoff, a meat goat producer from Elwood, Nebraska, who was ill. Suzy gave a presentation on soap making.
  • Amy Jeanroy is a dairy goat producer from Ravenna, Nebraska. She spoke about using herbal medicine in her on-farm veterinary program. Amy Jeanroy spoke about using herbal medicine with her goats.

The General Membership meeting of the Nebraska Dairy Goat Association finished the conference.

And don’t forget…

Throughout the day, attendees were eligible to have their names drawn for a door prize provided by:

  • Goat milk soaps and more from Suzy Hassler of Sutton, Nebraska
  • Fiber products and more from Rhonda McClure of Wahoo, Nebraska
  • Veterinary books and supplies from Dr. G.F. Kennedy of Pipestone, Minnesota
  • Goat milk soaps and more from Amy Jeanroy of Ravenna, Nebraska.

Attendees also enjoyed a variety of informational booths, vendors, and informal demonstrations, including:

  • Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society
  • Mid-States Wool Growers
  • Double M’s Multi-Species Grazing
  • Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Awareness
  • Nebraska Sheep and Goat Producers
  • Nebraska Dairy Goat Association
  • Nebraska Environmental Action Coalition’s Mobile Meat Processing Unit
  • Spinning demonstration by Julie Becker of Mitchell, Nebraska
  • EweAndUs.com and felting demonstration by Rhonda McClure of Wahoo, Nebraska
  • Jewelry by Angela Smiley of Sutton, Nebraska.

Special thank-you goes to:

  • Nebraska Sheep and Goat Producers’ Eastern District Directors, especially Fritz Steinhoff of Hartington, Nebraska, for conference coordination
  • Nebraska Dairy Goat Association Directors, especially Angela Smiley of Sutton, Nebraska, for conference coordination
  • Suzy Hassler of Sutton, Nebraska, for providing gifts to speakers, and coordinating the door prizes and lunch
  • Mike Wallace of Nelson, Nebraska, for emceeing the conference
  • Mrs. Charles Reppert of Pender, Nebraska, for coordinating the Friday night pizza supper
  • Publicity efforts by Rhonda McClure of Wahoo, Nebraska; Mel and Doris Uphoff of Elwood, Nebraska; William Powers of Ceresco, Nebraska, and the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society; Juan and Jody Yanez of Ansley, Nebraska; and various media outlets.

A newspaper article on the conference, including a feature on Ravenna goat producer Amy Jeanroy with her herbal medicine presentation, was printed in the “Neighbors” weekend insert of the Yankton (S.D.) Daily Press & Dakotan.

A similar article was published in the fall newsletter of the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society.