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FRANKFORT, Ky. — October has been proclaimed Goat Production Month in Kentucky in recognition of the Commonwealth’s fastest-growing agricultural industry.
“Kentucky has become a national leader in goat production,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “Kentucky already is well-known for the quality of our goats. Congratulations to our goat producers for this well-deserved honor.”
“We are excited and honored that Kentucky’s goat producers are being recognized for the tremendous growth of our industry,” said Shawn Harper, president of the Kentucky Goat Producers Association. “This honor recognizes that goats are a viable industry in the state.”
Governor Ernie Fletcher issued the proclamation earlier this month.
The proclamation continued a streak of good news for Kentucky’s goat industry. The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board on Friday awarded a $184,000 grant to establish the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office to promote the sheep and goat industries, coordinate producer education and monitor state and national issues affecting the industries. In August, goats were included for the first time in the 4-H/FFA Sale of Champions at the Kentucky State Fair.
An estimated 5,000 Kentucky farms raise goats. The industry has skyrocketed in Kentucky as a result of growing demand from the United States’ ethnic population. Some Kentucky farmers have turned to goats as an alternative to tobacco production. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture led the way in establishing regional goat markets and Tel-O-Auctions to spur goat sales. The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board has awarded $318,918 to the Goat and Sheep Diversification Program this year, and the Goat Diversification Program received $3,219,784 from 2001-2005.
The Kentucky office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service estimated Kentucky’s goat population as of Jan. 1 at 74,000, 6 percent higher than the 2005 estimate of 70,000 and fifth in the nation.
The Kentucky Goat Producers Association will hold its annual meeting Oct. 21 at the Franklin County Extension Office in Frankfort. Featured speakers include Tess Caudill, the KDA’s goat marketing specialist; Dr. Frank Pinkerton, a columnist and retired Texas Extension goat specialist; Dr. Richard Browning of Tennessee State University and the American Meat Goat Association; and Terry Hutchins, University of Kentucky Extension goat specialist. A pre-registration form is available at the Kentucky Goat Producers Association’s Web site, www.kentuckygpa.com.
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