STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Those interested in running a sheep or goat operation can learn management and marketing techniques at a March 17 workshop at Mississippi State University.

Register now for the Small Ruminant Production Workshop that runs from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is offered by the MSU Extension Service and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.

“Demand for goat and sheep meat, milk, cheese and hide has steadily increased in the United States during the last 10 years,” said Rocky Lemus, Extension forage specialist. “These small ruminants have a high economic value because they are efficient converters of low-quality forages into quality meat, milk and other specialty products.”

A preworkshop forage tour from 4 to 6 p.m. March 16 will allow participants to view the forage program at the MSU H.H. Leveck Animal Research Center. Workshop speakers include local producers and researchers from across the Southeast.

Workshop topics include nutrition, reproduction, marketing strategies, animal health, toxic plants, meat quality, integrated grazing management and farm assistance programs.

Registration is $30 per person before March 9 and $35 after that date. This fee covers lunch, refreshments and workshop materials.

For more information, contact Rocky Lemus at 662-325-7718 or rocky.lemus@msstate.edu. Register at http://www.pss.msstate.edu/workshops/ruminant.