2010 Caprine Outing

2010 CAPRINE OUTING is September 17-19, 2010 at 4-H Camp Owahta, Solon, NY

Caprine Outing is a 3-day goat workshop held every two years sponsored by the Cornell Department of Animal Science and Cornell Cooperative Extension. This year it will be on September 17-19 at 4-H Camp Owahta in Solon, NY, about 12 miles from Cortland.

We’ll have several new speakers as well as old favorites present this year. Brett Chedzoy will talk on “silvopasturing”, combining tree production with forage and livestock production. He’ll focus on what tree crops produce well when planted into an established pasture and how to select and establish forage grasses and legumes under mature trees. Steve Olson will conduct a “Barbecuing your Goat” workshop that starts with cutting up a carcass and ends up on the grill. Steve raises meat goats and recently retired from the Ag. Marketing Service division of USDA and helped develop the Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications for goat meat. Superior Semen Works will again offer an Intensive Artificial Insemination Course during the outing for $45 per person. Spaces are limited in their workshop so please sign up quickly if you want to attend that workshop. Contact them directly at (603) 512-5546 or superiorsemenworks@yahoo.com if you plan to buy semen straws from them or hope to get a doe inseminated or a buck collected during the outing.

Farmers who attend the Integrated Parasite Management workshops and participate in the “How to do fecals and FAMACHA scoring “ practical will be able to obtain FAMACHA certification and charts for $9.00.

The facilities at 4-H Camp Owahta are beautiful but rustic. Sleeping arrangements range from large cabins with electricity and sometimes wood heat to covered unheated lean-tos that house 8 to 10 people. Almost all beds are bunk beds. There are a few small rooms with electricity available. Private tents and campers are permitted on the premises. The dining hall is large and warm and our other main workshop room is equipped with wood heat. Bathrooms are modern and showers have hot water. There is a large covered pavilion and two small tent pavilions for activities with live goats, so we should be able to stay dry regardless of weather. However, if you prefer less rustic housing we have blocked rooms at the Ramada Inn (2 River Street, Cortland, Ph: 607-756-4431) for $85/room (singles or doubles) plus tax. To get the blocked rates, you need to make your reservations by August 19th and state that you are with “Caprine Outing.” You can also call the Cortland Area Innkeepers Association (1-800-314-4667) to see if local Bed and Breakfasts have rooms available. Be sure to bring flashlights, sleeping bags and towels if staying at the camp. Bring rain gear regardless.

As well as our regular workshop series during Caprine Outing, we’ll offer 4 classes just for teens and young adults, 3 hands-on workshops for 9 to 12 year olds and a Children’s Program for the 9 and under crowd (runs from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm on Saturday). If you have children with no interest in these activities and will be unable to supervise them yourself, please reconsider bringing them. Refer to the NY 4-H Goat website at http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/4H/goats/CaprineOuting.pdf starting Aug 8th for future refinements to the Caprine Outing schedule and names of workshop leaders.

The meal on Friday night is potluck and includes a Goat Dish Cook-Off. To participate in the Cook-off, prepare your favorite dish that includes an edible goat product and bring a copy of the recipe. There will be a raffle on Sunday so please start thinking of items to make or donate for the raffle.

Please note that registrations need to be postmarked by Sept.4th. This year more than ever we need your help with donations of food, woodshop supplies, raffle items, time/labor etc. Raising sheep and goats can be challenging. Learning from others and in turn sharing your own experiences helps to make it all the more rewarding.