2026 Alabama Goat and Sheep Summit

2026 Alabama Goat and Sheep Summit
Building Healthy Flocks and Profitable Farms
Saturday, November 21, 2026, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location:
Join us on campus at Alabama A&M University
James I. Dawson Building
4900 Meridian Street North
Huntsville, AL 35810
The 2026 Alabama Goat and Sheep Summit is an annual event that brings the goat and sheep community together to focus on the latest practices impacting the small ruminant industry.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Livestock farmers, forestland owners, students of all ages, and anyone considering raising goats.
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REGISTRATION
Admission is free, but registration is required to provide adequate refreshments and lunch. Register online at www.aces.edu/go/6641
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TOPICS
• Practical Strategies for Disease Prevention
• Improving Profitability through Production Practices
• Value-Added Products for Producers
• Rotational Grazing and Forage Management
• Preventing Poisoning in Grazing
• Hoof Health, Body Condition Scoring, & Drug Administration
• Artificial Intelligence & Digital Technologies for Health Monitoring
• Exploring Careers in Agriculture

The Alabama Goat and Sheep Summit will feature exciting activities and exhibits by partners and Alabama Extension staff. It is also a great time to network with other regional goat and sheep producers.
Students of all ages are welcome with breakout sessions designed specifically for them.
We hope to see you there!
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TENTATIVE AGENDA
Presiding Dr. Jennifer Wells-Marshall, Extension Associate Director, Alabama A&M University (AAMU)
• 8:00 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m. Welcome & Opening Remarks
• 9:10 a.m. Summit Overview and Opening Address
• 9:20 a.m. Plenary Sessions
- Building Resilient and Profitable Sheep and Goat Enterprises
- Building Biosecure Sheep and Goat Farms: Practical Strategies for Disease Prevention
- Improving Farm Profitability through Sustainable Production Practices
- Emerging Market Opportunities and Value-Added Products for Small Ruminant Producers
• 10:30 a.m. Coffee Break, Exhibits and Networking
• 11:10 a.m. Concurrent Field Demonstrations
Location: The People’s Patch Community Farm
• 12:30 p.m. Lunch - Networking and Exhibit Viewing
• 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Youth and Adult Breakout Sessions
• 3:00 p.m. Depart
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FIELD SESSION OPTIONS
Option 1: Pasture, Nutrition and Sustainable Grazing Systems
• Silvopasture Systems for Improved Animal Performance and Farm Sustainability
• Improving Pasture Productivity through Rotational Grazing and Forage Management
• Recognizing Toxic Plants and Preventing Poisoning in Grazing Sheep and Goats
• Smart Fencing Technologies for Efficient Grazing Management
Option 2: Animal Health and Biosecurity Demonstrations
• Biosecurity Best Practices for Preventing Disease Introduction and Spread
• Hoof Health, Body Condition Scoring and Practical Drug Administration
• FAMACHA®, Fecal Egg Counts and Integrated Parasite Management
• Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies for Small Ruminant Health Monitoring
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BREAKOUT SESSIONS
YOUTH
• 12:30 p.m. Careers in Animal Agriculture & Veterinary Sciences
• 1:00 p.m. Hands-On Agricultural STEM Activities
• 2:30 p.m. Wrap-Up and Evaluation
ADULTS
• 1:00 p.m. New World Screwworm: Identification, Surveillance, Reporting and Prevention
• 1:30 p.m. Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies for Small Ruminant Health Monitoring
• 2:00 p.m. Producer Panel Discussion - Building Healthy Flocks and Profitable Farms
• 2:40 p.m. Wrap Up and Evaluation
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The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator, employer, and provider. If you need a reasonable accommodation or free language access services, contact Felix Samuel at [email protected] by 10/31/2026.