This month (November 2013) the Department of Agriculture will host a series of workshops that will focus on the different facets of owning and raising goats in the Cayman Islands.

The three part Goat Workshop series is targeting local livestock farmers. Each course will take place at the Upstairs Pavilion on the Grounds at Lower Valley.

Courses being offered include:

•          Thursday, November 14th – 6:30pm-9:00pm – Upstairs Pavilion

o          “Goat Husbandry & Genetics” – Ms. Tiffany Scott & Mr. Ronald Green— (1hr 30 mins)

•          Topics: Goat husbandry; goat A.l. basics; breeding schedules; record keeping; marketing, supply & demand; NEW markets/niches; branding.

•          “Preparing Your Goat for Market” – Foster’s Meat Manager – Mr. Bruce Carlile—(30 mins)

•          Topics: Market prep; supermarket expectations; grading; quality

•          Thursday, November 21st – 6:30pm-9:00pm – Upstairs Pavilion

o          “Goat Health & Diseases in the Cayman Islands” – Dr. Kanyuira Gikonyo & Dr. Samantha Dorman

•          Topics: Goat herd health; goat diseases (parasitism, urolithiasis, and pregnancy toxaemia)

•          Saturday, November 23rd – 9.00am-12.00pm Practical event

o          “Goat Handling and Maintenance” at the CIAS Goat Pens — Dr. Dorman, Ms. Scott, Mr. Green, Mr. Myrie

•          Topics: A.I. in goats; hoof care; drenching for internal parasites; FAMACHA grading; Body Condition Scoring; tagging.

Registration is required and should be completed by 12 November 2013. For more information please contact Tiffany Scott at 947-3090 or at [email protected].

On Saturday 23, November 2013, the fun with goats continues for the whole family when the Grounds in Lower Valley hosts Goat Day. The lower pavilion will open up for the day, and planned activities include breakout tasting sessions for visitors to enjoy locally cooked goat.