The Agriculture Department invites shipments of goats and sheep for the August auction during PSU Agricultural Progress Days; Experts to share their knowledge during the pre-sale day

​Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – The The Pennsylvania State Department of Agriculture Livestock Assessment Center invites shipments of breeding sheep and goats to be sold at an auction Aug. 11 during Penn State Ag Progress Days in Pennsylvania Furnace, Center County.

Prior to the 6:00 p.m. sale, the department will join the PSU College of Agricultural Sciences, Delaware Valley University, and the PA Sheep and Wool Growers Association to host a field day beginning at 1:00 p.m. where national experts will share information. peak. methods to protect your flock and raise the highest quality sheep and goats.

“Ag Progress Days doesn’t just put your breeding stock in front of a large gathering of key buyers,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “The auction and field day are opportunities to improve your herd and protect the health of your animals and your investment with the latest insights from regional and national experts.”

The sale and field day will be held at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Livestock Assessment Center on the grounds of the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center, where Ag Progress Days are held each August . Both events are free and open to the public.

Ag Progress Days attracts more than 400 U.S. and Canadian exhibitors and tens of thousands of farm families connecting with each other and exploring the latest farm management research, technologies, equipment and practices.

Beginning at 1:00 p.m., the Sheep and Goats Field Day will include presentations on:

• Small Ruminant Quality Assurance by William Fritz, Ph.D., Delaware Valley University
• Veterinary Client-Patient Relations by Roselle Busch, DVM, University of California, Davis
• Choosing Your Way Out of Pest Problems and Potential Consequences by Scott A. Bowdridge, Ph.D., of the University of West Virginia
• Marketing Lambs and Kids in Pennsylvania by Camren Maierle of Penn State Extension and a panel of sheep and goat buyers

Submissions of goats, rams, hinds and breeding ewes, born between September 1, 2020 and March 31, 2022 are invited. Purebred animals must have registration certificates. Each animal must have scrapie identification and a veterinary inspection certificate signed by an accredited veterinarian. The attending veterinarian will inspect shipments upon delivery to the Livestock Assessment Center.

Shipments must weigh at least 40 pounds upon entry. Animals will be assessed to ensure the quality of shipments offered for sale. Animals can also be weighed and measured on arrival for additional information on the day of the sale. Shipments must be delivered to the Livestock Assessment Center on sale day, Thursday, August 11, 2022, between 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Entries must be registered by Friday, July 15 to be included in the printed catalog. Late submissions will be accepted until Friday August 5th. The center will assess a shipping charge of $25 per head, plus a 6.5% commission on all animals sold. The consignment registration form along with a check covering consignment fees payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania can be mailed to the PA Livestock Evaluation Center, 1494 W. Pine Grove Road, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA 16865.

Visit agriculture.pa.gov for more information on the sale and a complete sheep and goat field day schedule, or contact Livestock Assessment Center Director Greg Hubbard at 814-238-2527 or ghubbard@ pa.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT: Shannon Powers, [email protected], 717.603.2056

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