A GOAT SEMINAR, aimed at proper rearing, management and nutritional techniques and disease prevention and control strategies, was hosted recently by the Jamaica Veterinary Medical Association (JVMA) and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Held at Hotel Versalles in May Pen, Clarendon, Goat Seminar 2000 drew approximately 250 farmers from St. Catherine, St. Elizabeth, Clarendon, St. Mary and Kingston and St. Andrew and representatives of the Goat Breeders Society, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), the Eastern Agricultural Support Programme (EASP) and providers of animal feed.
Dr. Michael Whittingham, president of the JVMA said that the seminar was aimed at improving the quality of goat production in Jamaica by making farmers aware of several factors which could and were affecting the quality of their livestock.
JVMA chose central Jamaica as the workshop venue because the area has a large concentration of goat farmers.
Dr. Barbara Johnson, a research specialist at the International Goat Research Centre, told the seminar that it was necessary when rearing goats to observe the animals keenly, as goats did not immediately display signs of many common diseases.
