FRANKFORT, Ky. — There is a good climate in Kentucky for sheep and goat production. University of Kentucky (UK) sheep specialist Don Ely said production of the small ruminants in the state has been increasing significantly in the past years.

Ely is one of the teachers in new the Small Ruminant Profit School (SRPS) program offered by the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office (KSGDO). SRPS is a collaborative training effort of that office and the Kentucky Agriculture Development Fund, UK, Kentucky State University, the American Sheep Industry Assoc., the American Lamb Board and the National Sheep Improvement Institute Center.

The SRPS is a four-day class packed with knowledge that has been described as vital to the success of all goat and sheep operations. Its purpose is to help new and struggling producers in the state get off the ground as livestock farmers.

Anyone wanting to be part of the program this first time will need to hurry, as registration for the first session closes on Sept. 20. Registration is available online; so are scholarships. Details can be obtained by emailing Kelly Yates, who is director of KSGDO, at kyates@kysheepandgoat.org

Yates said the SRPS is designed for beginner goat and sheep producers. The material presented will cover the basics of facilities and equipment, industry trends, reproduction, genetics, parasites, general health and more. According to Yates, participants who complete all four classes should be able to create a production calendar for their farm.

"The best part," she said, "is any producers who have been in business for three years or less will receive a personal mentor to help expedite the implementation of what is learned in the classes."

According to Yates, there will be four classroom dates over a six-month period. The course material will be simulcast at sites in Montgomery, Hardin, Trimble and Warren counties. The dates are Oct. 4 and 25, Dec. 6 and March 14, 2015.

All showings, except for Oct. 25, will be at the extension offices in those counties. The Oct. 25 meeting will be in Cave City during the sheep and goat Annual Producer Conference.

Ely said the way this program works is if people go to four sessions they should be able to manage a sheep flock or goat herd. "The first three sessions that we do are pretty much basic stuff." he said. "You’ve got the breeds, you’ve got recordkeeping, facilities and management and equipment."

However, he said not all of these things are taught in one session. "There will be marketing, parasite management, foot management, health management and the basics of reproduction, and genetics and so forth."

Yates said cost for the course is $70 for members of the Kentucky Goat Producers Assoc. or the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Assoc. Non-members will pay $100 and get one year’s membership into the association of their choice. Registration for the program can be completed at www.kysheepandgoat.org/SRPS.html