LEBANON, Ohio — Twice a month experts in dairy goats criss-cross Ohio, spreading the dos and don’ts of goat caretaking. It’s an annual event that’s much in demand.

Last month representatives from the Ohio Dairy Goat Assoc. made a stop at the Warren County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, and interest was sky-high as more than 300 goat enthusiasts gathered. A general clinic and a youth clinic were provided at this one-day event.

“We hold these clinics throughout the state for a multiple of reasons,” said Lisa Begley, president of the Southwest Ohio Dairy Goat Assoc. (SWODGA) and vice president of the Ohio Dairy Goat Assoc. in Columbus. “It’s all about the proper care of the animal to ensure safety in the herd. Their health is top priority as the number of goats across the state and nation are on the rise.”

More than 57 percent of the nation’s dairy goats are produced in the top 10 states for production.

The number of milk goats in the United States rose 5.97 percent last year to 355,000, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported. Census figures indicate in the last two years the numbers have risen 9.9 percent, from 323,000 head in 2008.

Wisconsin continues to have the largest numbers of milk goats. The state’s inventory of does, bucks and kids totaled 46,000 head, up 6,000 from a year ago and up 11,000 from 2008. California and Texas round out the top three. Ohio ranks ninth in the nation in dairy goats.

According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, dairy goat milk and goat cheese continue to see slow, steady growth trends as consumers are becoming more aware of the higher protein and lower cholesterol levels in the products.

“Goat numbers are on the rise, and these clinics are vital,” Begley said.

“These clinics are all-inclusive, as it tells the attendee just about everything they need to know about goats, from learning how to make goat milk soap to how to perform your own blood test on your animal. Many goat owners attend to learn about the pesky parasites and how to identify them by learning how to perform fecal tests.”

Following a goat milk soap demonstration by Pat Fix and Martha Enriquez of Pine Lane Soaps, local goat expert Joel Smith gave a talk about dairy goat showmanship fitting, selection and care.

After lunch, a throng of goat owners lined up their animals to learn the art of drawing blood. Heading up this task was local veterinarian Steve Hubbard. This was followed by a fecal analysis, headed up by Annette Osborne of SWODGA and local veterinarian Carrie Belles.

“The idea behind the fecal analysis is to identify worms of parasites that affect the ruminant,” Osborne explained. “Based on what type of worm they’re affected with, that will lead you to the proper wormer to use. But if the egg count is really low and the animal is thriving and has good color and weight, no wormer is needed.”

Attendees were encouraged to bring in the animal’s fecal matter for analysis.

A mandatory quality assurance class for all species market or lactating livestock was given by goat expert Jim Wilson. Wilson also led instruction on pygmy goat showmanship, fitting, selection and care.

Local farmer Bernie Younkman led a demonstration on alpacas.