NOT YOUR TYPICAL LAMB: SUNBELT EXPO TO INTRODUCE TROPICAL "HAIR" SHEEP BREED
MOULTRIE, GA---As people from other cultures have moved to the United States, they have brought their meat preferences with them. There is a growing demand for sheep meat (lamb or mutton) from Mid-Eastern immigrants. To meet this demand, U.S. producers are looking for breeds that will thrive in this country.
“The traditional wool sheep from Europe can’t take the heat and humidity, and must be sheared,” said Dr. Seyedmehdi Mobini of Ft. Valley State University. “The Hair breed comes from a tropical area and sheds hair, which makes it more appealing to warmer environments.”
Visitors to the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition October 16-18 this year will be able to see the Hair sheep breed in the Small Ruminant Section of the show.
Small Ruminants are sheep, goats, llama, alpaca, deer and elk. In the past and again this year, the Sunbelt Expo will showcase a wide variety of meat goat and dairy breeds.
“The demand for goat meat, milk, and cheese remains strong and is creating an industry,” Mobini said.
Goat meat, long popular in other countries, has found additional following here as a low-fat, low-cholesterol alternative. Goat milk is another alternative for infants or those who are allergic to cow’s milk. And, goat cheese is adding its distinctive flavor to our restaurant and home menus.
Fort Valley State --renowned for its sheep and goat specialists --is now performing sheep genetic testing for desirable wool/hair qualities and developing value-added goat products--processed meats, bottled milk, and dairy cheese. In conjunction with the Small Ruminant Section, the college tent will offer goat product samples (meat and cheese) to Sunbelt Expo visitors.
Herd Health demonstrations will also be held five times throughout each day of the Expo 10:30 & 11:30 a.m. and 12:30, 1:30, & 2:30 p.m. Health topics include parasite control, feeding and management, foot trimming, body clipping, and milking.
The Sunbelt Expo show hours are from 8:30 am to 5 pm Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 8:30 am to 4 pm on Thursday. The three-day show will be held at Spence Field; four miles southeast of US Hwy 319 on Highway 133 near Moultrie, GA. Admission is $5 per day, per person. Children under 6 are admitted free with a parent. For more information, visit www.sunbeltexpo.com or contact the Expo office at Telephone: (229) 985-1968, Fax: (229) 890-8518, E-mail: info@sunbeltexpo.com -- Address: 290-G Harper Blvd., Moultrie, GA. 31768.