LANGSTON UNIVERSITY SHERMAN LEWIS SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES
Home of KIKA de la GARZA American Institute for Goat Research (AIGR)
NATIONAL GOAT CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 28 - 30, 2026 LANGSTON & EDMOND, OKLAHOMA
ADVANCING INNOVATION IN GOAT PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTS
2026 NATIONAL GOAT CONFERENCE (NGC26) Advancing Innovation in Goat Production and Value-Added Products September 28–30, 2026 | Langston & Edmond, Oklahoma
WELCOME FROM THE HOST INSTITUTION Dear NGC26 Attendees, Presenters, Partners and Friends, On behalf of Langston University, the Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences (SL/SAAS), and the E (Kika) de la Garza American Institute for Goat Research (AIGR), it is my distinct honor and great pleasure to welcome you to the 2026 National Goat Conference (NGC26). We are immensely proud to host this premier national convening in Edmond, Oklahoma, and on the Langston University campus, September 28–30, 2026, under the timely and inspiring theme, “Advancing Innovation in Goat Production and Value-Added Products.” As Oklahoma’s 1890 land-grant institution, Langston University carries forward a storied legacy of food and agricultural innovation, academic excellence, and community empowerment. For decades, our globally recognized American Institute for Goat Research has stood at the vanguard of small ruminant research, high-impact instruction, and responsive Cooperative Extension outreach. Hosting NGC26 provides a wonderful occasion to celebrate that tradition while collaboratively charting a bold, resilient roadmap for the future of the nation’s goat industry. Over these three dynamic days, you will experience a comprehensive program designed to bridge scientific inquiry with practical on-farm application. Our concurrent sessions address critical frontiers, including parasite control, genomic selection, reproductive biotechnologies, artificial intelligence, and precision livestock tools such as virtual fencing and automated sensor analytics. Additional sessions explore enterprise profitability, mobile meat processing, carcass value optimization, agritourism revenue diversification, and the evolving consumer preferences driving small ruminant demand. A centerpiece of our conference is Langston University Day on Tuesday, September 29, when we welcome you to our main campus and research farms. We encourage you to immerse yourselves in our interactive demonstrations, spanning artisanal cheesemaking at our pilot creamery, reproductive evaluations, diagnostic fecal egg counts, and breed showcases. On Wednesday, regional track tours will highlight Oklahoma’s commercial goat meat, dairy, fiber, and targeted grazing operations. Throughout the conference, I encourage you to visit our vendors and exhibitors, introduce yourself to someone you have not yet met, and complete your session surveys so that we can continue to strengthen this conference for the years ahead. An event of this scale is made possible through dynamic partnership. We extend our sincere gratitude to the National Goat Consortium, our fellow 1890 and 1862 land-grant universities, USDA-NIFA, USDA-APHIS, Southern SARE, state leaders, and our generous sponsors and exhibitors. I applaud President Ruth Ray Jackson, Ph.D., the Langston University administration, our LU NGC26 Steering Committee, and the faculty, staff, Extension specialists, and students whose tireless dedication brought this week to life. Thank you for bringing your knowledge, passion, and vision to Oklahoma. May your time here spark lasting collaborations, inspire innovative practices, and strengthen a vibrant, sustainable goat industry nationwide. Warm regards, Wesley L. Whittaker, Ph.D. Dean and Director of Land-Grant Programs Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences Langston University | Langston, Oklahoma
2026 National Goat Conference Agenda National Goat Conference 2026
Sunday, September 27, 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Sunday 9/27/26 (6:00-8PM) WELCOME Come-N-Go Reception-Ballroom -Hilton Garden Inn
Monday, September 28, 2026
7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
All American Breakfast Buffet-Hilton Garden Inn Location: Pre-Function Main Foyer
7:30 AM - 8:45 AM 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM
Monday Registration Hilton Garden Inn & Conference Center- Edmond, Oklahoma Opening Welcome to NGC26 Location: Ballroom 1 & 2 Speakers: Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson, Dr. Albert Essel, Dr. Olga Bolden-Tiller
9:15 AM - 9:30 AM
General Session Location: Ballroom 1 & 2
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Opening Plenary Session: Keynote Address Location: Ballrooms 1 & 2 Speaker: Dr. Roger Merkel
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Morning Break/Refreshments Exhibit Hall Hours Location: Pre-Function Main Foyer
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Morning Concurrent Session #1- | 10:30AM-11:00AM Goat Production in the Tropics: Adapting to Heat, Humidity, and Parasite Pressure 1 30 AM - 11:00 AM Location: Meeting Room 3A Speakers: Dr. Marine Lugo, Dr. Dereje Gulich
New World Screw Worm: What Goat Producers Need to Know 1 30 AM - 11:00 AM Location: Ballroom 3A and 3B Speakers: Dr. Alicia Gorczyca-Southerland, Dr. Tiffany Williams
Buck Fertility, Libido, and Their Role in Herd Reproductive Success 1 30 AM - 11:00 AM Location: Meeting Room 2 Speakers: Dr. Adel Moawad, Dr. Haji Akbar
Genetic Parameter Estimation and Genome-Wide Association Study of Fiber Characteristics for Cashmere Goats in the United States 1 30 AM - 11:00 AM Location: Meeting Room 3B & 3C Speakers: Dr. Megan Rolf, Dr. Allah Bakhsh
11:05 AM - 11:35 AM
Morning Concurrent Sessions #2 | 11:05AM-11:35AM Raising Goats in Silvopastures 1 05 AM - 11:35 AM Location: Meeting Room 3A Speakers: Dr. Uma Karki, Dr. Dereje Gulich
Can BioWorma Reverse On-Farm Worm Resistance? 1 05 AM - 11:35 AM Location: Ballroom 3A & 3B Speakers: Dr. Sanjok Poudel, Dr. Tiffany Williams
Estrus Synchronization in Goats Using CIDRs 1 05 AM - 11:35 AM Location: Meeting Room 2 Speakers: Nelson Escobar, Dr. Haji Akbar
LU Goat Dairy Herd Information (DHI) Program 1 05 AM - 11:35 AM Location: Meeting Room 3B & 3C Speakers: Dr. Hirut Tejeji, Dr. Allah Bakhsh
11:40 AM - 12:10 PM
Morning Concurrent Breakout Session #3 | 11:40AM-12:10PM Goat Nutrition and LINC Nutrient Calculator 11:40 AM - 12:10 PM Location: Meeting Room 3A Speakers: Dr. Amlan Patra, Dr. Dereje Gulich
Health Q&A with Experts (Panel: Dr. Kwame Matthews and Dr. Sanjok Poudel) 11:40 AM - 12:10 PM Location: Ballroom 3A and 3B Speakers: Dr. Kwame Matthews, Dr. Sanjok Poudel, Dr. Tiffany Williams
Genetic Strategies to Enhance Doe Productivity and Kid Crop Outcomes 11:40 AM - 12:10 PM Location: Meeting Room 2 Speakers: Dr. Richard Browning, Dr. Haji Akbar
From Farm to Table: Expanding Small Ruminant Processing with Mobile Processing Units (Panel) 11:40 AM - 12:10 PM Location: Meeting Room 3B & 3C Speakers: Dr. Dahlia O’Brien, Dr. Derris Burnett, Dr. Allah Bakhsh
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Luncheon & Featured Keynote Speaker | 12:30PM - 1:25PM Regenerative Agriculture and the Role of Goats- Keynote 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Speaker: Dr. Hugh Aljoe
1:25 PM - 1:45 PM
VISIT VENDORS-Exhibit Hall
1:45 PM - 2:35 PM
Afternoon Concurrent Sessions #1 | 1:45PM - 2:35PM Animal Geneticist Using AI to Boost Goat Health 1:45 PM - 2:15 PM Location: Meeting Room 2 Speakers: Dr. Worku Mulumebet, Dr. Sudip Kunwar
Targeted Grazing with Goats: Managing Unwanted Vegetation Effectively 1:45 PM - 2:35 PM Location: Meeting Room 3B & 3C Speakers: Ms. Mary Bowen, Dr. Amandeep Kaur
Optimizing Carcass Value: Turning Goat Meat into a Premium Product 1:45 PM - 2:35 PM Location: Meeting Room 3A Speakers: Dr. Jason Apple, Dr. Carlos Alvarado
PANEL: Building the Small Ruminant Workforce:Training, Challenges and Opportunities 1:45 PM - 2:35 PM Location: Ballroom 3A & 3B Speakers: Dr. Ralph Noble, Dr. Ray McKinnie, Dr. Olga Bolden-Tiller, Cedrick Shili
2:20 PM - 2:50 PM
Can a Camera Help?Practical Artificial Intelligence for Better Herd Decisions 2:20PM -2:50PM Location: Meeting Room 2 Speaker: Isabella Condotta ; Moderator: Dr. Sudip Kunwar
2:40 PM - 3:30 PM Afternoon Concurrent Session #2 | 2:40PM - 3:30PM Making Profit with Goats 2:40 PM - 3:30 PM Location: Meeting Room 3A Speakers: Mr. Dewayne Hall, Dr. Carlos Alvarado
Buck Performance Test and the Benefits for Producers 2:40 PM - 3:30 PM Location: Ballroom 3A & 3B Speakers: Dr. Leyla Rios, Dr. Diwakar Vyas, Cedrick Shili
Goat Marketing Insights: What Recent Producer Surveys Reveal About Opportunities & Challenges 2:40 PM - 3:30 PM Location: Meeting Room 3B & 3C Speakers: Dr. Uma Kark, Dr. Angela Mackenzie, Dr. Amandeep Kaur
Virtual Fencing in Goats: Exploring the Use of E-Collars for Modern Herd Management 2:55 PM - 3:30 PM Location: Meeting Room 2 Speakers: Dr. Meg Greski, Dr. Sudip Kunwar
3:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Afternoon Break with Refreshments | 3:30PM - 3:45PM Location: Pre-Function Main Foyer
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM
Afternoon Concurrent Sessions #3 | 3:45pm - 4:30pm Precision Goat Production: Using Sensors, Data Analytics, and AI to Optimize Performance 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM Location: Meeting Room 2 Speakers: Dr. Thomas H. Terrill,Dr. Sudip Kunwar
Consumer Preferences for Goat Meat: What Drives Demand 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM Location: Meeting Room 3B & 3C Speakers: Dr. Nirodha DeSilva, Dr. Amandeep Kaur
Farm camps and agritourism as practical strategies for farm diversification and revenue generation 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM Location: Meeting Room 3A Speakers: Ms. Mary Bowen, Dr. Carlos Alvarado
Reaching Producers Where They Are: Using Webinars for Small Ruminant Education and Outreach 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM Location: Ballroom 3A & 3B Speakers: Dr. Homero Salinas-Gonzales, Cedrick Shili
4:00 PM - 5:45 PM
NGC Business Meeting & Nominations (Only NGC Board Members) Location: Ballroom 3C
4:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Village Travel Transport from Hilton Garden Inn to Fairfield Inn& Hampton Inn Location: Pick up at the Hilton Garden Inn|Conference Center Entrance: departs at 4:45PM
5:45 PM - 6:00 PM
Village Travel Transport from Hilton Garden Inn to Fairfield Inn& Hampton Inn Location: Pick up at each hotel:loading at 5:45pm departure at 6:00PM
6:00 PM - 6:25 PM
NGC Banquet : Social Media Wall Photo Location: Ballroom
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
NGC Conference Banquet- Evening Keynote Speaker-Dr. A. Green Miller Location: Ballroom Speakers: Dr. Wesley Whittaker, Dr. Angela Green-Miller
8:00 PM - 8:15 PM
Village Travel Bus Transport from Hilton Garden Inn to Fairfield Inn/Hampton Inn Location: Pick up in front of each hotel-departs at 8:15PM
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 7:00 AM - 7:15 AM
Bus Transport from Fairfield Inn & Hampton Inn to Hilton Garden Inn Location: Pick up in front of each hotel
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Continental Breakfast-Hilton Garden Inn Location: Meeting Room 3A
Registration Hilton Garden Inn 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Location: Pre-Function Main Foyer
8:00 AM - 8:15 AM
NGC26- Bus Departs 8:00AM for Langston University Campus Day Chartered Bus Loading- Hilton Garden Inn Parking Lot West 8:00 AM - 8:10 AM
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Langston University Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture & Applied Sciences Tours LU-SL/SAAS South Farm 9 00 AM - 11:00 AM
LU-SL/SAAS -Horticulture Education Research Center|Drones|Apiary 9 00 AM - 11:00 AM
E Holloway Agricultural Research Extension & Academics Center
9 00 AM - 11:00 AM
LU-SL/SAAS Main Farm 9 00 AM - 11:00 AM
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Greetings to LU-SL/SAAS Location: Main Building Tour Speaker: Dr. Kanyand Matand
11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Posters with Presenters - All Day Location: E.L. Holloway Agricultural Research, Education & Extension Center
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch: LU Atrium & Multipurpose – Wear Your Wristband & Name Badge for Entry Location: Langston University Atrium & MultiPurpose Gym
1:30 PM - 4:20 PM
LU-DAY-Afternoon Sessions #1 | 1:30PM - 2:20PM Basic Herd Health 1 30 PM - 2:20 PM Location: Working Room of the South Barn Speaker: Dr. Lionel Dawson
Meat Processing-Mobile Unit 1 30 PM - 4:20 PM Location: South Farm Speaker: Dr. Derris Burnett
Walking Tour of AIGR Goat Breeds 1 30 PM - 4:20 PM Location: South Farm Pastures-On Your Own
Semen Collection and Evaluation 1 30 PM - 2:20 PM Location: Main Farm Speaker: Mr. Les Hutchens
Dairy Goat Breeding and Management –Open come and go discussions 1 30 PM - 4:20 PM Location: Main Farm Speaker: Farm Staff
Cheesemaking 1 30 PM - 3:20 PM Location: Main Farm Speaker: Dr. Carlos Alvarado
Fecal Egg Counts and Packed Cell Volume 1 30 PM - 2:20 PM Location: E.L. Holloway Room 200 Speaker: Dr. Adekayode Sonibare
Goat Milk Soap Making 1 30 PM - 2:20 PM Location: E.L. Holloway Room 405 Speaker: Mrs.. Krystle Robinson-Hershey
Using Dairy Goats in Cheetah Conservation Efforts 1 30 PM - 2:00 PM Location: E.L. Holloway Room 331 Speaker: Dr. Laurie Marker
USDA Meet & Greet: Q&A 1 30 PM - 4:20 PM Location: E.L. Holloway 334
Electronet Fencing 1 30 PM - 4:20 PM Location: E.L. Holloway Lawn Speakers: Ms. Mary Powell, Dr. Dereje Gulich
Pack Goats 1 30 PM - 2:20 PM Location: Visit the Tent across from E.L. Holloway Speaker: Mr. Dwite Sharp
2:30 PM - 4:20 PM
LU-DAY-Afternoon Sessions #2| 2:30PM - 4:20PM Injections, Tubing, and Blood Collection 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM Location: Working Room of the South Barn Speaker: Dr. Lionel Dawson
Loin Eye Ultrasound Demonstration 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM Location: Pen of South Barn Speaker: Dr. Tumen Wuliji
Artificial Insemination, Splash Breeding and Transcervical Insemination 2:30 PM - 4:20 PM Location: Arena-Main Farm Speaker: Mr. Les Hutchens
Dairy Herd Information 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM Location: Dairy Herd Information Lab Speaker: Dr. Hirut Tejeji
Goat Meat Cooking/Goat Jerky 2:30 PM - 4:20 PM Location: E.L. Holloway 406 Speakers: Dr. Tiffany Williams, Ms. Keisha Scott
Lab Tours 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM Location: Research Laboratories Speaker: Dr. Haji Akbar
Pack Goats 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM Location: Visit the Tent across from E.L. Holloway Speaker: Mr. Dwite Sharp
3:30 PM - 4:20 PM
LU-DAY-Afternoon Sessions #3 | 3:30PM - 4:20PM Pack Goats-Located in the Tent across from E.L. Holloway 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM Location: Visit the Tent across from E.L. Holloway Speaker: Mr. Dwite Sharp
Basic Herd Health 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM Location: Working Room of the South Barn Speaker: Dr. Lionel Dawson
Portable Ultrasound 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM Location: Pen of South Barn Speaker: Dr. Adekayode Sonibare
Tanning Goatskins 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM Location: Alley in Old Barn Speaker: Dr. Roger Merkel
Dairy Herd Information Laboratory 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM Location: Dairy Herd Information Laboratory (DHI LAB) Speaker: Dr. Hirut Tejeji
Goat Milk Soap Making 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM Location: E.L. Holloway Room 405 Speaker: Mrs.. Krystle Robinson-Hershey
Lab Tours 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM Location: Research Laboratories Speaker: Dr. Haji Akbar
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Dinner: Bistro 46 Food Truck –Pick up Ticket at LU-SL/SAAS & Wear Your Name Badge Location: EAST PARKINGLOT- E.L. Holloway Agricultural Research, Education & Extension Center-Enjoy Goat Burger & Goat Curry!
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 7:00 AM - 7:15 AM
Village Travel Transport from Fairfield Inn & Hampton Inn to Hilton Garden Inn Location: Pick up in front of each hotel-departs at 7:15AM
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Continental Breakfast-Hilton Garden Inn Location: Meeting Room 3A
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
NGC Tours | Chartered Buses Loading 8:00AM -3:00PM Fiber Goat Track Tour: Myers Family Farm-Sapulpa, Oklahoma 8:15 AM - 3:00 PM Location: Sapulpa , Oklahoma
Meat Goat Track Tour- Howard Sheep & Cattle Company 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Meat Goat Track Tour: Pfeiffer Farms-Mulhall, Oklahoma 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Goats for Vegetation Management Workshop /Tour 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM Location: Lima & Seminole, Oklahoma
Dairy Goat Track Tour-Prairie Thyme Farm 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Location: Newalla, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City Cultural Tour- National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum | Bombing Memorial 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM Location: Oklahoma City, OK
NCG 2026 Committees Co-Chairs: Dr. Carlos Alvarado & Dr. Roger Merkel
Subcommittees PR/Registration/Hotel Mrs. Sonya Moore-Davis - Chair Ms. Jewellena Golden Mr. Ali Lounis Ms. Linda Castro Dr. Rashell Campbell-Daughty Mr. Dezz Lewis
Mr. Dawit Woldemariam - Chair Dr. Zaisen Wang – Co-chair Mr. Gemechu Taffa Dr. Yonathan Tilahun Dr. Kamal Gosh
Dr. Carlos Alvarado - Chair Dr. Bolanle Atilola Ms. Keisha Scott Ms. Krystal Parker Ms. Shannon Briggs
Volunteers
Logistics/Transportation
Dr. Emisha Maytubby - Chair Ms. Susanna Palipogu - Co-chair Ms. Dorothy Wilson Ms. Michelle Malone Ms. Ty Frederick Mr. Melvin Williams Ms. Shar Carter Dr. Farida Belkasmi
Dr. Haji Akbar – Co-chair Dr. Ryszard Puchala – Co-chair Mr. Henry Stevenson, Jr. Mr. Joshua Todd Mr. Richardson Boateng Dr. Devi Kandel
Mr. Joshua Davis – Chair Dr. Hirut Tejeji – Co-chair Mr. John Hayes Ms. Shalonda Guy-Kangah Mr. Bradley Wilkinson Ms. Donnesha Williams Mr. Jeremiah Wilson
Reception Ms. Lainey Aldridge - Chair Dr. Amandeep Kaur Dr. Cedric Shili Mr. Dezz Lewis Ms. Jewellena Golden Mrs. Sonya Moore-Davis
Mr. James Arati - Chair Dr. Dereje Gulich – Co-chair Adekayode Sonibare Dr. Sudip Kunwar Ms. Lainey Aldridge Mr. Amir Rashidi
Farm Workshops and Demonstrations – Day 2
Food
Vendors
Tours
Holloway Building Workshops and Demonstrations – Day 2 Dr. Tiffany Williams - Chair Dr. Nirodha De Silva - Co-chair Dr. Tracey Payton Ms. Rori Hernandez Ms. Marquisha Thomas Ms. Kenyette Saywon
Poster Session Dr. Amlan Patra - Chair Dr. Ignacio Tovar-Luna Dr. Newton Nyairo Dr. Malcolm McCallum Dr. Bakhsh Dr. Cedric Shili
GOAT MILK SOAP MAKING Hands-On Workshop E.L. Holloway Room 405 Ever wondered what makes goat milk soap so special? Join Krystle Hershey for an immersive, hands-on workshop and find out for yourself! Goat milk has long been celebrated for its rich, natural properties — and in this session, you'll discover firsthand how this remarkable farm product can be transformed into a premium, artisan soap. From understanding the unique qualities that set goat milk apart to mastering the basic techniques of soap crafting, this workshop takes you through
Krystle Robinson-Hershey Sage & Elm Apothecary, CEO
the entire process in a welcoming, step-by-step environment. Whether you're a goat producer looking to diversify your farm's income, an entrepreneur interested in valueadded agricultural products, or simply someone passionate about natural, handcrafted goods — this session is for you. You'll leave with practical knowledge, hands-on experience, and a fresh perspective on the everyday potential hiding right in your herd. This is more than a craft activity — it's a window into the growing world of farm-based artisan products and the exciting opportunities they bring to producers and consumers alike. Come ready to roll up your sleeves and make something great!
CHEESEMAKING Hands-On Workshop Main Farm From farm to table, it starts right here
Join Dr. Carlos Alvarado for an engaging, hands-on cheesemaking workshop that takes you behind the scenes of one of the oldest and most rewarding culinary traditions. Goat milk cheese is having a moment — and for good reason. Rich in flavor, naturally easier to digest, and increasingly sought after by today's health-conscious consumers, artisan goat cheese represents a remarkable opportunity for producers ready to think beyond the farm gate.
Dairy Product Specialist, Langston University SL/SAAS
In this session, you'll explore the art and science of crafting goat milk cheese from scratch — from understanding curd formation and the role of cultures, to shaping, aging, and developing complex, distinctive flavors. Whether you're a seasoned producer looking to add a premium product to your portfolio, a culinary enthusiast eager to master a new skill, or simply curious about what goes into that perfect chèvre — this workshop has something for everyone. Walk away with practical techniques, a deeper appreciation for the craft, and the confidence to start creating your own signature cheeses — right at home or on your farm. Because great cheese doesn't happen by accident. It happens here.
Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
LEGACY LEADERSHIP AWARD
DR. TILAHUN SAHLU
Honoring Distinguished Leadership and Lasting Contributions to the Legacy of the E (Kika) de la Garza American Institute for Goat Research (AIGR) 2026 National Goat Conference September 28–30, 2026
TO OUR PARTICIPANTS We sincerely appreciate your time, dedication, and enthusiasm. Your presence and engagement make this event a success.
TO OUR VENDORS
SPECIAL THANKS
OBHRP Inc. A special thank you to our generous sponsors for their support, commitment, and belief in the future of the goat industry. Your partnership helps us advance education, research, and innovation in the small ruminant sector.
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