The meeting was called to order by Darlene Cullen, President.

The minutes were unavailable for reading – they are posted on the web site.

Dixie Robison read the Treasurers report and the report was accepted as read.

Nancy Edgerly gave the market report. The market price for 40-60 pounds is $1.60 to $1.70 a pound. Nancy has had 2 new slaughter houses contact her for goats. One is located in Hot Springs and will open in approximately 6 months. The other is located in Romance and they are looking to purchase 10 goats a week and will pay by the pound. If anyone has goats to sell they need to contact Nancy before going to the auction.

Robert McMahen presented the show report. The spring show is scheduled for May 19th & 20th. The first part of May we will need volunteers to help set up the show pens. A date for the set up will be forth coming. The 2 judges for Saturdays show will be Shelby Armstrong and Anton Ward. The Sunday show judge will be Lance Ward. Help will be needed for the show and an email will be forth coming.

NEW BUSINESS

For the next NAMGA quarterly meeting, it was discussed to combine it with a pasture walk on April 14th. Ken Ziemer volunteered to host the pasture walk. Facilities to hold the meeting and a luncheon are available near Ken’s place at the Marion County Fair Grounds, the County Extension Office or the High School. Discussion followed as to the topics of interest to be discussed at the pasture walk. Foot Care, Improving Pastures and Electric Fencing were all brought up. Goat meat dishes for the meal will be provided by NAMGA.

Robert McMahen reported that he has scheduled a photographer to be at the next show. She will be providing her service free of charge. NAMGA will provide for her lodging. Robert will work with the Chamber of Commerce to get the room comp’ed. . Robert explained the need to have a banner for the photos and requested a budget of $100.00 to purchase one. Ken Ziemer brought out the fact that NAMGA does have banners that might meet the need or they may need to be refurbished.
Wendy Royce motioned that Robert have up to $100.00 to purchase new banners or to use to refurbish the old banners.
Bill Huettemann seconded. No Objections – motion passed
.
June Pen Sale: Past participation has been poor. It was decided not to hold a pen sale. Instead, A&A Show Goats (4-H Students) will be hosting an auction for show market kids in June. The NAMGA members can bring breeding stock animals to sell in pens.
Market Goat Sales: Nancy Edgerly will have sales at her farm at her convenience. Notice will be given so anyone can bring their animals to sell. Change to the website regarding sales dates





Meeting was called to order by Darlene Cullen, President. 

Minutes read by Darlene Cullen.  Motion to approve by Phil Swan, second by Nancy Edgerly. 

Treasurer's report read by Darlene Cullen.  Motion to accept by Connie Swan, second by James Estes. 

Show report read by Darlene Cullen.  Plans being made for spring show.

Market/Marketing report given by Nancy Edgerly.  Report on August group sale given.  5 sellers, 104 animals.  $208 from sales.  Prices/numbers from San Angelo market given.  Numbers down from a year ago.

Old business:  Scale was purchased.   Worked well at shows.  Is available for NAMGA members at a cost of $5/day with $50 refundable deposit.  Use agreement must be signed which states user is responsible for any damages while in their possesssion.  Robert McMahen will have the scale and user agreement forms if members are interested in using the scale.

New business:  Plans for sale at Silver Hill discussed.  Date is Nov. 12th from 9a-12p.  Nancy and Darlene are looking for alternate buyer since prices were low at Aug. sale.  Consideration of a possible meeting with Claude Smith at Cattleman's Livestock was discussed since after numerous sales it appears that members and other producers are not very interested in working together to develop a market for buyers for group animals.

Elections:  No intersted persons to fill board positions.  Motion was made by Connie Swan to suspend rule in Article V, Section 2 of the Constitution and Bylaws which states, “Officers may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms” for the 2012 term only.  Second by Nancy Edgerly.  None opposed.  Motion made by Phil Swan for current officers to remain in their positions for the 2012. Second by Nancy Edgerly.  None opposed.
President – Darlene Cullen
Vice-President – Nancy Edgerly
Secretary/Treasurer – Dixie Robison
Show Superintendent – Robert McMahen

Ken Ziemer requested he be provided with events/dates for 2012 so that they can be placed on the website for January 1st.  Darlene will send out an email reminding members of this in December.

Plans for a pasture walk w/education along with quarterly meeting discussed.  Darlene will talk to Claire for planning.
ñ    Next meeting is January 15th, 2012

Motion to adjourn by Phil Swan.  Second by James Estes.

Informal discussion time held following meeting with snacks/drknks provided by NAMGA Dixie, Nancy, and Darlene.  




2:00 President Darlene Cullen calls the meeting to order.

Reading of the minutes from last meeting by Dixie Robison.  Motion to accept minutes as read made by Carl Swan, seconded by George Young. 
Motion Passed.

Dixie Robison read the financial reports.  Motion to accept the financial report as read made by Nancy  Edgerly, seconded by George Young.
Motion Passed.

Show report was given by Darlene Cullen.  This year’s shows were a great success.  There were a larger number of participants.  The show will not be able to grow until there are new facilities or the current facilities are expanded. 

Market report was given by Nancy Edgerly.  The San Angelo sale the price is strong at $1.40 to $1.80.  Currently due to the drought Texas is selling off or reducing their herds.  Darlene stated that she has been told by members that Harrison, Marble and Diamond prices are down.

OLD BUSINESS

Famacha Clinic: The Famacha clinic had good attendance with about 20 participants.  Our group supplied lunch of goat chili and a dairy producer provided goat cheese with crackers.  With NAMGA working with the county extension agents on events it is getting the NAMGA name out there to producers.

The Farm Audit: was held in Jasper.  There were about 20 in attendance.  Our group provided several goat dishes for lunch.  Most in attendance had not eaten goat meat prior to the meeting

The market sale was cancelled due to the poor price being offered by the buyer. 
Goats Galore, Sheep and More had poor participation by members.   The members who did participate made several contacts and sold at the sale or later on the farm.  All of the guest and members appreciated the education events and want more.  Due to poor participation the cost of hosting the event was not covered by the fees collected.  Before we consider hosting the event again next year we need to have commitments up front from members to participate. 
 
There will be private treaty buying event held at Nancy Edgerly farm on August 13th from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, November 12th from 9 am to 12 noon.   Assistance from the members is required.  We will need group participation.  We have to have numbers to grow the sale and keep our prices up.  We will need workers to help with the unloading of animals, the weighing in and sorting. 

NEW BUSINESS

Scale purchase: Robert researched scales and located a scale at Powell Feed in Harrison that he and Nancy felt was a good fit for the group for shows and market sales.  This is the same type of scale the FFA at the high schools use.  Robert provided a catalog with the details of the scale for the members of the group to review.  The scale comes with a 6’ platform and a digital read out.  The cost is $1,900.00.  Ken asked in a previous phone call to Darlene if the scale was certified for trade.  It is not.  A certifiable scale cannot be moved around.  The NAMGA does not require a certified for trade scale.  This Tru-Test EziWeigh 2 System Scale is durable, easily moved with a strong case for transporting the head of the scale.  Robert requested that we include an additional $100.00 for building the walls of the scale.  Robert and Mike Savage will build that.

Motion to purchase the scale and $100.00 for the walls was made by Dixie Robison, seconded by Nancy Edgerly.
Motion Passed.

Elections for officers will be held in October.  Everyone needs to consider who they would like to run for office and be prepared for the elections in October.  The elections will be held for the positions of: President, Vice President, Show Superintendent and Secretary/Treasurer.

Nancy discussed the meeting she had with David Fernandez from the UAPB.  David is interested in helping with our goat herds.  He went to Nancy’s farm to observe how she manages her herd.  He took livers to run test on them to study the content of copper in the goat’s nutrition.   David is available for help and will respond to emails.  

Meeting adjourned.