Courses
Helen Darlington has been training students and industry clients since 1992, but specialising in practical goat husbandry and management training since 1998. Over the years, she has regularly run short courses for people in the industry, or considering entering the industry.
The courses are designed to provide a broad overview of all the information required to manage goats successfully. They cover the theory and practical application of important topics including:
- Breeds and selection
- Health
- Nutrition
- Breeding programmes
- Fencing
- Predator control
- Marketing
Information about the management of Dorper sheep is included alongside the goat information, as Yarrabee runs the sheep enterprise in conjunction with the goats. All education and training is delivered by Helen, a fully qualified and experienced instructor, livestock manager and Boer goat judge. Delivery of training is on-farm, (Yarrabee, Goombungee) in an environment that demonstrates and implements industry standard management practices of goats and sheep.
The courses are usually run over two days on the last weekend of May and / or October each year, but the next date has not yet been set.
Numbers are limited to a maximum of 12 attendees per course. The cost is $495 (inc GST) per person, or $935 (inc GST) per couple. Discounts may be arranged for group bookings. Participants interested in an advanced level course (run according to demand) must have considerable goat experience and / or have attended a previous goat husbandry course.
Participants need to find their own accommodation in the local area; (the town of Crows Nest is just 20 km from Yarrabee, and city of Toowoomba, 35 km) and bring their lunch each day. Morning and afternoon teas are supplied.
