YOUTH & FAMILIES

AGRICULTURE HEALTH ECONOMY ENVIRONMENT ENERGY COMMUNITIES

Introduction to Sustainable Livestock

Production

Dr. Susan KerrWSU-Klickitat County Extension Director

DEFINITION OF SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

“Socially just, humane, economically viable and environmentally sound”

“Meets the needs of the current generation while conserving resources for future generations”

“Economically viable, ecologically sound and culturally responsible”

“Goals: environmental stewardship, farm profitability and prosperous faming communities”

Production of healthy animals and/or wholesome food animal products while wisely using environmental, social and financial resources with concern for and attentiveness to animal welfare

WHY DO YOU WANT TO RAISE LIVESTOCK?

• Want to produce healthy, wholesome protein source for your family/public

• Want to produce fiber for self or sale• Want to use livestock to manage

plants on property• Want to help preserve an

endangered breed or species• Want to make money/earn a living• Want to keep low ag zoning tax rate• “Love animals”

WHAT ARE YOUR RESOURCES?

• Acreage (own or lease; water availability, soil type, slope, plant population...)

• Fences• Buildings• Labor (volunteer vs. paid)• Savings, loans or other $$ sources• Cost-sharing opportunities• Advisors (Extension, NRCS, FSA, CPA,

veterinarian, neighbors, mentors, etc.)• Time• Skills and knowledge• Other

WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?

• Dairy cattle• Beef cattle• Horses• Sheep• Goats• Swine

• Poultry• Ostriches/emus• Rabbits• Llamas• Alpacas• Other

Any or all production phases

MORE QUESTIONS

• Which breed(s)?• Purebred vs. crossbred?• Registered?• Sell breeding stock?• Retain ownership of young stock?• Raise replacements for others?

How will your product be unique?

A KEY TO SUCCESS:

Research, plan and plan some more before starting.

p.s. Sometimes the answer is no.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW!

HOW AND WHERE WILL YOU MARKET YOUR

ANIMALS?

• Expected clientele• Potential niche markets• Advertising methods

GOOD ADVICE FOR ALL LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS:

“Pasture poultry operators must be prepared to be very active in the marketing of their products. Before developing an enterprise, producers must research their potential markets in order to determine customer needs, what market to target, what type of product to produce and how to best market their product to the target market.”

--Alberta, Canada Pasture Poultry Industry Highlights, 2000

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL

• “Sustainable livestock production” must also take financial sustainability into consideration (for most people)

• Must know cost of production to determine break-even pricing, profit margins and payments to self for labor and management

• Example: Many small-scale goat producers are actually losing money and don’t even know it

• Marketing plan, business plan, enterprise budgets and financial analyses are crucial

PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION

See definitions in WSDA’s “Green Book”

• Natural• Grass fed• Organic• Pastured poultry• Free range• Etc.

• Confidence factors–Quality--Taste and tenderness–Safety--lack of residues or hazards

• Ethical factors–Products produced, harvested and handled ethically–Environmental concerns--E. coli, nitrates

• Nutritional factors–Lean, low-fat, healthy source of protein and B-vitamins

• Economic factors–Reasonable purchase price, value for price

WHAT ARE MEAT CONSUMERS’ CONCERNS?

TYPES OF CONSUMERS

• Vegans• Vegetarians• Omnivores• Grillivores• “Enlightened meat consumers”

INTENSIVE VS. EXTENSIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

• Intensive = smaller acreage, fewer animals, more input costs per individual animal, more labor more often, sell for higher prices (often purebred/seedstock operations)

• Extensive = larger acreage, more animals, fewer input costs, less labor less often, sell for lower prices (often crossbred commercial herds)

PASTURE MANAGEMENT BASICS

• Your work: harvesting sunlight via plants, managing through livestock grazing

• Continuous grazing is most common, most destructive and least productive method

• Cross-fencing creates multiple grazing cells and allows resting periods for re-growth

• Poor management results in water and soil runoff, soil compaction, weeds, water quality degradation, poor performance

• Poor management = very public black eye for grazing and livestock production

HORSES

• Your goals and horse’s purpose?• Options: breeding, boarding,

training, recreation, sheltering/rescue, therapy

• Difficult to turn a profit• Very damaging to land if not

managed properly• Input costs: land, fences, shelter,

hay and feed, veterinary (deworming, vaccinations, teeth, misc.), hoof care, breeding fees

HORSES CONTINUED

• Pasture rotation essential• Sacrifice area• Special considerations: mud and

manure management

www.kingcd.org/pub_mud_cre.pdf www.horsesforcleanwater.com

MEAT GOATS

• Large growth in market since mid 1990s due to Boer breed

• Other breeds: Spanish, Kiko, Fainting goat, etc.

• Main consumers tend to be ethnic minorities, specific people groups and immigrants (Muslims, Hispanics, Jamaicans...) vs. Anglos

• Location of production must be near consumers for greatest profit potential

• Parasitism, predators and fencing are big issues

• Challenge: Marketing and USDA processing

DAIRY GOATS

• Several breeds to choose from• Products: milk, cheese, yogurt, butter,

ice cream, soap (state and county laws)• Milk production compatible with

family’s needs• Small size• Generally good disposition• Social animals• Require shelter• Breed dairy doe to meat buck =>

meatier kids to sell

DAIRY CATTLE

• Many breeds; most will make more milk than one family can use (use Jersey?)

• Laws regulate sale of fluid milk• Can make butter, ice cream, cheese...• One cow shouldn’t provide 365 days of

milk• Need proper handling and milking

facilities• Need to calve to give milk; what to do

with calf?• Source of first animal very important

(many diseases and conditions)

BEEF CATTLE

• Many breed choices (Angus, Waygu, Dexter, Galloway, Scottish Highland...)

• Consider breed temperament• Handling facilities are essential• Fences (“good fences make good

neighbors”)• Preferred calving date = ?• Target customer = ? (niche markets)• Purchase seedstock from reputable

source

SWINE

• Many breed choices• Niche market: more moist, flavorful

meat vs. grocery store pork• Customers: 4-H youth, pig roast events,

locker meat customers, breeding stock• Difficult to be profitable• Can be pastured, but can be destructive• Many diseases• Not for everyone (noise, smell)• Pigs are omnivores but must cook any

garbage fed to them• Piglets need supplemental heat

SHEEP

• Many breeds. Wool vs. hair breeds (“easy care”), wool vs. meat breeds

• Products to market: wool, meat, breeding stock, milk (?!), composted manure, grass control, pelts, skulls

• Predator control and parasite issues• Customers = 4-H youth, locker lamb

clients (whole, half or quarters), ethnic markets

• Ethnic market has specific dates; breed to meet these markets

POULTRY

• Many breeds and species• Many possible products to market

(eggs, breeding stock, 4-H birds, fryers/broilers, manure, feathers)

• “Chicken tractor” concept very popular• Predator control essential (owls, hawks,

coyotes, raccoons, dogs...)• Portable chicken processing units• Laws regarding product sales• Poultry production cycle• Disease considerations (Marek’s, lice,

coccidia...)

FIBER ANIMALS

• Llamas, alpacas, angora rabbits, sheep, goats (cashmere and angora)

• Investigate markets and realistic prices first

• Special management tasks can increase value (blankets)

• Breeding often for fiber color or quality• Produce product consumer wants• Location, location, location (near urban

area = $$$)• Go to the Oregon Flock and Fiber

Festival! www.flockandfiberfestival.com.

ROUTINE TASKS FOR VARIOUS SPECIES

• Disbudding/dehorning• Castrating• Docking• Vaccinating• Hoof trimming• Shearing• Deworming• ID (tags, brands, tattoos, chips)• Breeding• Transporting

ESSENTIALS OF NEONATAL CARE

• Warm and dry ASAP (human vs. dam)• Ensure adequate colostrum intake• Ensure proper maternal care• Care of umbilicus• “Clip, dip, strip and sip”• Do not interfere excessively• Minimize stress• Assess daily• Normal: sleep, stretch nurse, play• Major killers = hypothermia and

starvation

RECORD KEEPING IS ESSENTIAL

• Taxes, proof of compliance, litigation...• Individual animal ID• Treatments• Meat and milk withholding periods• Feed labels• Animal origins• Animal performance• Breedings• Costs• Test results

NUTRITION

• Five major nutrients• Ruminants vs. simple-stomached

animals• Roughage (fresh vs. preserved)• Concentrates• Supplements

Ruminant vs. Simple-stomach anatomy

BASIC NUTRION CONCEPTS

• Roughage is usually least expensive source of nutrients

• Compare feeds on price per pound of nutrient (protein, energy)

• Begin with animals’ dry matter requirement as a % of body weight

• As requirements increase, increase concentrates and decrease roughage

• Maximum roughage and minimum concentrate diets are safest but least productive (rice cakes vs. candy bars)

RATION FORMULATION

• Look up requirements• See what you have on hand and

how it meets requirements• Purchase deficient nutrients on

least-cost basis• Much will depend on animal’s status

(maintenance, growth, gestation, lactation, etc.)

• www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publications/PDF/FSA-3080.pdf

• www.nap.edu/topics.php?topic=296

COMPARING CONCENTRATES VIA COST PER UNIT BASIS

• Soybean meal costs $290/ton and is 44% Crude Protein (CP)

• Canola meal costs $160/ton and is 35% CP

• Alfalfa hay costs $180/ton and is 18% CP

Which is the best value as a protein source?

TYPICAL DIETS

• Cattle: 2-3% BW DM; hay (grass or alfalfa), pasture, trace mineral block, water, +/- cracked corn or commercial COB/grain, water

• Horse: 1-2% BW DM; hay (grass or alfalfa mix), pasture, trace mineral block, water, +/- COB/grain

• Swine: 10% roughage allowable; peas, corn, trace mineral mix, water; commercial products easiest but most expensive; many diets possible depending on what is available

• Sheep: 2-5% BW DM; hay (grass or alfalfa), pasture, trace mineral crumbles, water

• Goat: 2-6% BW DM; browse, graze; hay and grain as needed to support production; trace mineral crumbles, water

ASSESSING/MONITORING NUTRITIONAL STATUS

• “Book values”• Health• Performance• Laboratory tests• “The husband’s eye” • Body condition score

BODY CONDITION SCORING

• Objective assessment of individual animal’s fat cover

• 1-5 or 1-9 scale• Uses skeletal landmarks• Assess BC before breeding, giving

birth, while growing, several weeks into lactation, winter and other critical times

• Can separate animals into feeding groups based on BCS

Figures from “Body condition scoring of sheep”, EC 1433, Oregon State University.

Body Score #1

Body Score #5

BODY CONDITION SCORING

REPRODUCTION

• Cattle: Polyestrus. 21-day cycle. Herdmates as heat detectors. Easy to manipulate cycle. AI vs. bull. Heat detection can be challenging. 9 month pregnancy, re-breed ~ 2 mo. after calving; need 60 day dry period. Must have one calf every 12 mo. for profit. May need assistance with calving. Twins undesirable.

• Sheep: Some breeds seasonally polyestrous, others polyestrous. 16-day cycle. Ram vs. AI. Can use marking harness. Can synchronize breeding to concentrate labor. Flushing increases twins/ triplets. Aim for >150% lamb crop. Rarely need assistance. LAMBING SCHOOL!

REPRODUCTION CONTINUED

• Goats: Some seasonally polyestrus, others polyestrus. Flushing to increase numbers of kids. Bucks vs. AI. Bucks STINK and can taint milk with odor. Rarely need help kidding. Early puberty (>4 months!)

• Swine: Polyestrus. AI very common. Aim for 11 to 14 piglets or more. 21-day cycle. Rarely need birthing assistance. Progress through record keeping

• Horses: Seasonally polyestrous (spring). Usually take mare to stud farm. Ultrasound helpful. Twins are a disaster. Rarely need help but problems severe when they occur

REPRODUCTION CONTINUED

• Males often lose much body condition during breeding season

• Scrotal circumference correlated with fertility

• Annual breeding soundness exam is excellent management tool

• Need record keeping to avoid inbreeding• Hot days: breed at night, keep males

cool during day to increase sperm survival

ARTIFICIAL VS. NATURAL INSEMINATION

• Danger of male on farm• Noise and smell of male on farm• Known genetic and performance information

available via AI• Can select male with desirable trait to

strengthen specific aspects of herd• AI has reduced conception rate vs. natural• Heat detection easier with natural• Timing more correct with natural• More disease transmission with natural• Higher costs with AI? Debatable• Known fertility vs. guessed

HEALTH CONCERNS

• Nutritional• Infectious (fungal, viral, bacterial,

parasitic)• Traumatic• Neoplastic (cancer)• Iatrogenic (caused by humans)• Congenital (birth defects)• Toxic (plants, chemicals, etc.)• Genetic

HEALTH CONTINUED

• Minimize by proper pre-purchase screening tests and exams

• Have proper facilities ready for animals• Emphasize sanitation, air quality, feed

quality and stress reduction• Scrutinize environment for hazards• Group animals according to age or

production stage; don’t hold back poor doers

• Observe individuals daily• Keep records (vaccinations,

deworming...)

HEALTH CONTINUED

• Cattle: Johne’s disease, mastitis, scours, pneumonia, pinkeye...

• Goats: Parasites, orf, foot rot, C.A.E., mastitis, tetanus, toxoplasmosis...

• Sheep: Scrapie, C.L., foot rot, O.P.P., tetanus, parasites, overeating disease, toxo...

• Swine: Erysipelas, T.G.E., pneumonia, PRRS...

• Horses: Tetanus, Encephalitis (inc. West Nile Virus), Equine Protozoal Myelitis, thrush, colic, rain rot, moonblindness...

• Poultry: Botulism, coccidiosis, Marek’s...• All: Selenium deficiency, poisonous plants...

GENERAL PRINICIPLES OF PARASITE CONTROL

• Do not graze below 3”• Fence off wet areas• Do not graze wet grass• Rotate and rest pastures 21+ days• Harrow fields• Compost manure• Do not spread manure on pasture• Use multi-species grazing• Use dewormers judiciously• Use fecal exams strategically• Select for resistant animals

MILKING MANAGEMEMT

• Hand vs. machine milking• Best practices: udder prep (pre-

wash, pre-dip, single-use towel to dry); use sanitized milker; post-dip

• Dry off (timing, methods)• Mastitis prevention: sanitation!• Bacterial culture and sensitivity• Intramammary infusions vs. milk

out

DISEASE PREVENTION

• Work with your veterinarian to develop a vaccination program for your farm

• Provide nutritional quality and quantity• Practice biosecurity measures• Minimize or eliminate visitors• Have a closed flock• Quarantine herd additions• Purchase from reputable sources• Isolate sick animals• Necropsy deaths

PRINCIPLES OF IMMUNOLOGY

• Most animals born immunocompetent

• Passive vs. active immunity• Colostrum• Vaccinations• Maternal antibody interference• Vaccines vs. antitoxins• Factors influencing vaccine

response

BIOSECURITY

• Domestic and international disease concerns

• Accidental vs. intentional introduction• Closed vs. open herds• Going to shows increases disease risks• Quarantine and isolation protocols• Hand washing• Boot washing (clean then disinfect)• Pre-purchase testing• DO NOT BRING HOME ANIMALS FROM

SALE YARDS!

ANIMAL MEDICATIONS: STAYING WITHIN THE LAW

• Producers must use animal health products EXACTLY AS INSTRUCTED ON THE LABEL or violate the federal Food Safety Act (fines, jail time)

• Only exception: using a medication other than instructed on the label ON THE ADVICE OF A LICENSED VETERINARIAN WITH WHOM YOU HAVE A VALID VETERINARIAN-CLIENT-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP.

FOOD PRODUCT QUALITY ASSURANCE AND YOU

• Vast majority of food animal products end up on someone’s plate

• For repeat customers, all food animal products must be perceived as safe, wholesome, delicious and a good value

• Handling, feeding, genetics, housing, management practices all affect QA

• Significant dockage for QA violations (PSE, injection lesions, dark cutters, bruises, etc.), fines for residues

ORGANIC LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

• See WSDA “green book”• Much research needed to

document effective practices• Challenges: parasite control• Consider information sources• Sick animals must have effective

treatment; treat and remove from organic production and/or sell

SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

• Obtain animals from reputable sources• Emphasize sanitation• Quarantine and isolate• Provide excellent nutrition• Minimize stress• Provide excellent air quality without drafts• Prevent overcrowding• Feed in mangers, not directly on ground• Ensure production and consumption of high-

quality colostrum• Keep closed herd• Emphasize best pasture management

practices

RESOURCES

• Horse Industry Handbook• WSDA’s “Green Book” (marketing)• 4-H resources• Kidding Pen newsletter (goats)• WSU SW WA Lambing School• Oregon Meat Goat Producers’ assoc.• Diseases of Dairy Goats WREP0033• WSU Extension “Dairy Science” pub

RESOURCES

• www.animalag.wsu.edu • www.attra.org • http://extension.oregonstate.edu/wasco/smallfarms/SmallFarms.php • http://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/

newsletter• http://smallfarms.wsu.edu • http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/pnw/pnw225.pdf• www.sheepandgoat.com• http://pubs.wsu.edu• www.clemson.edu/agronomy/goats

RESOURCES

• http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/

• http://extn.msu.montana.edu/ag.asp• http://info.ag.uidaho.edu:591/catalog • https://engineering.purdue.edu/ABE/

Extension/mwps_docs.whtml• www.public.iastate.edu/~mwps_dis/

mwps_web/frame_p.html• www.adga.org• www.meatgoats.com• http://poultryone.com• http://beef.osu.edu/library/cownutr.html

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