USDA, ARSUSDA, ARSDale Bumpers Small Farms Research CenterDale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center
Booneville, ARBooneville, AR
The mission is to develop technology and scientific principles to enhance profitability and sustainability of small farms.
NP-205 Program: Management of southeastern grazing lands and livestock to optimize small farm
sustainability
• Develop grazing systems for niche meat production
• Develop quality forages that bridge the summer gap
• Etc.
Goals Specific to Small Ruminants
• Organic approach to H. contortus control in sheep and goats
• Use of condensed tannin-rich plants to control H. contortus (sericea lespedeza and others)
• Copper oxide for H. contortus control
Multiple use of COWP in hair breed lambs
Days after initial COWP treatment
0 14 28 42 56 70 84 98 112126140154
FEC
, eg
gs/g
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
Levamasole (n = 8)0.5 g COWP (n = 9)1 g COWP (n = 9)
Use of a Trace Element Bolus in Peri-Parturient Goats
Days after TEB administration
0 7 14 21 28 35 42
FEC
, egg
s/g
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
CON (n = 17)TEB (n = 19)
2
1
1
2
1
8
7
3
3
Goals Specific to Small Ruminants
• Rotational (mostly bermudagrass/fescue) vs. continuous (bermuda or SL) grazing
• Systems approach (combinations of techniques including FAMACHA, COWP, SL, deworming “diets”)
• Establishment of browse for goats
Rotational Grazing
Grazing SL and administration of COWP
Day of SL grazing
0 7 14 21 28
FE
C,
eggs
/g
0
2000
4000
6000
8000TF no COWP TF 5 g COWP SL no COWP SL 5 g COWP
Day of SL grazing
0 7 14 21 28
PC
V,
%
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
3
2
3
2
Gulf Coast Native
Katahdin
St. Croix