animal production

Animal ProductionSustainable Small Acreage Farming & Ranching

Small Acreage Animal Production Overview

Adapted version of presentation by R. Battaglia AVS, University of Idaho

Sustainable Small Acreage Farming & Ranching

Marketing Animal of choice Temperament choice Site suitability Zoning restrictions Facilities required Intent of enterprise Source of animals Nutrition Feeds and Feeding

Small AcreageAnimal Management Considerations


Pasture & grazing system Animal health Reproduction Transport requirements Legal issues Waste management Dead animal disposal Financial planning Capital budget Operating cash Time commitment

Considerations continued…


Types of Livestock Enterprises

True “production” operation Service operation

Boarding Pheasant hunting Horse drawn sleighrides


Temperament Match

Type “A” or type “B” Large stature or small stature Physical or cerebral Young or more mature


Site Type/Suitability & Zoning Restrictions

Site size Animal requirements Site suitability Zone class/restrictions


Intent of Enterprise

Is it a “hobby”? Can be a wonderful idea, great pastime

Is it “for profit”? Can take all the fun out of it

Tax ramifications are complex! Tax preparers will make a profit


Marketing

Sine qua non

That which withoutthere is nothing else


Source of Animals

Private treaty breeders Established Short-term

Production sales Liquidation sales Sale barns Livestock markets


Nutritional Requirements

One of the operational cornerstones Documented requirements Energy – total digestible nutrients Protein – total and digestible Minerals – macro & micro Vitamins Water


Feedstuffs

Cereals (grains) Milling by-products Liquids (i.e. molasses) Roots and tubers Fats and oils Miscellaneous plant and animal products


Feeds and Feeding

Forages – fresh, dry, ensiled Concentrates – grains, supplements Minerals – salt/mineral mix Vitamins – not always necessary to add Water Some good “rules of thumb”


Feeds and FeedingRules of Thumb

Pasture, hays, silages, aftermath When green and growing, can provide it all When mature and dry, some energy - filler

2 to 50 ac pasture/A UM, depending… Legume pasture will provide

carbohydrates and protein Grass pasture will provide CHO, but will

short CHON earlier Provide plenty of water


continued…

Legume and grass hays @ 50-55% TDN Legume hays @ 14-22% TP Grass hays @ 10-14% TP Grass and legume hays are calcium

sources Provide 2-3% BW with no concern


continued…

Grains provide 75-85 TDN Most grains will provide 8-10%TP Grains are good sources of phosphorus Non-lactating animals – ½% BW Can overfeed grains

Founder, enterotoxemia


Animal of Choice

Type Are you going to be traditional or “exotic”

Breed Networking or stand-alone

Product Marketability


Diet and Nutrition - Swine

Naturally omnivorous Monogastric – less ability to digest

complex carbohydrates and fiber Require certain essential amino acids Large operations – highly fortified grain

based diets


Diet and Nutrition - Poultry

Lots of variations due to types of poultry Limiting essential amino acids Essential vitamins Corn and soybeans are the major source

of protein, U.S.


Diet and Nutrition - Beef Cattle

Ruminants Grazed forages Hay Supplemental grains


Diet and Nutrition - Sheep

Ruminants Grazed forages Hay Fat lambs – supplemental grains/feeds

MAY be supplied


Diet and Nutrition - Goats

Ruminants Prefer fresh, clean, and previously

untouched feed. Eat a better balanced diet if offered better

feed to select from. Browsers, not grazers Can utilize grain


Animal Health Program

No short cuts Driven by region and locale Veterinary assisted

Preventative and emergency


Health Concerns

Size of area – proper spacing for animals Health care may be proportionally more

costly due to smaller number of animals Preventative health care is key Healthy living conditions – access to

appropriate feed, water, exercise and fresh air is critical.


Common concerns for all animals

Confinement or free range Organic, natural or conventional Availability of vaccines or medicines (also

effective preventative medicines) Management can make a big difference Veterinarian relationship


Specific health concerns

Poultry Coccidiosis Dietary diseases

Sheep Not a lot of sheep specific medications/vaccines


Reproduction

Makes or breaks a production unit Livestock “cycle” through periods of

estrus or “heat Mostly, livestock are seasonally polyestrus You must learn to manage this

phenomenon


Transportation Requirements

Can be a huge investment Cannot be “borrowed” every time


Legal Issues – Selling, Processing, Butchering

As hard as it is to accept, you may be told what you can and cannot do, at your own operation


Waste Management and Dead Animal Disposal

These must be done promptly and to the letter of the law


Manure Management Concerns

Contamination, especially of water (surface and ground)

Odor Pests Disease concerns – i.e. pneumonia in

confinement pigs due to high levels of ammonia


Manure Management

Application to fields Spreading on fields Irrigation application Avoid spreading unwanted organisms, weeds, etc.

Composting


Financial Planning, Capital Budget, Operating Cash

Great idea, if hobby enterprise; essential, if this is “for profit”

Lifestyle decision are being made… The operating “line” will be greater than

you think…


Time Commitment

Think “24-7, 365 days a year…”

Labor of love…

Lifestyle commitment…

animal production

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