Introduction to Sustainable Livestock Production Dr. Susan Kerr WSUKlickitat County Extension Direct

1
Introduction to Sustainable Livestock
ProductionDr. Susan KerrWSU-Klickitat County
Extension Director
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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

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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

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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

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WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?
Any or all production phases

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

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

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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?

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A KEY TO SUCCESS

• Research, plan and plan some more before
  starting.
• p.s. Sometimes the answer is no.

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW!

• HOW AND WHERE WILL YOU MARKET YOUR ANIMALS?
• Expected clientele
• Potential niche markets
• Advertising methods

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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

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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 dont even know it
• Marketing plan, business plan, enterprise budgets
  and financial analyses are crucial

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PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION

• See definitions in WSDAs Green Book
• Natural
• Grass fed
• Organic
• Pastured poultry
• Free range
• Etc.

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WHAT ARE MEAT CONSUMERS CONCERNS?

• 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

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TYPES OF CONSUMERS

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

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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)

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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

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HORSES

• Your goals and horses 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

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HORSES CONTINUED

• Pasture rotation essential
• Sacrifice area
• Special considerations mud and manure management
• www.kingcd.org/pub_mud_cre.pdf
• www.horsesforcleanwater.com

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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

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DAIRY GOATS

• Several breeds to choose from
• Products milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, ice
  cream, soap (state and county laws)
• Milk production compatible with familys needs
• Small size
• Generally good disposition
• Social animals
• Require shelter
• Breed dairy doe to meat buck meatier kids to
  sell

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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 shouldnt 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)

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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

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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

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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

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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 (Mareks, lice,
  coccidia...)

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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.

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ROUTINE TASKS FOR VARIOUS SPECIES

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

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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

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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

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NUTRITION

• Five major nutrients
• Ruminants vs. simple-stomached animals
• Roughage (fresh vs. preserved)
• Concentrates
• Supplements

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Ruminant vs. Simple-stomach anatomy
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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)

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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 animals status (maintenance,
  growth, gestation, lactation, etc.)
• www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publications/PDF/FSA-3080
  .pdf
• www.nap.edu/topics.php?topic296

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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?

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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

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ASSESSING/MONITORING NUTRITIONAL STATUS

• Book values
• Health
• Performance
• Laboratory tests
• The husbands eye
• Body condition score

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BODY CONDITION SCORING

• Objective assessment of individual animals 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

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BODY CONDITION SCORING
Figures from Body condition scoring of sheep,
EC 1433, Oregon State University.
Body Score 1
Body Score 5
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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!

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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

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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

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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

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HEALTH CONCERNS

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

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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 dont hold back poor doers
• Observe individuals daily
• Keep records (vaccinations, deworming...)

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HEALTH CONTINUED

• Cattle Johnes 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, Mareks...
• All Selenium deficiency, poisonous plants...

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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

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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

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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

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PRINCIPLES OF IMMUNOLOGY

• Most animals born immunocompetent
• Passive vs. active immunity
• Colostrum
• Vaccinations
• Maternal antibody interference
• Vaccines vs. antitoxins
• Factors influencing vaccine response

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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!

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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.

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FOOD PRODUCT QUALITY ASSURANCE AND YOU

• Vast majority of food animal products end up on
  someones 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

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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

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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

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RESOURCES

• Horse Industry Handbook
• WSDAs 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

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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

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RESOURCES

• http//extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/
• http//extn.msu.montana.edu/ag.asp
• http//info.ag.uidaho.edu591/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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educational or reference purposes only, and with
the understanding that no discrimination is
intended. Listing of commercial products implies
no endorsement by WSU Extension. Criticism of
products or equipment not listed is neither
implied nor intended.
Extension programs and policies are consistent
with federal and state laws and regulations on
nondiscrimination regarding race, color, gender,
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may be reported through your local Extension
office.