Post on 16-Jul-2015
Southern SAWG
Sustainable Ag Conference
Mobile, Alabama
Basic Livestock Options
for
Small Producers
Clay Wright, Livestock Consultant
Noble Foundation
Ardmore, Oklahoma
January 17, 2015
www.noble.org
Agricultural Division
Education & Outreach
Agricultural Division
Research and Demonstration
Consultation
Forage-based Beef Cattle Production
100 cooperators
Rank Consultation Needs:
Livestock Pasture Soil FertilityWildlife HorticultureCropsFinancial/MarketingPonds
Soil determines kind and amount of forage your property can support.
Texture, depth, available water, slope, topography, fertility, etc.
Forage production determines number of animals your property can support. Species, vigor, percent stand, season of growth, rainfall, grazing management, fertilizer, etc.
Soil Management Forage Production Health NutritionReproduction Marketing
Agricultural Division
www.websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov
These are the estimated average yields per acre that can be expected of selected nonirrigated
crops under a high level of management. In any given year, yields may be higher or lower than
those indicated because of variations in rainfall and other climatic factors.
The yields are based mainly on the experience and records of farmers, conservationists, and
extension agents. Available yield data from nearby areas and results of field trials and
demonstrations also are considered.
The management needed to obtain the indicated yields of the various crops depends on the kind
of soil and the crop. Management can include drainage, erosion control, and protection from
flooding; the proper planting and seeding rates; suitable high-yielding crop varieties; appropriate
and timely tillage; control of weeds, plant diseases, and harmful insects; favorable soil reaction
and optimum levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements for each crop;
effective use of crop residue, barnyard manure, and green manure crops; and harvesting that
ensures the smallest possible loss.
The estimated yields reflect the productive capacity of each soil for the selected crop. Yields are
likely to increase as new production technology is developed. The productivity of a given soil
compared with that of other soils, however, is not likely to change.
These are the estimated average yields per acre that can be expected of selected nonirrigated
crops under a high level of management. In any given year, yields may be higher or lower than
those indicated because of variations in rainfall and other climatic factors.
The yields are based mainly on the experience and records of farmers, conservationists, and
extension agents. Available yield data from nearby areas and results of field trials and
demonstrations also are considered.
The management needed to obtain the indicated yields of the various crops depends on the kind
of soil and the crop. Management can include drainage, erosion control, and protection from
flooding; the proper planting and seeding rates; suitable high-yielding crop varieties; appropriate
and timely tillage; control of weeds, plant diseases, and harmful insects; favorable soil reaction
and optimum levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements for each crop;
effective use of crop residue, barnyard manure, and green manure crops; and harvesting that
ensures the smallest possible loss.
The estimated yields reflect the productive capacity of each soil for the selected crop. Yields are
likely to increase as new production technology is developed. The productivity of a given soil
compared with that of other soils, however, is not likely to change.
Agricultural Division
Agricultural Division
Do Soil Sample
In management zones
Down to 6 inches
15 to 20 cores/sample
Sample major soil areas separately
Agricultural Division
Stocking rate on rangelands is 8-20 acres per animal unit year in the NF service area.
Agricultural Division
Excellent
Agricultural Division
Poor
Bermudagrass is the most prevalent “introduced grass” in our region
Agricultural Division
Stocking rate on introduced pastures: 6-8 acres per AU without added fertilizer; 2-4 acres with.
Agricultural Division
Grass – 70 Weeds – 20 Browse – 10
Agricultural Division
Grass – 60 Weeds – 30 Browse – 10
Agricultural Division
Grass – 20 Weeds – 20 Browse – 60
Agricultural Division
NutrientRemoved(lbs/ton)*
Price ($/lb)**
Cost($/ton)
Nitrogen (N) 46 .50 23.00Phosphorus (P2O5) 12 .61 7.32Potassium (K2O) 50 .49 24.50Total $54.59
*Nutrient removal assumption varies by reporting agency.** Prices as of January, 2015.
Value of nutrients in 1 ton BG hay
Herd Nutrition
(All Classes)
Fat
Breed
Grow
Milk
Fetus
Maintenance
Agricultural Division
Nutrition
Nutrient Requirements, 1100# Cow
Calving Breeding Weaning
to to to Last
Breeding Weaning Last 1/3 Trimester
Dry
Matter 26.2 25.1 21.3 22.7
Crude
Protein 2.75 2.18 1.41 1.93
TDN
Energy 15.5 13.8 10.1 12.3
Agricultural Division
Classes:Growing/finishingBreeding bullsPregnant replacement heifersCows
Sex, size, ageStage of reproductionLevel of milkRate of gainBody condition
Nutrient Requirements, 200# Ewe
Lambing Breeding Weaning
to to to Last
Breeding Weaning Last 1/3 Trimester
Dry
Matter 7.6 5.2 3.2 3.8
Crude
Protein 1.27 .56 .31 .35
TDN
Energy 4.8 3.08 1.8 2.09
Nutrient Requirements, 132# Doe
Kidding Weaning
to to Last
Breeding Last 1/3 Trimester
Dry
Matter 4.1 3.2 4.3
Crude
Protein .23 .17 .47
TDN
Energy 2.2 1.3 2.8
Herd Nutrition
(All Classes)
Fat
Breed
Grow
Milk
Fetus
Maintenance
Parasites
Auburn Extension:
Immunizations for Does
● Clostridials - C and D
● Pneumonia
● Leptospirosis (off label)
● Caseous Lymphadenitis (off label)
● Rabies
● Chlamydia
● Vibriosis
Oklahoma Extension:
Immunizations for Does
● Clostridials - C and D
● Pneumonia
● Leptospirosis (off label)
● Caseous Lymphadenitis (off label, if problem)
● Rabies
● Chlamydia
● Vibriosis (if problem)
Vibrio \ Lepto
● Abortion diseases caused by Leptospirosis and Campylobacter
● More important in wetter climates
● Vaccination is the only prevention since it does not respond to medical treatment and immunity after infection is poor
● Abortions may reach up to 75% of herd
Deworm spring and fall Clostridials to kids
Comprehensive program for bucks, does, kids
Beef Quality AssuranceNation-wide effort by NCBA
Education, training, certification
http://www.aces.edu/animalforage/BQA/
Health To Do List
Learn diseases and parasites
Develop herd health program with veterinarian
Become BQA certified
Marketing:
● Traditional auction barns
● Direct to consumer
Holidays, special occasions
● Ethnic/faith-based
Passover - >50#
Feast of Abraham - >70#
Marketing sheep and goats:
Organic
Grass-fed
Naturally raised
Certified Humane Raised and Handled
Animal Welfare Approved
Others
Wind protection
Holding pen – 15 sq. ft.Crowding pen – 6 sq. ft.
Corral fence – 48”Chute – 12-14” wide
48” high
Sheep and Goat Facilities
Wind protection
Holding pen – 14-20 sq. ft.Crowding pen – 6-12 sq. ft.
Corral fence – 60”Chute – 18-30” wide
45-60” high
Cattle Facilities
How do goats differ from cattle?● Require a more
nutritious diet.
● Browse vs. graze.
● More selective diet.
● Fatten differently (inside-out)
Require better fencing.
Poorer immunity to parasites.
● Greater reproductive capacity.
● Shelter seeking.
● Easier to handle.
More labor-intensive.
How do goats differ from sheep?
Prefer to browse.
● Top-down grazer.
● More selective diet.
● Higher maintenance requirements, as % of BW.
Poorer immunity to parasites.
● Need/tolerate higher Cu levels.
● Shelter seeking.
● Reach puberty earlier and tend to be more prolific and less seasonal.
● 21-d estrus cycle vs. 17 d.
● Almost always horned.
Other Enterprises
Llamas
Miniatures
Cattle
Horses
Donkeys
Ratites
Alpacas
Poultry
Agricultural Division
Agricultural Division
All production starts with the soil
Then forage production and management
Provide nutrition and health
Marketing