Intro to small ruminant enterprises

Intro to small ruminant enterprises

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  An introduction tosmall ruminant enterprise$SUSAN SCHOENIANSheep & Goat SpecialistWestern Maryland Research & Education Centersschoen@umd.edu – www.sheepandgoat.com
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  IntroductionSheep and goatenterprisesWhat you need to raise sheep/goatsBreed resourcesGetting startedEconomicsPresentation topics
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  MonogastricSimple stomachPigs andpoultry (and people)RuminantCud-chewing 4 compartment stomach.- Cows, sheep, and goatsPseudo-ruminant (3 compartment stomach)- Alpacas and llamasHind-gut fermenterFermentation occurs in the caecum and/or large intestineHorses and rabbitsClassification of farm livestockBy their digestive systems
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  EconomicProfitTax advantagesLifestyleSelf-sufficiency produceown food, fiberLandscape managementWhy raise sheep and/or goats?
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  Less acreage requiredLessinvestmentEase of handlingMulti-purposeReproductive efficiencyGrazing behaviorNiche demand for productsComplement other farm enterprisesPros and cons: PROS
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  Small industry.Lack ofinfrastructure.Lack of mainstream demand for products.Fencing requirements.Labor requirements.Predator risk.Pros and cons: CONS
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  Similar production practicesand inputs.Same diseases.Similar niche and ethnic demand for products.Similar constraints to production: the 3 P’s.PricesPredatorsParasitesSheep vs. goatsMore similarities than differences
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  DifferencesSHEEPGOATSGrazerPrefer forbsGraze closeto groundGrow fasterProduce better milkMore genetic diversityStrong flocking instinct and group mentalityTraditional enterpriseBrowserPrefer shrubsTop-down grazerGrow slowProduce more milkLess genetic diversityCurious and independentNew and growing industry
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  MeatDairyFiberLandscape managementAgri-tourismSheep andgoat enterprises
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  Primary income isfrom the sale of live animals for meat and/or the sale of meat.Most popular sheep and goat enterprise.There is a demand for many different kinds of lambs and goats.Marketing infrastructure is already in place.Meat production
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  Dairy productionPrimary incomeis from the sale of milk, cheese, and/or other dairy products.In most states, operation must be certified grade A or B to sell food products.Usually requires own product development and marketing.
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  Fiber sales comprisea significant portion of the income from the enterprise.WoolMohair CashmereAlpacaMust direct market to make a profit.Fiber production
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  Land improvement onyour own farm.Fee-based grazing“Turn-key” operationAnimalsTransportationFencingCareGreatest economic potential ! ? Landscape management
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  Agri-tourism : trophy huntingSell stock for trophy hunting or operate your own hunting reserve. Usually hair sheep rams.
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  Agri-entertainment
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  FeedFencingHousing and shelterFeedersWateringsystemLaborWhat do you need to raise sheep and goats?
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  Pasture and browseHayGrainAlternativefeedstuffsFeed resourceThe largest cost associated with raising livestock is feed.
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  PurposeTo keep livestockcontainedTo keep predators outTo control grazing and manage livestockThree kindsPerimeter or boundaryInterior or crossHeavy use areasFencingPossible cost share from NRCS (EQUIP program) for rotational grazing.
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  Multi-strand, high-tensile, electric.Wovenwire with extra barbed and electric offset wires.Barbed wireAdapt existing fences.Perimeter fencingYour first line of defense against predators.
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  PermanentSemi-permanent Temporary, electricSmoothwirePolywire, tape, or ropeElectric nettingInterior fencingFor rotational grazing and animal management.
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  Outdoor lotsHolding areasWorkingcorralsNet wireMetal gatesSolid panelsLivestock panelsNon-electricHeavy use areas
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  PurposeAnimal managementIsolation areaFeedstorageEquipment storageHuman comfortNeeds vary byClimate Production systemTiming of lambing and kiddingAvailability of natural shelter.Personal preferenceHousing and shelter
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  Space requirements
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  Do grazing animalsrequire shelter?Maybe not, but if they have access to it, they will usually use it. They “appreciate” protection from bad weather.
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  FeedersFor supplemental feeding
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  Ample feed storageprotects your investment in feed and allows you to make bulk purchases.Annual hay requirements¼ to ⅓ ton per animalHay storage 180 to 240 ft3 per tonUncovered hay deteriorates rapidly in quality.StorageFeed and equipment
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  WaterHandBucketsTroughsTanksTubsAutomatic waterersPossible costshare from NRCS (EQUIP program) for pasture watering systems.
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  Daily care ofanimalsTwice daily milkingAnnual shearingPasture managementLambing and kiddingParasite controlHoof trimmingLabor
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  Purposemeat, milk, orwoolUsesire or damWool or coat typefine, medium, long, carpet, or hair (shedding)Othertail, prolificy, minor, rare, heritageSheep breeds (~50 in U.S.)
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  Classification of U.S.sheep breeds
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  Grow wool withthe smallest fiber diameter.Their wool is the most valuable in the commodity wool market.They are best adapted to hot, dry climates.They are hardy and long-lived, gregarious, and less seasonal in their breeding habits.50 percent of the world’s sheep population are fine wool based.Fine wool Rambouillet, Delaine Merino, Debouillet, Booroola Merino, American CormoRambouilletMerino
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  Medium wool dual-purposeColumbia,Corriedale, East Friesian, Finnsheep, Panama, Polypay, TargheeCrosses between fine and medium wool.Whiteface sheep raised for meat, but have better quality wool than the medium meat-type wool breeds.A few specialty breedsEast Friesian – dairyFinnsheep – prolificPolypay – 4 way crossEast FriesianColumbiaFinnsheepPolypay
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  Grow wool thatis intermediate in fiber diameter and staple length.Excel in meat production (growth and carcass).Mostly of British origin.Most popular : Suffolk, Dorset, Hampshire, and Southdown.Comprise 15 percent of the world’s sheep population.Medium wool (meat)Cheviot, Dorset (polled and horned) North Country Cheviot, Hampshire,Oxford, Shropshire, Southdown, Suffolk, Texel, TunisSuffolkPolled Dorset
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  Long woolBorder Leicester,Coopworth, Cotswold, Lincoln, Perendale, Romney, WensleydaleRomneyGrow wool that has the largest fiber diameter, staple length, and yield.Their wool is popular among hand spinners.Best-adapted to high rainfall areas with abundant forage.LincolnRomney
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  Their bodies arecovered by hair or a mixture of hair and wool that is naturally shed.Do not require shearing or tail docking.Possess some unique characteristics:Caribbean-typeResistant to parasites (worms)Romanov - very prolific10 percent of the world’s sheep population.Growing in popularity in the U.S. and other western countries.Katahdin and Dorper most popular.Hair (or shedding) sheepAmerican Blackbelly, Barbados Blackbelly, California Red, Dorper, Katahdin, Romanov, Royal White, St. CroixKatahdinRomanov
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  Minor breedsBlack WelshMountain, Blueface Leicester, California Varietated Mutant, Clun Forest, Gulf Coast, Icelandic, Jacob, Karakaul, Navajo-Churro, Scottish Blackface, Shetland, Wiltshire HornBlueface LeicesterVary in the type and quantify of wool they produce.Vary in characteristics.Possess some unique characteristics Double-coatedCarpet woolFour hornsRat tailsSolid black colorPersian lamb skinMany are heritage breeds.Karakul
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  Classify according topurpose . . .DairyMeatFiberMiniature (small)Goat breeds (~20 in U.S.)Boer
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  Meat goat breedsBoerKikoBoerKikoMyotonicTennesseefainting goatSpanish (brush)PygmySavannahSpanishMyotonicSavannahPygmy
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  ADGA recognizedSwissSaanenAlpineToggenburgOberhasliNubianLa ManchaNigerianDwarfOtherSable (colored Saanens)Golden GuernseyMini dairy goatsDairy goat breedsSaanenAlpineToggenburgOberhasliNubianLa Mancha
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  AngoraCashmereMore of afiber type than a breedPygoraPygma x AngoraCashgoraCashmere x AngoraFiber goat breedsAngoraCashmereCashgoraPygora
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  Pygmy (meat)Nigerian Dwarf(dairy)KinderPygmy x NubianMini SilkyMyotonic x Nigerian Dwarf ?Mini dairy goats Nigerian Dwarf x standard dairyMini goat breedsPygmyNigerian Dwarf
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  There is agreat deal of variation among sheep breeds; less among goat breeds, especially meat.There are no “perfect” breeds.All breeds have strengths and weaknesses.There is usually as much difference within a breed as between breeds.Sheep and goat breedsSaanen
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  Mating animals fromdifferent breeds or breed types.Maximizes performance and profitabilityHybrid vigorCrossbred offspring are superior to their purebred parentsBreed complementarityUse breeds in their appropriate rolesCrossbreeding Systematic, not randomBoer x Kiko x Alpine
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  If you wantto show breeding stockIf you want to sell purebred and/or registered breeding stockTo produce a specific type of fiber.To produce a consistent type and quality of fiber.To preserve a rare or heritage breed.When to raise purebredsSouthdown
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  Get pastures andfacilities ready before buying your first sheep or goats.Start small and gradually increase size of herd.Start with healthy animals.Ewe lambs/doelings vs. mature females.Spend more money on ram and buck.Getting started
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  Reputable breedersDispersal salesPerformanceand production salesConsignment salesLocal salebarnFreeSources of breeding stock
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  Web-based directorieswww.sheepgoatmarketing.infoBreed associationshttp://www.sheepandgoat.com/goatbreedassoc.htmlhttp://www.sheepandgoat.com/sheepbreedassoc.htmlWestVirginia Shepherd’s Federation http://www.sheepwv.org/ MPWV Meat Goat Producers Associationhttp://www.meatgoat.bizWest Virginia Market Bulletinhttp://www.wvagriculture.org/market_bulletin/market_bulletin.htmlVirginia sheep and goat clearinghouse listshttp://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/livestock/Lancaster Farminghttp://lancasterfarming.comWhere to find breeding stock
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  EconomicsCan you makeany money raising sheep and/or goats?Yes or No
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  Business planningEnterprise budgetingFilea schedule FRecord keepingMake decisions based on science and economics.Control costsProduction efficiencySmart marketingHow to make a profit
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  Know your costs!Feedleast-cost rations.Shop around for feed ingredients.Balance your own rations.Maximize forage resource.Do you own vet work.Cull non-productive and problematic animals.Control costs
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  Feed balanced rations.Aimfor a 200% (or more) lamb/kid crop.Select for lbs. of quality lamb or goat weaned.Cull animals that fail to raise a lamb or kid.Manage to breed ewe lambs and doe kids to lamb or kid by the time they are 12 to 15 months of age.Use performance tested rams and bucks.Production efficiency (meat)
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  Aim for thehighest “net” price, not necessarily the highest price.Evaluate direct marketing as a means to increase profitability.Consider marketing alliances with other like-minded producers and/or entities.Choose one or two target markets.Don’t let higher market prices compensate for poor production efficiency.Smart marketing
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  Thank you foryour attention. Any questions?