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