Raising Livestock on Limited Acreage

1. Raising Livestock on Limited Acreage Christine Kelly-Begazo Agriculture Agent

2. Your Dream Farm • Weed-free pastures • Well-stocked barn • Cute, cuddly animals • Happy children doing chores • Lemonade on the veranda Jonde Lane Farm B&B, Manheim, PA.

3. Only in…… • Your dreams! • Farmville • Facebook

4. Reality is…. • Dirty, hard work • Little free time • Stressful, little control • Narrow profit margin • Animals die, or have to die • Significant other is not enthusiastic • Your children hate it! Photos taken from Flickr.com

5. Stillinterested? • Beforeyoubuyyourfirst animal… • Set realisticgoals • Why do youwantthis? - is thisfor $, self-sufficiency or pleasure • What are yourprioritiesforquality of life? - Enjoyfarmingduring free time? - Can you “harvest” animals? • What is yourlifephilosophy (“Big Picture”) - Environmentalism - Foodsecurity

6. Do Your Research • Learn everything possible about your product • Growing and feeding • Processing and dressing • Packaging and labeling • Marketing and preparing

7. Other Issues to Consider • Are you zoned for livestock activity? • Will your neighbors mind? • Distance to nearest feedstore or farm supply store? • Are there consumers/buyers? • Are there any other producers? • Where is the nearest processor? • Is your target market close? • Can you sell legally?

8. What are the Laws? • Zoning & ordinances • Processing • USDA • State Health • Market system requirements • Labeling • Legal to sell • EGGS

9. Niche Marketing • Free range • Guaranteed tender • Locally produced • Ethnic foods • Custom slaughter • Organic • Sustainable • Pasture fed • Corn fed • Hormone free Cartoonstock.com

10. Livestock Choices Traditional Non-traditional Llamas Alpacas Ostrich Emus Buffalo Guinea pig Gator • Hogs • Chickens • Goats • Horses • Cattle • Sheep • Rabbits

11. Major Considerations for Animal Production Biggest issues

12. Space Requirements(Stocking Rates) • 3 acres per cow • 3 acres per horse • 1 acre per 6 ewes /goats • Ewes and lambs / 20 sq’ • 30” x 36”x18” rabbit cage for medium breed Note: Space requirements differ and careful evaluation needs to be made prior to developing a business plan

13. For Example • 100 cows = 300 acres • 3 cows = 10 acres • 100 calves = 50 acres • 100 goats = 16 acres • 3 horses = 9 acres • 100 sheep = 16 acres • 100 rabbits = 900 sq’

14. Mini’s vs. Regular Size • Generally not considered “real” livestock • Cute, but actual production? • Is there a market/consumer for product? • Goals for having them on site • Same production requirements, just less • Less space, less feed, same vet bill, same set of management skills

15. Recordkeeping • Inicial Outlay • Land, stock, fencing, bldgs, equipment • Labor • YOUR time, volunteers, family & friends • Production • Reproduction, weight gains • Sales/Income • Inventory

16. Factors That Hinder Production & Success

17. Poultry • Easiest animal to start out with • From chick to production is quick • Relatively quiet for neighbors (no roosters) • Meat and egg production • Many different breeds • conventional, heritage, fancies • Traditional farms used dual-purpose

18. Limiting Factors Affecting $$ • Predators • # of laying boxes • Area per bird • Parasites • Inadequate nutrition • Lack of water • Genetics • Age of animal

19. Rabbits • Easy animal to start out with • Small, medium and large breeds • Meat, fur, hair, show • Positive nutritional factors for meat • Age to market weight is quick • Reproduction is rapid • Easiest to feed

20. Limiting Factors Affecting $$ • Poor breeding stock • Lack of mothering skills • Time to breeding age • Illness in the herd • Poor hygiene • Old or contaminated feed • Lack of water or food • Overheating

21. Limiting Factors (con’t) • Predators • Lack of market base • Lack of harvest facilities • Location and transportation • Inability to harvest • USDA regulations • Packaging & marketing

22. Goats/Sheep • Meat, dairy, hair, and wool breeds • Smaller animal = more animals/acre • More efficient use of pasture/browse • Reproduction is adequate • Increasing demand with ethnic markets • Niche market for wool with weavers

23. Limiting Factors Affecting $$ • Fencing, fencing & more fencing • Milk production is labor intensive • Limited legal market for milk • Lack of harvesting facilities • Lack of shearing capabilities • Parasites!

24. Swine • Not very popular in Florida • Except with 4-H & FFA • Wild hogs • Limited market • Strong midwestern industry • Lack of harvesting facilities • For more than just a few • Fun to pasture

25. Cattle • Meat and dairy breeds • Homesteading self-sufficiency • Integrated farming system • Relatively easy to feed • Cow/calf operations • Can produce milk & meat with minatures but…

26. Limiting Factors Affecting $$ • Need larger tract of land • Transportation and fuel costs • Larger animal harder to control • Longer time to harvest or sell • Increased costs of hay and feed • Dairy industry is heavily regulated • “Pet consumption only”

27. Horses • Great sink of money • Need good quality pasture • Not necessarily considered agriculture production • Important for ag exemption • “Greenbelt” • Check with property appraiser’s office

28. Exotics • Have to get in on the beginning of the industry • Money made via a pyramid factor • Selling the breeding animals is how you make the big money • Little $ is made on the actual herd or product • NOT recommended!

29. In Conclusion • Livestock can be raised for fun and for profit • Should develop a thought out business plan • Profit margins are generally lower with livestock • Consider your location to feedstores, processors and consumers • Niche markets can be profitable for specialized products • Gain experience by raising small numbers before investing heavily