1. Introduction to Sustainable Livestock Production Dr
Introduction to Sustainable Livestock Production Dr. Susan Kerr WSU-Klickitat County Extension Director

2. 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

3. 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”

4. 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

5. Any or all production phases
WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?
Any or all production phases
Dairy cattle
Beef cattle
Horses
Sheep
Goats
Swine
Poultry
Ostriches/emus
Rabbits
Llamas
Alpacas
Other

6. How will your product be unique?
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?

7. Research, plan and plan some more before starting.
A KEY TO SUCCESS:
Research, plan and plan some more before starting.
p.s. Sometimes the answer is no.

8. HOW AND WHERE WILL YOU MARKET YOUR ANIMALS?
KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW!
HOW AND WHERE WILL YOU MARKET YOUR ANIMALS?
Expected clientele
Potential niche markets
Advertising methods

9. 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

10. 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 don’t even know it
Marketing plan, business plan, enterprise budgets and financial analyses are crucial

11. PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION
See definitions in WSDA’s “Green Book”
Natural
Grass fed
Organic
Pastured poultry
Free range
Etc.

12. 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

13. “Enlightened meat consumers”
TYPES OF CONSUMERS
Vegans
Vegetarians
Omnivores
Grillivores
“Enlightened meat consumers”

14. 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)

15. 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

16. Your goals and horse’s 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

17. Pasture rotation essential Sacrifice area
HORSES CONTINUED
Pasture rotation essential
Sacrifice area
Special considerations: mud and manure management

18. Large growth in market since mid 1990s due to Boer breed
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

19. Several breeds to choose from
DAIRY GOATS
Several breeds to choose from
Products: milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, ice cream, soap (state and county laws)
Milk production compatible with family’s needs
Small size
Generally good disposition
Social animals
Require shelter
Breed dairy doe to meat buck => meatier kids to sell

20. Laws regulate sale of fluid milk Can make butter, ice cream, cheese...
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 shouldn’t 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)

21. Consider breed temperament Handling facilities are essential
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

22. Niche market: more moist, flavorful meat vs. grocery store pork
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

23. Many breeds. Wool vs. hair breeds (“easy care”), wool vs. meat breeds
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

24. Many breeds and species
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 (Marek’s, lice, coccidia...)

25. Llamas, alpacas, angora rabbits, sheep, goats (cashmere and angora)
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!

26. ROUTINE TASKS FOR VARIOUS SPECIES
Disbudding/dehorning
Castrating
Docking
Vaccinating
Hoof trimming
Shearing
Deworming
ID (tags, brands, tattoos, chips)
Breeding
Transporting

27. 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

28. 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

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

30. Ruminant vs. Simple-stomach anatomy

31. 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)

32. See what you have on hand and how it meets requirements
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 animal’s status (maintenance, growth, gestation, lactation, etc.)

33. 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?

34. 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

35. ASSESSING/MONITORING NUTRITIONAL STATUS
“Book values”
Health
Performance
Laboratory tests
“The husband’s eye”
Body condition score

36. BODY CONDITION SCORING
Objective assessment of individual animal’s 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

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

38. 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!

39. 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

40. 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

41. 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

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

43. Minimize by proper pre-purchase screening tests and exams
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; don’t hold back poor doers
Observe individuals daily
Keep records (vaccinations, deworming...)

44. Cattle: Johne’s disease, mastitis, scours, pneumonia, pinkeye...
HEALTH CONTINUED
Cattle: Johne’s 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, Marek’s...
All: Selenium deficiency, poisonous plants...

45. 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

46. Hand vs. machine milking
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

47. Provide nutritional quality and quantity Practice biosecurity measures
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

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

49. Domestic and international disease concerns
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!

50. 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.

51. FOOD PRODUCT QUALITY ASSURANCE AND YOU
Vast majority of food animal products end up on someone’s 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

52. 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

53. 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

54. Horse Industry Handbook WSDA’s “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

55. RESOURCES
smallfarms/SmallFarms.php
pdf/pnw/pnw225.pdf

56. https://engineering.purdue.edu/ABE/Extension/mwps_docs.whtml
RESOURCES

57. The information herein is supplied for 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, national origin, religion, age, disability, and sexual orientation. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.