Transcript Nutrition
Pasture-finishing lambs or goats Sheep & Goat Toolbox What do they like? • Goats prefer to browse – brush, leaves, or small trees • Sheep prefer to graze – forbs and grasses • Both are able to select the most nutritious parts of plants Finishing systems • Grain/Feedlot • Pasture –With or without supplementation • Organic http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/ beef/feed/publications/lotfeeding/establish Feedlot finishing • Easier • Lambs grow faster • Less time & management involved • Fewer parasite and predator problems • More expensive • Less appealing to consumer • Unnatural for animals Feedlot finished animals are. . . • Larger in general • Suitable for traditional markets • Carcass contains excess trimmable fat (waste) Pictures from www.sheepandgoat.com Pasture-based operations • Economically beneficial if properly maintained • Requires very intensive management • Requires proper stocking rate • A variety of forages is best • Rotational grazing or controlled grazing is essential • Cull inefficient animals • Select for parasite resistance and manage grazing to reduce parasite exposure Pasture raised animals are. . . • Smaller in general • More lean • Ideal for targeting ethnic markets & health conscious consumers • Best suited for direct or specialty marketing Pictures from www.sheepandgoat.com Variety is key • Cool season perennials –tall fescue, orchardgrass • Warm season annuals –crabgrass • Cool season annuals –annual ryegrass, oats, wheat • Warm season perennials –bahiagrass, bermudagrass • Legumes Variety is key • Animals eat more when there is a variety; more intake=faster gains • A variety of forages means there is not a “forage gap”—more availability of forage=faster gains • Good quality AND quantity of forage=better health and faster gains Keys to success • Improve pasture quality & variety and be sure there is plenty • Extend grazing season • Manage pasture well • Observe your animals and your pastures; adjust when needed • In some areas, supplementation may be necessary • Do not over-supplement Photo courtesy of Jean Marie Luginbuhl Benefits of supplementing • Observe flock daily • Animals become accustomed to being handled • Can increase gain with low to medium quality pastures Remember: do not oversupplement • Wastes money • Can decrease gain http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/ livestock/beef/feed/publications/lotfee ding/establish What is the right amount? • Just enough to maximize gain • Takes close observation • Usually .5-1.5% body weight Picture from www.sheep101.info Factors that influence feed intake: • Age, size, stage, and level of production • Sex • Health • Forage preferences • Palatability of food • Digestibility (fiber content) • Maturity of forage Overgrazing forages • Kills plants • Exposes soil to erosion • Means the animals don’t get enough food • Increases the chance of ingesting internal parasite larvae • Creates bare spots & opportunities for undesirable weeds and erosion Pasture gains (Vermont) Real farm examples ANIMAL(S) 70 Montadale x Leicester ewes 60-100 Montadale/ Merino Ewes PASTURE GAIN FINISHING SYSTEM MARKET market & freezer lamb -- more than half retail 65 acres pasture and hill land .5-.6 lbs/day pasture 56 acres .34-.52 lbs/day pasture 26-45 ewes sometimes cograzing with heifers, cows, calves, pigs or poultry 138 acres; 87 woods, 17.5 grass .51-.69 lbs/day pasture 70 Montadale x Leicester ewes 40 acres of mixed grasses & legumes .34-.65 lbs/day pasture auction and direct marketing 35 acres .35-.6 lbs/day pasture auction and direct marketing 28 ewes Adapted from Pasture Management on Sheep Farms: A Summary of Eight Case Studies; Duesterberg, K., S. Flack, and C. Parsons. Organic operations • Products sell for a premium • Must meet USDA Organic Requirements • Certification requires 3year transition period • Annual inspection • Keep long-term records Animal requirements • 100% organic feed • No synthetic medicines or hormones • Organic pasture • Organic bedding • Breeding animals managed organically from at least the last 1/3 of pregnancy • Pasture provides at least 30% of diet during grazing season (at least 120 days) Organic Certification The Following Must be Certified Organic: • Land • Animals • Production Facility • Processing Plant Cost vs. benefit Must weigh the additional cost versus the economic return – every farm is different! For more information see ATTRA’s Guide for Organic Livestock Producers: http://www.attra.org & click “Organic Farming” on the left. Also see Organic presentation in this collection. More information See the Organic chapter of the Small Ruminant Resource Manual in the Small Ruminant Toolbox, or go to www.attra.ncat.org. The National Organic Program website is http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/nop What is best? • Depends on… – Farm – Market – Goals – Animals “Grass Fed” “All-Natural” The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is a nonprofit organization that helps people and communities. NCAT champions smallscale, sustainable and local solutions to reduce poverty, protect communities and promote natural resources. Since 1976, NCAT has weatherized houses, trained farmers, monitored energy use and demonstrated renewable technology. NCAT works on local and national projects that foster a healthy quality of life for everyone.