ATTRA Introduction and Whole farm Planning for Sheep and Goats

Linda Coffey & Margo Hale, NCAT

What is ATTRA?

Funded by a grant from the USDA-Rural Business Cooperative Service

What do we do?

• Information Service • Publications • Web site • 800-line • Research queries • Workshops and Seminars

Who do we serve?

• Full and part-time farmers and ranchers • Market gardeners • Extension Service • NRCS • Agribusiness • Non-profit & farm organizations • Media

What topics do we cover?

• Sustainable Agriculture • Organic Agriculture • Horticultural Crops • Field Crops • Soils • Water • Pest Management • Livestock • Marketing and Economics • Farm Energy • Education • Others…

1-800-346-9140

About us. . .

About you. . .

• What are you currently doing?

• Enterprises?

• Experience?

• What questions do you have?

• What do you want to get out of this workshop?

Whole-farm planning

Whole-farm planning

• What are your farm goals?

• What resources do you have?

• How will goats or sheep help you achieve those goals?

Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian

Whole-farm planning resources

• Small Ruminant Sustainability Checksheet – https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/ summary.php?pub=340 – 1-800-346-9140 • Building a Sustainable Business – http://www.sare.org/publications/business/ business.pdf

– 301- 374-9696

Benefits of goats and sheep

• Small size  Easy to handle  Inexpensive to buy and feed • Prolific and productive  Twins increase pounds weaned  Quick return on investment • Good demand for products  Meat, milk, fiber, stock  Ethnic markets

Benefits of goats and sheep

• Pasture benefits  Use forages without equipment   Improve pastures Add fertility • Adaptable to many farms  Large and small   Various climates, topographies Compliment other enterprises

Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian

• Adaptable to different grazing situations  Clean up cattle pastures   Control noxious weeds Clean up crop residues, graze around buildings

Challenges

• Learning curve • Marketing • Production challenges – Fencing – Predators – Parasites

Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian

For help with production information:

• See these ATTRA publications – Illustrated Guide to Sheep and Goat Production – Goats: Sustainable Production Overview – Meat Goats: Sustainable Production – Dairy Goats – Sheep: Sustainable and Organic Production – Small Ruminant Resource List – www.attra.org

• Maryland Small Ruminant Page – www.sheepandgoat.com

• And consult with local Extension and with goat producers in your area

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is a nonprofit organization that helps people and communities. NCAT champions small scale, 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.