SHEEP & GOATS: What they can do for you! Small Ruminant Webinar by NCAT specialists Margo Hale and Linda Coffey

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1 SHEEP & GOATS: What they can do for you! Small Ruminant Webinar by NCAT specialists Margo Hale and Linda Coffey

2 This webinar is being recorded and will be posted to the ATTRA Web site, Look for it here after Aug. 30. We will also post a PDF of the presentation.

3 Whole-farm planning Farm goals How will sheep and goats f it?

4 Why sheep and goats? Photo courtesy of Scott Bauer, USDA/ARS.

5 Small size Easy to handle, child friendly Inexpensive to buy and feed Attracts farm visitors

6 Usually have twins Pounds weaned nearly equal dam s weight Quick return on investment growth maturity reproduction Prolif ic and productive

7 Good demand for products Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian.

8 Pasture benef its

9 Adaptable to many farms Photos courtesy of Susan Schoenian.

10 Adaptable to many grazing situations Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian. Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian. Photo courtesy of Dr. Jean-Marie Luginbuhl, NCSU.

11 Challenges of sheep and goats Learning curve Marketing Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian.

12 Production challenges Fencing Predators Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian. Parasites Photo courtesy of Dr. Jean-Marie Luginbuhl, NCSU.

13 Production information See these ATTRA publications Illustrated Guide to Sheep and Goat Production Sustainable Sheep Production Goats: Sustainable Production Overview Meat Goats: Sustainable Production Dairy Goats: Sustainable Production Dairy Sheep Small Ruminant Sustainability Checksheet and Resource List And consult with your local Cooperative Extension Office and with sheep and goat producers in your area

14 Selection Sheep or goats? Consider: Farm goals Market Forage base (grass or browse) Personal preference

15 Selection Whichever you choose, begin with Healthy animals Adapted to local conditions and your management

quickly Work with a veterinarian American Association of Small Ruminant

16 How to keep animals healthy Start with healthy stock Provide good nutrition and sanitation Be observant and respond to any problems quickly Work with a veterinarian American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners, American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners

Is it parasites? See these ATTRA publications at www.attra.ncat.

17 Is it parasites? See these ATTRA publications at Managing Internal Parasites in Sheep and Goats Tools for Managing Internal Parasites: Copper Oxide Wire Tools for Managing Internal Parasites: Sericea Lespedeza Go to Southern Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control, for more information Photo courtesy of Dr. Jean-Marie Luginbuhl, NCSU.

18 Feeding sheep and goats Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian. Use forages Photo courtesy of Dr. Jean-Marie Luginbuhl, NCSU. Make the most of the nutrition available

19 Feeding sheep and goats

20 Shelter and Equipment Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian. Fences Shelter natural or a simple shed

21 Handling equipment Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian. Must have small pen to catch animals Photo courtesy of Walt Davis. Should have scale working chute sorting gates

22 Marketing is what sets your farm apart Local access and demand Your ability and desire to create demand Personal preference Time you are willing to invest Income goal Farm and lifestyle goals Make or break time Illustration courtesy of Robert Armstrong.

23 Marketing Many options to market one of these lambs Consider the benefits and challenges Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian.

24 Sale barn Little effort No guaranteed price Have to pay commission, yardage, other fees 100 lb lamb x $.90/lb = $90

25 Other sales Pooled Graded Teleauction Large volumes Set price Meet criteria Photo courtesy of Mike Thonney.

26 Direct market and on-farm sales Interaction with customer Be aware of local regulations Set your price No shrink, transport cost, commission Time involved Custom processor 100 lb lamb x $1.50/lb = $150

27 Boxed lamb and buyers club Market Consistent supply and quality Sell whole or half animal Processor Delivery 100 lb lamb x $3/lb (live weight) = $300 Remember processing costs Photo courtesy of Luci Shepherd.

28 Takes effort Consistent supply and quality Processing Unwanted cuts, other market Various cuts, various prices 38 lbs of meat x avg. $5.50/lb = $209 Market to restaurant Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian.

29 Value-added products Breeding stock Show stock Vegetation management Fleece Milk and dairy products Lots of options Photo courtesy of TEAM Leafy Spurge. Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian.

30 Setting your price Variable Cover costs Prof it

31 Break-even lamb price (per pound) Ewe cost ($/head/yr) % Lamb Crop 75% 100% 150% 200% Assumed market weight: 100 lbs.

32 To enhance prof itability Keep costs low Manage forages and animals well Pay attention to marketing Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian.

33 Sheep and goats offer many advantages Complement other enterprises Many marketing options In summary Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian.

34 For more information ATTRA Maryland Small Ruminant page National resource for sheep and goat marketing Langston University, E (Kika) de la Garza Institute for Goat Research Targeted Grazing Handbook

35 For more information Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network Marketing Out of the Mainstream Contact local Extension Get involved with local producer group or associations Contact us, or All uncredited photos are by either Margo Hale or Linda Coffey and are property of NCAT.

How to Raise Small Ruminants Profitably and Sustainably

How to Raise Small Ruminants Profitably and Sustainably Steve Hart Institute for Goat Research 6/15/18 Why Sheep or Goats Suited to small farms, seniors and women Good meat market Low start-up cost Co-species