A Guide to Management Alternatives for the Upper Midwest North Central Region SARE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In memory of Ron Desens and Tom Guthrie. Editor: Beth Nelson, Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, University of Minnesota, St. Paul Content Specialist: Jacquie Jacob, Animal Science Department, University of Minnesota, St. Paul Text and Photography: Gigi DiGiacomo (main text) Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture and IPM Program Dick Lehnert (Michigan producer profiles) The MDA works toward a diverse agricultural industry that is profitable and environmentally sound; protects Jeremy Lanctot (Minnesota producer profiles) public health and safety regarding food and agricultural products; and ensures orderly commerce in agricultural Joel McNair (Wisconsin producer profiles) and food products. Its Sustainable Agriculture and IPM Program demonstrates and promotes alternative practices that are energy efficient, environmentally sound, profitable and that enhance the creativity and Project Team: self-sufficiency of Minnesota farmers. www.mda.state.mn.us Cris Carusi, Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, University of Wisconsin, Madison Chuck Cornillie, producer and Michigan Agriculture Stewardship Association Mary Jo Forbord, producer and Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota Tom Guthrie, producer, Michigan Integrated Food and Farming Systems Jacquie Jacob, Animal Science Department, University of Minnesota, St. Paul Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) Kay Jones, producer, Earth Shine Farm, Michigan MISA is a partnership between the University of Minnesota’s College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Steve Stevenson, Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, University of Wisconsin, Madison Science and the Sustainers’ Coalition, a group of individuals and community-based, nonprofit organizations. MISA’s purpose is to bring together the agricultural community and the University community in a cooperative Reviewers: effort to develop and promote sustainable agriculture in Minnesota and beyond. www.misa.umn.edu Paul Dietmann, Sauk County University of Wisconsin Extension John Dutcher, producer, Dutcher Farms, Michigan Ron Kean, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison Kevin Roberson, former faculty in Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS) Alvin Schlangen, producer, Minnesota The Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS) is a sustainable agriculture research center at the Bonnie Walters, Animal and Food Science, University of Wisconsin, River Falls University of Wisconsin’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The Center was created to build UW sustainable agriculture research programs that respond to farmer and citizen needs, and involve them in setting Layout: research agendas. This means that human relationships are at the core of everything we do. CIAS staff members Amy Pressnall work with citizen and faculty partners to create flexible, multidisciplinary research in emerging areas. www.cias.wisc.edu Project Coordinators Meg Moynihan, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Beth Nelson, Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, University of Minnesota Michigan Agricultural Stewardship Association (MASA) Available in the To order Hogs Your Way, contact the University of Minnesota Extension Distribution Center: MASA is a nonprofit farmer organization dedicated to helping farmers implement sustainable farming practices. same series: (800) 876-8636 | [email protected] | www.extension.umn.edu Hogs Your Way To order Dairy Your Way, contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture: -and- (651) 201-6012 | www.mda.state.mn.us Michigan Integrated Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) Dairy Your Way Full text available online: Poultry Your Way and Dairy Your Way at www.mda.state.mn.us MIFFS is a collaborative effort to create and support more sustainable food and agriculture systems for Hogs Your Way at www.misa.umn.edu producers and consumers in Michigan. Agricultural productivity, economic viability, environmental protection, resource efficiency, and strong communities are all important goals of MIFFS. www.miffs.org Copyright 2005, Minnesota Department of Agriculture This publication may be reprinted, in whole or in part, without permission. Please credit the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Nondiscrimination: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider. No person or persons are excluded from the use of Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota (SFA) services, employment, examination, appointment, training, promotion, retention, discipline, or any other transactions, because of race, color, religion, SFA is a nonprofit farmer organization that encourages Minnesota farmers to implement innovative, ecologically national origin, sex, creed, marital status, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, political opinion or affiliation, age or handicap. sound and prosperous farming systems that contribute to the good health of people, farms, communities, and In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, an alternative form of communication is available upon request. TTY: (800) 627-3529 ecosystems. SFA supports the development and enhancement of sustainable farming systems through farmer- Product names: Inclusion of a trade name does not imply endorsement of that product by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, nor does to-farmer networking, innovation, demonstration, and education. Join discussion forums on topics in sustainable exclusion imply nonapproval. agriculture at www.sfa-mn.org Funding for this project was provided by a Research and Education Grant from the USDA-Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, USDA Agreement No. 2003-38640-13225. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER ONE: TAKE STOCK OF RESOURCES AND GOALS 3 Resources, Skills, Values and Goals CHAPTER TWO: POULTRY OVERVIEW 7 Background, Poultry Basics, Species Alternatives, Productivity Farm Profile: Alternative Species—Muscovy Duck 13 CHAPTER THREE: MARKETING ALTERNATIVES 17 Background, Marketing Basics, Markets and Buyers, Poultry Products, Legal Considerations, Explore Your Alternatives CHAPTER FOUR: PROCESSING ALTERNATIVES 27 Background, Table Eggs, Poultry, Legal Considerations, Explore Your Alternatives CHAPTER FIVE: MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES 37 Background, Management Basics 37 Industrial: Confinement 45 Farm Profile: Industrial Confinement 52 Traditional: Confinement and Semi-Confinement 57 Farm Profile: Traditional: Confinement and Semi-Confinement 60 Pasture: Day-Range 65 Farm Profile: Day-range 73 Pasture: Daily Move Pens 77 Farm Profile: Pasture: Daily Move Pens 82 Organic 83 Farm Profile: Organic 89 Explore Your Alternatives 92 Farm Profile: Pasture and Market Transition 93 CHAPTER SIX: SELECT THE BEST ALTERNATIVE 99 CHAPTER SEVEN: DEVELOP YOUR PLAN 103 CITED REFERENCES 105 RESOURCES 109 GLOSSARY 121 INTRODUCTION WHAT THIS GUIDE WILL HELP YOU DO Poultry as a New Enterprise • CLARIFY your goals in considering poultry production options Thinking of raising poultry? Many farmers are interested in poultry because • UNDERSTAND the range of options you have in the Upper Midwest of its income potential and management flexibility. Poultry enterprises may be • IDENTIFY those that fit your strengths, interests, and resources operated seasonally or year-round, full-time or part-time, on pasture or in a barn. Poultry products can be sold direct from the farm or for a premium in specialty • ENCOURAGE further planning, discussion, and networking markets where buyers seek something a little different. There’s a lot to get excited • PROVIDE contact information to research areas of interest on your own about! There’s also a lot to consider when it comes to marketing, processing, and production. WHAT THIS GUIDE WILL NOT DO • COVER every system or combinations of these used in the Upper Midwest All poultry products must be processed at some level before they can be sold. For this reason, poultry growers must either contract with a large-scale company • PROVIDE state-of-the-art technical data or arrange processing on their own. The same goes for marketing. Conventional • REPLACE the expertise and counsel of breeders, nutritionists, veterinarians, accountants, attorneys, meat and egg markets, like other agricultural sectors, are dominated by large-scale contractors, or consultants companies. Consequently, it takes a bit of footwork to successfully market poultry Minnesota Producer Alvin • GUARANTEE success, sustainability, or personal satisfaction products as an independent grower. But, if you’re willing to keep an open mind, to Schlangen with processed organic eggs, ready for market. • MAKE decisions for you be creative, and to cater to the demands of buyers, poultry may become one of your most promising farm enterprises. HOW YOU CAN USE THIS GUIDE • SKIM the entire guide (to get an overview) • READ sections of greatest interest (to satisfy an immediate need or curiosity) Using This Guide • START at the beginning (to use a systematic approach to your situation). Poultry Your Way (PYW) is for anyone interested in commercially raising, processing, and marketing poultry. It • PERSONALIZE your guide—highlight or circle important ideas is designed to help you consider alternatives, and to help you make decisions about which alternative(s) will be • REFER to additional resources listed for more details to make your decision most compatible with your family and business goals.
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