A project of the National Center for Appropriate Technology 1-800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org Small-Scale Livestock Production By Margo Hale, Livestock is a potentially profi table enterprise for small-scale agricultural operations. Livestock can offer Linda Coff ey, a farm new revenue streams as well as increased fertility and weed control. Benefi ts and challenges of Terrell Spencer, and raising livestock on a small farm are discussed here, including particular considerations related to produc- Andy Pressman, NCAT ing poultry, rabbits, hogs, sheep and goats, bees, and cattle. Resources for further reading are provided. Agriculture Specialists Published Sept. 2011 © NCAT IP411 Contents Concerns with Raising Livestock on Limited Acreage ..............2 Species Considerations ................6 Bees .................................6 Poultry .........................12 Rabbits ........................23 Hogs .............................27 Sheep and Goats ............................31 Cattle ............................40 Summary ......................... 41 References ...................... 42 Resources ........................ 42 Appendix: Livestock off er many benefi ts to a small-scale farming operation. Species Budgets ...........49 Photo credits: Goose - Margo Hale, NCAT; Goats - Linda Coff ey, NCAT; Feed - Carla Spencer, Across the Creek Farm; Goat - Linda Coff ey, NCAT; Pigs - Linda Coff ey, NCAT; Chickens - Carla Spencer, Across the Creek Farm; Apiary (with experimental tower hive) - Andy Pressman, NCAT; Cow - Linda Coff ey, NCAT Introduction/Overview Many small-scale farming operations have a vegetable crop focus. With a limited land base, The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, ith growing interest nation- high-value specialty crop production is a logical ATTRA (www.attra.ncat.org), wide in sustainable agriculture choice. However, don’t overlook livestock as a was developed and is managed by the National Center for and local foods, there are many possible enterprise for small acreages. Th ere are Appropriate Technology (NCAT). W many benefi ts to raising livestock on a small scale. The project is funded through opportunities for those interested in small- a cooperative agreement with the United States Department scale agricultural operations. Many begin- Livestock make a great addition to a specialty of Agriculture’s Rural Business- ning farmers or farmers in more urban Cooperative Service. Visit the crop operation. In addition to helping diver- NCAT website (www.ncat.org/ areas do not have access to large parcels sify enterprises and income streams, livestock sarc_current.php) for more information on of land. Fortunately, there are many agricul- can provide many other benefi ts. For example, our other sustainable tural enterprises that lend themselves to small- their manure can be used to fertilize crops. Th ey agriculture and energy projects. scale intensive production. can provide weed control in (geese) and around (sheep, goats) gardens. Waste produce can be fed an article or book. Finding an experienced per- to livestock, and the animals can graze and fer- son who can answer questions or come and look tilize gardens at the end of the season. Th is pro- at your setup and give guidance is worthwhile. vides nutritious feed to livestock and helps elim- A supportive veterinarian or local Cooperative inate garden waste. Extension or NRCS agent can be a great help. An experienced local producer who is willing In addition to providing benefi ts for the farm, to spend time with you is a huge asset as well. adding livestock to your operation can benefi t Beginning farmers can often “pay back” these your community. Th ere is a growing demand for mentors by bartering their own time (labor) or locally grown food, but in many places, fi nding other products and by serving as a mentor to locally produced livestock products is diffi cult. someone else in the future. See the Resources By raising livestock and marketing their many section at the end of this publication for a list of products, you can help diversify the local-food books, periodicals, and organizations that off er off erings in your area. education to assist you in your pursuit. Another benefi t, especially if you are direct- Related ATTRA Installing housing and fencing is another task marketing your farm products, is that livestock publications that needs to be done before bringing live- may attract customers to your farm. Customers www.attra.ncat.org stock to your farm. It is certainly true that enjoy seeing livestock on a farm. If your animals “good fences make good neighbors,” and learn- Sustainable can be seen from a road, it may cause poten- ing about the appropriate fencing for your cho- Agriculture: tial customers to stop and learn more about your sen livestock species, and installing that fence, An Introduction operation. Additionally, the small size of sheep, is an important step before purchase. Fencing goats, rabbits, and poultry make them relatively Start a Farm in the City is important not only as a means of containing child-friendly. Evaluating a Rural your animals but as a way to protect them from Enterprise predators, including neighborhood pets. For Concerns with Raising some animals, such as sheep or goats, fencing Finding Land to Farm Livestock on Limited Acreage will be the largest single investment a producer makes. Visiting other farms and consulting with While there are many potential benefi ts from other farmers can help save time and eff ort and adding livestock to a small-scale farming opera- money. Remember that for a long-term invest- tion, there are also many challenges. ment, it’s best to buy quality. It is also wise to First of all, you will need to investigate the zon- begin with a temporary setup (be sure it ade- ing laws where you live. Are you allowed to quately controls the animals) until you can see raise livestock? If so, are there any limitations how it works. Invest in permanent fencing when on type or number? For example, in an urban you have some confi dence in the design and or suburban location, you may be allowed to location of fences and gates. keep as many as 20 hens but no roosters. Find Fencing is probably the largest investment ini- out about any restrictions up front. It may be tially, with feed usually the largest ticket item possible to petition to have the zoning changed, in the long run. Feeding an animal correctly but this will require at least the support of (the right amounts of nutritious feed) and eco- your neighbors and the zoning board. It’s best nomically is often a challenge, but proper nutri- to learn about any restrictions before you begin tion is essential for health and productivity. an enterprise. For some species, such as chickens, providing If you are new to livestock production, it is adequate feed can be pretty simple: buy a feed important to learn as much as you can before labeled for the animal and follow the direc- beginning your enterprise. Learning from other tions on the label. By contrast, for grazing ani- livestock producers is a great way to educate mals you will need to learn to manage forages yourself about a particular enterprise. Unfor- and then provide supplemental feed as needed. tunately, in areas where farming is no longer Finding an advisor and learning to monitor common, it can be diffi cult to fi nd mentors and body condition (level of fatness; how much the advisors. Although reading can be a helpful bones are covered over the back and ribs) are way to learn about many aspects of raising live- important means of making sure your animals stock, not everything can or will be covered in are receiving adequate nutrition. Feed costs may Page 2 ATTRA Small-Scale Intensive Farm Training Program be infl uenced by the location and scale of your it is stored under a roof. A tarp cover can pro- business—you won’t be purchasing feed by the tect hay from rain, but condensation will gather ton, so you lose some effi ciencies of scale. A sub- under the tarp, causing mold growth. In some urban area may have higher costs for feed than instances, a hay grower may deliver hay in large a more rural area. Check into costs where you bales or in small truckloads several times over are and be sure to account for feed costs in your the course of the season. Expect to pay extra for budget. In some areas, feed costs may prohibit this service. If you have to haul your own hay, raising some species of livestock. you will need a truck. Remember to allow time in your budget for acquiring, hauling, stack- For all livestock enterprises, feed and other costs ing, and feeding the hay. Ask your mentor how will be incurred for weeks or months before any he handles feed acquisition and storage as well as income is received. Cash fl ow during the fi rst feeding livestock. few years (or in an expansion year) can be a real problem. Also, either drought or a harsh win- Another concern of livestock production is ter can increase the need for purchased feed. Be manure handling. If you are raising animals sure to have a plan for paying for all expenses on pasture, then you shouldn’t have much of a and think “worst-case scenario.” What if you manure issue, as they will be depositing their have to feed hay in July and August? What if manure directly onto the pasture. If animals are an animal dies and you can sell only four hogs being raised in confi nement, or if they gather in or all instead of fi ve? a barn, then you will have to deal with manure. livestock For sanitary and health reasons, it is impor- Most sustainable livestock operations will uti- tant to keep barns and holding areas free of Fenterprises, lize forages as much as possible.