1. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
SUSAN SCHOENIAN
Sheep & Goat Specialist
Western Maryland Research & Education Center
sschoen@umd.edu – www.sheepandgoat.com
Introduction
Sheep and goat
enterprises
What you need to
raise sheep/goats
Breed resources
Getting started
Economics
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 1

2. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Monogastric
◦ Simple stomach
p
◦ Pigs and poultry (and people)
Ruminant
◦ Cud-chewing
◦ 4 compartment stomach.
- Cows, sheep, and goats
◦ Pseudo-ruminant
(3 compartment stomach)
- Alpacas and llamas
Hind-gut fermenter
◦ Fermentation occurs in the
caecum and/or large intestine
◦ Horses and rabbits
Economic
◦ Profit
◦ Tax advantages
Lifestyle
Self-sufficiency
produce own f d f b
d food, fiber
Landscape management
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 2

3. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Less acreage required
Less investment
Ease of handling
Multi-purpose
Reproductive efficiency
Grazing behavior
Niche demand for
products
Complement other farm
enterprises
Small industry.
f f
Lack of infrastructure.
Lack of mainstream
demand for products.
Fencing
requirements.
Labor
L b requirements.
i t
Predator risk.
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 3

4. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Similar production
practices and inputs.
Same diseases.
Similar niche and ethnic
demand for products.
Similar constraints to
production: th 3 P’
d ti the P’s.
◦ Prices
◦ Predators
◦ Parasites
Grazer Browser
Prefer forbs Prefer shrubs
Graze close to ground Top-down grazer
T d
Grow slow
Grow faster
Produce more milk
Produce better milk
Less genetic diversity
More genetic diversity Curious and
Strong flocking instinct independent
and group mentality New and growing
Traditional enterprise industry
SHEEP GOATS
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 4

5. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Meat
Dairy
a y
Fiber
Landscape management
Agri-tourism
Primary income is from
the sale of live animals
for meat and/or the sale
of meat.
Most popular sheep and
goat enterprise.
There is a demand for
many different kinds of
goats.
lambs and goats
Marketing infrastructure
is already in place.
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 5

6. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Primary income is
from the sale of milk,
cheese and/or other
cheese,
dairy products.
In most states,
operation must be
certified grade A or B
to sell food products.
Usually requires own
product development
and marketing.
Fiber sales comprise a
significant portion of
h i f
the income from theh
enterprise.
◦ Wool
◦ Mohair
◦ Cashmere
◦ Alpaca
Must direct market to
make a profit.
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 6

7. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Land improvement on
your own farm.
Fee-based grazing
“Turn-key” operation
Animals
Transportation
g
Fencing
Care
Greatest economic
potential ! ?
Sell stock for trophy hunting or operate your
own hunting reserve. Usually hair sheep rams.
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 7

8. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Feed
Fencing
Housing and
shelter
Feeders
Watering system
Labor
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 8

9. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Pasture and browse
Hay
Grain
Alternative feedstuffs
Purpose
◦ To keep livestock
contained
◦ To keep predators out
◦ To control grazing and
manage livestock
Three kinds
1. Perimeter or boundary
2. Interior or cross
Possible cost share from
3. Heavy use areas NRCS (EQUIP program) for
rotational grazing.
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 9

10. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Multi-strand, high-
tensile electric
tensile, electric.
Woven wire with extra
barbed and electric
offset wires.
Barbed wire
ire
Adapt existing fences.
Permanent
Semi-permanent
Temporary, electric
◦ Smooth wire
◦ Polywire, tape, or rope
◦ Electric netting
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 10

11. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Outdoor lots
H ldi
Holding areas
Working corrals
Net wire
Metal gates
Solid panels
Livestock panels
Non-electric
Purpose
◦ Animal management
◦ Isolation area
◦ Feed storage
◦ Equipment storage
◦ Human comfort
Needs vary by
◦ Climate
◦ Production system
◦ Timing of l bi
Ti i f lambing and d
kidding
◦ Availability of natural
shelter.
◦ Personal preference
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 11

12. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Maybe not, but if they have access to it, they will
usually use it.
Th “appreciate” protection from bad weather.
They “ i ” i f b d h
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 12

13. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Ample feed storage
protects y
p your investment
in feed and allows you to
make bulk purchases.
Annual hay requirements
◦ ¼ to ⅓ ton per animal
Hay storage
◦ 180 to 240 ft3 per ton
Uncovered hay
deteriorates rapidly in
quality.
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 13

14. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Hand
◦ Buckets
◦ Troughs
◦ Tanks
◦ Tubs
Automatic waterers
Possible cost share from
NRCS (EQUIP program)
for pasture watering
systems.
Daily care of animals
Twice daily milking
Annual shearing g
Pasture management
Lambing and kidding
Parasite control
Hoof trimming
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 14

15. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
1) Purpose
meat, milk, or wool
, ,
2) Use
sire or dam
3) Wool or coat type
fine, medium, long, carpet,
or hair (shedding)
)
4) Other
tail, prolificy, minor, rare,
heritage
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 15

16. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Grow wool with the smallest fiber
diameter.
Their wool is the most valuable in
the commodity wool market.
They are best adapted to hot, dry
climates.
They are hardy and long-lived,
gregarious, and less seasonal in
their breeding h bi
h i b di habits.
50 percent of the world’s sheep
population are fine wool based.
Crosses between fine
and medium wool.
White face raised for
meat, but have better
quality wool than the East Friesian
medium meat-type
wool breeds. Columbia Finnsheep
Polypay
A few specialty breeds
1. East Friesian – d
dairy
2. Finnsheep – prolific
3. Polypay – 4 way cross
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 16

17. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Grow wool that is
i t
intermediate i fib
di t in fiber
diameter and staple
length.
Excel in meat production
(growth and carcass).
Mostly of British origin.
Most popular : Suffolk,
Suffolk
Dorset, Hampshire, and
Southdown.
Comprise 15 percent of
the world’s sheep
population.
Romney
Grow wool that has the
l
largest fib di
t fiber diameter,
t
staple length, and
yield.
Their wool is popular
Lincoln among hand spinners.
Best-adapted to high
rainfall areas with
abundant forage.
Romney
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 17

18. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Their bodies are covered by hair or a Katahdin
mixture of hair and wool that is
naturally shed.
atu a y s ed
Do not require shearing or tail
docking.
Possess some unique characteristics:
◦ Caribbean-type
Resistant to parasites (worms)
◦ Romanov - very prolific
Romanov
10 percent of the world’s sheep
population.
population
Growing in popularity in the U.S. and
other western countries.
Katahdin and Dorper most popular.
Vary in the type and quantify Blueface
of wool they produce. Leicester
Vary in characteristics.
Possess some unique
characteristics
◦ Double-coated
◦ Carpet wool
◦ Four horns
◦ Rat tails
◦ Solid black color
◦ Persian lamb skin
Many are heritage breeds.
Karakul
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 18

19. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Boer Classify according
y g
to purpose . . .
◦ Dairy
◦ Meat
◦ Fiber
◦ Miniature (small)
Boer Kiko
B
Boer
Kiko
Myotonic Myotonic Spanish
Tennessee fainting goat
Spanish (brush)
Pygmy
Savannah
Pygmy Savannah
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 19

20. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
ADGA recognized
Saanen
◦ Swiss
Saanen
Alpine
Toggenburg
Oberhasli Alpine
◦ Nubian
◦ La Mancha
◦ Nigerian Dwarf
Other
◦ Sable Toggenbur
g
Oberhasli
(colored Saanens)
◦ Golden Guernsey
◦ Mini dairy goats
Nubian La Mancha
Angora Angora
g
Cashmere
More of a fiber type than a breed
Cashmere
Pygora
Pygma x Angora
Cashgora
Cashmere x Angora
Pygora Cashgora
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 20

21. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Pygmy (meat)
Nigerian Dwarf (dairy)
Kinder
Pygmy x Nubian Pygmy
Mini Silky
y g
Myotonic x Nigerian Dwarf ? Nigerian
Dwarf
D f
Mini dairy goats
Nigerian Dwarf x standard dairy
There is a great deal of
variation among sheep
breeds; less among
goat breeds, especially
meat.
There are no “perfect”
breeds.
All breeds have
strengths and
weaknesses.
Saanen
There is usually as
much difference within
a breed as between
breeds.
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 21

22. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Mating animals from Boer x Kiko x Alpine
different breeds or
breed types.
Maximizes
performance and
profitability
◦ Hybrid vigor
Crossbred offspring are
supe o t e
superior to their
purebred parents
◦ Breed complementarity
Use breeds in their
appropriate roles
Southdown If you want to show
b di t k
breeding stock
If you want to sell
purebred and/or
registered breeding
stock
To produce a specific
type of fiber.
To
T produce a
d
consistent type and
quality of fiber.
To preserve a rare or
heritage breed.
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 22

23. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Get pastures and
facilities ready before
b ing your first
buying o r
sheep or goats.
Start small and
gradually increase size
of herd.
Start with healthy
animals.
animals
◦ Ewe lambs/doelings vs.
mature females.
Spend more money on
ram and buck.
Reputable breeders
Dispersal sa es
spe sa sales
Performance and production sales
Consignment sales
Local salebarn
Free
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 23

24. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Web-based directories
www.sheepgoatmarketing.info
Breed associations
http://www.sheepandgoat.com/goatbreedassoc.html
http://www.sheepandgoat.com/sheepbreedassoc.html
West Virginia Shepherd’s Federation
http://www.sheepwv.org/
MPWV Meat Goat Producers Association
http://www.meatgoat.biz
West Virginia Market Bulletin
http://www.wvagriculture.org/market_bulletin/market_bulletin.html
h // i l / k b ll i / k b ll i h l
Virginia sheep and goat clearinghouse lists
http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/livestock/
Lancaster Farming
http://lancasterfarming.com
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 24

25. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Business planning
Enterprise budgeting
File a schedule F
Record keeping
Make decisions based on
science and economics.
Control costs
Production efficiency
Smart marketing
Know your costs!
Feed least-cost rations.
◦ Shop around for feed
ingredients.
◦ Balance your own rations.
◦ Maximize forage resource.
Do you own vet work.
Cull non-productive and
problematic animals.
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 25

26. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Feed balanced rations.
Aim for a 200% (or more)
lamb/kid crop.
crop
Select for lbs. of quality lamb
or goat weaned.
Cull animals that fail to raise
a lamb or kid.
Manage to breed ewe lambs
and doe kids to lamb or kid
by the time they are 12 to 15
months of age.
Use performance tested rams
and bucks.
Aim for the highest “net” price,
not necessarily the highest
price.
Evaluate direct marketing as a
means to increase profitability.
Consider marketing alliances
with other like-minded
producers and/or entities.
Choose one or two target
markets.
markets
Don’t let higher market prices
compensate for poor production
efficiency.
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 26

27. Intro to small ruminant enterprises 3/2/2010
Thank you for your attention. Any questions?
S. Schoenian ‐ Univ. of MD Ext. 27