Raising Livestock on Limited Acreage

Christine Kelly-BegazoAgriculture Agent

Your Dream Farm

• Weed-free pastures• Well-stocked barn• Cute, cuddly animals• Happy children doing

chores• Lemonade on the

veranda Jonde Lane Farm B&B, Manheim, PA.

Only in……• Your dreams!• Farmville• Facebook

Reality is….• Dirty, hard work• Little free time• Stressful, little

control• Narrow profit

margin• Animals die, or

have to die• Significant other is

not enthusiastic• Your children hate

it!

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Still interested?• Before you buy your first animal…

1. Set realistic goals2. Why do you want this?

- is this for $, self-sufficiency or pleasure3. What are your priorities for quality of life?

- Enjoy farming during free time? - Can you “harvest” animals?

4. What is your life philosophy (“Big Picture”)- Environmentalism- Food security

Do Your Research• Learn everything possible about your productGrowing and feedingProcessing and dressingPackaging and labelingMarketing and preparing

Other Issues to ConsiderAre you zoned for livestock

activity?Will your neighbors mind?Distance to nearest feedstore or

farm supply store?Are there consumers/buyers?Are there any other producers?Where is the nearest processor?Is your target market close?Can you sell legally?

What are the Laws?• Zoning & ordinances• Processing

– USDA– State Health– Market system

requirements• Labeling• Legal to sell

– EGGS

Niche Marketing

• Free range• Guaranteed

tender• Locally produced• Ethnic foods• Custom slaughter

• Organic• Sustainable• Pasture fed• Corn fed• Hormone free

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Livestock Choices

TraditionalNon-traditional

• Llamas• Alpacas• Ostrich• Emus• Buffalo• Guinea

pig• Gator

• Hogs• Chickens• Goats• Horses• Cattle• Sheep• Rabbits

Major Considerations for Animal Production

Biggest

issues

Space Requirements(Stocking Rates)

• 3 acres per cow• 3 acres per horse• 1 acre per 6 ewes /goats• Ewes and lambs / 20 sq’• 30” x 36”x18” rabbit cage for

medium breedNote: Space requirements differ and careful evaluation

needs to be made prior to developing a business plan

For Example• 100 cows = 300

acres• 3 cows = 10 acres• 100 calves = 50

acres• 100 goats = 16

acres• 3 horses = 9 acres• 100 sheep = 16

acres• 100 rabbits = 900

sq’

Mini’s vs. Regular Size• Generally not considered

“real” livestock• Cute, but actual

production?– Is there a market/consumer

for product?• Goals for having them

on site• Same production

requirements, just less– Less space, less feed, same

vet bill, same set of management skills

Recordkeeping• Inicial Outlay

– Land, stock, fencing, bldgs, equipment

• Labor– YOUR time, volunteers,

family & friends• Production

– Reproduction, weight gains• Sales/Income• Inventory

Factors That Hinder Production & Success

Poultry• Easiest animal to start out

with • From chick to production is

quick• Relatively quiet for neighbors

(no roosters)• Meat and egg production

– Many different breeds• conventional, heritage, fancies

– Traditional farms useddual-purpose

Limiting Factors Affecting $$

• Predators• # of laying boxes• Area per bird• Parasites• Inadequate nutrition• Lack of water• Genetics• Age of animal

Rabbits• Easy animal to start out with• Small, medium and large breeds

– Meat, fur, hair, show• Positive nutritional factors for

meat• Age to market weight is quick• Reproduction is rapid• Easiest to feed

• Poor breeding stock– Lack of mothering skills

• Time to breeding age• Illness in the herd

– Poor hygiene• Old or contaminated

feed• Lack of water or food• Overheating

Limiting Factors Affecting $$

• Predators• Lack of market base• Lack of harvest

facilities– Location and

transportation• Inability to harvest• USDA regulations• Packaging &

marketing

Limiting Factors (con’t)

Goats/Sheep

• Meat, dairy, hair, and wool breeds• Smaller animal = more

animals/acre• More efficient use of

pasture/browse• Reproduction is adequate• Increasing demand with ethnic

markets • Niche market for wool with

weavers

• Fencing, fencing & more fencing• Milk production is labor

intensive• Limited legal market for milk• Lack of harvesting facilities• Lack of shearing capabilities• Parasites!

Limiting Factors Affecting $$

Swine• Not very popular in

Florida– Except with 4-H & FFA– Wild hogs

• Limited market– Strong midwestern

industry • Lack of harvesting

facilities– For more than just a few

• Fun to pasture

Cattle• Meat and dairy breeds• Homesteading self-

sufficiency– Integrated farming system

• Relatively easy to feed• Cow/calf operations• Can produce milk & meat

with minatures but…

• Need larger tract of land• Transportation and fuel costs• Larger animal harder to control• Longer time to harvest or sell• Increased costs of hay and feed• Dairy industry is heavily

regulated– “Pet consumption only”

Limiting Factors Affecting $$

Horses

• Great sink of money• Need good quality pasture• Not necessarily considered

agriculture production• Important for ag exemption

– “Greenbelt”– Check with property appraiser’s

office

Exotics• Have to get in on the beginning of

the industry• Money made via a pyramid factor• Selling the breeding animals is

how you make the big money• Little $ is made on the actual herd

or product• NOT recommended!

In Conclusion Livestock can be raised for fun and for

profitShould develop a thought out business

planProfit margins are generally lower with

livestockConsider your location to feedstores,

processors and consumersNiche markets can be profitable for

specialized productsGain experience by raising small numbers

before investing heavily