Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Producer Ideas From Ontario-Westwood Sheep Snacker
J s Rook MSUE amp MAES John amp Eadie Steele Producers Norwood Ontario
In early August (as part of a summer tour) I had the opportunity to visit with a group of commercial sheep producers at the Cookstown Ontario salebarn and visit several large sheep operations in Ontario This particular producer group had visited some larger commercial Michigan flocks several years ago and had formed a Large Flock Commercial Producer Group designed to provide information to Ontario members that raised enough sheep to consider the ewe flock as a primary farm enterprise Basically members marketed at least 500 lambs each year or maintained at least 250 breeding ewes Members proshyduction systems ranged from grassshybased pasture lambing operations to accelerated lambing systems designed to address the Toronto market for 60 pounds to 100 pounds lambs The group was originally formed because in Ontario as in Michigan many of the proshyduction issues facing larger commercial operations were difficult to address in meeting scenarios where attending proshyducers ranged from owners of a few to a few thousand sheep
After the meeting in Cookstown II drove several hours east of Toronto to visit with John and Eadie Steele-who maintain an impressive flock of 1500 commercial and purebred ewes on 250 rolling acres near Norwood Ontario John is from the UK and had visited many sheep producing areas of the world before marrying Eadie and settling down in Ontario Thus the Steeles farm reflects many foreign (to us) manageshyment ideas adapted to Ontario producshytion conditions The Steele family utilizes a combination of pasture rotashytional grazing corn silage grain turnips and haylage in their ewe feeding sysshytem They also finish their own lambs in the upper level of a converted old style bank barn John and Eadie have also developed a working relationship with a custom metal fabricator (John Kloosterman Equipment Sales Hastings Ontario) who custom builds many of the items used on the farm Why Visit Other Operations
While visiting other folks flocks il has always amazed me how much inforshymationideas producers (and vets) bring back for use in their operations Sometimes these ideas are as simple as an ingenious gate latch or as complex as a barn makeover to create a more
efficient feeding system Usually everyshyone takes home something useful-or at least something they saw that they dont want to do The key is allowing yourself to be open to new ideas and to envision just how some of those newold ideas might be applied to your system to enhance production Maybe author John Cage wasnt as cynical as he thought when he wrote 1can t understand why people are frightened of new ideas Im frightened of Ihe old ones NewOld Ideas-Feeding Sheep at John amp Eadie Steeles
In my opinion one basic issue influshyencing flock expansion is the reining in of labor and cost involved with feeding large groups of ewes and lambs For example if it takes five secondsewe
Figure 1-The Snacker Wagon is designed with large flotation tires that rotate a drum that can be set to delivshyer one to five pounds of grain in a pile about every six feet Cost about $1800 (USD) A digital counter or counting clicks by sound can be used to record drop numbers in a given pasture
Figure 2-The Westwood Sheep Snacker is an ATV drawn grain delivshyery wagon for feeding grain in a line of small piles
day to feed grain-then this 50 secshyondsday for the ten-ewe flock turns into nearly 90 minutes per day for 1000 ewes We can argue the merits of feedshying pasture vs silage vs grain vs hayshybut at some time during the year producers still need an efficient and effective feed delivery system for the ewe flock and for starting and finishing lambs Remember don t be frightened by ideas new or old As you read keep an open mind about the feed delivery system however avoid worrying about the pros or cons of a particular feed stuff Also visualize what might or might not work within the confines of the feed and labor resources on vour farm The Snacmiddotker Wagon
An integral part of the Steeles grain delivery system to ewes or lambs on pasture involves a simple sturdy ATVshydrawn grain delivery wagon known as the Westwood Sheep Snacker (Figures 1 2 and 3) The Snacker is used to supplement grain to ewes during breeding and lactation and to help start lambs on teed while they are still 011 passhyture The principle of delivering a line of grain to a group of ewes or lambs is not new Traditionally grain has been fed from a box on the back of an ATV by a kid with a bag of corn and a jackknife on the back of a pickup truck or a hopper spreader with the spinner disconnected However John had some positive comshyments for spending the money for a commercial outfit like the Snacker wagon that might give some insight into why he chose to spend money on this apparatus They are as follows We have not done any trials to compare feeding efficiency between the trickle method and the snacka piles Certainly in wet conditions there is far less tramshypling of the feed in piles The other benshyefit is that if a number of groups are being fed from the same load it is much more accurate to measure quantities fed to each group by counting the number of piles and multiplying by the weight per drop eg 50 drops x 3 pounds = 150 pounds There is certainly very little shoving when feeding round a pile The snacka pile gives a more concentrated feeding spot but with the length of the line being longer than a trickle line for the same amount This seems to give lambs more access to good feeding zones This initial access to feed allows the lambs to more readily progress to
The Shepherd 8
the transportable hut creeps Our final transition to the feeder barn is at weanshying As we are weaning at around 50 days and the ewes are still milking heavshyily we bring the ewes and lambs into a dry lot five days prior to weaning The lambs have access to a creep feeding area and the ewes and lambs are offered straw or poor quality hay The lambs are already acclimatized to the creep and intake increases to 1 pound+ per day At this intake we seem to have no problem taking them straight into the feeding barn Pasture Creep Feeders Transition Lambs to Grain While on Pasture
John and Eadie also make use of passhyture creep feeders to allow lambs access to grain while still on pasture Thus the Snacker Wagon introduces lambs to grain as they watch their mothers eat and the creep feeder provides constant access until lambs enter the feeding barn and are placed on auger supplied selfshyfeeders This practice basically elimishynates the need to hand feed lambs for four to six weeks before converting to self-feeders These metal creep feeders (Figure 4) are sold by the same equipshyment company that makes the Snacker Wagon and list at about $275 each (USD) The Steeles have also added input into the creep feeder design and also have developed a small ATV drawn creep feeder mover that allows easy towshying and placement between paddocks Feeding Lambs in the Upper Level of Bank Barns
To illustrate the importance of visits to other flocks recognize that John and Eadie also found some useful take home barn renovation ideas from their visit to Michigan During their tour of the
Figure 3-Sheep Snacker wagon in use_ The wagon can be operated from the seat of the A TV
Figure 4-Lamb creep feeder designed for pasture use A simple two-wheeled ATV-drawn creep feeder mover can also be purchased to move feeders to different paddocks lin a grazing system The mover is similar to a miniaturized pick-up truck pulled single round bale mover The metal panels that extend beyond the trough prevent long-necked ewes and llamas from engorging on feed
Figure 7-General feeder floor layout Notice open sidewall curtains for ventilation
Figure 5-Bank barn conversion to a lamb feedlot Notice the use of side-walll curtains and shade cloth for ventilation Lambs are fed on the upper level and the basement acts as a manure pit
March 2004 9
Figure 6-Feedlot hog nursery floorshying and feeder
Figure ~Feed mixing and storage area for feeder operation Notice flow from tanks to small roller mixer
Hannewald and Schaible feedlot operashytions they envisioned a better way to feed lambs and another use for the upper floor of a bank barn that saw little use back home
Following their visit to Michigan they converted the upper level of their bank barn to a confinement system resembling a hybridization of the Hannewald and Schaible facilities (Remember what I said about seeing things you like and things you dont-this hybridization of our two Michigan feedlots illustrates the point) To reduce costs the new barn (Figures 5 6 7 and 8) utilizes coated hog nursery mesh flooring pen dividers feed and water delivery systems scavenged out of hog operations and a miniaturized version of Schaibles feed mixing and storage system Much like Hannewalds barn the manure drops through the mesh flooring into the basement area of the barn The upper level containing the lambs is ventilated by side-wall curtains and shade cloth The day I visited about 500 lambs were on feed and the barn was airy and comfortable
In closing I guess we really need to get around to more farms and investishygate what other producers are doing to improve labor and feeding issues Some ideas we may choose to try while others we may discard before we leave the drive However the ultimate issue is to observe and process what we see
Matching Grant Proposals Totaling
$3582406 Approved by the American
Lamb Board The American Lamb Board (ALB) at
its January 2004 Annual Board Meeting in Sacramento approved seven matchshying grant proposals totaling $3582406 The ALB developed the Matching Grant Program to expand their marketing and promotions activities by working collaboshyratively with non-profit industry organishyzations The Matching Grant Proposals that were approved include
Colorado Wool Growers Association -Lamb Industry Tour for Colorado culishynary professionals and two informationshyal mailings to Colorado producers regarding ALB activities
Indiana Sheep Association-Wine tasting event at the Indiana State Fair
Valley Wool Growers of North Dakota -High school Home Economics proshygram
California Sheep CommissionshyEducation program for non-vocational culinary schools throughout California
Iowa Sheep Industry AssociationshyRetail education and promotion
Agrj-business Council of OregonshyBuy Summer Lamb promotion
Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers-On-farm training sessions to educate Iamb ambassadors who will then conduct in-store demonstrations at cooperative retail establishments ADDITIONAL MATCHING GRANT PROPOSALS REQUESTED
A total of $50000 was budgeted for 2004 grant funding The board approved requesting a second round of applicashytions to fund additional proposals with the unallocated grant funding Competitive grants are available in any amount up to $1417594 The grants require a Ho-1 cash match from the grant recipient Inshykind contributions are not considered for the matching requirement
AS IA 100 Cornerstone Rd bull Fredonia TX 76842
SOUttIdOwnctesconet 325-429-6226
Non-profit organizations are invited to submit proposals that expand or strengthen the market for American Lamb conducting promotions conshysumer educational events field days or demonstrations to further disseminate information to lamb buyers or other creshyative lamb marketing programs will be considered Applicants must identify specific marketing problems or constraints Projects which include a collaborative effort among industry orgashynizations are encouraged
For more information including the grant applications please call Megan Wortman at the American Lamb Board-866327-LAMB The deadline for receiving grant applications is May 3
The American Lamb Board (ALB) is a national promotion research and inforshymation organization whose purpose is to strengthen the position of lamb and lamb products in domestic and foreign markets The 13-member board appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture is composed of six producshyers three feeders one seedstock proshyducer and three first handlers The work of the board is overseen by the US Department of Agricultures (USDA) Agricu lture Marketing Service All grants approved by ALB are subject to USDAs review and approval
Australian Sheep Provide Vietnamese
Breeding Stock Thirty sheep flew on a passenger
plane to central Vietnam the first live export of sheep to that country from Australia
The White Suffolk and Dorper sheep will form part of a new breeding program to help ttle Vietnamese establish their own breeding stock
South Australian conSUltant Gerald Martin says more sheep may be needshyed in the future depending on how they perform in their new environment
Sheep meat is very dear in Vietnam so theyre trying to find ways of increasshying their ability to supply the market There is not a big breeding flock theyre talking 300000 sheep in the Phan Rang Province They use a lot of the native hill country and they also graze a lot of rice stubbles as well but nutritionally they dont have as much good feed as we would want them to have and so thats another aspect were going to look at and maybe some lucernes and other things up there could improve their sheep productivity as well as the genetshyics that were talking about as well
The Shepherd 10
the transportable hut creeps Our final transition to the feeder barn is at weanshying As we are weaning at around 50 days and the ewes are still milking heavshyily we bring the ewes and lambs into a dry lot five days prior to weaning The lambs have access to a creep feeding area and the ewes and lambs are offered straw or poor quality hay The lambs are already acclimatized to the creep and intake increases to 1 pound+ per day At this intake we seem to have no problem taking them straight into the feeding barn Pasture Creep Feeders Transition Lambs to Grain While on Pasture
John and Eadie also make use of passhyture creep feeders to allow lambs access to grain while still on pasture Thus the Snacker Wagon introduces lambs to grain as they watch their mothers eat and the creep feeder provides constant access until lambs enter the feeding barn and are placed on auger supplied selfshyfeeders This practice basically elimishynates the need to hand feed lambs for four to six weeks before converting to self-feeders These metal creep feeders (Figure 4) are sold by the same equipshyment company that makes the Snacker Wagon and list at about $275 each (USD) The Steeles have also added input into the creep feeder design and also have developed a small ATV drawn creep feeder mover that allows easy towshying and placement between paddocks Feeding Lambs in the Upper Level of Bank Barns
To illustrate the importance of visits to other flocks recognize that John and Eadie also found some useful take home barn renovation ideas from their visit to Michigan During their tour of the
Figure 3-Sheep Snacker wagon in use_ The wagon can be operated from the seat of the A TV
Figure 4-Lamb creep feeder designed for pasture use A simple two-wheeled ATV-drawn creep feeder mover can also be purchased to move feeders to different paddocks lin a grazing system The mover is similar to a miniaturized pick-up truck pulled single round bale mover The metal panels that extend beyond the trough prevent long-necked ewes and llamas from engorging on feed
Figure 7-General feeder floor layout Notice open sidewall curtains for ventilation
Figure 5-Bank barn conversion to a lamb feedlot Notice the use of side-walll curtains and shade cloth for ventilation Lambs are fed on the upper level and the basement acts as a manure pit
March 2004 9
Figure 6-Feedlot hog nursery floorshying and feeder
Figure ~Feed mixing and storage area for feeder operation Notice flow from tanks to small roller mixer
Hannewald and Schaible feedlot operashytions they envisioned a better way to feed lambs and another use for the upper floor of a bank barn that saw little use back home
Following their visit to Michigan they converted the upper level of their bank barn to a confinement system resembling a hybridization of the Hannewald and Schaible facilities (Remember what I said about seeing things you like and things you dont-this hybridization of our two Michigan feedlots illustrates the point) To reduce costs the new barn (Figures 5 6 7 and 8) utilizes coated hog nursery mesh flooring pen dividers feed and water delivery systems scavenged out of hog operations and a miniaturized version of Schaibles feed mixing and storage system Much like Hannewalds barn the manure drops through the mesh flooring into the basement area of the barn The upper level containing the lambs is ventilated by side-wall curtains and shade cloth The day I visited about 500 lambs were on feed and the barn was airy and comfortable
In closing I guess we really need to get around to more farms and investishygate what other producers are doing to improve labor and feeding issues Some ideas we may choose to try while others we may discard before we leave the drive However the ultimate issue is to observe and process what we see
Matching Grant Proposals Totaling
$3582406 Approved by the American
Lamb Board The American Lamb Board (ALB) at
its January 2004 Annual Board Meeting in Sacramento approved seven matchshying grant proposals totaling $3582406 The ALB developed the Matching Grant Program to expand their marketing and promotions activities by working collaboshyratively with non-profit industry organishyzations The Matching Grant Proposals that were approved include
Colorado Wool Growers Association -Lamb Industry Tour for Colorado culishynary professionals and two informationshyal mailings to Colorado producers regarding ALB activities
Indiana Sheep Association-Wine tasting event at the Indiana State Fair
Valley Wool Growers of North Dakota -High school Home Economics proshygram
California Sheep CommissionshyEducation program for non-vocational culinary schools throughout California
Iowa Sheep Industry AssociationshyRetail education and promotion
Agrj-business Council of OregonshyBuy Summer Lamb promotion
Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers-On-farm training sessions to educate Iamb ambassadors who will then conduct in-store demonstrations at cooperative retail establishments ADDITIONAL MATCHING GRANT PROPOSALS REQUESTED
A total of $50000 was budgeted for 2004 grant funding The board approved requesting a second round of applicashytions to fund additional proposals with the unallocated grant funding Competitive grants are available in any amount up to $1417594 The grants require a Ho-1 cash match from the grant recipient Inshykind contributions are not considered for the matching requirement
AS IA 100 Cornerstone Rd bull Fredonia TX 76842
SOUttIdOwnctesconet 325-429-6226
Non-profit organizations are invited to submit proposals that expand or strengthen the market for American Lamb conducting promotions conshysumer educational events field days or demonstrations to further disseminate information to lamb buyers or other creshyative lamb marketing programs will be considered Applicants must identify specific marketing problems or constraints Projects which include a collaborative effort among industry orgashynizations are encouraged
For more information including the grant applications please call Megan Wortman at the American Lamb Board-866327-LAMB The deadline for receiving grant applications is May 3
The American Lamb Board (ALB) is a national promotion research and inforshymation organization whose purpose is to strengthen the position of lamb and lamb products in domestic and foreign markets The 13-member board appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture is composed of six producshyers three feeders one seedstock proshyducer and three first handlers The work of the board is overseen by the US Department of Agricultures (USDA) Agricu lture Marketing Service All grants approved by ALB are subject to USDAs review and approval
Australian Sheep Provide Vietnamese
Breeding Stock Thirty sheep flew on a passenger
plane to central Vietnam the first live export of sheep to that country from Australia
The White Suffolk and Dorper sheep will form part of a new breeding program to help ttle Vietnamese establish their own breeding stock
South Australian conSUltant Gerald Martin says more sheep may be needshyed in the future depending on how they perform in their new environment
Sheep meat is very dear in Vietnam so theyre trying to find ways of increasshying their ability to supply the market There is not a big breeding flock theyre talking 300000 sheep in the Phan Rang Province They use a lot of the native hill country and they also graze a lot of rice stubbles as well but nutritionally they dont have as much good feed as we would want them to have and so thats another aspect were going to look at and maybe some lucernes and other things up there could improve their sheep productivity as well as the genetshyics that were talking about as well
The Shepherd 10
Figure 6-Feedlot hog nursery floorshying and feeder
Figure ~Feed mixing and storage area for feeder operation Notice flow from tanks to small roller mixer
Hannewald and Schaible feedlot operashytions they envisioned a better way to feed lambs and another use for the upper floor of a bank barn that saw little use back home
Following their visit to Michigan they converted the upper level of their bank barn to a confinement system resembling a hybridization of the Hannewald and Schaible facilities (Remember what I said about seeing things you like and things you dont-this hybridization of our two Michigan feedlots illustrates the point) To reduce costs the new barn (Figures 5 6 7 and 8) utilizes coated hog nursery mesh flooring pen dividers feed and water delivery systems scavenged out of hog operations and a miniaturized version of Schaibles feed mixing and storage system Much like Hannewalds barn the manure drops through the mesh flooring into the basement area of the barn The upper level containing the lambs is ventilated by side-wall curtains and shade cloth The day I visited about 500 lambs were on feed and the barn was airy and comfortable
In closing I guess we really need to get around to more farms and investishygate what other producers are doing to improve labor and feeding issues Some ideas we may choose to try while others we may discard before we leave the drive However the ultimate issue is to observe and process what we see
Matching Grant Proposals Totaling
$3582406 Approved by the American
Lamb Board The American Lamb Board (ALB) at
its January 2004 Annual Board Meeting in Sacramento approved seven matchshying grant proposals totaling $3582406 The ALB developed the Matching Grant Program to expand their marketing and promotions activities by working collaboshyratively with non-profit industry organishyzations The Matching Grant Proposals that were approved include
Colorado Wool Growers Association -Lamb Industry Tour for Colorado culishynary professionals and two informationshyal mailings to Colorado producers regarding ALB activities
Indiana Sheep Association-Wine tasting event at the Indiana State Fair
Valley Wool Growers of North Dakota -High school Home Economics proshygram
California Sheep CommissionshyEducation program for non-vocational culinary schools throughout California
Iowa Sheep Industry AssociationshyRetail education and promotion
Agrj-business Council of OregonshyBuy Summer Lamb promotion
Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers-On-farm training sessions to educate Iamb ambassadors who will then conduct in-store demonstrations at cooperative retail establishments ADDITIONAL MATCHING GRANT PROPOSALS REQUESTED
A total of $50000 was budgeted for 2004 grant funding The board approved requesting a second round of applicashytions to fund additional proposals with the unallocated grant funding Competitive grants are available in any amount up to $1417594 The grants require a Ho-1 cash match from the grant recipient Inshykind contributions are not considered for the matching requirement
AS IA 100 Cornerstone Rd bull Fredonia TX 76842
SOUttIdOwnctesconet 325-429-6226
Non-profit organizations are invited to submit proposals that expand or strengthen the market for American Lamb conducting promotions conshysumer educational events field days or demonstrations to further disseminate information to lamb buyers or other creshyative lamb marketing programs will be considered Applicants must identify specific marketing problems or constraints Projects which include a collaborative effort among industry orgashynizations are encouraged
For more information including the grant applications please call Megan Wortman at the American Lamb Board-866327-LAMB The deadline for receiving grant applications is May 3
The American Lamb Board (ALB) is a national promotion research and inforshymation organization whose purpose is to strengthen the position of lamb and lamb products in domestic and foreign markets The 13-member board appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture is composed of six producshyers three feeders one seedstock proshyducer and three first handlers The work of the board is overseen by the US Department of Agricultures (USDA) Agricu lture Marketing Service All grants approved by ALB are subject to USDAs review and approval
Australian Sheep Provide Vietnamese
Breeding Stock Thirty sheep flew on a passenger
plane to central Vietnam the first live export of sheep to that country from Australia
The White Suffolk and Dorper sheep will form part of a new breeding program to help ttle Vietnamese establish their own breeding stock
South Australian conSUltant Gerald Martin says more sheep may be needshyed in the future depending on how they perform in their new environment
Sheep meat is very dear in Vietnam so theyre trying to find ways of increasshying their ability to supply the market There is not a big breeding flock theyre talking 300000 sheep in the Phan Rang Province They use a lot of the native hill country and they also graze a lot of rice stubbles as well but nutritionally they dont have as much good feed as we would want them to have and so thats another aspect were going to look at and maybe some lucernes and other things up there could improve their sheep productivity as well as the genetshyics that were talking about as well
The Shepherd 10
