Small Scale Livestock Production

Tiffany BennettyLivestock Consultant -Rural Solutions SA

Why Livestock?

Why are animals wanted and what will be done with them

Commercial gain takes, time, money and knowledge for reasonable production

Ulti t f t f t li t k i l ht / l i i l Ultimate fate for most livestock is slaughter/sale in commercial focused operation

Livestock used as lawnmowers are expensive and it means you are Livestock used as lawnmowers are expensive and it means you are responsible for their health and well being.

Page 2

Time, Knowledge and Costs

How much time do you have to devote to managing stock along with any problems that might arisewith any problems that might arise

Livestock must be checked regularly particulary during summer or calving/lambing. Makes going away for extended holidays difficult.g/ g g g y y

Livestock require specific set of knowledge and skills including handling, health and nutrition.

Running livestock costs money in maintaing them in good health and infrastructure required for often a small return.

Page 3

How many can I run?

Depends on:Property size - Property size

- Soil type- Pasture composition and qualityp q y- Physilogical status of the animal e.g. dry, growing, lactating- Your production goals Overstocking results in land degredation including erosion, dust problems,

water erosion and nutrient run-off Need to maintain ground cover

Page 4

Breeds

Know your breeds and their attributes ie size, feed consumption, maturity temperament wool or carcase attributesmaturity, temperament, wool or carcase attributes

Polled versus horned

G l i h b d ll b d General purpose versus niche breeds versus small breeds

Cattle and cleanskin sheep breeds are less work than wool sheep breedsbreeds

Choose a breed that is best suited to your property, production system/market lifestyle and district

Page 5

system/market, lifestyle and district

Enterprise Type

Breeding system:Requires the largest inputs and labour- Requires the largest inputs and labour

- Need to buy/hire/share males or artifically inseminate- Equipment for marking/castrating/tailingq p g g g- Extra paddocks for weaning/males- Check during lambing/calving- More health issues arise with lactating, pregnant females and young

animals

Page 6

Enterprise Type

Fattening system:Is more straight forward- Is more straight forward

- Costs and labour reduced- Need high quality feed to finish animals quicklyg q y q y- Ideally scales should be used to monitor weights/growth rates- Risk of buying in disease/parasites

Page 7

Fencing

Fencing and in particular boundary fences need to be stock proof. You are responsible for for keeping stock on your property You are responsible for for keeping stock on your property. You can be liable for damage your straying stock may cause Straying stock can:

- Spread and contract diseases- Cause damage to other properties- Create traffic hazardsCreate traffic hazards

Page 8

Handling Facilites for Sheep - Shearing

Sheep need to be shorn and crutched at least once a year and may need to be crutched twice (ie before shearing, lambing, sale)( g, g, ) Hire another producers shed and transport your sheep to be shorn May need to pay a shearer extra to justify travel/set up costs for small

b f hnumbers of sheep Combine sheep numbers with another small producer or larger

neighbour (disease/lice risk) Learn to shear and invest in a portable shearing plant or set up one stand

within a shed – high capital cost and physically demanding

Page 9

Handling Facilites for Sheep - Yards

Ensure a handling facility can accomodate all the required jobs. Generally will need a low density yard high density yard forcing yard Generally will need a low density yard, high density yard, forcing yard,

drafting race, handling race and loading/unloading ramp. Many yard designs available for small numbers of sheep that you can

b ild lf f i l i b ild f build yourself or professional companies can build for you. Incoporate existing laneways/paddocks where possible. Portable yards may be another option.y y p

Page 10

Handling Facilites for Cattle

The yards need to be big enoughto hold the largest herd and the largest animal which will be handled. Minimum requirements of cattle yard is one yard, a race, a head bail

and laoding ramp.W ll d i d d k ttl h dli d l d i d Well designed yards can make cattle handling easy and poorly designed yards can make it very difficult. Many designs available from websites for homemade projects and

professional companies available who will design and install Combined cattle and sheep handling yards available.

Page 11

Livestock Water

Livestock must have access to good quality water all year round Options include dams bores rainwater or mains Options include, dams, bores, rainwater or mains. Check water quility of dams and bores Water sources/troughs should be checked regulary Water may have to be purchased and carted during dry seasons if

relying on dams or rainwater, or stock could be sold or agisted. During a drought stock may be worth alot less During a drought stock may be worth alot less Unrestricted access to natural waterways can cause significant dmage

to the waterway and its vegetation.

Page 12

Livestock Water Consumption

Animal Daily Consumption (litres)Weaner Sheep 2-4Adult Dry Sheep 2-6Ewe and Lamb 4-10Weaner Cattle 25 50Weaner Cattle 25-50Dry Stock 35-80Lactating Beef Cow 40-100gHorses 40-50

Page 13

Supplementary Feeding

Depending on stocking rate and pasture type handfeeding will probably be necessaryy Purchasing hay or grain will need to be included in your budget Contamination of weed seeds If feeding grain as a supplement must be introduced slowly to allow

rumen to adapt and must have adequate fibre available. Grain must be cracked for cattle If feeding large squares or rounds must have handling equipment. Purchase good quality feed – get a feed test

Page 14

Supplementary Feeding

Use hay feeders to reduce waste when feeding small numbers with large bales Hay that is cut early is generally better quality than late cut hay Silage can be costly to purchase (up to 60-70% water) and wrap can

d il d i t tdamage easily during transport. Learn to condition score to monitor you livestock.

Page 15

Sheep Condition Scoring

Page 16

Condition Scoring

Page 17

More Information

Websites – MLA, State DPI, AWI, Kondinin Group Small Farm Fact Sheets Rural Merchandise Livestock Specialists Elders Landmark Castec CRT Rural Merchandise Livestock Specialists – Elders, Landmark, Castec, CRT Rural Solutions SA Livestock consultants, PIRSA Animal Health Officers Vets Livestock Agents Nutritionists/private livestock consultants

Oth l l d Other local producers Attend relevant field days/workshops/forums

Page 18

Do You Have Any Questions?Tiffany BennettRural Solutions SA0887629126/0488524609

Page 19