This guide is meant to provide basic information to those interested in looking at starting a dairy goat farm as a business. Other books cover the detailed management of dairy goats while this guide seeks to touch on those topics that strongly influence management choices. One exception might be milking systems and equipment but we [...]
Helpful table listing medications commonly used with goats and the required withdrawal time. Medications Commonly Used in Goats Patty B. Scharko, DVM and Terry Hutchens Clemson University Download Publication PDF 59 KB
Part 2 of a six part series on Worm Control in Goats This article develops understanding of the biology of the worm, how sheep and goats become infected and using that knowledge to develop management practices to help control the worm. While this article is targeted to the Barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus), the most [...]
When selecting the species most suited to a grazing situation, producers should answer a few questions as to how their personal goals play into a proper choice. Are they interested in bottom line profits, fun, value added products, as well as evaluate the other responsibilities that come with that choice? Factors include: How hard do [...]
Many small scale family operations struggle with the decision to add an additional type of animal enterprise and if it has economic returns. This article addresses the returns of four possible animal scenarios for a 50 acre farm; 1) cow/calf taking calves to finish, 2) Yearlings purchased and grass fed to finish, 3) Yearlings to [...]
For a small farm, sheep have several advantages; biological, physical and economical. Sheep can provide meat, wool and dairy. The amount of forage needed to support one cow will raise eight ewes. Eight ewes are much cheaper to purchase than one cow. Sheep do not need as much to survive and rebreed as a cow [...]
Carbon dioxide, water, soil minerals and solar energy combine to grow the plant that animals consume to produce meat, milk and fiber. The four key ecosystem processes should determine a producer’s grazing management. Ranchers should strive to build a better solar panel of plants to turn sunlight into forage for animal consumption, bare soil is [...]
Feeding hay is fairly simple, but all of the tasks that come with growing, harvesting, transportation or acquisition and feeding come with a price. To achieve year round grazing successfully the livestock demands and forage supply must be balanced. Successful planning must include stockpiled forage that can be strip grazed or allocated, an available, reliable [...]
This article discusses the two approaches to grazing cell design: Fixed using permanent fencing and water sources or temporary that utilizes temporary fence and moveable water tanks. In either situation attention should be given to layout, functionality and ease of use. There are many choices of fencing products and materials; attention should be paid to [...]
