Ag Opportunities Volume 17, Number 9 September 2006 By Don Day, Natural Resource Engineer, Boone County Extension Center Fencing for small livestock may involve both fencing them in an fencing out predators. I am copying some information from several states in regard to fencing for animals such as sheep and goats. Sheep and goats should probably not be discussed in the same article as the requirements vary greatly. In the Ohio State University fact sheet on Meat Goat and Budgeting we find that goats require very tight fencing. Net fencing, traditional woven wire with two to three barbed wires above it, eight-strand high-tensile fence with electrified third, fifth and top wire have all proven to be effective fending. Good fencing protects and confines valuable livestock by presenting barriers to restrict animal movement. Barriers may be physical, psychological or a combination of both. Physical barriers consist of enough materials of sufficient strength to prevent or discourage animals from going over, under or through the fence. Psychological barriers depend upon negative stimulation to discourage animals from challenging a physical barrier of inferior strength. The following information on sheep and goat fencing is found in Fencing Materials for Livestock Systems, a Virginia Cooperative Extension publication. Barbed wire fences have typically been used for sheep and goats. However, these fences are not recommended for sheep sine barbs pull the fleece. Furthermore, barbed wire fences do not effectively confine goats if moderate grazing pressure is applied to the fenced-in area. Heavy or extra-heavyweight woven wire fences are excellent for non-horned sheep and goats. Fence height should be at least 39 inches high to prevent animals from climbing over the fence; however, fence height depends up the breed to be confined. Mesh wire fences also make excellent fences for non-horned sheep and goats. Temporary fencing is not recommended for sheep or goats since they can easily escape. Special consideration must be given to fencing for horned sheep and goats. Fencing should prevent horned sheep and goats from placing their heads on the other side of the fence or should have openings that are large enough to let the animals slide their head through the fence and back. Permanent electric fences also make good fences for horned goats and sheep. Predator control is another important consideration for sheep and goat fencing. Five-strand high tensile electric fence is particularly useful for discouraging predators such as dogs and coyotes. However, fences must be kept free of vegetation to maintain electric current on the fences. Woven wire fencing is excellent for predator control. One strand of high tensile electric wire can be used at the bottom of a woven wire fence for predator control. If electric wire is not used, the fence bottom should be placed on the ground to allow for the use of snares where predators dig under the fence. At least one manufacturer makes woven wire fencing with stay wires attached to line wires with a fixed knot. This prevents predators from sliding apart the stay wires and entering the confined area. Coyotes can pass through openings as small as 4.5 inches. Woven wire fences with stay wires spaced close together can prevent predators from entering fenced-in areas. Some manufacturers produce fencing with bottom openings of 6 inches by 3 inches fro predator control and 3 inches by 3 inches for predator proofing. UMC Guide G3990-Feeding and Housing Dairy Goats recommends the following: Fences serve tow purposes that make them an important part of a housing plan-they keep goats in and dogs out. They also keep foraging goats away from your trees and shrubs as well as your neighbor’s flower patch. Set 7 foot posts, either wooden or steel, on 12 foot centers. Then use either a 4 foot high woven wire fence topped with an electric wire 12 inches above the woven wire or use a completely electric fence. If you use a completely electric fence, place the first wire 12 inches from the ground, then four more wires on 6 inch spacing to a total height of 36 inches. Use insulators on the post to attaché the wires. The electric fence works well when weeds, grass and brush are not allowed to touch the wires and short it our or when the ground isn’t bone dry during periods of drought. Your local farm supply store can recommend the proper equipment. The guide can be found at http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/dairy/g03990.htm For some interesting reading about the habits of goats, see the Meat Goat Handbook. It has section on housing, fencing, working facilities and predators. Lynn Harwell and Frank Pinkerton have a down home way of describing the challenges of keeping goats in. You can find this publication at www.clemson.edu/agronomy/goats/handbook/housing.html The following are useful website references in planning fencing systems: *www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/bse/442-131/442-131.html *http://attra.org/attra-pub/meatgoat.html *http://aglaw.missouri.edu/AgLaw/fencelaws.htm Family Farm Breeding Livestock Program Now Accepting Applications The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority began accepting applications on Aug. 28 from small farmers seeking lender financing for the purchase of breeding livestock. The Family Farm Breeding Livestock Loan Program was created by the Missouri General Assembly in the 2006 legislative session providing a total of $150,000 in Missouri tax credits to lenders who make breeding livestock loans to small farmers in Missouri. For full details of the eligibility requirements and an application, visit www.mda.mo.gov or call 573-751-2129. Grant Funds Help Make Room For New Ideas Around the Farm and Ranch Any farmer or rancher will tell you that there is always room to implement a new idea to improve their operation.  The problem is that those ideas usually require money.  Now there is a solution to help match funds with the most innovative ideas.   The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) Program is currently accepting applications for their 2006 Farmer Rancher grant program. NCR-SARE awards grants to farmers and ranchers for on-farm research, demonstrations, and education projects.  By providing funds ranging from $6,000 per individual grant to up to $18,000 for grants awarded to groups of three or more, NCR-SARE helps facilitate essential agricultural research and development. The Bauman family of Garnett, Kansas, recently received a grant through NCR-SARE to help assist in funding their new livestock management system.  This system will allow the Bauman’s to rotate different types of animals through the same enclosed pastures called paddocks.  "With SARE assistance, we will be able to trench water from our barns to the pastures," said John Bauman.  "We will have the cattle move through the paddocks first as they don’t graze as thoroughly as the sheep.  The pasture will have a chance to rest before the sheep will be grazed a few paddocks behind the cows, getting everything the cows missed.  The slower-moving poultry will be the last over the ground as they forage the least, but distribute their manure most evenly.  The grass will then have the chance to utilize this nitrogen-rich fertilizer with a candy-green flush of grass that the cows will move back onto, and start the cycle again." The Bauman’s grant is just one example of the wide range of projects that NCR-SARE has funded over the years.  Other funded topics include pest and disease management, soil conservation, local marketing, public education, waste management, agri-tourism, crop diversity, aqua-culture, and many others. NCR-SARE grants are awarded based on the applicants ability to describe how their project will be sustainable in terms of having long-term profitability, being good for the environment, producing healthy foods, being socially responsible and supporting their community. Last year NCR-SARE funded 47 grants totaling $414,489.  This year farmers and ranchers throughout the North Central Region will once again have the opportunity to apply for roughly $400,000 in grant assistance.  The 12 states that comprise the North Central Region are IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI.  The NCR-SARE program receives its funding through the USDA.  Grant proposals are due in the NCR-SARE office by Dec 1, 2006.  Interested applicants may contact NCR-SARE at 800-529-1342 or ncrsare@unl.edu.  The current Farmer Rancher Grant Call for Proposals application can be found on the NCR-SARE web site at www.sare.org/ncrsare.prod.htm.  Previous project reports are made available through the national SARE web site at www.sare.org. ********************************************************************** Medicinal Properties of Elderberry Plants by Andrew L. Thomas In 2005, the Southwest Center received a grant from the MU College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (CAFNR) to quantify medicinal compounds in the American elderberry. We have been studying elderberry at the Southwest Center for several years, and this new project was able to take excellent advantage of the well-established plantings both here and at Missouri State University’s State Fruit Experiment Station at Mountain Grove. While the health benefits of elderberry fruit and juice are becoming widely known, other portions of the elderberry plant have not been well-studied, despite common belief that leaves and flowers have medicinal properties. In fact, Europeans consume great quantities of the European elderberry flower in the form of a tea to prevent and treat common viral infections. Our experiment focused on non-fruit tissues (leaf, flower, and stem) of the American elderberry, a different species than the European elderberry, and one which has been less studied both horticulturally and medicinally. Alexis Malone, an MU undergraduate student majoring in Sustainable Agriculture, worked at the SW Center on the project as an intern, then continued her work in the lab back on campus under the leadership of Dr. George Rottinghaus. The project went very well and the results are now in. In addition to presenting the study at an international medicinal plant symposium in Korea this August, we also intend to publish detailed results in a scientific journal. We confirmed the presence in American elderberry of two important medicinal compounds, rutin and chlorogenic acid, that are known to be powerful anti-oxidants. We detected substantial amounts of these compounds in leaves and flowers but less in stems (Table 1). Our results showed that the production of these compounds was not statistically different among the 12 elderberry cultivars evaluated. However, when comparing production of these compounds in plants grown at three different locations (Mt. Vernon and Mountain Grove, MO, and Corvallis, Oregon), things got interesting. We found no consistent difference in chlorogenic acid production based on location, but did detect differences in production of rutin - in all cases the Missouri plants produced more rutin than the Oregon plants. Such subtle and interesting differences in phytochemical production within various plant tissues and under differing environmental conditions point to the possibility of very focused agricultural production of specific medicinal compounds as the understanding and use of medicinal plants continues to rapidly advance. Table 1. Mean quantities (ppm) of rutin and chlorogenic acid detected in various non-fruit tissues of American elderberry at three locations in 2005. Leaf Flower Green Woody Stem Stem Rutin 6746 5546 187 49 Chlorogenic Acid 3367 2064 584 1111 (from Southwest Center RUMINATIONS , Vol 12, No 3) ********************************************************************** ***IN THE NEWS*** Proposed Rule on WIC Could Be Boon to Farmers Markets:  USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has proposed rules to revise the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program food packages.  Under the proposed rule, for the first time fruits, vegetables, and whole grains would become available for purchase by WIC participants, while the amounts of juice, milk and eggs would be cut.  In addition, soy milk or tofu could be substituted for milk for those who have milk allergies or trouble digesting lactose and corn tortillas and brown rice could be purchased to reflect the cultural diversity of those served by WIC.  The full text of the proposed rule is posted at www.fns.usda.gov/wic/benefitsandservices/foodpkg.HTM. The deadline for the submission of comments on the new guidelines is Nov 6, 2006.  To comment www.calwic.org/action_alert.aspx US trends in certified organic vegetable production has grown 64% from 1997 to 2003. Carrots and lettuce had the biggest growth in organic acreage in the five year period at 139% and 108% respectively. California continues to have the largest acreage of organic lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes. Organic vegetable production in the U.S. is small with two million acres accounting for only four percent of organic production. The largest organic vegetable crop is carrots. Overall, US trends in certified organic fruit acreage in organic fruit has increased by 58% from 1997 to 2003. Tree nuts, citrus, and apples rose by 112%, 92%, and 57% respectively. Grapes had the lowest percentage change at 9%. In 2003, grapes had the largest acreage at 21,041 acres followed by apples at 13,902. California, Arizona, and Washington had the highest apple acreage in the U.S. with 2,893; 1,436; and 8,246 acres. (New Ag Network, Vol. 3, No. 9 August 9, 2006) Honeybee colonies are on the rebound. Bouts with bee mites wiped out up to half of the US crop pollinators in recent years. Farmers are raising more nuts, fruits and vegetables, so they're paying for more bees. Meanwhile, new ways are being tried to stop bee mites. Among them, a fungus that thrives in hives and kills the mites and a new strain of bee with an inbred ability to rip mite larvae from the honey cells. (Kiplinger Agriculture Newsletter, No 77, Vol 16) Plant breeders are giving a vulnerable native berry a new chance. A new dark-red strain of gooseberry is highly disease-resistant, halting powdery mildew, its worst malady, and white pine blister rust. USDA researchers say the hardy new variety, called Jeanne, produces fruit that's very tasty and attractive. They hope the enticing new variety will encourage more commercial and backyard gooseberry plantings. (Kiplinger Agriculture Newsletter, No 77, Vol 16) Organic agriculture is an example of a worldwide growth industry that agricultural producers are responding to that can be a profitable, sustainable business for those producers interested in going through the certification processes necessary to enter this market.  Organics have grown at a rate of nearly 20% a year for the last 7 years and industry experts are forecasting continued growth.  One study, undertaken by the Organic Trade Association, surveyed industry leaders about the trends in organics and where they saw the next 20 years taking them.  They forecasted that overall; the everyday use of organic products of all kinds will be both accepted and routine by the year 2025. (Agricultural Marketing Resource Center Action newsletter, Aug 2006) ********************************************************************** ***IN PRINT/ON-LINE*** *Living on Acreages: What You Need to Know* Living outside the city limits is much different than living in town. What do you need to know to live closer to nature and in harmony with rural neighbors? If you’re thinking of moving to an acreage or inhabit one now, this instruction manual and reference to everything from building and landscaping in the country to maintaining rural property. More than 80 drawings, diagrams, photographs, and charts enhance descriptions of essentials which include: *Selecting a rural living site. *Adapting to life near commercial agriculture--from signage and traffic rules to noise, odors, and dust. *Designing a house or farmstead that is comfortable, functional, and adaptable to evolving life-style needs. *Understanding effects of seasonal weather--including wind-- on rural structures. *Avoiding radon. *Installing water and septic systems. *Planning and laying driveways and roadways. *Planning shade and planting trees. *Building optional structures. such as a bus shelter for children. *Managing outdoor burning and recycling. Available from MU Extension, 573-882-7216. *Identifying Natural Enemies in Field Crops* developed by Mary Gardiner. This pocket guide is divided into sections by major groups of natural enemies and spiders: beetles, true bugs, lacewings, predatory flies, parasitoids, spiders and ants. With its plastic-coated 3.5" x 5" pages, the publication can easily be used in the field. It is particularly useful for those working with soybean aphid, but is also relevant for use in other field crops as well as vegetable crops and around the home to ID common beneficial insects. This pocket guide would make a great addition to an extension program or for summer scouts/agribusiness retailers. For more info and to preview sample pages, visit: www.ipm.msu.edu/pubs-natural.htm The retail price is $10.00/copy call 517-353-6740. ********************************************************************** ***ON THE CALENDAR*** Sept 7-Tomato Festival, Bradford Farm, Columbia, MO. Sept 9-6th Annual Northeast MO Food Fest, Kirksville, MO. Sept 11-Bulb Forcing Workshop, Mountain Grove, MO. Call 417-547-7500. Sept 16-South Farm Showcase, MU South Farm, Columbia, MO. Call 573-882-7488. Sept 16-MO Nut Growers Assn Meeting, McDonald County, MO. Call 417-436-2351. Sept 20-Mid-Missouri Agritourism Tour, Centralia, MO. Call 573-581-3231 or e-mail audrainco@missouri.edu. Sept 20-23-Black Walnut Festival, Stockton, MO. Call 417-276-5213, email info@stocktonlake.com. Sept 22-23-Native Plant School, Kingsville, MO. Call 573-522-4170. Oct 10-12-26th Annual Central States Forest Soils Workshop, Poplar Bluff, MO. Call 573-876-0907, dennis.porter@mo.usda.gov. Oct 14-Annual Chestnut Roast, New Franklin, MO. Call 573-882-3234. Oct 26-29-Assn of Specialty Cut Flower Growers Annual Conference, San Jose, CA. Call 440-774-2887, www.ascfg.org. Oct 27-28-MO State Beekeepers Assn Fall Meeting, Jefferson City. MO. Oct 30-From Recipe to Reality, Lincoln, NE. Call 402-472-2819. Oct 7-8-MO Botanical Garden’s Best of Missouri Market, St. Louis, MO. Oct 14-4th Annual Missouri Chestnut Roast, New Franklin, MO. Call 573-882-3234, rhoadsj@missouri.edu; www.centerforagroforestry.org. Oct 27-28-MO State Beekeepers Assn Fall Meeting, Lake Ozark, MO. sgibbs314@earthlink.net. Nov 2-4-National Small Farm Conference and Trade Show, Columbia, MO Call 1-800-633-2535. Nov 7-9-Shortleaf Pine Symposium: Restoration and Ecology in the Ozarks, Springfield, MO. Call 573-882-9909 x 3320. Nov 10-CSA Mini-School, Cadillac, MO. Call 877-526-1441. Nov 10-12-CSA Conference, Cadillac, MI. Call 877-526-1441. Dec 1-2-MO Livestock Symposium, Kirksville, MO. Call 660-665-9866 or http://missourilivestock.com. Dec 2-Feeding Kansas City Conference, Kansas City, MO. Call 913-488-1270 or http://growinggrowers.org. Dec 10-13-3rd National Conference on Grazing Lands, St Louis, MO. Call 303-986-3309, www.glci.org/3NCGLindex.htm. Jan 12-13-Landscape Design with Missouri in Mind, Springfield, MO. Call 573-522-4170. Jan 23-25-Mid-America Fruit Growers Meeting, Excelsior Springs, MO. Call 573-882-9632. Jan 27-28-Beginning Beekeeping Class, Columbia, MO. Call 573-474-8837. Feb 3-4-MO Nut Growers Assn Evaluation & Show, Nevada, MO. Call 417-436-2351. Feb 3-5-Midwest Wine & Grape Conference, Tan-Tar-A, MO. Call 1-800-392-WINE. Feb 12-14-Missouri Small Fruit & Vegetable Conference, Springfield, MO. MU Ag Experiment Station Field Days Sept 6-Hundley-Whaley Center Field Day, Albany, MO. Call 660-726-5610. Sept. 8-Southwest Center Field Day, Mount Vernon, MO. Call 417-466-2148. Sept 16-South Farm Showcase, South Farm, Columbia, MO. Call 573-882-7488. Sept 26-28-Beginning Grazing School, Forage Systems Research Center, Linneus, MO. Call 660-895-5121. Oct. 5-Wurdack Farm Field Day, Cook Station, MO. Call 573-882-4450. Oct. 14-Chestnut Roast, Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center, New Franklin, MO. Call 573-882-3234. Nov 10-12-Raising Vegetables and Civic Values :  CSA in the 21st Century, Tustin, MI. Call 877-526-1441, or www.csafarms.org. Green Hills Farm Project 2006 Farm Walk Schedule Sept 21-5 pm, Jordan & Anne Bentley, Brookfield, MO, 660-388-6825. City Slickers think’n they’re going to homestead!? Jordan & Anne have bought just less than 40 acres with nothing but a pond on it. They have been raising chickens, turkeys and lambs for the past six years on rented ground. They will begin raising the same this spring on the new home place. All pastured meats are direct marketed locally or in Kansas City. They have not built a home as of the first of the year, but they will be living there this spring. This is a dream come true for the Bentleys! Contact them early this spring for directions or call Barb Buchmayer. Their contact information will change this spring! Bring lawn chairs and covered dish. Oct 19-4 pm, Doug & Diane Peterson, Ridgeway, MO, 660-824-4276. Doug and Diane raise cattle and use MIG methods. "We have a cattle only operation at this time. We have expanded quite a bit in the last few years and are still trying to get everything figured out. We will try and look at one or two different grazing systems. One will be fairly large with 200 cows being run together as one herd. This large of a herd have some very unique benefits and problems. Because we expanded our grass base faster than we wanted to purchase cows we run a combination of our own cows plus some contract cows for other people. We have also started selling a limited amount of grass fed all natural beef to customers in the KC/STJ area. We are a family operation." Bring lawn chairs and covered dish. Nov-Workshop/Seminar will be announced 2006 Market Gardening Workshops Growing Growers Program For more information on each of these workshops, call 913-488-1270, growers@ksu.edu Sept 25-An Integrated Farm, Higginsville, MO. Oct 21-Business Management for Small Farms, TBA.