Ag Opportunities Volume 18, Number 4 April 2007 Utilizing Pasture for Sheep and Goat Production Much of Missouri land is quite suitable for sheep and goat grazing. Sheep prefer forbs (weeds) and goats prefer browse. Managing forage production for grazing sheep and goats can supply 80 percent of the yearly nutritional requirements. The differences in grazing preferences of sheep and goats provide information that producers can utilize depending on what is available on the farm(s). Oak and hickory are in abundance in the southern half of the state as well as other browse plants that goats prefer. Goats also graze on cool season grasses as well as sheep. Research conducted at Lincoln University with goats having access to four major browse plants, with two, multi-flora rose and blackberry briars along with warm and cool season grasses showed various preferences depending on the time of year and available of plants. Students clocked the time spent grazing all available forages and browse. The first preference in the spring by goats was hop clover. The goats switched within a day to other plants, obviously depending on the taste and flavor of what was available. The warm season grass grazing season was short from late June through early August. Counting the number of days sheep and goats graze per acre in a particular pasture counts sheep/goat days as the number of animals per acre in a pasture that will support the number. For example, 350 sheep/goat days for wheat means that an acre will support 10 sheep.goats for 35 days. Many acres in Missouri are unimproved pastures and in some cases may merely serve as "weed killers". Under these conditions the sheep/goats performance and profits may be low, however cattle would be low as well grazing these pastures. Cattle, sheep and goats grazing unimproved pastures are selective with cattle grazing grass, sheep preferring forbs (weeds) and goats preferring browse. However, the pastures may not have an abundance of all three and sheep and goats will compete with cattle but select other plants making good use of all plants. Improving pastures suited for improved forage production will result in increased profits from sheep and goats. A pasture of 30 acres of land can be suitable for the needs of 100-ewes or 120 goats. A year long pasture calendar can be developed. Forages year round are included below: 1. Tall fescue-winter and spring grazing 2. Orchardgrass-spring and fall grazing 3. Bromegrass or timothy-early summer grazing 4. Birdsfoot trefoil-mid-summer and early fall grazing 5. Kentucky bluegrass-spring and fall grazing 6. Lespedeza-mid-summer and early fall grazing 7. Wheat-early fall & early spring grazing 8. Oats & broadleaf rape-spring grazing prior to turnip seeding 9. Turnips-October through December grazing (seeded in July) 10. Sudangrass-temporary mid-summer grazing 11. Forage producting annuals-mid-summer until frost- 12. i.e., California blackeye # 5 cowpeas-grows 8 ft in length Management of grasses and legumes is critical to reduce detrimental effects grazing with sheep and goats. Mixed grass and legumes cuts down on bloat as opposed to grazing straight legumes. Talk to your regional agronomist about developing improved pastures for sheep and goats to take advantage of an improved grazing system. (taken from Sheep and Goat Newsletter, Vol 25, No 2, Source: J. B. Outhouse, K.D. Johnson and C.L. Ryhkerd, Purdue University) ********************************************************************** Youth Employment by Kevin Hansen, Ag Business Specialist, MU Extension, Livingston County Some families have the ability to utilize their own resources, but for those producers that don’t, hiring additional labor is a must. Hiring youth for agriculture-related activities does have its pros and cons. Taking into consideration our state and federal laws, employers should be knowledgeable about them to keep youth safe and productive for future years to come. Before we begin, let’s see what history has taught us about our youth workforce. Every year, the United States encounters 100 deaths from agricultural-related work injuries to youth. Furthermore, an astounding 2,000 youth are injured badly enough that they don’t return to work right away. In our great state of Missouri, almost 3,000 youth have the potential to file a claim for a work-related injury and 38 percent of those claims are in agriculture. Statistics show that youth working in agriculture are five times more likely to be injured as compared to other occupations. How can these numbers be so destructive to the industry? The obvious answer is job duties which we will address later on. However, other issues play a big role in job safety and that includes supervision and proper training. Most agriculture openings have little supervision due to low staff and the need for the employer to be performing their job responsibilities. There may be training, but the big question is as to whether or not it is adequate. When we assume there is enough training and questions are not raised, the potential for hazards increases. Thus, to avoid some of these problems, the following should be considered and followed. In Missouri, special exceptions exist for youth who may be 12 or 13 years of age. For the most part, youth must be at least 14 years of age to be hired as a farm worker. Their roles are limited but they can work. The limited work they can do excludes the handling of pesticides, driving or riding on tractors, transporting passengers, using ladders or scaffold, and operating power equipment such as a chainsaw, hay mower or baler. This is not an all inclusive list but it drives home the point that there are specific tasks that you as an employer should avoid asking the youth to do. Youth over 16 years of age may perform some duties as requested. Workable hours are also limited. Youth cannot start work before 7 AM nor work longer than 7 PM during the school year. They can not work during school hours either. During the summer, they may work until 9 PM. Youth are allowed to work up to 28 hours per week during school session and up to 40 hours per week during the summer, provided they only work six days a week and no longer than 8-hour days on weekends and non-school days. Keeping youth safe and following the law will provide lasting and beneficial memories for both parties. Youth have the desire to learn and are anxious to obtain hands-on experiences. Taking advantage of that asset can lead to many helpful attributes down the road. Utilize this resource when and where possible, but most importantly, utilize good business management and sound judgment skills to guide you. ********************************************************************** Mule’s Characteristics Make Animal Worthy of Praise By David Burton, Civic Communication Specialist "Stubborn as a mule," "mule-headed" and other less printable terms are household words in describing mules. "But the truth is, having any of those phrases used to describe you should be considered a compliment," said Calvin Jones, a retired University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist from Barton County. A mule is a hybrid, a cross between a female horse and a male donkey. These crosses are sterile when bred back to the original cross. There is rarely a cross between a Stallion (male horse) and a Jenny (female donkey) -- called a Hinny. The nature of a mule is different from that of a horse according to Jones. "Mules are wiser than horses when it comes to their own welfare. When they are frustrated or uncertain, they stop and think it over. We call them stubborn for this," said Jones. Unlike horses, mules will almost never overeat or founder, a mule won’t harm itself and a mule will quit instead of being overworked. Mules also form habits -- like taking breaks. "You may be one of those people who work through the lunch hour but if you have mules you will work by yourself," said Jones. One Missouri farmer that Jones visited with told him his family had six horses and one mule growing up. To plow the fields they used a four animal team, three horses and the mule in the morning, and then three fresh horses and the same mule in the afternoon. Mules are sure-footed in rough terrain. Their judgment on what is unsafe footing is quite good, and they will only negotiate slick spots and quagmires after careful appraisal. "Mules are hardier than horses. They withstand more heat and stress, carry and pull heavier loads and live longer than horses. They take care of themselves better under conditions of hardship and probably do so with less feed," said Jones. And mules also have very long memories. "You do not want to harm a mule. If you do, don’t let him see who you are. No matter how broke you get him some day he will get you back," said Jones. More information about mules – including MU guide sheet G2925, "Miniature and Hunting Mules of Missouri" and UED81, "Jack Stock and Mules in Missouri," can be found online at http://extension.missouri.edu or at any local MU Extension county office. Jones grew up on a farm near Halfway, Mo., where his dad used mules. When he joined the Army he was actually assigned to a unit in Colorado Springs which trained and used mules for the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He is a charter member of the Missouri Mule Skinner Society and he studied under and worked for Dr. Melvin Bradley at the University of Missouri. Dr. Bradley wrote two extensive volumes on the history of the Missouri Mule after researching the topic for 13 years. Missouri Mules were used in the timber and mining industry, in construction (especially in building railroads), to move military supplies and in farming. "This beautiful animal that played such an important role in the development of our country has not gotten its due respect," said Jones. Groups interested in hearing Jones’ presentation on Missouri Mules can contact him at by mail at 386 S.E. 20th Lane in Lamar, MO 64759 or by telephone at (417) 682-5363. ********************************************************************** Nearly 90 Percent of Grazing School Attendees Increase Farm Income over 10 Percent with MiG System By David Burton, Civic Communication Specialist Eighty-nine percent of southwest Missouri producers who have attended a grazing school in the last five years have seen a 10 to 30 percent increase in productivity since adopting a Management-intensive Grazing (MiG) system on their farm. The findings were based on a research survey done with producers in Polk, McDonald, Newton, Christian, Stone, Greene, Webster, Shannon, Ozark, Laclede and Cedar Counties who have attended a MiG school in the last five years. As a result of the improved land-use efficiency, producers using a MiG system also increased the number of cows they had on the same land by an average of 16 head. When asked about the greatest benefit from attending a grazing school, producers reported a variety of benefits including the use of less feed and hay, improved grass quality, decreased time and labor, increased soil fertility, improved cattle health and increased grazing days. Efficiency Improved Missouri research has found that a continuous pasture system is only 30 percent efficient. However, when the farm is converted to an eight- to 12-paddock rotation, the use of grass on the farm improves to the 50 to 65 percent efficiency range, nearly doubling the productivity of land available for grazing. The quality of grass-legume pastures is improved. As a result, less dependence of feed supplements is necessary for proper livestock nutrition. The Management-intensive Grazing (MiG) system also improves water quality due to an increased density of forages which slows soil loss. It also leads to a more even distribution of animal manure around the farm. Research also shows that when the fertility level of the farm is improved it requires less use of applied fertilizer. School History Grazing Schools have been conducted in Southwest Missouri since 1991 for livestock producers wanting to learn the art and science of grazing cattle on farms. The goal of these programs is to raise the awareness and adoption rate of these practices so Missouri producers become more profitable and improve the environmental quality of the land they manage. The schools are organized by Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) personnel in cooperation with University of Missouri specialists. The schools consist of nearly 10 hours of instruction and normally include at least two farm visits where participants do field exercises that compliment the classroom instruction. The classes intensely cover areas of economics of the system, evaluation of farm resources, the basics of plant growth and quality, the soil resource, meeting nutritional needs of animals, matching livestock needs with pasture resources, grazing calculations used in the system and understanding the layout and design of Management-intensive Grazing (MiG) systems. For more information about a MiG system, contact Tim Schnakenbergy, a University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist headquartered in Stone County at (417) 357-6812. ********************************************************************** *** IN PRINT/ON-LINE *** National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) offers an online database to help fruit, herb, and vegetable producers understand the products available to them for ecological pest management. The database is searchable by pest name (common or scientific) as well as by pesticide name. The pesticides listed are considered biorational, which includes: microbial pesticides: formulations of viruses, bacteria, fungi, or nematodes that have low non-target impacts; pesticides derived from plants that have low non-target impacts and degrade into non-toxic components; and/or various new types of pesticides, such as particle film barriers, pheromones, and compounds such as Spinosad, that have low non-target impacts and degrade into non-toxic components. The database notes which materials are listed by OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute). Because OMRI listings are frequently updated, organic growers should always check with their certifiers prior to applying any materials to their crops or livestock. Visit http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/biorationals/biorationals_main_srch.ph p to search the database. The University of Vermont Extension has compiled some resources on meat processing. While some of the information is specific to Vermont, there are also links to slaughterhouse feasibility studies from other states, federal regulatory information, a link to join a discussion group. Visit the site at: http://www.uvm.edu/livestock/meat/ A new email listserve offers producers the chance to ask questions, share information, sell pigs, look for assistance or anything else related to outdoor, natural, pastured, and/or organic pig production. "OUTDOORPIG" (cce-outdoorpig-l@cornell.edu) is managed by Bernadetter Logozar, Ag Development Specialist with Franklin County CCE. She says, "If folks are interested in joining the Outdoorpig listserv they just need to send an email to me at bel7@cornell.edu. Please put 'Add me to the Outdoorpig list' in the subject line so we can do so." Three new *IPM Scouting Field Pocket Guides* produced by Michigan State University’s (MSU) IPM Program through NC IPM funding and Michigan’s Project GREEEN: http://ipm.msu.edu/pdf/pocketGuidesLandsc07.pdf for Herbaceous Perennials by Jan Byrne (MSU) and Raymond A. Cloyd (Kansas State University) for Weed Identification in Nurseries and Landscapes by Steven A. Gower (MSU) and Robert J. Richardson (North Carolina State University) for Weed Identification in Christmas Trees by Steven A. Gower (MSU) and Robert J. Richardson (North Carolina State University). *Fundamentals of Beef Management* This handy guide was developed specifically for small-scale operations, and includes everything you need to know to get started in the beef cattle business. You’ll find it helpful not only if you are new to the beef cattle business, but also if you have been away from the business for an extended time. Available from Univ of CA Davis, 1-800-994-8849, $18. *Understanding Farmers’ Market Rules Booklet* Farmers’ Legal Action Group, Inc. (FLAG) of Minnesota has released a new booklet entitled Understanding Farmers’ Market Rules. The booklet contains important legal information for farmers who sell their vegetables, fruits, fllowers, meats, and other foods at farmers’ markets. FLAG wrote the booklet to help answer questions it received from farmers. Farmers’ markets are especially popular among beginning farmers, immigrant farmers, specialty crop farmers, and limited resource farmers. Many farmers who are interested in direct marketing and value-added agriculture begin by selling at farmers’ markets. Because farmers’ markets appeal to new farmers and to farmers with little direct marketing experience, there is a greater need for information for farmers to turn to when they have questions. The booklet is intended to help farmers understand their responsibilities and rights as farmers’ market vendors. FLAG attorney Jill Krueger notes that, "Even though the details of the rules may be different from market to market, there are a few commonly used rules of the market that most often give rise to misunderstandings." The focus of the booklet is on preventing problems by improving understanding of market rules. But the booklet offers practical suggestions farmers can follow to try to resolve any problems that may arise. It also gives ideas on how to learn about other requirements that may apply to sales at a farmers’ market. In addition to market rules, a market vendor’s rights and responsibilities may also be governed by federal, state, and local laws. A free copy of the article can be requested by calling FLAG’s offi ce at 651-223-5400. The article can be also downloaded from FLAG’s website at www.flaginc.org/topics/pubs/arts/FarmersMarket.pdf A concise online guide for managing horse pastures and manure is available from the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Prepared by equine experts, the guide can help with selecting grasses and maintaining them, composting manure and planning rotations for pasture grazing. www.mda.state.md.us/go/how.php ********************************************************************** *** IN THE NEWS *** And organic feed: Corn, sorghum, hay, etc. It’ll outdo prices for conventional grain. Why? Organic livestock operations are expanding faster than available feed. That’s the case for farms producing broilers, milk and eggs: USDA projects that organic egg sales will jump nearly 40% by 2010 or so. Poultry meat sales will triple. But note that such crops must adhere to organic rules for three years for organic certification. A silver lining: Contracts begin expiring this fall on millions of acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. Much of that idled land is free of chemicals and will be certifiable without the three-year wait. (Kiplinger Ag Newsletter, Vol 78 No 5) Online message boards and chat rooms are replacing rural coffee shops and feed mills as places for farmers to talk farming and trade tips as more of rural America goes online, CNN.com reported recently. "You get the best thinkers in agriculture," Ohio farmer Ed Winkle said of the forums. "You're mixing such a diverse group of people -- from different areas, from different backgrounds, different experiences, different ways of farming." Fifty-one percent of U.S. farms have Internet access, according to a July 2005 report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, up from 48 percent in 2003. More than two-thirds of them, however, still use dial-up modems to connect, CNN reports. Popular sites include the Internet division of Farm Journal Media, www.agweb.com and Des Moines, Iowa-based www.agriculture.com, where visitors spend an average of 11 minutes perusing the offerings. Both sites are free access and advertising supported. (Weekly Harvest Newsletter, Feb 28, 2007) A new report issued on December 27, 2006 finds that organic poultry and egg markets in the US are expanding rapidly and that domestic supply, especially for organic broilers, is also expanding. A comparison of prices for conventional and organic poultry and eggs shows significant organic price premiums. The report, entitled Organic Poultry and Eggs Capture High Price Premiums and Growing Share of Specialty Markets, by Lydia Oberholtzer, Catherine Greene, and Enrique Lopez is posted on the web www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/LDP/2006/12Dec/LDPM15001/. The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is offering grants, up to $15,000, to projects that address any agricultural production, social, economic, or policy-related topic of concern to organic farmers and/or ranchers. OFRF supports research that is relevant to and takes place in certified organic systems. Proposals are due July 16, 2007. For more information go to http://ofrf.org/grants/apply.html The US Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) makes operating loans, up to $5,000, to individual youths ages 10-20 to establish and operate income-producing projects. These projects must be of modest size and be initiated, developed, and carried out by rural youth participating in 4-H clubs, FFA, or a similar organization, or with a vocational teacher or county extension specialist. The project must be an organized and supervised program of work. It must be planned and operated with the assistance of the organization advisor, produce sufficient income to repay the loan, and provide youth practical business and education experience. To qualify for a loan the borrower must: be a citizen of the United States, live in a town of less than 10,000 people, be unable to get a loan from other sources, and conduct a modest income-producing project in a supervised program of work. Loan funds may be used to: buy livestock, equipment, and supplies; buy, rent, or repair needed tools and equipment; or pay operating expenses for the project. Contact your local Farm Service Agency for more information. Installing a renewable energy system? USDA can help pay for it. It’s inviting applications for loan guarantees and supporting grants to help ag producers and rural small businesses with such projects. The Dept. of Agriculture will issue over $175 million in loan guarantees covering 50% of project costs and $11 million in grants covering 25%. For more info www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/nofas. (Kiplinger Agriculture Newsletter, Vol 78 No 6) Here’s where to look for the organic prices: For grains, fruits, vegetables and herbs, the broadest lists of prices are on The New Farm Organic Price Index, or OPX, operated since 2004 by the Rodale Institute. It’s at www.newfarm.org/opx. A USDA grant will help OPX report trends, list quotes on more crops and add regional lists and livestock and dairy prices. Also new: USDA has historic organic prices at ers.usda.gov/Data/OrganicPrices. For Upper Midwest feed grain and hay, turn to a new report in the works at USDA. But note that it will still be a few months before it’s fully flush with a broad set of feed grain and hay prices. Look for it under Weekly Grain at www.ams.usda.gov/lsmnpubs/GIA.htm. For chicken meat and eggs, wholesale and retail prices are posted by the USDA at www.ams.usda.gov/poultry/mncs/Organic.htm. For dairy, quotes are still few and far between. But OFARM... Organic Farmers’ Agency for Relationship Marketing...now posts prices offered at the farmgate by Organic Valley, a national dairy. Find them at www.ofarm.org/pages/dairypage_one.htm. OFARM also posts past crop prices and farmers’ current asking prices at www.ofarm.org. (Kiplinger Agriculture Newsletter, Vol 78 No 6) ********************************************************************** *** ON THE CALENDAR *** April 7 - NatureScaping Symposium, Springfield, MO. Call 417-888-4237. April 11 - Blueberry Workshop, Jamesport, MO. Call 660-663-3232. April 12 -MO Vegetable Growers Assn Second Annual Spring meeting, Columbia, MO. Call 573-378-2655. April 14 - Bradford Research and Extension Center Native Plant Sale and Bird Watch Tour, Columbia, MO. Call 573-289-2018. April 20-21 - Reproductive Short Course in Sheep, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573-681-5540, StewartA@lincolnu.edu April 27-28 - Artificial Insemination & Semen Evaluation in Sheep, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573-681-5540, StewartA@lincolnu.edu April 29 - Sheep Seminar, Cameron, MO. Call 816-632-2816. May 11-12 - Midwest Forest Industry Show, St Louis. Call 573-634-3252. May 18-19 - Goat Short Course, Jefferson City, MO. Call 573-681-5551 orswartzh@lincolnu.edu. May 19 - Quail Management Workshop, Chillicothe, MO. Call 660-359-5685 ext. 114 . June 8 - Grazing Missouri Grass Class, St. Louis, MO. Call 877-77GRASS. June 24-28 - Midwest Stud Ram Sale, Sedalia, MO. Call 573-442-8257 July 21 - MO Christmas Tree Assn Summer Meeting, Festus, MO. Call 573/243-5501. July 29-31 - Missouri Young Farmers/Young Farm Wives Summer Tour, Perryville, MO. Call 573-751-8467. Aug 9-19 - MO State Fair, Sedalia, MO. Aug 18 - Canine Care Workshop, Kirksville, MO. Call 573-751-4570. Aug 25 - Canine Care Workshop, Springfield, MO. Call 573-751-4570. Aug 31 - University of MO Delta Research Center Field Day, Portageville, MO. Call 573-379-5431. Sept 5 - Missouri Cut Flowers: From Field to Market, Mountain Grove, MO. Call 417-547.7533 Nov 1-3 - National Small Farm Today Conference and Trade Show, Columbia, MO. Call 800-633-2535. Nov 2-3 - MO State Beekeepers Assn Fall Meeting, Hannibal, MO. www.mostatebeekeepers.org Nov 30-Dec 1 - Livestock Symposium, Kirksville, MO. **Green Hills Farm Project Farm Walks** Green Hills Farm Project welcomes all families to our open farm walks.  Always bring your children!  Please call ahead to advise the host family of the number attending and to get directions.  The host family provides main meat course and drinks.  Please bring lawn chairs and covered dish. Come on out and join us for a great time of fellowship and sharing on our farms! April 19th - 5pm, Dennis & Becky McDonald, Galt, MO, 660-673-6508. Cattle and land management. May 17th - 5pm, Isaac Rude, Braymer, MO, 660.645.2324. GHFP youth grant recipient sharing his boar goat project.  his family also raises chickens, eggs, cattle, pigs, and turkeys marketed locally. mrude@greenhills.net   June 21st - 5pm, Martin & Bev Turner, Elmer, MO  660.486.3388, Cattle and grass operation, they will share their 4-way cross cattle development programme; Hereford, Barzona, Red Angus, and Senepol.  Bulls for sale.   July 21st - Saturday, 5pm, Jordan & Anne Bentley, Brookfield, MO, 660.412.3399.  Jordan and Anne should be in their new home by then.  They grow broiler chickens, turkeys, and lambs.  Flock management and marketing ideas.   August 16th - 5pm, Tom & Paula Parker, Richmond, MO, 816.470.3276. Using MiG (management-intensive grazing) techniques, the Parker's are successfully managing animals and land to produce great-tasting beef, lamb, hogs, and poultry which is marketed locally.   September 20th - 5pm, Allen & Tauna Powell, Laclede, MO, 660-963-2685. Soil, water, and grass management with the use of MiG and animal impact.  Cattle, sheep, pastured hens.  Web site sales of beef, lamb, eggs, soap, raw wool, sheep pelts, wool products including blankets, batting, roving, socks are coming!  Tours to the seed cleaning operation are available if there is interest. www.mastersranch.com or atpowell@mcmsys.com   October 20th - Saturday, 11am, Kerry & Barb Buchmayer, Purdin, MO 660.244.5858, Organic milk, butter, and eggs.  Learn about managing soil and animals organically at Green Hills Harvest.  Tours of the bottling plant available for those interested.  www.ghharvest.com or ghharvest@juno.com   November 15th - 4pm, Ben & Nancy Coleman, Callao, MO, 660.768.5743. Ben and family have been cattle ranching for years.  Come and see their management practices; come early since it will be getting dark soon at this meeting.  Heated outbuilding for meal and meeting.   December - no meeting in December **Growing Growers Workshops** For more information, 913-488-1270 or growers@ksu.edu Apr 16 - General Plant Propagation and Production for the Vegetable Grower, Location to be determined. May 16 - Equipment for Vegetable Growers, Olathe, KS. June 11 - Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling for Maximum Quality and Nutrition, Bates County, MO July 9 - The Taste & Nutrition of Local Vegetables, location to be determined Aug 13 - Starting a New Farm, Baldwin City, KS. Sept 9 - Pests, Diseases & Weeds, Independence, MO. Oct 1 - Integrating Meat and Dairy into Vegetables, Weston, MO. Oct 20 - Business Management for Small Farms, Kearney, MO. Nov 3 - TBD, Location to be determined