Sustainable Beef Production

Options for Small Acreages Jeff Carpenter County Extension Director

What is sustainable beef production?

The capacity to endure John Pollack, Director - USDA Meat Animal Research Center fill the needs of today without compromising the future Cristain Barcan, BASF economic viability, environmental stewardship and social responsibility Kim Stackhouse, NCBA

Environmental Stewardship
Protect the land Make it better every year (water quality, soil fertility, animal welfare, .) Comparing resources consumed vs. produced (forages, purchased feeds, water used, carbon footprint) Stocking Rates

What contributes to Environmental Sustainability?

Production methods and stocking rates have greatest impact maybe? All grass fed/some concentrate use/mostly forages/..? What about water use and quality? (streams vs ponds vs. stream exclusion)

Currently no law against using surface waters

Most herds still access streams or other surface waters Some contribution of nutrients and sediment when animals have access to streams Monitoring studies have shown impact only occurs when animals are actually IN the stream Studies have shown a positive impact when animals are excluded Similar benefits just by offering an alternative water source (Poore, others)

Options for water needs

Well and pump, water lines, tanks Spring developments (gravity systems) Outflow from ponds (gravity) Rams, sling pumps, solar pumps, nose pumps Any of these can work with or without stream exclusion

Water needs for livestock

Design it for peak demand (highest animal numbers at hottest time of the year) Cow calf pairs 20 gpd 600 lb steers 15 gpd Bulls 20 gpd

Recovery time for systems

If all animals drink at once can your system recover quickly enough so they dont have to wait for water? Example: 550 foot well producing 1 gpm
32 cow calf pairs, 16 1st calf heifer pairs, 24 replacement heifers, 7 tanks each with 75 gallon storage 450 feet of storage in well with pump 30 feet from the bottom

Equipment Needs for Beef Production

What do you really NEED? Equipment costs can quickly outpace income stream Maintenance and ownership costs are real Less is more! Iron can drag you down!

Marketing Information/Sites
NCDA market news Hodge Livestock Network Southeast Livestock Network Mid Atlantic Cattle Sales

Be Realistic
Cattle operations wont provide for large withdrawals for family living expenses Its a chance to build equity over time A good fit to provide the lifestyle you want for your family Consider the land investment as a separate entity with different goal Some annual income if managed well

Stocking Rates
2 acres per cow should provide enough supplemental forage for winter feed needs 1 acre per cow is pushing the limit Heifer development or stocker cattle production allows for higher density (smaller animals held for shorter periods of time allow for more intensity)

Other considerations for stocking rates

Is purchase of hay a possibility? Do neighbors have excess hay (or no cattle?) Are you considering maintaining a cow herd or more short term production ideas (stockers, backgrounding, finishing, heifer development, ) What type of forage species will you offer?
Straight grass with N, grass legume mixtures?

Warm Season vs. Cool Season Forages

Cool season forages offer the greatest forage production in terms of length of the grazing season Warm season forages offer the maximum production during warm months of the year but are dormant/reduced from September through April

Cool Season Forages

Fescue is the most forgiving Need to consider endophyte infected (KY 31) vs. endophyte friendly Other best option is Orchardgrass Addition of clover will reduce the nitrogen needs & improve production but may require lower stocking rates (and weed control issues)

Warm Season Forages

Bermuda (seeded or hybrid) Switchgrass or Gammagrass Annuals such as millet, sudan, Need to consider a winter annual to compliment these (small grain, ryegrass, crimson clover or mixtures of these)

What is the ideal mix?

Most experts suggest 25% of acreage be in warm season grasses for the Piedmont Allows for maximum production during July and August Opportunity for overseeding during September for winter grazing

Consider what grows best on your farm!

There is no miracle forage Whats growing on your farm is there for a reason Dont fight Mother Nature Work with what you have and what will persist on your farm Make it sustainable (continuous replanting is NOT sustainable)

Whats an ideal system?

30-50% cool season grass, conventional fertilization 20-40% grass/clover mixtures, limited N 20-30% warm season grasses, overseeded with winter annuals, conventional fertilization the first year plant only fence posts

Fencing Options
Permanent perimeter fence with electric Make subdivisions temporary until you know for sure Barbed or woven wire High tensile electric High tensile woven wire

Barbed or Woven Wire

Initial cost high Maintenance medium/high Shorter post spacing Dependability medium/high

High Tensile Electric

Initial cost low/medium Maintenance low/medium Wide post spacing Energizer is the key component Lightning may be an issue

High Tensile Woven Wire

Initial cost medium/high Maintenance low/medium (better than conventional) Wide post spacing Offers the dependability of a strong physical barrier but withstands abuse Can/should be combined with electric component

Temporary fencing materials

Great selection of temporary tread in posts Flexible poly/steel wire Can be stored on reels that can be played out/rolled up as needed Moving fence requires no more time than feeding hay Main benefit is the length of the rest period

Financial Sustainability
Cow-calf Stocker/wintering/grazing Backgrounding Heifer development

Look at the Budgets!

Cow-Calf Operations
Need a minimum size to be most efficient Maintaining the cow herd comprises the most expense equipment, land area, forage needs The cows are a family/operational asset Buy or raise replacements? Additional acreage required Replacing the bull is a concern for small operations

Stocker/Backgrounding/Grazing
Buy in fall/graze in winter/sell in spring is traditional arrangement Summer grazing requires fewer feed inputs but works against the price cycle Can usually run more head due to lower maintenance requirements Its a margin business! Health issues the first 3 weeks is biggest challenge Offers flexibility for weather or financial issues Contract grazing is a possibility

Heifer Development
Take in weaned calves and raise them to breeding or bred status May work out a long term arrangement with a neighbor Might purchase heifer calves/grow and develop/breed/market May be a good option to partner with several neighbors?