1.

Are there any situations to where multi-specie grazing may not work for an
enterprise? Explain your answer. 
There are many advantages to multi-specie grazing that incorporates the beneficial
traits of each animals. However, there are specific situations where multi-specie grazing
may not work. First is depending on the size of the pasture and grazing area of the
enterprise, there are additional management, expertise and labor requirements in
keeping a multi-specie grazing. There are specific knowledge required in managing
sheep, goats and cow individually. Each type of animal will have their specific
advantages to an area but also bring additional disadvantages. For example, sheep and
goats will require some sort of protection for predators. Another instance is that the
mineral needs of animals are different, and must be managed accordingly. The mineral
needs of cows, sheep and goats are different. Lastly, when separating animals or herds,
there are specific requirements in being able to fence them off. This means having a
multi-specie grazing means you need to consider all of the requirements of the animals.
2. The sheep population has declined over the past 40 years in the US. a.)
What are the reasons for the decline? b.) What conditions might prompt a
reversal of this trend?
There has been a decline in sheep population in the past forty years in the US due
to several factors in production, consumption and overall market demands. For
example, there has been a decline in the demand for wool from sheep due to the
development of synthetic fibers for warm outdoor clothing. The wool prices has
significantly dropped and the cost of the production and management of the sheep from
shearing to rearing did not become profitable. Second is that there has been a decline
in the consumption of the meat since the end of World War II. The development of the
aversion to lamb since the end of the war continued to plummet the demand for lamb for
decades. Third is the difficulty in the management in growing of lambs. The decline in
the production and demand meant that the human resources needed in herders also
decline through the decades. Fourth is the additional requirements and protection
needed to grow lamb. Lamb has predators in most of the pasture areas in the US. The
needed to manage not only the forage needs but also protect the sheep from predators.
The areas where they graze often have high numbers of predators. Additionally, the
economic pressures and market demand meant that most of the producers and sheep
ranchers needed to diversify their production to ensure dependable sources of income.
Lastly, specific policy changes in the US also meant the reduction of incentives and
support from the government to keep the businesses afloat. This meant that most of the
sole sheep ranchers were not able to keep their production resulting in the decline of
the industry.
Conditions that can alter the declining trend is to change the consumer behavior and
mindset regarding this meat. There is a specific aversion to this meat in the US as
compared to Australia, New Zealand and Asia. There must be specific marketing and
higher quality production to encourage consumers.
 3. Why is the goat industry growing?
The goat industry is growing in the US is due to the growing demand for its meat in
the ethnic populations of the country as well as rising food culture in the country. The
rising demand for meat goats meant that specific breeds were sought after such as the
Boer Breed that was imported from South Africa in the early 90s. The meat had no
grading or system in place but were sold by the carcass or pound. This meant that the
marketing was depending on the region and had a specific advantages as how other
meat is sold. Another aspect contributing to the goat industry is the need for goats as a
brush control mechanism or a range land management too. A study conducted by the
USDA indicated that a significant aspect of keeping or ranching goats is its use as a
brush control.
4. In your textbook reading, explain how an accelerated lambing program can
be established. What are its advantages and requirements?
An accelerated lambing program can be established by lambing more frequently
than once each year to provide a more uniform supply of lambs throughout the year.
This progam allows the managers to take advantage of producing lambs during months
when feed is more abundant and cheaper, and the marketing when prices are higher.
This program also requires a very specific requirements for the ewes that can breed
successfully at any season. Other methods such as synchronization of estrus can be
used to stimulate the ewes so they can reproduce outside of the normal breeding
season.
5. What are some of the difficulties and problems with sheep management?
One of the key problems with sheep management is predator control. The predator of
sheep such as coyote is a big problem in the wester and plain states. This is one of the
costly problems of sheep management where they are attacking and killing both ewes
and lambs. Other problems include external parasites in sheep units especially in farms
with limited space or in dry lots. Another aspect to consider is the lack of experience
and trained man power in managing sheep. Additionally, many lamb death losses are
not uncommon and there are increased challenges in intensified sheep enterprises due
to the occurrence of certain diseases such as respiratory and reproductive diseases that
affect the survivability of embryos or lambs at birth.
7. What is your opinion on horse slaughter in the US? Justify your answer.
In my opinion, it is not unjustifiable to allow horse slaughter. The use of horse
meat has many cultural and also economic benefits. For example, there is a proper
market for horse meat where most cultures in the world in Africa and Asia consume
horse meat. Second, this is a practical way to handle the abandoned horses or retired
horses to be used for consumption. I believe it is the same as any other animal that if it
is respected and grown to be used for human consumption, this should be regulated
and also supported by the government. I have worked with farmers who grow horse
meat for consumption in countries like Mongolia or Kyrgyzstan, and it is absolutely
imperative that the production of food be up to a certain standard and regulation by the
government rather than being banned. As most policy effect of banning certain
practices, the black market emerges and creates a more dangerous environment not
just for the consumer but also the animals in question.
6. Briefly summarize the current status of the bison industry. (check out: A
Growing Profitable Business (Links to an external site.))

The bison industry in the US is a growing market where the consumers is

increasingly accepting and embracing the specialty of bison meat. From the 2007 USDA
census, it is estimate that around 200,000 bison’s exist in the country where a quarter in
Dakotas alone. There is a growing understanding of the role of Bison to restoring and
supporting the healthy management of land in North America. The growing demand for
bison has also supported in the increase in prices of the meat and has reached almost
4.50 USD per pound in 2015. The meat is marketed similar to cattle and has seen a
significant growth in prices throughout the last decades. There is also growing public
policy support for the industry.

7. Describe how to handle bison. Are there any differences from cattle
handling? (check out: Low Stress Bison Handling (Links to an external
site.))

There are key differences in handling bison as compared to cattle. First is that the social
structure and behavior of bison are much different than cattle. They are relatively easy
to stress in unfamiliar environments and can contribute to being difficult to hold and
contain. They require specific consideration to adapt to the new environment. They
require specific social leadership, knowledge of the forages, feed sources and
understanding where to go and what to do. They require adequate space to have the
social order they demand and to have the proper space to settle. They are animals that
have not been bred and domesticated to the point that they are able to concentrate in a
location with minimal space. They cannot be lined up easily like cattle and be in a line.
They are easily challenge in high diseased environment of concentrated ruminants.
They thrive in ranch living with a herd size not being more than 100. Handling bison
require a set of skills and knowledge required to have a low stress environment for them
to thrive.

8. Describe the advantages to eating bison meat. (check out: Nutritional

Benefits of Eating Bison (Links to an external site.) and Bison Perfected By
Nature (Links to an external site.))

There are many advantages to bison meat. First is that most of the bison are living in a
very low stress environment in free range land. They are grown without drugs,
chemicals and growth hormone as compared to other animals. There are specific public
policies are prohibit the use of growth hormones in bison as well as antibiotics. They are
specifically all natural and research have shown that the meat is nutrient dense due to
the proportion of protein, fat, mineral and fatty acids to its caloric value. In a simple 100
gram serving of bison meat, the fat content only amounts to 2.42 grams as compared to
18.54 gram for Beef (Choice), and to 9.21 grams for Pork. This entail they are a great
source of a low fat high protein food.