1. YOUTH & FAMILIES AGRICULTUREHEALTHECONOMYENVIRONMENTENERGY COMMUNITIES Integrating Livestock Enterprises into Beginning Farmer and Rancher Operations 2011 National Extension Risk Management Educational Conference Presented by: Shannon Neibergs, WSU Extension - School of Economic Sciences Doug Collins, WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources

2. WSU - Small Farm Team Extension Programming To foster profitable farming systems, to promote land and water stewardship, and to ensure that all Washingtonians have unrestricted access to healthy food. Programming objectives included providing information and educational programs for farmers, consumers, decision-makers, and others involved in local food systems. Primary goals are to: –Build public support for agriculture –Preserve Washington farmland for food and fiber production –Help farmers adopt practices that are sustainable- economically, socially and environmentally –Unify farmers and consumers in developing local markets and community food access

3. Beginning Farm and Rancher Development Grant Conduct a series of workshops and provide online education covering: Sustainable Livestock Production Season Extension Soil Fertility and Cover Cropping Seed Production Small Dairy Operations Improve participants knowledge of livestock production systems and marketing. Create partnerships with participants and foster partnerships between participants. Target and provide service to underserved populations

4. Expected Outcomes 1.Increase viability and success of new small farms 2.Provide continuity of educational, experiential, and mentoring opportunities for new farmers. 3.Increase number of farm management plans implemented 4.Increase number of business plans implemented 5.More producers implement locally relevant BMPs 6.Increase number of farms and availability of locally-grown food and livestock

5. Sustainable Livestock Programming Project Many small farm landowners see livestock as a sustainable production enterprise 1.Target audience is Western Washington small and beginning farmers. 2.Land resource has high forage growth potential. 3.Identified need for livestock production and management education.

6. High Western Washington Precipitation Supports Forage Growth

7. Program Targets Sheep and Goat Production 1.Lower risk from lower capital investment and operating costs to get started. 2.Current market conditions support profit opportunities. 3.Smaller animal size. 4.Expanding direct market - Middle Eastern, Hispanic and Restaurants. 5.Commercial market outlet for finished animals.

8. Strong Lamb Price Outlook

9. Declining supply supports price outlook

10. SHEEP & LAMB NUMBERS JANUARY 1, 2011 (1000 Head) Washington has a regional supply advantage

11. An estimated 32% of lamb market is direct trade Source: Shiflett, J. Williams, G. and Rodgers P. Nontraditional Lamb Market in the Unites States: Characteristics and Marketing Strategies, 2010.

12. Short Course Topics

13. Traditional short course outreach approaches are effective because: They present an organized curricula They encourage and inspire greater participation Promotes and fosters good relationships Provides outreach events for Extension and Agencies to reach clients Provides opportunity for participants peer learning through questions and discussions

14. Short course farm visit Pasture Management Hoof Trimming Facilities Mobile Slaughter Unit

15. Financial Planning and Record Keeping Objectives 1.To highlight the importance of record keeping in various aspects of sheep and goat production. 2.To describe the different kinds of financial statements that are required to evaluate sheep and goat production financial performance. 3.To provide and highlight some spreadsheet budget tools that you can use as financial management aids in your operation.

16. Record keeping – animal identification Record keeping is an essential part of good livestock and business management. Record keeping requires animal identification.

17. Animal ID Objectives Animal identification objectives: Inventory –Valuation on the balance sheet Proof of ownership Provides a management tool –Performance evaluation –Reproduction efficiency –Genetic selection –Health records –Culling decisions

18. Using production records to measure production efficiency Inventory - Animal Identification Reproduction- Does/Ewes exposed to Buck/Ram Births – number of births, dates, sire and dam, dystocia, offspring ID birth weight Weaning – weaning weights Feeder lamb / goat performance Market weight Market quality Weight gain, feed efficiency, days on feed

19. Using Standardized Performance Analysis Source: Rod Sharp, Standardized Performance Analysis for Sheep Producers, Ag. & Business Management, CSU Extension

20. On-line Education Project Component Use Adobe Connect Pro as the web platform to provide content. Use Adobe Presenter to take advantage of short course presentations

21. Adobe Connect Home Page

22. Conclusion - Outputs and Impacts Short Course –40 Participants 73% farmers, 27% intending to start farm –Attendees were from 10 Counties –Average farm size 21 acres –Combined 311 acres –Average 25 head of livestock / farm –267 head of livestock combined

23. Conclusions – Retrospective survey evaluation 23 respondents (58% response rate) 100% increased knowledge in at least one topic Respondents intend to make changes in: –Financial planning and record keeping 56% –Animal care (sanitation, health care, facilities) 60% –Pasture management 39% –Marketing 11% Anecdotal conversations