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Improving Grazing Management • Small Stock Mortality Composting • Sheep Wanted for Dewormer Trial • Two New Dewormers May Be in Our Future • Whole Farm Management Audits for Your Goat/Sheep Operation Workshop • Calendar of Events

Improving Grazing Management
Kenny Simon, Program Associate - Forages

One of the demonstrations associated with "300 Days of Grazing" is Improving Grazing Management. Improving grazing management allows increased utilization of the available forage, thus helping extend the grazing season. Research has shown that increasing pasture rotation frequency from twice a month to twice a week increased the number of grazing days by 40 percent.

Many livestock producers have permanent cross fences on the farm, but all too common, the gates are open and the livestock are roaming freely. The first step in improving grazing management would to be to shut the gates and confine the livestock to one pasture at a time whenever possible and begin rotating among the existing pastures. The next step in improving grazing efficiency is to subdivide the existing pastures with electric fence. Electric fence offers many benefits over traditional barbed or woven wire. One big advantage is cost. In improving grazing management demonstrations involving small ruminants, electric fence is costing approximately $0.60 per foot -  a $0.73 cost-per-foot savings over traditional fence, not including labor. Other benefits of an electric fence include its durability, it is easily constructed and maintained and it is light weight and easily transported.

The effectiveness of any electric fence depends on the its ability to deliver an unpleasant shock when touched. The ability of the fence to deliver that shock depends on two main things: 1) the energizer and 2) the grounding system.

Electric fence is a psychological barrier not a physical barrier, like barbed wire or woven wire. Therefore, the effectiveness of any electric fence depends on the its ability to deliver an unpleasant shock when touched. The ability of the fence to deliver that shock depends on two main things: 1) the energizer and 2) the grounding system.

At the heart of an electric fence system is the energizer, also called the charger. There are several factors to consider when selecting which energizer is best suited for your individual operation. What will be the source of power for the energizer? What size energizer is needed? What is the impedance of the energizer? What kind of warranty does the unit come with, and what kind of service will I receive after the sale?

The three main sources of powering an energizer are 1) 110V or 220V plug-in, 2) battery or 3) solar. Plug-in main power units are the most cost effective per joule. They are usually the most practical for permanent systems, there is less maintenance involved and they are available in higher joule ratings than the battery- or solar-powered units. Battery- or solar-powered units work well in remote locations where a power outlet is not available. Battery-powered units will cost more per joule than the plug-in units, plus there is an additional cost of battery. Deep cycle batteries, which can be discharged slowly and completely, should be used for powering these energizers. Solar-powered units are the most expensive per joule. Solar panels can be used with battery-powered energizers to keep the battery charged. However, solar panels can get expensive, often costing as much or more than the energizer.

The joule rating should be used to determine what size energizer is needed. To put it simply, a joule is the amount of power that pushes the electrical pulse down the fence wire. When comparing energizers, check to see if the unit is rated in stored joules or output joules, "apples to apples." Stored energy is the amount of energy stored in the capacitors of the energizer. The output energy is the amount of energy delivered to the fence and is about 30 percent less than stored energy. A general rule of thumb is 1 output joule is needed per 3 miles of wire. This is dependent of the type of wire being used, quality of the insulators, the grass/weed load on the fence, etc.

Most of the energizers on the market today are low impedance. Impedance means leakage. So, a low impedance energizer will have the ability to resist leakage caused by minor shorts or vegetation on the fence. For an energizer to be considered low impedance, the duration of the pulse must be less than .003 of a second. The duration of pulse for better quality energizers will be .0003 of a second. Having a very short duration of pulse eliminates the risk of fire, because no heat is built up on the wire.

Before making the final selection of an energizer, check the manufacturer's warranty. Warranties will vary in length and items covered. Some manufacturers offer a two-year warranty, while others have a one-year warranty. Some units cover lightening damage. Like anything else from time to time, you may need to get the unit serviced. Ask the retailer questions to determine if the unit can be repaired "in house" or if the unit will have to be shipped off. What is the average turnaround time on units that need to be repaired? In the event the unit needs to be serviced, are loaner units available?

A proper grounding system is the most important step in having an effective electric fence. Eighty percent of electric fence problems can be eliminated with proper grounding. The ground rods serve as an antenna for collecting soil electrons. The better the grounding system, the more electrons collected, which enables the energizer to deliver a powerful shock. Galvanized ground rods of ½" or larger diameter should be used. Three feet of ground rods are needed per output joule. For units that require more than one ground rod, space the rods 10 feet or more apart and connect ground rods to the energizer with one continuous wire. The ground rods should be placed in an area that holds moisture, such as a drip line on the north side of a building.

In summary, when designed correctly, electric fence is an effective way of controlling livestock. Take the time to do research on energizers. There are just as many good energizers on the market as there are poor quality energizers. Do not let price alone be the deciding factor; remember the energizer is the heart of the system. If the energizer is not of sufficient quality, then the whole system fails. The energizer must be grounding properly to work efficiently. Even the best energizer will not function properly if the grounding is inadequate. Take time to talk with your neighbor or other producers who are using electric fence and learn some of the dos and don'ts.

Small Stock Mortality Composting
Steven M. Jones, Associate Professor - Animal Science

All livestock producers encounter mortality. Goat and sheep operations may experience annual mortality losses of up to 10% of young before weaning and 5% of adult breeding animals. For a producer with 30 breeding females, two-thirds of whom have twins, this would mean a loss of about 5 young and 2 adults. Severe disease or internal parasite outbreaks may add to this loss. Finding appropriate carcass disposal methods can be challenging.

The Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission regulations (Act 87 of 1963-Code 2-33-101 and Act 150 of 1985-Code 19-6-448) have six acceptable options for animal carcass disposal:

1. Rendering: Large animal carcasses may be submitted to a rendering facility in a sealed vehicle that does not allow drainage while being moved.

2. Burial: Carcasses may be buried at a site at least 100 yards away from a well and in a place where a stream cannot be contaminated. Anthrax carcasses are to be covered with 1 inch of lime. Other carcasses may be covered with lime, particularly when needed to control odors. All carcasses are to be covered with at least 2 feet of dirt. Carcasses are not to be buried in a landfill without prior approval of the State Veterinarian.

3. Extrusion: Extrusion is an acceptable method to recover the protein for animal food, when possible.

4. Cooking Carcasses for Swine Food: Carcasses may be cooked for swine food. The internal temperature of the batch must reach 212 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Federal permit required through USDA-APHIS, Veterinary Services.

5. Incineration (burning): Incineration or open burning may be used as long as carcass is reduced to ash.

6. Composting: Carcasses or portions of carcasses may be composted in compliance with the following guidelines.

Composting is an inexpensive, environmentally friendly method of disposing of animal mortality commonly used in the poultry and swine industries. In the same way that microorganisms degrade vegetative waste and turn it into a rich soil amendment, animal carcasses can be turned into an organic matter-rich material that can be spread on pastures and other agricultural land. When properly done, animal composting generates no odor and temperatures generated during composting are high enough to kill most pathogens. However, animals suspected to have died from severe zoonotic diseases; i.e., diseases that can be passed to humans, such as anthrax, should not be composted. Sheep and goats that die from scrapie should never be composted, as the agent responsible for this neurological disease is not killed at common compost pile temperatures. However, for most cases of mortality, composting is a safe, low-cost alternative to other carcass disposal methods.

To successfully compost animal mortality requires attention to the basics of a good compost pile: proper carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N), moisture content, available oxygen and pore size of material. Proper composting is done by aerobic microorganisms, meaning that they need oxygen to survive, in a temperature range of 130 to 150 degrees F. These microorganisms require nutrients in the form of carbon and nitrogen in a C:N ratio of roughly 30:1 or 30 parts carbon for each part nitrogen. Animal carcasses are high in nitrogen and the surrounding compost material should be high in carbon to create the proper C:N ratio.

There are many suitable carbon sources for mortality composting. One commonly used material is sawdust. Wood shavings and old hay or straw can be used when mixed with other material, such as manure or finished compost, in a 50:50 mixture. Mixtures of animal bedding and manure, such as that from horse stalls, are an acceptable carbon source. Used bedding after a livestock show at a local fairgrounds or horse arena can be a source of carbon material. Poultry litter has been used in mortality composting as a source of nutrients and microorganisms, but it is very high in phosphorus.

Optimum moisture content for a compost pile is around 50 percent. If the material is too dry, the bacteria have insufficient moisture and composting will be very slow. If the material is too wet, water fills the pore spaces in the compost pile, resulting in aerobic bacteria being replaced by anaerobic bacteria that do not require oxygen. Decomposition by anaerobic bacteria is very slow, generates odors and does not produce sufficient heat. Squeeze a handful of the compost material. If water drips out, it is too wet. If none sticks to your hand, it is too dry. For a more accurate moisture level reading, use a portable moisture probe. If the particle size of material making up the carbon source is too small, there is inadequate pore space to trap oxygen. If the material is too large, such as chopped hay or straw, there can be too much air transfer and heat, odors and moisture can escape the pile. Sawdust, mixtures of shavings and manure or bedding and manure all have good sized particles providing adequate pore space.

Mortality composting is an easy, lawful, low-cost alternative for producers to dispose of livestock losses. Select sites away from water sources and the public. Producers may wish to construct permanent wooden bins on a concrete pad or may use simple wire or pallet enclosures in which to compost. A carbon source such as sawdust, wood shavings mixed with manure, stable bedding or other carbon-rich material is needed to combine with the carcass to obtain a C:N ratio of 30:1. Temperatures in a properly made pile will be high enough to kill most pathogens. A portion of the resulting compost can be reused and the remainder spread on pastureland.

Acknowledgements:

1. Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission, http://www.arlpc.org/regs/CarcassDisposalLargeAnimal.pdf.

2. Dr. Roger Merkel, et al.; Proceedings of the 25th Annual Goat Field Day, Langston University, April 24, 2010.

Sheep Wanted for Dewormer Trial
Steven M. Jones, Associate Professor - Animal Science

Dr. Tom Yazwinski, parasitologist, University of Arkansas Animal Science Department, is searching for cooperating producers to conduct a research trial on a new dewormer. He is looking for 200 non-lactating, open female/male sheep to do a field study with a new class of compound. Sheep can come from multiple farms, but he needs to have all 200 at one place in order to do the study. Sheep used must have an EPG > 200. Dr. Yazwinski has facilities in Fayetteville for holding the sheep for the 30-day study. The grant will pay a "user" fee on the sheep plus worm them out at the end of the study. A clean/happy sheep will be returned to the farm. Sheep will be kept separated by farm at Fayetteville. He can do a study at one place other than the University if they have the numbers.

This research needs to be conducted this summer (2011).

Potential farms will have sheep collected for egg counts and animal "procurement." This is a much needed step to getting a new product out there for small ruminants. I am very appreciative of Dr. Yazwinski's reputation as a researcher to create this opportunity in Arkansas for the initial work.

Dr. Yazwinski told me goats may follow in a year or two.

If you are interested in assisting with this project, you may contact me at sjones@uaex.edu or Dr. Yazwinski at yazwinsk@uark.edu.

Two New Dewormers May Be in Our Future
Steven M. Jones, Associate Professor - Animal Science

Until last year, the last new anthelmintic (dewormer) class introduced to the market was macrocylic lactones (i.e., Ivomec) by Merck in 1981. But since last year, two new sheep drenches have entered the pipeline: Zolvix® and Startect®.

Zolvix® (monepantel) was released by Novartis last fall in New Zealand. It is now available to producers in Australia, Europe and South America. Startect® (derquantel + abamectin) was recently released by Pfizer. Currently, it is available only in New Zealand.

Both new sheep drenches represent new anthelmintic classes. They have different modes of action than current anthelmintics. Consequently, they are effective against worms that are resistant to other classes and combinations of anthelmintics.

When (and if) these anthelmintics become available in the United States is anyone's best guess.

Perhaps, the Minor Use/Minor Species Act will facilitate the approval of these two new drenches for U.S. producers. The purpose of the act is to find innovative ways to bring products for small populations to market and is designed to help pharmaceutical companies overcome the financial roadblocks they face in providing limited-demand animal drugs.

For more information, see www.zolvix.com and www.startect.co.nz.

Whole Farm Management Audits for Your Goat/Sheep Operation Workshop
Jack Boles, County Extension Agent - Staff Chair, Newton County

The Newton County Cooperative Extension Service in cooperation with the North Arkansas Meat Goat Association will be conducting a workshop, Whole Farm Management Audits for Your Goat/Sheep Operation. This workshop is scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2011, at the Carroll Electric Cooperative Building in Jasper, Arkansas, and is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This interactive program will cover the Small Ruminant Sustainability Checksheet developed by ATTRA that showcases whole farm management. Those in attendance will participate in a personal audit of their own farm. By the end of the program, each person will have identified the strengths and weaknesses of his/her goat or sheep operation and will have identified three areas for improvement. Every aspect of the operation will be discussed in an effort to increase total profits. Topics include forage production, animal care, marketing, breeding and more.

The North Arkansas Meat Goat Association will be serving a free lunch with a variety of goat meat dishes. The lunch is free, but we ask that you pre-register by calling the Newton County Cooperative Extension Service at (870) 446-2240 by Friday, April 22, to ensure enough food is prepared.

This workshop is open to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, marital or veteran status or any other legally protected status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication of program information (large print, audiotapes, etc.) should notify the county Extension office as soon as possible prior to the activity.

If you have any questions, contact Jack Boles of the Newton County Cooperative Extension Service at (870) 446-2240 or at jboles@uaex.edu for additional information.

Calendar of Events

February 26, 2011 -  Goat Camp at Northpark Activity Center, Harrisonville, Missouri. Check-in starts at 8:30 a.m.; program starts at 9 a.m. Contact person: Katie Stewart, (417) 839-3184, cstweart001@centurytel.net

March 26, 2011 -  Goat Producers Workshop, Hope, Arkansas. Contact person: Steve Jones, sjones@uaex.edu

March 26, 2011 -  Northeast Arkansas Early Spring Show, Greene County Fairgrounds, Highway 49B, Paragould, Arkansas. Three ABGA shows, entry fee $20 per show or $50 for all three shows by February 25, late entry $25. Judge for show 1 Mark Berry; other judges TBA. Contact person: Rick Simpson, (870) 634-6028, lisia@littlelisiasboers.com, http://www.arkansasboergoats.com  

April 9-10, 2011 -  Southeast Arkansas Spring Fling, Magnolia, Arkansas. Three ABGA shows, entry fee $20 per show by April 2, late entry $25. Judges: Mark Berry, Arkansas; Ron Dilley, Oklahoma; Larry Epling, Texas. Contact person: Jan Wesson, (870) 364-7858, dustydan1@windstream.net, http://www.southeastarkansasgoatproducersassociation.com 

April 17, 2011 -  North Arkansas Meat Goat Association Meeting, 2 p.m., Farm Bureau Building, 110 Industrial Park Road, Harrison, Arkansas, http://www.arkansasmeatgoat.com

April 23, 2011 -  Famancha Workshop, Baxter County Fairgrounds, Mountain Home, Arkansas. Contact: Mark Keaton, mkeaton@uaex.edu

April 29, 30 and May 1, 2011 -  AGPA Quad Show, Conway, Arkansas

April 30, 2011 -  Whole Farm Management Audits for Your Goat/Sheep Operation, Carroll Electric Cooperative Building, Jasper, Arkansas, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact: Jack Boles, (870) 446-2240, jboles@uaex.edu

April 30, 2011 -  Show Me Spring Spectacular, Missouri State Fairgrounds, 2503 West 16th Street, Sedalia, Missouri. Two shows, one-day, entry fee $10 by April 19, late entry $20. ABGA Judges: David “Chip” Kemp and Josh Taylor. Contact person: Tracy Diefenbach, (816) 657-2274, tldeif@fairpoint.net, http://www.meatgoatproducers.com

May 1, 2011 -  Junior ABGA, Area 2, Regional Show, Missouri State Fairgrounds, 2503 West 16th Street, Sedalia, Missouri. Entry fee $10 by April 19, late entry $20. ABGA judge TBA. Contact person: Tracy Diefenbach, (816) 657-2274, tldeif@fairpoint.net, http://www.meatgoatproducers.com

May 6-7, 2011 -  Sevier County Boer Goat Jackpot Bash, Sevier County Fairgrounds, 930 Rockefeller Avenue, DeQueen, Arkansas. One show on Friday (7 p.m.), two shows on Saturday, both Saturday shows 50% payback. Entry fee $20 by April 30. Judges TBA. Contact person: Ronald Morris, (870) 642-7913, mgf4@windstream.net

May 14-15, 2011 -  Pike County Diamond Classic Boer Goat Jackpot Show, Pike County Fairgrounds, Glenwood. Arkansas. Three ABGA open shows, 1st and 3rd shows jackpot shows, entry fee $20 by May 6. Show 1 - 9 a.m. Saturday, Judge: Ron Dilley; Show 2 - 1 p.m. Saturday, Judge: Amanda Skinner Breshear; Show 3 - 9 a.m. Sunday, Judge: TBA. Contact person: Mark Berry, (870) 828-1734, berrysghfarm@alltel.net, http://www.berrysghfarm.com

May 14-15, 2011 -  North Missouri Meat Goat Producers. Two ABGA open shows, entry fee $15 by May 7, late entry fee $20. Judges: Phil Stacy and Buddy Curry. Contact person: Tracy Diefenbach, (816) 657-2274, tldief@fairpoint.net, http://www.meatgoatproducers.com 

May 21-22, 2011 -  Indian Nations Dairy Goat Association Club Show: 4 rings, does only. Dewey, Oklahoma, sharon@guinearidgefarm.com

May 21-22, 2011 -  North Arkansas Meat Goat Association 10th Annual Spring Classic, Northwest Arkansas District Fairgrounds, 1400 Fairgrounds Road, Harrison, Arkansas. Two ABGA-Sanctioned Open Shows on Saturday and one on Sunday. Early entry fee $15, early entry deadline May 13. Late entry fee $20. Check-in time 6 p.m., May 20. ABGA judges TBA. Contact person: Robert McMahen, (870) 557-1759, robert@northarkboers.com, http://www.northarkboers.com

May 28-29, 2011 -  Spring Fling III - “Goats in the Park,” Kiwanis Drive Arena Park, Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Three ABGA open shows, entry fee $15 by show time, no pen or late fees; jackpot wether show on May 28. Judges: Show 1 - Anton Ward, other judges TBA. Contact person: Eva Rainwater, (573) 712-8744, rainwater@dishmail.net

June 4, 2011 -  North Arkansas Meat Goat Association Pen Sale, 8 a.m. until noon, Northwest Arkansas District Fairgrounds, 1400 Fairgrounds Road, Harrison, Arkansas. See Breeding Stock Sales.

July 17, 2011 -  North Arkansas Meat Goat Association Meeting, 2 p.m., Farm Bureau Building, 110 Industrial Park Road, Harrison, Arkansas, http://www.arkansasmeatgoat.com

July 29-August 7, 2011 -  Ozark Empire Fair, 3001 North Grant, Springfield, Missouri. Show times and judges TBA, http://www.ozarkempirefair.com

August 6, 2011 -  Northeast Arkansas Showdown, Greene County Fairgrounds, Highway 49B, Paragould, Arkansas. Three ABGA shows, entry fee $20 per show or $50 for all three shows by July 30, late entry $25, pen fee $5. Judge for Show 1 - Mark Berry; other judges TBA. Contact person: Lesia Simpson, (870) 634-6028, lisia@littlelisiasboers.com, http://www.arkansasboergoats.com  

August 11-21, 2011 -  Missouri State Fair, Missouri State Fairgrounds, 2503 West 16th Street, Sedalia, Missouri. Show times and judges TBA, http://www.mostatefair.com 

September 10-11, 2011 -  Southwest Missouri Boer Goat Classic, Vernon County Fairgrounds, 500 North Centennial Blvd., Nevada, Missouri. Shows at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday, entry fee $10 by August 31. Judges TBA. Contact person: Marla Sneed, (417) 448-9615, showgoats@sofnet.com

September 22-23, 2011 -  Northwest Arkansas District Fair, Northwest Arkansas District Fairgrounds, 1400 Fairgrounds Road, Harrison, Arkansas. Junior Market Meat Goats and Junior Boer Goats. Contact person: Robert McMahen, (870) 557-1759, robert@northarkboers.com, http://www.northarkboers.com

September 24-25, 2011 -  North Arkansas Meat Goat Association Fall Classic, Northwest Arkansas District Fairgrounds, 1400 Fairgrounds Road, Harrison, Arkansas. Two ABGA-Sanctioned Open Shows on Saturday, one on Sunday. Early entry fee $15, early entry deadline September 17, late entry fee $20. Check-in time 3 to 7 p.m., September 23. ABGA judges TBA. Contact person: Robert McMahen, (870) 557-1759, robert@northarkboers.com, http://www.northarkboers.com

October 14-22, 2011 -  Arkansas State Fair, 2600 Howard Street, Little Rock, Arkansas. Two ABGA-Sanctioned Open Boer Goat Shows, one Junior Boer Goat Show and one Junior Market Meat Goat Show. Show times and judges TBA. Contact persons: Scott and Jennifer Hawthorn, (870) 246-6353, jendh34@yahoo.com, http://www.arkansasstatefair.com

October 16, 2011 -  North Arkansas Meat Goat Association Meeting, 2 p.m., Farm Bureau Building, 110 Industrial Park Road, Harrison, Arkansas, http://www.arkansasmeatgoat.com

November 5, 2011 -  Northeast Arkansas Boer Blowout, Greene County Fairgrounds, Highway 49B, Paragould, Arkansas. Three ABGA shows, entry fee $20 per show or $50 for all three shows by October 30, late entry $25, pen fee $5. Judge for Show 1: Mark Berry, Show 2: Anita Messer and Show 3: Larry Epting. Contact person: Lesia Simpson, (870) 634-6028, lisia@littlelisiasboers.com, http://www.arkansasboergoats.com 

Steven M. Jones, Associate Professor

The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is implied.

Printed by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Printing Services.

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