Pointers and resources for choosing animal breeds that will thrive on your farm.
Tag: Goats
Getting Started With Livestock Part 3: Diet
Tips for finding the right balance of pasture, harvested forages, feed, and supplements for your animals.
Getting Started with Livestock Part 2: Fencing & Facilities
Tips on choosing the best fencing, housing, and other facilities for your new animals.
Getting Started With Livestock Part 1: Water
How to take stock of your water supply, quality, demand, and delivery options.
Adding Value to Milk
Looking for ways to expand your small-farm dairy business? Milk offers many opportunities for diversifying your product offerings! Here are some common ways to add value to farm-fresh milk. Cream Cream is not one of the more popular value-added dairy products around, but it does have a loyal following among health-conscious customers. Fresh, raw cream…
What are Animal Units?
A handy tool for mixed-species grazing and how to use it.
Heritage Livestock Breeds Comparison Charts
We recently linked to the Pick-a-Chick chart from the Livestock Conservancy, allowing prospective chicken keepers to compare the characteristics of heritage breeds at a glance. The Livestock Conservancy has many other useful charts for other types of livestock, as well: Cattle. Horses. Donkeys. Pigs. Goats. Sheep. Rabbits. Turkeys. Geese. Ducks. Depending on the type of…
What is a Composite Breed?
Want to combine the best characteristics of several breeds? A composite may be the answer.
Grazing Systems Planning Guide
Is the thought of planning a rotational or management-intensive grazing system daunting to you? If you are new to the concept, you will probably appreciate this free guide from the University of Minnesota Extension Service—Grazing Systems Planning Guide. The Grazing Systems Planning Guide is directed at beginners and walks graziers through the planning process sequentially….
Toggenburg
The tough, spirited Toggenburg is one of the most low-maintenance dairy goats—and one of the most challenging.
