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Meat rabbits are an easy, low-maintenance, and pound-for-pound, extremely productive livestock to add to a farm operation. Rabbits don’t need much space, are quick to multiply, and produce low-fat, high-quality white meat similar to chicken. Rabbits also create a valuable secondary product of rabbit manure that can be sold or utilized in a fertilizer program for farm crops. Like any project on the farm, a successful rabbit meat enterprise is the result of research, careful planning, a proper set-up and an understanding of the husbandry needs for raising rabbits and potential market outlets for rabbit meat. Start with Quality Stock The number one determining factor for success in a commercial rabbit meat breeding program is the quality of the rabbit stock. A healthy “trio” or rabbits — two does and one buck — appropriate for meat production can produce up to 600 pounds of meat a year. Sought-after ‘fryer” quality rabbit meats — rabbits that dress out at least 1.5 pounds and typically not more than 3.5 pounds — can be ready as quickly as eight weeks after birth. Good quality, healthy does can produce litters of anywhere from 10 to 20 kits every three months. But, start with the wrong breed or unhealthy stock and your meat rabbit enterprise will be an exercise in frustration with young kits taking many more weeks to reach appropriate slaughter weight. Many rabbit breeds and lots of backyard rabbit raisers sell extra breeding stock “meat rabbits” on local sales groups. However, there is a world of difference between commercial meat rabbits and a motley mix that likely includes pet rabbit breeds (like Holland Lops). Commercial quality meat rabbit breeds were explicitly selected for rapid growth, hardiness, and carcass quality. Californian and New Zealand White rabbits are the most common rabbit breeds used in meat production programs. Good health is vital too. So before purchasing, learn how to inspect a new rabbit and spot any potential health issues. A “proven” trio (that has already produced a litter) is ideal to start with for a new enterprise, but keep in mind that does only produce litters regularly for a few years. Otherwise, purchase kits that are 12 weeks or older. You may find kits sold younger than that, but kits weaned and moved too young from their original home have a much higher likelihood of suffering from stress-related enteritis (diarrhea) and dying. Proper Housing is Key to Success with Rabbit Production There are two main schools of thought for rabbit housing — keeping rabbits separated in cages raised off the ground Or housing rabbits in more natural “colony” style set-ups. Commercial meat production is almost always in cages, as the feed and health of the rabbits can be precisely controlled and disease and pest issues avoided. Bucks and does will have individual cages, only put together for brief breeding intervals. Does with litters kept in a separate, larger cage. A large grow-out pen is useful for kits weaned from their mothers (typically around six weeks) in the final grow-out weeks before they reach butcher weight. Colony-style set-ups allow rabbits to live in a large area together, often on the ground. Does and bucks are typically kept together and allowed to breed at will. While colony-style set-ups are simple, with less individual cage cleaning and feeding required, the quality of the rabbits is typically hard to maintain. Colony-style raising encourages the spread of diseases and worm infestations from contact with the soil and between rabbits. Young does will often be bred when they are too young, or mature does will be bred too frequently (rabbits can be impregnated again immediately after birthing a litter). Bucks (and even does) may fight in a colony set-up, injuring each other. An alternative for many in meat rabbit production is using a ‘rabbit tractor’ for grow-outs. The young rabbits are housed together (before they are old enough to breed) and frequently moved through a pasture in a portable cage yet offered high-quality feed to encourage rapid growth to butcher weight. Feeding Your Meat Rabbits Feeding rabbits is another hotly debated issue in meat rabbit production. Most commercial meat rabbitries rely on complete pellets, typically alfalfa-based, with high protein rates (usually around 18% protein or more). A good quality pellet includes all the minerals and nutrients rabbits need, and while hay can be offered, it is not required. Some rabbit owners prefer to feed their rabbits a mix of natural ingredients and save on pellet costs. For example, they may feed oats, BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds), hay and fresh vegetables, and greens. However, it is much harder to control growth rates when following a free-feeding system for rabbits. Also, rabbits have very sensitive digestive tracts and changes in what they eat can quickly lead to blockages and diarrhea that will rapidly kill them. Learning Basic Rabbit Medicine Meat rabbits are high-production, quick turn-around livestock for a farm. But, individually, rabbits don’t hold much value (a good quality meat rabbit slated for breeding stock might be worth $30 to $60). So, commercial rabbit owners learn to do much of their veterinary care. It doesn’t make financial sense to take sick meat rabbits to a vet. If you are new to rabbit raising, read and research about the most common health-related rabbit issues. Intestinal blockages, mites, worms, abscesses, and genital diseases are relatively easily treated. There are a few contagious viruses that you want to avoid if at all possible. Join online forums or find a rabbit-raising mentor for advice on health issues. Marketing Your Rabbits There is a strong demand for rabbit meat through local specialty food markets or selling to chefs. However, rabbit meat must be processed within a USDA-approved facility to sell into those markets legally. Unfortunately, those processing facilities are few and far between. If you’re lucky, your region may have mobile USDA-approved slaughter units (used for chickens, turkeys, ducks, and rabbits). But larger rabbit operations typically invest in their USDA-approved facility. It is a substantial up-front cost but can capture the lucrative chef and specialty food market. Another option is selling directly to consumers, much like many small-scale, local chicken and turkey farmers do, offering complimentary slaughter and dressing-out services. Check with your state rules and regulations first, however. There is a significant demand for rabbit meat for dog and cat owners feeding “raw meat” diets. As a result, many meat rabbit owners have found lucrative markets selling their rabbits as pet feed. Again, check for local rules, but most areas are not (at least yet) regulating their pet-food market outlet for rabbit meat. To find buyers, join local raw meat groups. Of course, some small farmers raise meat rabbits to fill their family freezers or to keep their farm livestock dogs fed and healthy. There is plenty more to learn about raising rabbits — including how to breed and how to slaughter — but, hopefully, this overview can get you started on a successful (and enjoyable) rabbit venture. For more information, we highly recommend the following resources: Small Scale Sustainable Rabbit Production A Complete Handbook on Backyard and Commercial Rabbit Production As always, Farmbrite  is here to help you with your farm management and tracking. Give us a try free today.   Written by Georgie Smith, known in her community as “Farmer Georgie,” is a fourth-generation farmer and journalist living on her family’s historic farm on a Pacific Northwest island. She ran her own small farm for more than 20 years. These days, when she’s not herding chickens, fixing the antique tractor (again) or growing heirloom dry beans, Georgie writes about farming. Georgie is passionate about supporting healthy, equitable, and sustainable food production and thriving family farms. www.farmergeorgiewrites.com

When it comes to running your own livestock business, staying on top of animal record-keeping is a constant challenge. You may have entered the farming profession to spend less time in front of a screen, but failing to keep detailed livestock records will not only put you at a disadvantage compared to your competitors but mean you may be spending time and money on areas of your business that are not efficient. Beginning farmers often believe they can rely on memory alone, but without careful records, you’ll miss crucial details and compromise your profit potential. After all, it’s practically impossible to manage what you do not measure. The solution? Maintain careful records about your livestock. The process might feel overwhelming for a beginner, but by following these tips, you’ll better understand what’s working and what needs to change with your livestock operation. Note : We’re focusing on cattle record keeping here, but these tips can also apply to other forms of livestock like sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, and more. Benefits of Keeping Livestock Records First, let's highlight why livestock record keeping is important in the first place. Staying organized offers many advantages: Allows you to track all farm expenses for better livestock pricing Helps you develop better cattle breeding plans for long-term herd health Makes cost inefficiencies clear so you can economize your operation Helps you track, control, and prevent the spread of disease Lets you notice changes in animal welfare early so it's easier to address them Makes it possible to compare results year to year to see what’s working What to Track with Livestock Records Keeping cattle livestock records involves more than taking notes on each animal’s daily habits. Not only is this time-consuming, but the resulting documentation would be broad and challenging to put to use. Rather, farmers monitor their herds in key categories, so the information they collect is as relevant to the operation as possible. Livestock Genealogy Who is having babies with whom, and what traits do the offspring have? Which genetic lines should be continued? Animal Treatments What vaccinations or supplements have been given to the herd, and at what doses? Do they show positive results? It’s best to maintain detailed health records with dates of procedures like dehorning, castration, deworming, branding, insemination, and other livestock treatments. Breeding Records & History Track which cows are hitting reproductive age, whether and when they have been bred, and when their due date is. Births and Weening Monitor the success rates of your herd’s offspring. Which cows are having healthy babies? How long will they need to stay with their parents? You can number each calf with a brand or ear tag for easier tracking. Most farmers use a two or three-digit number system based on the year the animal was born and its birth order within the herd. Livestock Growth & Measurements Are your animals growing as they should? Are there signs of stunting or nutritional deficiencies? You can start by recording every calf’s birth date, birth weight, weaning weight, and yearling weight to compare from one season to another. Farm & Animal Yields How much food are you producing on your property? Are you seeing an increase from one season to another? Whether you’re maintaining grazing fields or cropland, it’s critical to keep records of everything from soil amendments to annual yield metrics. Feeding, Grazing, and Eating Habits How well is your pasture space meeting each animal’s nutritional needs? Is it time to supplement their diet? Consider naming or numbering each quadrant of your fields for easier classification in your records. Costs and Profits Track all income and expenses for your animals. How much have you paid in food costs before a calf can be sold? Are you pricing them high enough to make a profit? Raising cattle? Check out our free printable cattle record-keeping forms for more ideas. How Do Farmers Keep Livestock Records? There are as many ways to manage livestock record keeping as there are farmers doing so. Determining the right method for you may come down to trial and error, but these suggestions should help you find success faster. Paper or Digital Livestock Records? Keeping quality livestock records can be as simple as managing a paper page for each animal or as complex as a software program. We recommend choosing the livestock record-keeping method that you’re most likely to stay on top of for the long term. While some ranchers prefer portable livestock record-keeping log books they can take with them in the field, many would rather use a spreadsheet or online farm management software to keep their records. Unlike paper records and spreadsheets, farm management software streamlines the data capture for your livestock records, generates automated reporting to help decision-making, and also keeps your records safe and secure. You want to choose the method of keeping farm records that you’re most likely to maintain for the long term, so choose one that matches your skill set and work style. So, while some farmers prefer portable notebooks they can take with them in the field, while others would rather compile all their notes on the computer at the end of the workday. Like everything else, there are pros and cons to each of these methods, but the critical thing is that you keep consistent and detailed records for your animals. Resources for Livestock Record keeping There’s no limit to the ways you monitor your livestock. Here are a few popular resources. NCBA Redbook : This pocket-sized record book includes more than 100 pages for recording everything from calving activity to pasture usage, cattle inventory, and overall herd health. The Shepherd Flock Record Book: For sheep farmers, signing up for a subscription to The Shepherd magazine qualifies you for a free copy of its popular Flock Record Book. CHAPS (Cow Herd Appraisal Performance Software): This data-intensive record system for beef cattle organizes your information for valuable insight into the whole herd’s performance. Free Printable livestock record-keeping book and forms : Check out this free printable livestock record-keeping book. It has all the livestock forms and conversion tables you need to track your cattle (or other animals) in a free printable format. For more personalized guidance, connect with your local extension office. Most, like the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture , will provide free resources like screening sheets that help you assess the health of your herd and plan for reproduction. Here is a free Cattle Record Book resource to get you started. Manage Cattle & Livestock Record Keeping with Farmbrite, Complete Livestock Management Software If you want a comprehensive system for managing your livestock and other farm animals, consider signing up for Farmbrite software. This flexible livestock management software works to simplify breeding, grazing, health records, and more for cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and more. Use it to manage breeding activity, track and understand your return on investment for every animal, and measure and report key health and growth metrics. The software even lets you automate and track tasks assigned to ranch hands. By Lydia Noyes Interested in learning more about making ag record keeping easier on your farm? Connect with us today to start your free trial.

Cattle come from diverse breeds that have been bred for many purposes; meat, dairy, and also just for fun. We often get asked how much is a dairy cow, how much feed costs for cattle, and how much does a cow cost. This guide will walk you through costs and what you might want to consider before you purchase your livestock for starting a cattle ranch, adding cattle to your existing operation or just looking for a few tips to help you in your next livestock purchase. A few things we will cover here are: Different types of cattle breeds Specifics on beef cattle breeds Different types of cattle types and age groups Cattle cost factors How to evaluate cattle health Estimating cattle costs and returns We hope this will give you the insight you need when starting a cattle herd or improving your cattle herd. Photo by Etienne Girardet Key Considerations When Buying Cattle There are a few key things to consider when getting started with your first cattle purchase. These factors will determine the types of cattle you might consider purchasing, the land and operation requirements, costs as well as the return on investment. Using cattle software or livestock management software can help you better track, manage, and understand your cattle expenses and break-even points. 1. What are your Goals for Your Cattle Operation? The first thing to consider is what are your goals. Are you raising cattle for beef, for dairy, for show, for stock sales, to support pasture regeneration, or just for fun? There are many considerations for each of those goals. Different breeds of cattle have different requirements for care and management, some have different temperaments and characteristics. This boils down to some breeds being better than others for different operations; meat production, milk production, and how they graze the land. Before heading to a cattle auction be sure to do your research and talk to local ranchers and/or breeders to get their opinions and ask all your questions. 2. Selecting the Right Cattle Breed Once you’ve figured out the goals for your cattle operation, the next step is to determine the right breeds of cows for your operation. There are many factors to consider when selecting a cattle breed. Specifically, you’ll need to consider the following: Production goals (Is that breed known for that characteristic.) Cost per cow Operating budget Breeds for your climate Land & grazing area requirements Feed, animal temperament & other operation costs Access to breed stock (via auction or other means) The key thing to remember is to have a plan, do your research, and make informed decisions. We can't know all your production goals and details, but we can share with you some information and breed considerations based on some common production goals. When selecting cattle breeds for beef you might want to consider a beef cattle breed that has a proven production history. Some of the most common beef cattle breeds (in the US) are: Black Angus Charolais Hereford Gelbvieh Simmental Red Angus Holstein Limousin A dairy might choose the breeds of cows that are well-known for their milk production rates, such as: Holstein Jersey Brown Swiss Guernsey Ayrshire Milking Shorthorn There are a ton of other breeds of cows that are suited for beef or dairy operations (or both), so be sure to do your research ( Check out this list of cattle breeds from OSU ). If you paid close attention might have noticed that Holstein shows up as both a dairy and cattle breed for beef. Holsteins are a solid dual-purpose breed that is a good choice for small operations or homesteaders who are looking for both milk and beef production. On the dairy side, you may be able to find miniature Jerseys that are smaller (so require less land) but still offer dependable milk production. Check out this post to learn more about different cattle breeds . What Types and Ages of Cattle Should you Buy? Depending on your production goals you may decide to buy a weaned calf or steer to use a feeder cattle, an intact or bred heifer to grow your herd, or a bull to expand your genetics. Each cow type has its purpose and the costs vary accordingly. Here are some basic cattle types to get you started. Cows A cow is a full-grown female animal that is at least a year old and has given birth to a calf. Calf Calves are baby cows. They are fairly docile and can be used for milk production, meat, and depending on their age, breeding. Bulls A bull is a mature intact (not castrated) male who is capable of breeding. Breeding is typically a bull's primary function in a cattle operation. They can be aggressive and are capable of causing injury to any animals and humans that they perceive as a threat. Many people choose to use artificial insemination (AI) for breeding instead of keeping and managing a bull. Heifer A heifer is a young female cow, who has not birthed her 1st calf. They can be bred, used for milk production, or sold for meat. A heifer is not typically bred until she is at least 14 months old. It is also common to purchase a bred heifer that will provide a new calf in the spring, is ‘certified’ as a viable breeder, and can then be bred again after a rest period. Steer A steer is a male animal who has been castrated. Typically they are more docile to handle than bulls and are most often used for meat production as feeder stock. Where to Buy Cattle? Once you’ve decided on the breed, age, gender, and number of animals you want to add to your operation it's time to get your trailer hitched and ready to load your new cattle. You’ll likely find various local sources in your area to acquire your livestock. Don’t make the mistake of buying a “bargain” cow that you find on Craigslist. Remember, that you get what you pay for, so if someone is selling cattle at well below market prices, there’s probably a reason. Most likely, there is some problem with the cow and you’ll end up paying the difference at the vet. Your best bet is to find a reliable source that is charging a fair price and acquire your cattle from them. You can find cattle for sale from a local farm or dairy, you can also find many on Craigslist or from a registered cattle breeder. Breeders offer detailed lineage information for certain traits for a specific breed so start there if you know what you're looking for. When buying from a farmer, be sure to visit the farm. If the farm is well taken care of and clean, there’s a good chance that the farmer takes good care of their animals. If stalls are overflowing with muck, there are flies or trash everywhere you might want to look elsewhere. The other common source to find cattle is at a cattle auction. There are hundreds of cattle auctions all over the world. You can potentially find some in your area here , searching in your area or checking with a local rancher, 4H , or FFA member. Check out our post before heading to your first cattle auction . What Makes a Good Cow? Before you buy, it’s important to learn how to spot a ‘good cow’. Image From: Wikimedia The animal should have bright, attentive eyes, and seem fairly content. Like any animal around new people, the cow may be nervous (especially younger heifers), but it shouldn’t be so nervous that it’s bolting away, charging, trying to hurt themselves, or breaking free of their pen. Tip: You can use a cow's body condition score to help you gauge the health of the animal. Be sure to understand the age of the cow. If it’s a heifer, ask if she’s been around a bull, especially if she is under a year old as she will likely have difficulties calving that young. How to Evaluate Cow Health: Eyes You can tell a lot about the health of a cow from its eyes. They should be bright and alert, with no discharge at the corners. This might indicate pinkeye. Ears Should be upright and move to any sound or flick rapidly to get rid of flies. Breathing Should be smooth and regular at rest. Panting is normal on warm days but the animal should not be coughing constantly. Nose Should be clean, with no discharge, and the muzzle should be moist. Mouth There should not be any drool or dripping saliva. If you notice slow or incomplete chewing there could be a problem with their teeth. Coat Healthy animals should have smooth shiny coats (it might be fuller and thicker in winter) but should be without bald spots. Udder Assuming you're not buying a bull or steer, the cow should have an udder. The udder should have 4 quarters and not look swollen and there should be no sign of pain when touched. The teats should show no sign of injury. If lactating, there should be no sign of blood in the milk, as this points to an udder infection. If buying a dairy cow, make sure that the cow has teats that will work with your milking setup. General Appearance The animal should be alert and aware of its surroundings and stand squarely on all four feet. It should hold its head high and confidently. The animal should look like its gender - male animals should look masculine; females should look feminine. If buying a steer, they should have both testicles removed. A healthy animal should have a straight back that is not swayed. If selected for a beef operation, cows and steers should have well-developed muscles and look 'beefy'. Temperament Animals should not seem overly stressed, mean, or wild. They should not run off if you walk among them. Animal disposition is especially important for dairy animals as you'll likely be handling them every day. The animal should appear calm. If the cow is regularly looking at or licking its flanks or kicking its underside this may indicate pain in that area. Movement The animal should walk easily with steady footing, where all four feet bear its weight. Watch out for irregular movements as these suggest pain in its feet or legs. When lying down a healthy animal should be able to get up quickly. Appetite The animal should eat and drink normally and have a full belly if food is available. A lack of appetite is a clear warning sign of a potential health problem. To get a real sense of what healthy animals should look like, you should look at lots of them. Check out pictures of show cows for different breeds of cows, click through cattle breed association websites, or talk to a local rancher and ask them to show you their best cows. Understand Your Budget and Operating Costs When you’re buying cattle, you’re making a significant investment, and that investment doesn’t stop when you leave the auction with a trailer full of steer or cows. You need to consider many factors to fully understand your expenses and where your break-even point is. To get started, think about and list all of the expenses that go into acquiring, raising, processing, and marketing your beef or milk. Some common factors to consider are: Animal cost What are your 1 time costs for purchasing the animal(s)? More on that below What are the costs to keep this animal? Feed costs How much hay or grain feed will you need to provide when the animal is not on pasture? Estimate your average monthly hay needs and cost Vet expenses Vet expenses can be unpredictable and vary depending on if we’re talking about a pregnant cow or a steer. You should assume a range of $60-100+/year for the vet costs for each head of cattle that you're managing. You can find more details on estimated average cattle veterinarian costs here . Breeding fees Whether you’re breeding using natural service or artificial insemination (AI) you’ll need to account for the associated costs. If choosing Natural Service, you’ll either need to have a bull on hand and assume all the costs associated with that bull or pay for a visit from a bull. On average the cost for a cow pregnancy using artificial insemination is $82 (including technician fees, equipment, and semen). Compare costs for siring calves between AI and Natural Service Breed association fees (if a registered breed) If you’re raising a registered herd you may want to keep your animal records updated with the breed association site. Typically you’ll pay an annual (or lifetime fee) to join the relevant association. You can also expect to pay about $15-50/animal that you register with the association. You can find information about various cattle associations here Equipment, facility, and maintenance costs Equipment, facility, and maintenance costs vary widely depending on your operation and the level of modernization you’ve implemented. Obviously it’s more complicated and costly to start and run a dairy than other cattle operations. Your cost will also vary based on whether you’re renting or owning all the equipment. A safe bet is to assume $100-150/animal for a typical beef operation. Loss in stock due to culling or disease Losses of cows and calves to disease, birthing complications, predators, or due to culling is an unfortunate aspect of any cattle operation. As such you need to plan for, and budget for an account for an expected loss rate of cattle due to various reasons. A study conducted by the USDA through the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) , looked at mortality data across various operations. In 2016 dairies averaged a total death percentage of 3.1% for cattle over 500 pounds with calf losses averaging 6.7%. Beef producers reported an average loss of only 1.8%, with calf losses averaging 5.5%. Labor costs Like so many other costs, labor varies dramatically based on your operation and location. More complex operations like dairies require a different skill set than cow/calf operations. Also depending on the number of head you can manage your cost/cow gets cheaper. For a typical beef producer labor costs per cow average about $200. Land costs & real estate taxes Do you own your land or are you leasing it? Either way, you’ll need to factor into your business plan your land and real estate tax costs. Just like a dairy facility and equipment costs, land is often considered the cost of doing business (COGS), but when determining your margin and profit per animal it’s useful to know your overall costs and how to allocate those per head. Example Cost Summary Per Cow Item Cost/Cow Steer (600lb) Auction Cost $1,200 Hay Costs (90 days, remainder on pasture) $340 ​Grain Costs (1,350 lbs) $225 ​Vet Fees ​$80 Equipment Costs $120 ​Labor Costs ​$200 ​Cost of Land ​$0 Real Estate Taxes ​$10 Total $2,175 These are obviously very rough ballpark estimates, but by knowing what the costs are we can now determine what we need to make in order to make a profit on this animal. That’s a topic for another day, but you can learn more about profitable cattle marketing from this report by the University of Georgia Extension Office or from the University of California Sample Cost for Beef report . Keeping detailed cattle records and tracking your cattle expenses with a spreadsheet of farm accounting software can help more easily see where you're wasting money and what your return needs to be to see a profit. How much does a cow cost to buy? Let’s take a look at the variable cost of acquiring a new cow. Cattle prices vary widely so it is hard to provide exact numbers for what you will pay. At the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention, Kevin Good, CattleFax 's VP of Industry Relations and Analysis, shared an outlook for cattle prices in 2022. Mr. Good projected the following average prices for 2022: Fed Steer price: $135/cwt. 800-pound Steer price: $165/cwt. 550-pound Steer price: $200/cwt. Utility Cows price: $70/cwt. Bred Cows price: $1,750/cwt (cwt = hundredweight. One cwt is equal to 100 pounds by weight. So, an 800-pound steer might cost $1,320) Average prices vary based on the weight at the time that the animal is sold and will vary in different areas, so you will likely pay more or less than these estimates. Summary As you can see there are a lot of factors that go into the costs of starting and operating a cattle operation. While it can seem overwhelming to consider all of these factors, just like any other business you need to develop a clear business plan, understand and estimate your fixed and variable costs, understand your target market and market prices, and most importantly keep track of your operation’s income and expenses. Having a clear business plan and keeping detailed records will help you stay on top of the profitability of your business and avoid potential problems. If you need help keeping track of your cattle herd's health, performance, or yield records check out Farmbrite's all-in-one cattle record-keeping and management software . This article was written by our knowledgeable staff of farmers and ranchers at Farmbrite. Thanks for reading and Happy Farming/Ranching!

Turning a love for poultry into a viable small farm business takes strategic thinking and some realistic number crunching. Large commercial chicken meat and eggs are produced almost entirely in the U.S. based on a contractual relationship with a big producer (like Tyson Foods). The contractor provides the chicks, pullets, feed and medication, and technical support while the farmer owns the debt of the infrastructure and equipment needed for the operation. These businesses are expensive to start (one chicken house typically costs $200,000 or more) plus are often placed strategically near other poultry operations. Most small-scale farmers aren't positioned to enter the poultry market as a large-scale contractor, nor do they want to. However, there are still plenty of opportunities to start a profitable poultry operation that takes advantage of consumers growing interested in healthy, locally grown, pasture-raised poultry and eggs. What steps should you take to get started on a profitable, small-scale poultry business? Check Your Local and State Regulations Before you do anything else, check your local and state regulations regarding small-scale poultry farming. Contact your state department of agriculture. Check limits on how many birds you can raise, required licenses, and licensing costs. Keep in mind that there are stricter requirements if you plan to sell poultry meat, but there are very few USDA-approved slaughter facilities for poultry from small-scale farmers to take their birds to. Most states still allow direct marketing selling to consumers of limited amounts of processed poultry meat, still, you can't sell wholesale or to restaurants if your meat isn't processed in a USDA-approved facility. There are some regional solutions for small-scale processing — like USDA-approved mobile slaughter facilities, funded by regional non-profits or farmer cooperatives. There are also grants and government programs that can help offset the costs of investing in small-scale processing facilities if you decide to build a facility. Check HERE for more information. Producing eggs or even a business selling live chicks to other farmers or backyard poultry keepers is another option without the headache of slaughter and processing, but make sure to check on state and local rules for those operations as well. Invest in Good Stock Whether you plan to sell eggs, poultry meat or sell hatched birds to your community, choosing good stock to start your poultry farm can make or break the success of your business. Select a breed (or breeds) well known to have the traits you plan to market. If you are planning to sell meat, you need a breed that quickly grows to a marketable weight. If you want to sell eggs, select a breed well known for high egg production. If you're hoping to sell chicks (or ducklings, goslings, or poults) to local backyard poultry lovers, choose breeds known to be docile and beautiful. Think about how you plan to manage your birds. Some breeds are better suited for pasture ranging while others perform best in confinement. Once you have settled on a breed, only purchase the highest quality starter stock from a reputable breeder. Those birds will be the foundation of your business, so better to pay more at the beginning for the highest quality, healthy birds than play catch-up with inferior, sickly birds that might have been cheaper to start with but won’t be in the long run. Building the Right Infrastructure for Your Poultry Farm Another critical component of any successful poultry farm is the proper infrastructure for your poultry business. Poultry is highly vulnerable to predation, so if you plan to raise your birds on pasture, you will need to invest in poultry-proof fencing and even netting (for raptors). Adequate housing will include shelter from the weather and be manageable within your system. For instance, if you plan to sell eggs from pasture-raised hens, you will likely want to invest in a mobile chicken house with nesting boxes that the chickens can bed down in at night and lay their eggs, but you can still quickly move from one paddock to the next. Don't forget to have areas for raising chicks (or ducklings, goslings, or poults) as well! Consider Your Feed Costs Feed costs are the number one expense making poultry operations unprofitable for most small-scale poultry farmers. Selecting good stock (which will more efficiently utilize the feed they take in) helps, but you will need to look at creative ways to keep feed costs manageable. If you are pasture-ranging your birds, that will offset costs. However, most pasture-ranged birds still need some supplemental feed. A few options for lowering feed costs include: Buying in bulk. The more feed you can buy, the cheaper it is per pound. You may want to invest in a grain silo. Buy (or grow) the ingredients and grind it yourself. You will need to research your birds' appropriate nutrient ratio and may need to add supplements. For more details about making poultry feed, this LINK is a helpful resource. Fodder feeding or fermenting (sprouting) grains are two other strategies poultry owners use to keep their feed costs under control, turning whole grains into more nutritious fodder and sprouted grains. However, both require extra steps and labor. Create a Market Base for Your Poultry Business Finally, don't forget to think about who you will sell your poultry products to and how you will find your market. Create a logo and social media presence for your farm business and start posting about what you are doing. Once you have a product ready, think about where you will sell it. Farmers' markets are a great place for farmers just starting their businesses to capture market share. Or, you might want to set up an on-farm stand or approach local wholesale outlets, like restaurants, grocery stores, or farm cooperatives that might be interested in your product. A poultry CSA is a popular add-on with other more traditional CSA programs (like a vegetable and fruit CSA). You may be able to partner with another CSA farmer to offer your poultry products. Good luck and we hope you have great success with your poultry business! Georgie Smith, known in her community as “Farmer Georgie,” is a fourth-generation farmer and journalist living on her family’s historic farm on a Pacific Northwest island. She ran her own small farm for more than 20 years. These days, when she’s not herding chickens, fixing the antique tractor (again), or growing heirloom dry beans, Georgie writes about farming. Georgie is passionate about supporting healthy, equitable, and sustainable food production and thriving family farms. www.farmergeorgiewrites.com Let Farmbrite help track your poultry business!

Ever wonder about how much of the earth's surface is used for agriculture? Us too. So we did some research and wanted to share it with you. In this article, we'll break down the different areas of land use on earth and look at usage by different agricultural products. Before we get into the details about the different cropland uses, let's look at some basic data about the earth to get a sense of the scale of things. The earth's total surface is 196 million square miles and is mostly covered by water. The earth really is an ocean world with more than 71% or 139 million square miles of its surface covered in water. That leaves just 57 million square miles or 29% of the earth's surface with land. Let's take a look at the different types of land areas on Earth. Land Area Area % Land Glaciers 6 million mi² 10% Barren Land 11 million mi² 19% Habitable Land 40 million mi² 71% Ok, so there are about 139 million square miles of habitable land on Earth. That habitable land is broken down into 5 main categories. Earths Land Uses Area Type Area % Habitable Land Agricultural Land 20 million mi² 50% Forests 15 million mi² 37% Shrub Land 4 million mi² 11% Urban Areas ​0.4 million mi² 1% Fresh Water 0.4 million mi² 1% Land Use Breakdown Now we've broken down those areas we can start to understand how much of the Earth's surface area is used for farming, ranching, or other crop production. To summarize, about 1/2 of all the earth's habitable land is used for agriculture. That's a little more than 12 billion acres or about 35% of the total surface area of the earth. To put that in perspective that's about 5 times the area of the United States. It takes a lot of land to feed the 7.9 billion people on the planet, so it's not surprising how much land goes to feed all those hungry mouths. Let's take a look at how that breaks down between livestock usage (including grazing and animal feed production) and crop production. Land Use Area % Agricultural Land Livestock Land 9.24 billion acres 77% Crop Land 2.7 billion acres 23% Global Protein Production Wow, it takes a lot of land to support all those cows, sheep, pigs, goats, chickens, and other livestock that are used for meat, cheese, and dairy production. How does that land usage translate into global protein production? Let's see what percentage of agricultural land goes to what major protein sources. Agricultural Land Use The vast majority of agricultural land is used for livestock production and supporting livestock production. Of the 2.7 billion acres that are used for crop production, the vast majority of land is dedicated to the production of cereals and grains, followed by oil crops. Of the land that is used for protein production, the majority is used for beef, lamb and dark chocolate (yum). Summary Overall, we are using much of the habitable land on protein and other different agricultural products grown for consumption. We hope you enjoyed the information we provided on the global land use for agriculture and how the land is used. To learn more check out these great resources: Other Land Use Data Global Land Use Visualization from Our World in Data Food and Agriculture Organization Statistics Other interesting facts about agriculture USDA Farming Stats and Data Written by our staff writers and farmers at Farmbrite .

The cow gestation period (length of pregnancy) lasts on average 283 days , however, this period does vary based on the breed of the cow and the sex of the calf. While the average length of a cow pregnancy lasts for 283 days , calving for older and larger cows usually happens 10 days later. Smaller and younger cow's pregnancies may last 10 days less. The typical gestation period for cattle ranges from 279 to 287 days (up to 291 for Brahman cattle). Cow Gestation Calculator The cow gestation calculator is a simple tool to help you find the start of the calving period and the end of the postpartum interval for both first-time and repeat calvers. How to use the cow gestation calculator? To use the cow gestation calculator you’ll need to provide: Enter the date your cows were or will be exposed to the bull to estimate the possible fertilization date or if your cows were or will be inseminated using artificial insemination (AI), enter the exact date of insemination. Select whether your cows are first-calvers (the cow’s very first pregnancy) or repeat-calvers (she’s an old pro). The cow gestation calculator will provide you with the estimated calving start date and the end of the postpartum interval period. To accurately calculate the expected due date for your cows for the cow's pregnancy it is important to keep detailed and accurate records about when your cows may have been exposed to a bull, artificially insemination or had a confirmed pregnancy through an ultrasound. Learn more about keeping livestock records . How is the cow calving date or due date calculated? As we mentioned above, the average cattle gestation for most breeds is 283 days, although it may last anywhere from 279 to 287 days. The calf gestation calculator uses the following formula: Calving start = Day when exposed to bull or AI + 283 days The calving calculator uses an average postpartum interval period that lasts 50-60 days: End of postpartum interval period = Calving + 55 days The gestation calculator also adjusts the dates for first-time or repeat calvers since cows that are pregnant with their first calf usually have longer postpartum periods: End of interval period = Calving + 65 days Gestation table for cattle Check out this easy-to-reference gestation table for cows with a Free downloadable PDF version. How soon after calving can a cow get pregnant again? On average a cow can be bred again (through artificial insemination or natural service) after about 60 days on average, but your cows may take 90 days or longer to come in heat again after calving. Because of the length of gestation, cow calves have only about 80 days to become pregnant again in order to calve again within 12 months. How soon a cow can get pregnant again after calving depends greatly on how soon the cow comes to heat again. This is largely determined by the breed, age, condition score, feed management, and weight of the cow before and after calving. Some key factors that impact the length of this period are: Cow body condition at the time of calving. Cows with a score less than 4 (on a 1-9 scale) typically have longer postpartum periods. The age of age of cow Difficulty or stress during the calving process Proper nutrition and feed management to maximize milk production and minimize weight loss First-time cows often have longer recovery times than more mature cows In order to minimize the time between pregnancies it’s important to ensure that the cow is well cared for (good nutritional management and is well-fed) before, during, and after pregnancy. This will support their expected weight loss from pregnancy, support milk production, and minimize the weight loss and recovery times of the cow. Once a cow comes in heat again, she will typically be in heat on average, every 21 days. Additional Resources Pregnant cows, timing of pregnancy, open cows, pregnancy rate from the University of Nebraska Pregnancy testing of beef cattle Gestation Table for cows Printable Gestation Cattle Table Chart Guide to cattle record keeping Nutrition for a Pregnant Cow Heat Detection and Timing of Insemination for Cattle Common complications with calving Free Downloadable Cattle Record-Keeping Book

Good farm record keeping helps your farm business plan, track what's working, and what's not, identify trends, make decisions to improve your business and to do realistic forecasting. This valuable information helps you make decisions on which practices and methods work and can better predict expected yields, costs and sales. For cattle ranchers, keeping good cattle records is critical to track animal health, vaccination records, production, breeding and calving. Having accurate records is also important for many food compliance regulations and make it easier to borrow money, get grants and complete tax returns. Read more about getting started with livestock record keeping . What cattle records should you keep? Keeping detailed cattle or cow/calf records for your herd and for individual animals is a critical part of any cattle rancher's job. Here's a list of some of the key livestock records that you might want to be tracking for your cattle business. Key cattle records include: Ranch tasks and activities performed Pasture management and health records Rainfall records Pasture planting records Soil test results Pasture amendment and treatment records Pasture fertilizer records Pasture harvest records for hay production Pest inspection records Pasture treatments records Grazing records Individual animal records Animal identification details Individual animal measurements Cow breeding history Cow calving and production history Animal pedigree and genealogy Herd breeding and A.I. Records Pregnancy check and pregnancy status tracking Tracking herd feeding details Herd feed supplements Feed costs and receipts Herd measurement records Herd vaccination/treatment record Tracking year-over-year livestock inventory Detailed Financial records Sales, receipts and income records, including cattle sales and other income. Production costs and other expenses How to keep your cattle records Keeping quality cattle or cow/calf records can be as simple as managing a paper file for each animal in your herd, using a custom computer spreadsheet, using a printable cattle herd record book or pre-built cattle log book or leveraging a farm management software application. There are pros and cons to each of these methods. The critical thing is that you keep detailed records for your herd. We recommend choosing the cattle record keeping method that you’re most likely to maintain for the long term. By using the key cattle record keeping categories that we've stated above it will help you give you key information and help you manage your cattle operation more efficiently. While some farmers prefer portable cattle notebooks they can take with them in the field, many would rather use an online mobile or web application to keep their records. Unlike paper records and spreadsheets, farm management software streamlines the data capture for your cattle records, provides automated reporting to simplify compliance and decision making and keeps your records safe and secure so you don't need to worry about loosing your paper log book. Free Printable Cattle Keeping Log Book & Forms While we certainly believe that using a computer based cattle record keeping system provides the best benefit and value to your cattle operation (we're a little biased) we understand that some producers may prefer to use a paper cattle log book. To help make your life easier we've created this free printable cattle record keeping book. It's packed with over 70 pages of free printable livestock record keeping forms covering all the critical areas we listed above, plus free conversion tables and more. Check out this free printable cattle herd record book to help you to keep track of all your critical cattle animal and herd records. Free Printable Cattle Records Book Simply download the free printable cattle log book PDF and print it. It's designed to be printed landscape (8.5 x 11" paper), double-sided and conveniently folded into a convenient book. Once printed, simply bind it or staple it and fold it into a handy 'pocket sized' book you can take on the go. If you need additional printable livestock forms to insert for your individual animal records (ID, measurements, breeding and pedigree) you can download the 4 page printable livestock records form insert here . If you want to streamline your cattle record keeping, or try an online cattle management software, check out our cattle record keeping software . We offer a free, no hassle 14 day trial or our complete farm and livestock record keeping & management software designed to help you run a more efficient, productive, and profitable cattle business. With Farmbrite you'll find all the features you need to be better organized, keep better records, manage your resources, track production, identify trends, gain valuable insights, and increase efficiency and profits. Farmbrite provides an all-in-one farm software platform designed to help modern farmers and ranchers know more, grow more, and sell more, all from one easy to use place. Plan, track, sell, and improve with our integrated farm & livestock record keeping, planning, management, tracking, sales, and reporting software to run a thriving agriculture business. To learn more about how Farmbrite can help your cattle operation keep better livestock records head over to www.farmbrite.com and start a free 2 week trial . This article and cattle record keeping book was written and created by our knowledgeable staff of farmers and ranchers at Farmbrite. Thanks for reading and happy farming.

Cow Gestation Period An average cow gestation period (length of cow pregnancy) lasts on about 283 days , however this period does vary based on the breed of the cow and the sex of the calf. Keeping reading to learn more about cow gestation periods and download our free cow gestation period table to simplify estimating calving dates. If you're breeding cattle it's important to know when the calves might come. Depending on weather and other care considerations this information becomes important to the health of the cow and the calf. In this article we've provided some information for you to help find these dates. Average Cow Gestation Period While the average cow gestation period is 283 days , calving for older and larger cows usually happens 10 days later. Smaller and younger cow's pregnancy may last 10 days less. The typical gestation period for cattle ranges from 279 to 287 days (up to 291 for Brahman cattle). Check out the gestation table for cattle below to estimate your cow's due date based on their date of service. You can also use our Free Cow Gestation Calculator to estimate for you or print this downloadable cattle gestation period table . Cow Gestation Period Table Based on 283 day cow gestation period Thanks so much for taking a look at our article about cow gestation periods. We hope this helps make this process easier for you. Below we've listed some other free resources to check out. Other Free Cattle Resources: Free Cow Gestation Calculator Free Downloadable 74 page Cattle Record Keeping Book Beginners Guide to Buying Cattle Guide to Keeping Livestock Records Estimating Cattle Hay and Feed Needs Top Breeds of Cattle for your Ranch Cattle Body Condition Scoring

Goats are famous for “eating anything,” but in reality, finding the right goat feed and providing the proper nutrition for a thriving goat herd is complicated. What you should feed your goats will depend on what kind of goats you have, what products your goats provide (meat, milk, or fiber), how old and at what stage of life your goats are, your environment, and what quality of pasture your farm can provide. But first, let’s start with the basics. Goats are Ruminants Goats are ruminants, similar to cows, with a four-compartment stomach. That gives them the ability to consume much more fibrous materials than single-stomach animals (like omnivore species). But unlike cows, goats are more browsers versus grazers. They prefer to eat just the tops of grasses and enjoy woody species, like shrubs and vines (hence why they are great at clearing overgrown pasture land). In general, goats should have access to pasture. But, depending on the pasture quality, time of year, and the production needs of the goats, they may also need supplement feed, including forages (like hay) and potentially grain rations. Goats typically get most of their vitamins and minerals from their food but may require supplements of vitamins A, D, and E. They should be provided free-choice salt, calcium, and phosphorous (and possibly selenium supplements, if you are in the Pacific Northwest). Goats should always have access to unlimited fresh water. Feed for Goats (Dairy) A high-producing dairy goat breeds of Nubians, Alpines, Saanens, or one of the other popular dairy goat breeds need special attention paid to their diet to support their production levels and ensure they produce sweet-tasting, high-quality milk. Dairy goats should have access to pasture — a typical rule of thumb is ½ acre of land per milking goat in temperate climates (drier climates will need more land or risk over-grazing). But, dairy goats in production and growing stock and pregnant does should be supplemented with high-protein legume hay (like alfalfa). Kids, bucks, and milking does should also receive a standardized dairy grain ration. Also, be careful of what you feed your dairy cows as certain types of feed (soy is often identified as a culprit) can flavor the taste of the milk, making it “goaty.” Some goat owners report tasting specific pasture weeds (like wild onions) in their goat’s milk as well. Feed for Goats (Meat Goats) The key to profitably raising meat goats is maximizing their feed-to-meat conversion rate efficiency. Each breed has slightly different nutritional requirements and many meat goat farmers consult with veterinarians or feed specialists to dial in the most efficient feed regime for their herd. If pasture quality is high, goat farmers don’t need to buy as much feed to supplement their herd’s nutritional requirements. The trick is understanding the total nutrient requirements of your goats and then figuring out how much is provided through pasture. Then, you can determine how much supplement feed you might need to provide. Remember, pasture is more productive at different times of the year and the stage of growth of the animals you are feeding will determine your goats’ total nutritional requirements. Check with your local agricultural extension office to have your feed, hay, and pasture tested for their nutritional composition. As a general rule of thumb, Boer goats (one of the most popular meat goat breeds in the U.S.) require at least one pound of feed per day. However, in group feed situations where you cannot control how much each goat consumes, it is best to feed at least two lbs per goat. That ensures the more aggressive goats get their fill but still leaves feed for the timid members of the herd. How their nutritional needs are met — whether through grazing pasture, feeding hay, or providing a high-energy supplement — is variable. The key is knowing the nutritional value of what you feed. Feeding Gestating and Lactating Goats Feeding gestating and lactating goats is crucial to ensure their health, productivity, and the well-being of their offspring. During gestation, especially in the last two months when fetal growth is most rapid, the nutritional needs of does increase significantly. It is essential to provide a balanced diet that includes high-quality forage, grains, and supplements to meet these increased demands. A diet rich in energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals helps support the development of healthy kids and prepares the doe for the demanding lactation period. Forage, such as good-quality hay or pasture, should form the basis of a gestating doe’s diet. This should be supplemented with grains to provide additional energy, particularly during the late gestation period. Protein-rich feeds such as alfalfa hay, soybean meal, or commercial protein supplements are also important to support fetal development. Adequate mineral supplementation, particularly calcium, phosphorus, and selenium, is crucial to prevent deficiencies that could lead to complications such as milk fever or weak kids. During lactation, the nutritional needs of does increase even further due to the demands of milk production. A lactating doe’s diet should continue to be based on high-quality forage, but with increased amounts of energy and protein to support milk yield. Grain supplements become even more critical during this period. Additionally, lactating does require more water to produce milk, so constant access to clean, fresh water is essential. Proper feeding management during these critical periods not only ensures the health and productivity of the doe but also impacts the growth and vitality of the kids. Close monitoring of body condition and adjusting the diet as needed can help prevent issues such as ketosis or underfeeding. Overall, a well-balanced and carefully managed feeding program is key to successful goat reproduction and lactation. Keeping Track of what they are eating, and how much hay and nutrients you have on hand is a top priority for us at Farmbrite. Try it for free . Other Goat Feed Considerations Goats are highly susceptible to parasite infections, with potentially devastating results for your herd. Strategies to avoid that include selectively breeding for parasite-resistant stock but also using smart feeding methods. Never feed hay or grain on the ground. Goats do not like to eat that close to the ground (remember they are browsers, not grazers) and it encourages parasite infections . Ensure your pastures are not overgrazed and rotated, leaving them un-grazed for several months. Some producers follow goats with cattle to break up parasite cycles in paddocks. A final rule of thumb is always, always know what plant you’re feeding to your goats and its toxicity level. Despite their reputation for “eating anything,” there are many poisonous plants to goats, including common landscaping shrubs like azaleas and oleanders. More than one goat herd has accidentally been poisoned by an uninformed owner or neighbor feeding the herd “trimmings” from their yard. For more extensive information on goat nutrition, including raising milk, meat, or fiber goats, check out Langston University’s American Institute for Goat Research , based out of Oklahoma. Want an efficient way to keep track of goats and feedings ? Check out Farmbrite .

Celebrating women in the history of farming They are our sisters, mothers, grandmothers, daughters, aunts, neighbors, ancestors, partners, mentors and friends. The women who have added to the beauty and robustness of agriculture are vast and we would like to acknowledge the underrepresentation and put them front and center in the spotlight today. This is by no means an exhaustive list but we have put together a few names of the superstar women who we admire and have helped shape what we know as agriculture today. Anna Baldwin Anna Baldwin was a dairy farmer in New Jersey. She held 5 patents for inventions to improve dairy milking production. One of which was the Hygienic Glove Milker, patented in 1879 and was the first suction milking machine. This invention paved the way for the modern milking machine we use today. Harriet Williams Russell Strong Harriet Williams Russell Strong was an innovator, businesswoman, and nature conservationist. She worked not only to bring her own farm back from the brink of failure but also to help conserve water through irrigation and damning allowing water irrigation. Helping countless others bring water to otherwise arid land. She was also a lifetime advocate for women's rights and a powerful voice in the women's suffrage movement alongside Susan B Anthony. Shown below is one of her 5 patents. Mary Engle Pennington “Ice Woman of the Cold Chain." Despite the many closed doors that Biology showed her as a women scientist, she went on to receive her Ph.D and work in the US Department of Agriculture's, Bureau of Chemistry (now known as the Food and Drug Administration). Her groundbreaking work with food storage and education for dairy farmers handling raw milk, poultry and fish spanned 40 years. Her refrigeration methods revolutionized food storage and distribution and reshaped the way we store food safely. Her patents and work were not unnoticed. In 2018 she was indicted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for her Food Preservation & Storage patents. Alice Evans, aka “The Pioneer of Safe Milk" Alice Evans was an American scientist whose pioneering work on milk bacteria led to the understanding of these bacteria present in milk being both an occupational hazard for farmers and a food safety concern for the public. Her work revolutionized the safe handling of dairy. At a time with little knowledge of raw milk diseases, she made controversial discoveries about the bacteria present in milk. One of those, Bacillus abortus, is a bacterium that causes spontaneous abortions in animals and constant fluctuating fever in humans. Her work with food safety has saved countless lives. Her trailblazing and often criticized research eventually led to the mandatory pasteurization of milk. She also became the first female president of the American Society for Microbiology . Fannie Lou Hamer A dedicated Civil Rights activist and lifetime farmer, she founded the Freedom Farm Cooperative in 1969. The work of this group helped create opportunities for poor black sharecroppers, like the pig bank and other land, housing, and voting opportunities. Together the Freedom Farm Cooperative purchased farmland in the Mississippi Delta to build a place to empower poor black farmers and sharecroppers. The Farm grew to more than 640 acres, demonstrating the potential for prosperity and resilience of the Black farming community. Reminding us that providing food to our community is a human rights issue. Despite profound hardships of racism, sexism, and classism, she persevered and worked tirelessly for the rights of her farming community and women as a collective. Her work and quotes, still echo today. In 1993 she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame posthumously. Dr. Barbara McClintock A plant geneticist, biologist, and agricultural scientist. Her graduate findings from Cornell were one of the sparks that began cytogenetics and corn chromosome research but that was just the beginning. She went on to discover radical findings about hybrid plant chromosomes and changes in plant genes called transposition . Although some of these findings were recognized as the most significant research in modern biology they were met with resistance and hostility. Almost two decades later in 1970, another finding in molecular biology was found that proved her earlier findings. 35 years after publishing her work on transposition, she was awarded the Nobel Prize. Dr. Temple Grandin American scientist, author, animal behaviorist, and active proponent for autism and neurodiversity . She has overcome her own share of obstacles being autistic herself. She is outspoken about "the need for different kinds of minds" and it has influenced her work with animals. Much of her work is in the care, understanding, and humane treatment of livestock. She has been widely cited in her many books and papers about the need for the humane treatment of animals leading up to the time of slaughter as well as the importance of the manner of care they receive at feed lots. She was one of the first scientists to report that animals are sensitive to distractions and other sources of fear in handling facilities. One of the innovations she designed is a curved conveyer rail system which leads animals in a way that is calm and unforced. She has authored or co-authored 60 peer-reviewed scientific papers and other books. Her work continues today, she speaks all over the world and is a professor at a university close to our hearts, CSU . Preserving the history of women in farming There have been many women throughout history who ended up in farming as their profession of both desire and necessity. Some have been unfortunately been forgotten and there is a movement to preserve those memories in history called the Female Farmer Project . The Women in Ag Science has some wonderful posts on their blog about some of the women we've mentioned here. Women Who Revolutionized Agriculture and the World: Part 1 Women Who Revolutionized Agriculture and the World: Part 2 Happy National Women's Month! It's a fact that there are many women throughout history who have worked in agriculture and still do this work. One of our founders, Janine Russell is also a woman working in agriculture who is following in the footsteps of her grandmother and great-grandmother by working in agriculture. Today (and every day) we celebrate all of the women who do this work; to grow our food throughout the world and work tirelessly to care for their livestock as well as the many other things that need to get done around the farm. Farmbrite is a farm management software that helps farmers and ranchers track and gain insight into the production of their crops and livestock. Take a look at how they can help you today.

Vegetable, Herb & Flower Plant Spacing Guide The right plant spacing for your vegetables, herbs and flowers is critical and ensures that each plant has room to develop, gets adequate light and limits pest and weed pressure. Unfortunately finding a comprehensive and reliable source for crop spacing information is hard. But, fortunately for you our team has scoured the internet and compiled a comprehensive guide for you. Whether you're planting a vegetable garden or growing for market planning your crop spacing this year just got a whole lot easier. Use this guide to help determine the right plant spacing for common vegetables, herbs and flowers. With this guide it's easy to grow crops from seed or starts. The chart below helps you calculate your planting depth, row spacing and plant spacing. It also gives some other helpful planting information like: Plant spacing & seed depth Average days to maturity Average days to emerge Preferred light profile When to start before last frost [1] Ideal planting method and details Preferred USDA hardiness zone Expected yield per 100 feet Plant Spacing Guide Here's a sample of the plan spacing for common vegetables, flowers and herbs. Check out the free downloadable plant spacing guide for more details. If you're looking to improve your plantings , give Farmbrite a try . This information is already preloaded into Farmbrite and makes planning your market garden and managing your growing season a snap. We'll even help you calculate seed needed, estimate crop yields and revenue and help you run a more efficient and productive farm. Here is a downloadable vegetable, herb & flower planting chart for your reference. Happy Farming! [1] Don't forget to adjust for weather and frost dates in your area.

Cattle body condition scores (BCS) use a 9-point scale to describe the relative fatness of a steer or cow. It is an effective management tool to evaluate the nutritional and health status of your herd. To access cattle body condition scores, producers can use a number system to objectively describe the cattle's condition and fat reserves through a visual assessment. BCS provides an alternative to evaluate a herd’s health without weighing and measuring the animals directly which is closely related to reproductive efficiency and is often a more reliable indicator of nutritional status than only body weight. How to calculate cattle body condition score The following are key areas for evaluation for beef cows: backbone, ribs, hips, pin bones (pins), tailhead, and brisket. The following is a description of the 1 to 9 body condition scoring system where a BCS 1 cow is extremely thin and emaciated and a BCS 9 cow is very fat and obese. Assign a cow a condition score in whole numbers (3, 4, 5, etc.). Cow Body Condition Scoring Table Group BCS Description Emaciated 1 The bone structure of the shoulder, ribs, back, hooks, and pins are sharp to the touch and easily visible. No evidence of fat deposits or muscling Very Thin 2 No evidence of fat deposition and there is muscle loss, especially in the hindquarters. The spinous processes feel sharp to the touch and are easily seen with space between them. Thin 3 Very little fat cover over the loin, back, and fore ribs. The backbone is still highly visible. Processes of the spine can be identified individually by touch and may still be visible. Spaces between the processes are less pronounced. Muscle loss in the hind quarter. Borderline 4 Foreribs are slightly noticeable and the 12th and 13th ribs are still very noticeable to the eye. The transverse spinous processes can be identified only by palpation (with slight pressure) and feel rounded rather than sharp. Slight muscle loss in the hind quarter. Moderate 5 The 12th and 13th ribs are not visible to the eye unless the animal has been shrunk. The transverse spinous processes can only be felt with firm pressure and feel rounded but are not noticeable to the eye. Spaces between the processes are not visible and are only distinguishable with firm pressure. Areas on each side of the tailhead are starting to fill. Fleshy 6 Ribs are fully covered and are not noticeable to the eye. Hindquarters are plump and full. Noticeable springiness over the fore ribs and on each side of the tailhead. Firm pressure is now required to feel the transverse processes. Brisket has some fat. Smooth 7 The ends of the spinous processes can only be felt with very firm pressure. Spaces between processes can barely be distinguished. Abundant fat cover on either side of the tailhead with evident patchiness. Fat in the brisket. Fat 8 Animal takes on a smooth, blocky appearance. Bone structure disappears from sight. The fat cover is thick and spongy and patchiness is likely. Very Fat 9 Bone structure is not seen or easily felt. The tailhead is buried in fat. The animal’s mobility may actually be impaired by excessive fat. Square appearance. Visual description of key body locations for each body condition score: Reference 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Physical weak Yes No No No No No No No No Muscle atrophy(1) Yes Yes Yes Slight No No No No No Outline of spine visible Yes Yes Yes Slight No No No No No Outline of ribs visible All All All 3-5 1-2 0 0 0 0 Fat in brisket and flanks No No No No No Some Full Full Extreme Outline of hip and bones visible Yes Yes Yes Yes Slight No No No No Patchy fat around tailhead No No No No Slight Yes Yes Yes Yes (1) Muscles of loin, rump, and hindquarter are concave, indicating loss of muscle tissue. Adapted from Pruit and Momont, South Dakota State University, 1988 What is the ideal body condition score for breeding cattle Before breeding cows it is recommended that cows have a good condition score of 5 or higher and a body condition score of 6 or better at calving. What is the target body condition score (BCS) for beef cattle? Beef cattle should have a BCS between 5-7 for optimum health and wellness. We hope this article has been helpful to learn more about calculating Body Condition Score in your cattle herd. Below are some other free resources. Other Cattle Resources: Body condition score guide for beef cows Free Cow Gestation Calculator Cattle Gestation Table Free Downloadable 74-page Cattle Record Keeping Book Beginners Guide to Buying Cattle Guide to Keeping Livestock Records Estimating Cattle Hay and Feed Needs Top Breeds of Cattle for Your Ranch

The goat gestation is a short 5 months but setting up your doe for a successful pregnancy, birth, and lactation is important. The first part of that is knowing when your goat may be delivering. We hear from many farmers that finding those dates can be tricky. You can use software like Farmbrite to help you calculate those numbers but since we know how important this information is here is a helpful free calculator to take out the guesswork of finding the gestation dates of your herd. We've also put together some basics on goat gestation and a helpful goat gestation calculator to help you estimate when your doe might be expecting. How long does a goat's pregnancy last? The gestation period (length of pregnancy) for goats on average is 150 days for standard breeds and about 145 days for miniature breeds , however, the time for your dow to kid does vary based on the breed, environment, litter weight and size, parity and other factors. While the average gestation period is 150 days , kidding can typically happen between 145 and 150 days, with miniature breeds delivering earlier. Litter size has a significant impact to the gestation period. Larger litters typically mean a shorter gestation period. The litter size was significantly greater in animals who were repeat mothers compared to those in their first pregnancy. Studies show that the first pregnancy does typically give one or two kids. Later, goats can deliver three or four (and up to 5 or 6 on rare occasions). We recommend always consulting with your local vet throughout your goat's pregnancy to ensure the best health of both the mother and the kids. Goat Gestation Calculator The goat gestation calculator will help you estimate the kidding date (due date) for your goat. How to use the goat gestation calculator? To use the goat gestation calculator you’ll need to: Select the breed type (Standard or Miniature) Select the breeding date of your doe The goat gestation calculator will provide you with the estimated kidding date. To accurately calculate the expected due date for your goats it's important to keep detailed and accurate records about when your does may have been exposed to a buck, artificially insemination or had a confirmed pregnancy through an ultrasound. Learn more about keeping livestock records . How is the goat kidding date or due date calculated? As we mentioned above, the average gestation for most breeds is 150 days, although it may last anywhere from 145 to 150 days. The goat gestation calculator uses the following formula: Kidding date = Day when doe was exposed to a buck or AI + (150 days or 145 days, depending on breed selection) There are many things to consider during goat gestation and when you get to kidding season. Paying close attention to your goat's needs during this time is important. They may have additional nutritional requirements, energy changes, and changes in body condition scoring. Feeding forage lower in protein and higher in calcium at key points in a doe's gestation and lactation will set up the doe, the kid, and you for a successful pregnancy and lactation. Check out our post on body condition scoring (BCS) so you can optimize the health of your herd. Written by our staff at Farmbrite. Goat lovers unite.

According to the most recent family farm statistics in the US, 98% of all farms are actually run by families and contribute to 88% of our food production. Generally, most family farms — small, midsize, and large-scale — are neither low-income nor low-wealth, as median household income increases along with farm sales. It is necessary, however, to ensure continuity on these farms for the next generation onwards. This can be achieved through succession planning, or the smooth transfer of leadership (and in many cases, ownership) or a business, so that it can thrive even when its current owners leave. Farm succession planning is a complicated process that takes 12–24 months to execute, not including the time it takes to reach an agreement. Unfortunately, many farm owners put this off until they’re almost retired, as they often are too overwhelmed to start. This doesn't have to be overwhelming if you take small steps. What is farm succession and why is it important? As mentioned earlier, farm succession is a set of contingencies put in place by farm owners to ensure that their property continues to prosper once they have stepped down from management. Proper succession planning is all about helping operations run smoothly and without interruption during this transition period. A successful succession plan ensures that you can rely on your successors to carry out the mission and the vision of your organization, as well as accomplish key goals. Many strategies often rely on heavy employee involvement, with the end goal being upskilling and promotion. It also encapsulates any long-term plans to help the new farm manager gather their bearings before fully transitioning into a leadership position. Lastly, farm succession planning is all about adapting to new changes brought on by new leadership. It is important for farms, especially those run by families, to have a succession plan in place to ensure that there will be no conflict in terms of the flow of management. This will also prevent any legal battles from popping up between possible inheritors, ensuring that all assets are divided as the previous owner intended. Having a good succession plan also ensures that the next generation of leadership has the requisite knowledge of the farm’s operations and is equipped with the right capabilities to help the business continue growing. While many people think that a family business doesn’t need this kind of plan when it comes to succession, it will actually help save everyone from operational, logistical, and emotional headaches in the long run. Without a clear plan, it is possible for a farm’s operational structure to crumble and cease functioning. As not only your business’ leader but as the head of your family, it is your responsibility to prevent that from happening. It can be a tedious process – but one that is definitely worth an immense amount of attention. If you’re feeling lost or confused about where to start, here are a few tips you can begin with for your farm succession planning: 1. Be clear in your communication According to agricultural economy researchers , farm family businesses that actively discussed their goals, identified successes, and were educated on the transfer process were more likely to make progress in both management and ownership transfer. The initial discussion doesn’t have to be formal; you can simply call a family meeting to initiate the process. Be sure to include everyone who will be impacted. If you already have potential successors in mind who are capable of running the farm, ask if they want the job so you’re sure to be on the same page. If there are multiple successors vying for the role, talk about the potential for sharing responsibilities or consider ways to separate the operation so they can run viable agribusinesses independently. Remember, this is an emotional decision for all, so you have to communicate clearly over potential disagreements and conflicts. 2. Structure a succession timeline As previously mentioned, many succession plans can take anywhere from a year to two years from finishing. Sometimes, it can take even longer than this, depending on what your plans and ideas for your new successor may be. It is critically important to note that implementing a hasty succession plan can spell trouble for your business, since it may leave the next leader with less time to understand what you have curated in your business, less time to create their own strategies and bring those ideas to fruition. Research has also found that a total assessment of the farm’s capabilities is important in helping minimize any economic risks succession might bring to the business. The study echoes the fact that time is needed to help new leaders create well-thought-out policies and regulations once they have taken charge of the business. An effective timeline should always start with a training and trial period. In a scenario where you are stepping down, you should give yourself a few months to impart important knowledge to your successor – teaching them the ins and outs of your business and of the industry. Then, give them a trial run and have them make important decisions under your guidance to see if they are ready to take over. After this, cede complete power to them and reiterate to your employees that they are the new head of the business. This will ensure that workers will listen to your successor and give them the same respect you were given. A slow and steady transition will allow everyone to get accustomed to the change in leadership, and allow you to gauge the capabilities of your successor or help correct mistakes during this learning period. 3. Assign roles during the transition In the case of many heirs, both farming and non-farming, you can identify the various roles and responsibilities available. It’s likely your heirs have various strengths that can make them a good fit for farm operations, crop sales and grain marketing, or capital and financial management – to name a few. You will also need someone to oversee the day-to-day operations of your farm with a unified strategy in mind. As a business leader, they would need to have a knowledge of economics, finance, marketing, management, and operations. Obviously, this is a tough requirement; which is why those with extensive business administrative training are so highly sought after for their skill sets. It helps to choose someone with a mix of know-how both on and off the farm. This person could be on top of the hierarchy in decision-making, or you can decide on a more egalitarian approach. During the transition, your family should test out this system so you can improve on it. 4. Create measurable goals It is also important to determine whether or not your succession plan is successful and effective. Thus, it's necessary to set visible and tangible goals to meet. A study on measuring effective succession planning explains that there is no one-shoe-fits-all when it comes to different organizations – the same can be said for your farm. You should be creating metrics based on what you want the next leader to achieve since these goals will lay a clear path and serve as a way to determine if you are on the right track. One thing you can look at is your employee’s satisfaction levels. This can be done through a formal survey or through simple interviews. How your employees feel, especially those who have worked on the farm for a long time, can tell you a lot about how operations are going. If they think that things have gotten more difficult since the transition, it might be time to make some changes to your strategy. You can also look at other factors, such as cost vs. revenue. If you are spending more than you are earning, there might be an issue with how your successor is handling farm finances, which should be addressed as soon as possible. This will prevent your operations from sinking into debt. Having a good metric of effectiveness will help you determine whether your succession plan is effective or not and can be a way to make necessary adjustments. A place to measure this would be having farm management software to track these numbers. We're biased of course, but this is the best way to keep track of your farm business all in one place. It is up to you to decide the best way to do that but whether you use a management tool like Farmbrite or a spreadsheet make sure to keep good records. 5. Be sure to account for finances Speaking of finances, operations may slow down at the beginning of a succession plan. Your heir might want to make structural changes to better meet their vision for your farm or employees might need an adjustment period to get used to the new leadership. Because of this, it is important that you pay attention to your finances during this time. Aside from the other factors touched upon earlier, there are many other factors that you should account for aside from expenses and revenue. You should create contingencies just in case money continues to come in more slowly than anticipated during the transition period. Since the environment can be a key factor in whether or not your farm will profit for the season, you might want to consider setting aside money for agricultural insurance , which can be used when the time is right. This will alleviate any environmental factors out of your control — which could make the succession period harder and more stressful — as well as ensure that all your workers will still be able to receive the right pay and benefits as scheduled. Finances can also signal growth, so paying more attention to your profit trajectory during this period will let you know if you've chosen the right person to take over after you have stepped down. Keeping detailed entries on your operation’s cash flow might seem like a small thing but it can truly tell you a lot about the effectiveness of your strategy and other contingencies you need to put in place. 6. Tackle tensions and potential sources of conflict There are many ways succession planning can go wrong. At the heart of it, however, is ensuring you value everyone’s input through open, honest discussions. Everyone should have the chance to be heard and feel respected. When it comes to assets, for example, be transparent that being fair is not necessarily being equal. For instance, if only one child will be on-farm while others are off-farm, then it would help to set expectations early on. You also want to prepare ahead for any circumstances that can change in the future. Death, divorce, disability, or disagreement can throw your succession plans off, so these should be included in discussions as well — ideally along with relevant paperwork, like legal documents or insurance policies. Planning for the worst can spare your heirs the heartache down the road. Once your plans are set, be sure to formalize all agreements. Organization on your farm will help keep things top-of-mind so nothing will be forgotten or left to chance. Keep track of farm records on one platform, rather than storing information across separate spreadsheets and documents. This will keep all pertinent information in one place and help successors easily gain access to the data once they are the head of the office. 7. Ensure the legality of your succession plan When running a family business, your possible heirs might fight over who should succeed you as the head of your farm– especially if your stepping down happens due to unforeseen circumstances like sudden death. Making your succession plan legally binding – either through a contract or a will – is a way of avoiding unnecessary quarrels from happening between heirs. This is a written form of your strategy. It should list everything from who will succeed you as head of the farm, which assets go to whom, and even the ideal time frame of when everything should take place. You should draft this and have it reviewed by a trusted lawyer as soon as possible. This will take away any difficulties a sudden departure might cause your family, and provide them with actionable instructions to follow, so they can continue running operations — whether on the occasion of your retirement, an accident, or on your passing. Be sure to include other details such as how many shares each person will have, how much income they may continue receiving, and other eligibility requirements for becoming your successor. Without anything legally binding, the heir to your company might not have the right leverage and knowledge to navigate the agricultural landscape properly, leading to troubled times for your business. For a farm run by a family, succession plans pose an important and much-needed structure to aid in keeping your business running once you have stepped down. It is essential for you to take the right steps and form this plan well ahead, to ensure that operations continue running smoothly for all the generations to follow. ========================== J Martin is a freelance writer and researcher. She covers a number of topics, including business, agriculture, and sustainability. She is particularly interested in how family farms operate. When she’s not working on her latest piece, J enjoys tending to her backyard garden at home.

I think we can all agree that fruit flies are the worst. I mean, one day you have a beautiful bounty of fresh fruit on your counter and the next day it's covered in an invasive hoard of tiny fruit flies gorging themselves and worse laying their vermin spawn (eggs) on your hard-won spoils. Let's face it we've all been frustrated with a sudden infestation of these pesky insects. In addition to these pests eating your fruit, they can also pose some real health risks by potentially spreading germs and bacteria to your food. In this post, we'll talk about what attracts fruit flies, how to prevent them, and the best DIY solution to trap and eliminate them. Best DIY Fruit Fly Trap to get rid of Fruit Flies Let's start with how to get rid of fruit flies since that's probably why you're here. It's no surprise that you'll find a ton of different DIY and homemade fruit fly traps on the internet. Save yourself the hassle by trying our favorite battle-tested DIY fruit fly trap. It's simple, easy, affordable, and best of all it really works. Besides the fact that this solution works surprisingly well, it only takes minutes to put together and you probably already have everything you need in your kitchen cupboard. Here's how to make this simple, but effective fruit fly trap. Apple Cider Vinegar Fruit Fly Trap Tip: Before you get started, we recommend tossing out or composting any over-ripe fruit that might be attracting the fruit flies. Supplies: Apple cider vinegar - 1 Cup Liquid dish soap - a few drops A small jar or bowl Steps: Pour about 1 cup of apple cider vinegar into the small jar of bowl Add a few drops of the liquid dish soap to the jar - do not mix it Set out the trap and wait for it to do its work Before you know it, the jar will be filled with drowned fruit flies. If needed, simply empty the jar and repeat the process. This trap works so well because fruit flies are naturally attracted to the smell of apple cider vinegar. They will land on the surface of the vinegar seeking a place to lay their eggs, however instead of getting a free tasty meal they will fall through the surface film from the dish soap and be trapped. Now that you've got a handle on getting rid of fruit flies, keep reading to learn more about what attracts them and how to prevent future infestations. What attracts fruit flies Fruit flies are attracted to ripening, rotting, and fermenting fruits. They will lay their eggs on rotting or fermenting foods, which will hatch into hundreds of new fruit fly larvae. One female fruit fly can lay up to 500 eggs, which will hatch within a week. In addition, these little critters can hitch a ride on produce you bring into your home, so be sure to wipe down your produce and store it in a cool drawer or undercover. If you've been unlucky enough to attract fruit flies to your home, don't worry, we've got you covered. Just follow the steps above for a simple and cost-effective way to eliminate fruit flies. How to prevent fruit flies The best way to keep fruit flies from taking over your kitchen is to keep it clean and tidy. Fruit flies like ripening and rotting foods - here are some tips to use every day to help keep fruit flies out of your home: Fruit fly infestations can occur when you bring in infected fruit from the garden, farmer's market or grocery store. If you see fruit flies on produce when you're shopping, skip buying anything nearby, unless you want to wake up the next morning to a swarm of fruit flies in your kitchen. Rinse off fruits and veggies that are washable as soon as you get them home (apples, bananas, berries, citrus, stone fruits, etc) Keep fruits and veggies in a cool drawer or under cover (especially fruits with high sugar content - bananas, peaches, etc). Try to use fruits and vegetables before they over-ripen or go bad to prevent fruit flies from laying their eggs on your ripening or fermenting produce. Did someone say banana bread? If you can't use fruit before it starts to over-ripen consider freezing or dehydrating it. Keep your kitchen clean and periodically wipe down surfaces with a mild soap and water solution to remove any fruit fly eggs or larvae that might be hiding on your countertops. Take trash and recycling outside regularly (or keep it in with a tight-fitting lid). Keep food scraps in a compost bag in the freezer. Flush and clean your sink drain to remove any old trapped food scraps Periodically wash reusable shopping bags in the washing machine Hopefully, this helped provide you with some simple steps to reduce and eliminate fruit flies from your home so you can stop worrying about sharing that delicious banana with 500 of your closest tiny friends. Written by our knowledgeable staff writers/farmers at Farmbrite .