Selecting Livestock for a Small Acreage Farm

Identify Resources

  • Land
    • 1 acre to 35 acres
    • Dry land or irrigated
  • Managerial commitment
  • Labor/time
  • Buildings
  • Zoning regulations

Choosing a Specific Type of Livestock

  • Personal preference
  • Facilities
  • Feed resources
  • Special equipment needs
  • Experience required
  • Time commitment
  • Finances available
  • Manure disposal
  • Available markets
  • Predator control
  • Purpose
    • Raise your own meat
    • Graze weeds
  • Make money
  • Hobby

Horse

  • Great hobby
  • High purchase cost
  • Feed costs
  • 4-H/FFA project

Swine

  • Rapid growth for meat production
  • Little capital required
  • Odor can become a problem
  • 4-H/FFA project

Sheep

  • Types
    • Meat breeds
    • Wool breeds
  • Good grazers
  • Predator concerns
  • 4-H/FFA project

Goats

  • Types
    • Dairy breeds
    • Meat breeds
  • Tremendous grazers
  • Requires well built fences
  • 4-H/FFA project

Llama

  • Great companion
  • Guard animal
  • Low investment costs

Alpaca

  • Very popular
  • High investment
  • Fiber has great value

Cattle

  • Purpose
  • Investment
    • Purchase costs
    • Feed costs
  • Pride owning cattle
  • 4-H/FFA project