NOFA Animal Husbandry Workshop: Raising Grazers with Grain-fed Animals

This workshop helps producers plan how to integrate multiple livestock species into a whole farm system. While the primary focus of this farm is vegetable production, livestock make crucial contributions to the whole of the farm. This workshop will cover scale thresholds that make animal operations an appropriate size relative to labor input, market potential, and husbandry needs. Each species will be considered for its needs, its economic value, as well as its contribution to overall farm functioning. The presentation focuses on synergies between grazing animals (cattle and sheep) and grain-fed animals (chickens and pigs), using annual cover crops as forage, creating a farm budget, managing production, and scheduling slaughter dates. Marketing discussion will present combined approach to CSA, direct retail, farmers’ market, and restaurants. $25 NOFA members; non-members $31.  Click here for more information and to register.