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Appalachian Workshop and Research Update

Appalachian Workshop and Research Update. Improving Small Ruminant Grazing Practices. July 11, 2009. The Appalachian Region. All of WV and parts of 12 other states Extends 1000 miles from NY to GA, AL, and MS 1/10 of land area of the U.S. Hilly to mountainous topography.

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Appalachian Workshop and Research Update

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  1. Appalachian Workshop and Research Update Improving Small RuminantGrazing Practices July 11, 2009

  2. The Appalachian Region • All of WV and parts of 12 other states • Extends 1000 miles from NY to GA, AL, and MS • 1/10 of land area of the U.S. • Hilly to mountainous topography

  3. Appalachian Climate Rainfall Temperature Mean annual range of 45 to 50 °F Average growing season is 160 to 200 days Average frost-free period of 120 days at higher elevations • Averages 30 to 60 inches annually • Uniformly distributed during the year • Spatial gradients exist in mountainous areas

  4. Appalachian Farms • Small, less than 200 acres in size • One quarter of the land use and most of the agricultural acreage is devoted to grassland and pasture • Livestock production is the most common farming enterprise

  5. Appalachian Farms • Historically lacked profitable systems suited to the region • Today, greater profit potential through niche markets for chevon and lamb

  6. Appalachian Farms • Expanding demand for pasture-based livestock products • Increasing growth of traditional sheep, hair sheep, and meat goat industries

  7. Enterprise Needs • New and refined grazing practices for small ruminant production on hill lands in humid, temperate climates • Forage and small ruminant management strategies to • maintain healthy livestock • achieve desirable growth rates and carcass quality • ensure environmental integrity

  8. Research Goals • Discover regionally adapted forage plants • Develop novel pasture systems • Identify bioactive plant resources that can satisfy nutritional and health needs of goats and sheep

  9. Research Approaches • Plants, ruminants, and their interactions • Controlled-environment, field, and laboratory experiments • In vitro and in vivo studies

  10. Innovations in Small Ruminant Grazing Practices for Appalachia

  11. Innovations in Small Ruminant Grazing Practices for Appalachia • Finishing small ruminants on pasture • Silvopasture as a natural choice for small ruminant grazing • Traditional and non-traditional forages for central Appalachia • Plant constituents for control of gastrointestinal parasites • Opportunities for use of artemisia in small ruminant production

  12. We hope you find this workshop informative and useful and invite your comments and questions http://www.ars.usda.gov/naa/afsrc

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