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Don’t Forget the Animals
Module 5

Rationale | Objectives | Introduction

Introduction
Acknowledgement: Taken from "Living on the Land 2001"

Rationale

Owners of large parcels of land generally purchase them with the idea of acquiring some form of livestock. Often, the romance of livestock ownership blinds them to the actual realities. The more practical considerations, such as costs (time and money), animal needs (space, food, facilities) and potential impacts to their property and/or their neighbors do not come into play until there is a problem. This module attempts to introduce all the potential cost, problems, and considerations of animal ownership. In addition, the last lesson of this module brings together all the knowledge gained in this series by helping the participants to develop a manageable, sustainable grazing management strategy for their property. (Top)

Objectives

Participants will:

  1. Be able to articulate their animal ownership goals.
  2. Understand the pluses and minuses of ownership, including costs and time.
  3. Understand the legal regulations and restrictions their properties.
  4. Know basics of animal care, including vaccination scheduling.
  5. Be able to estimate the number of animals their properties can support.
  6. Understand and avoid negative animal impacts on their own properties and adjacent properties.
  7. Establish a manure management plan.
  8. Understand how to minimize impacts on wildlife, including encouraging desired wildlife.
  9. Understand the rules and procedures of predator control.
  10. Develop, implement and monitor a grazing strategy for their property. (Top)

 Introduction

This module is focused on issues concerning animal ownership and land management. Lesson 1 discusses the benefits and costs of keeping animals on your property. Lesson 2 focuses on how to manage animals, including how to feed, shelter, and care for animals. Lesson 3 focuses on how to avoid animal impacts to the land, wildlife, and your neighbors. Lesson 4 will bring together all the participants have learned by developing and/or designing grazing strategies for their properties. In these four workshops, the most common domestic species including horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, and exotic animals will be discussed. Participants will work through some of their management goals for their properties and see how animals fit into their goals using exercises and farm simulation games.
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
 

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