Module III Section B Real People, Real Farms: Case studies of animal agriculture
Section B: Real People, Real Farms: Case studies of animal agriculture
Projected outcomes:
- Students will learn about examples of sustainable animal production both in-state and around the country and the world.
- Students will be able to apply the concepts taught in the module to real situations.
Jacob Marty and his father are bringing grazing and agroforestry to their Green County farm. See a summary of the changes they are making here. Jacob also has participated in a 25-minute webinar about his farm during the 2021 annual Practical Farmers of Iowa conference, which you can access here.
Rick Adamski and Valerie Dantoin’s pasture-based dairy farm has been written up several times over the years. In 2005 these Wisconsin farmers received an Honorary Recognition award from the UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences for their leadership in Wisconsin agriculture. Read how their operation has evolved over time.
2004 Article
Grasslands 2.0 created a series on grazing methods for cattle production that focuses on both the benefits and drawbacks of various practices. To access these videos and podcasts, click here.
Read about how Nick Westby (Wisconsin) created his poultry business model focused on small scale farming and food sovereignty in this article.
Dairy Your Way is an older publication (2006) that contains descriptions and case studies of different dairy production systems in the upper Midwest. “Seasonal Calving” describes how Dan and Ruth Vosberg have combined grazing and more conventional practices to make their dairy farm work for them.
While the Driftless region in Wisconsin is often considered too rocky and hilly for crop farming, more people are utilizing the land for grazing and agroforestry. Jeremie Farve and Ellen Geisler began a sustainable sheep farm in mineral point Wisconsin with the goal of using as little machinery as possible. Learn more here: From Switzerland with love (agupdate.com)
For national examples of livestock production, see David and Cynthia Major, Vermont (sheep dairy), Erik Andrus, Vermont (Integrated Duck and Rice Paddies), Tom Trantham, South Carolina (dairy grazing of standing crops), (rangeland restoration), and Mark Frasier, Colorado (range management).
These Texas families are using grazing sheep to maintain solar fields. The sheep act as grazers to keep grass levels low and the solar panels provide shade for the animals. This system is able to provide both profits from livestock as well as clean energy and can be seen here.
In Virginia, Joel Salatin is operating a fully organic and diverse multi-animal operation attempting to mimic natural pasture processes (Cows, Chickens, Pigs, Ducks). Check out Ted and Melissa Millers dairy operation in to raise dairy cattle in a rotational grazing method in Louisiana here.
Agroforestry is a practice that is coming to the forefront of sustainable agriculture and land restoration. Agroforestry integrates trees with agricultural crops or livestock operations. Silvopasture is the name for the agroforestry practice that manages trees on land that is grazed by livestock. Properly managed silvopasture systems offer animals shade and good quality forage, and may also produce fruit, nuts, syrup, timber, or other tree products. In addition, silvopasture systems can help restore rare landscapes such as savanna and can reduce risk from forest fires. Alternating short grazing periods with adequate rest periods for forage regrowth is even more critical in silvopasture than open pasture, as grasses and legumes typically grow more slowly in the shade. Examples of silvopasture operations can be seen throughout the US:
David Daigle, Louisiana (Video)
Activity 1 Evaluating sustainability
Optional: See the following sections to learn about other forms of animal agriculture that have environmental and nutritional potential for the future:
One method for prairie restoration relies on native ruminants and natural processes. In Oklahoma, The Nature Conservancy reintroduced the American Bison to a former cattle operation to restore the land. With the use of grazing bison and controlled prairie burns, the landscape has seen great improvement in biodiversity of flora, and the bison are thriving. Watch this video and think about these following questions:
- Could a similar system to that seen in this video work for cattle operations? (The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources works with farmers to have cattle help manage vegetation in some natural areas.)
- Should there be a greater focus on utilizing natural practices and processes in farming?
- What are the benefits?
- What are the costs?
- Why should people care about the restoration of native prairies and grasslands in the US?
While we are far away from any oceans in Wisconsin, sustainable fish farming can play a role in feeding Earth’s growing population. Fish farming has come under fire in the past for its environmental costs and risks to native aquatic environments, however, the industry is constantly innovating and researching new sustainable methods of harvesting fish. In addition, fish often have better feed conversions (lbs. of feed needed for a lb. of weight gain) than other common livestock species. At the University of New Brunswick, Dr. Thierry Chopin has worked to develop a sustainable form of Salmon farming that utilizes kelp and mussels to act as a filter for fish waste (Learn more in this article or video). More international examples of sustainable fish farming practices as well as challenges the industry faces can be viewed here.
Last, insect farming is gaining attention in sustainable food production circles. Several species of insects have high nutritional value, and their production may have lower environmental impacts than traditional livestock. For example, crickets contain twice the amount of protein per pound as beef. Insects take up less space and require less feed and water than other animal protein sources, but they do need warm temperatures. While insects are a valued part of the diet for many people around the world, most people in the US are hesitant about eating them. To see examples of insect farming in North America and Europe click the links below:
Career Pathway content standards
Projected Outcome | National Agricultural Education Standards Performance Element or Performance Indicators |
Activity Number(s) (in this section) |
---|---|---|
1. List examples of sustainable animal production in-state, around the country, and the world. | CS.01.05 Awareness: Desire purposeful understanding related to professional and personal activities. | B-1 |
2. Adapt information learned about sustainable animal production to real-world situations. | CS.03.02 Decision making – analyze situations and execute an appropriate course of action. AS.08 Analyze environmental factors associated with animal production. ESS.05 Examine the relationships between energy sources and environmental service systems. |
B-1 |
3. Give examples of practices used in sustainable animal agriculture. | PS.03.04 Apply principles and practices of sustainable agriculture to plant production. AS.08 Analyze environmental factors associated with animal production.. |
B |
4. Identify sustainable animal nutrient management practices. | NRS.02.04 Demonstrate natural resource enhancement techniques. ESS.04.02 Manage safe disposal of all categories of solid waste. ESS.05.01 Compare and contrast the impact of conventional and alternative energy sources on the environment. |
B |