High Production Costs in Small Ruminants

What are the primary costs that factor into raising small ruminant animals?

Feed costs are one of the biggest expenses when raising small ruminant animals. Feed can vary depending on the species, production goals and environmental conditions, but most these feeds include grain, protein supplements, vitamin supplements, mineral supplements and other preventative feed additives. Many of the larger commodity ingredients depend on supply and demand — which, in turn, depend on weather, freight and the quality of national crops.

What influences small ruminant production costs?

With changes in antibiotic use and production systems, the prices of production are expected to increase. These costs usually impact those determining nutrition and general day-to-day management of the operation, who must still raise healthy, safe animals for the food system.

What steps can I take to lower my cost of production?

Every producer, regardless of the size of their operation, is aware of all the components that cost them money and are determined to lower those expenses. In small ruminant production, profit margins are already so small that even seemingly minor factors can have a significant impact on costs. Feed costs represent the majority of production costs, but there are several other variables that can also impact your overall business.

If you are interested in reducing production costs, consider evaluating the following factors:

• Poor water quality and low water consumption:
  Could the water your group of animals is drinking be having a detrimental effect on their performance and productivity, thereby increasing your production costs? Water quality and consumption are directly correlated with feed intake; if animals do not drink enough water, they will not consume enough feed.
  
  Depending on the stage of development, water consumption also declines when animals are transported. The stress and uncertainty of an unfamiliar environment can cause them to stop drinking and, in turn, stop eating. The more quickly they get on water, the faster they will start eating, which will help them acclimate to their new environment more quickly and will decrease the likelihood of any negative side effects due to related stress.
   
• Feed quality and feed efficiency:
  Are the ingredients in your feed compromising your animals’ growth and performance? Feed quality is vital, as it plays a significant role in both intake and digestibility. With feed costs representing the majority of total production costs, ensuring optimal feed quality and maximum feed efficiency should be a top priority for all producers.
  
  Providing a balanced ration for sheep, goats and deer is essential. Digestibility issues can be detected by recording feed intakes and weight gains, as well as by calculating feed conversion ratios at all stages of production, as this will reveal any drops in performance, thereby signaling that changes to the feed may be required. These numbers may also indicate problems with the feed, such as mycotoxin contamination — especially in the case of feed refusals — or the poor digestibility of the feed ingredients used. Understanding the factors that affect feed quality and implementing a quality-assurance program will help to ensure that your animals are getting the best possible nutrition.