Development should include
- analyzing available resources
- selecting the most suitable production enterprise for local climate and markets
- designing a production enterprise system for an animal product.
The enterprise may include the following livestock species:
- Beef cattle–stockers, cow/calf, feedlot, seed stock, grass fed, natural
- Dairy cattle–heifer grower, organic, traditional, seasonal, veal, grass fed
- Swine–seed stock, farrow-to-finish, feeder pigs, finishers
- Sheep and goats–fiber, meat, seed stock, dairy, feedlots
- Equine–breeding, training, boarding
- Poultry–turkeys, chickens, organic and specialty, ducks, free-range
- Specialty–aquaculture, bees, worms, alpacas and llamas, bison, oxen, mink, ostriches, pigeons, emus
Process/Skill Questions:
- What considerations should be taken when choosing a livestock species?
- What percentage of livestock enterprises in Virginia are classified as specialty?
- How much land is necessary for specific livestock?
- What animal production enterprise would be better suited for your locality?
- Which agencies are good resources for support when starting a livestock production enterprise?