Raising animals can provide environmental benefits and economic vitality to a piece of property. Goats, for example, can assist with brush management, provide manure that can be used as a soil amendment while also producing marketable milk and cheese. Raising livestock is also a means of diversifying an operation because it complements many other practices. But raising animals comes with varying characteristics that should be considered prior to getting started.
Resources
The National Agricultural Library is one of four national libraries of the United States, with locations in Beltsville, Maryland and Washington, D.C. It houses one of the world's largest and most accessible agricultural information collections and serves as the nexus for a national network of state land-grant and U.S.
Brochures and educational materials on specific animals related to livestock production: beef, dairy, swine, bison, etc.
Small scale ranching and animal husbandry face a wide range of challenges in Washington state. The Small Farms Team has been working to assist animal producers in profitability, sustainable practices, and processing challenges.
Brochures and educational materials on pasture management: pasture and grazing management, hay production, nutrient management, weeds and pests, mud and manure management, and irrigation and fencing.
The Forage Information System, is a comprehensive resource for forage-related topics, including Extension, research, and teaching.
The goal of their program is to build soil productivity, support local agriculture, protect water quality, and facilitate recycling of organic wastes, by applying soil science principles to agricultural, development, and waste management issues.
Horses for Clean Water is a program run by horse owners in support of horse owners offering environmentally sensitive horse keeping education on ways to care for your horse that are good for you, your horse, the neighborhood and the environment.