Final report for ONC23-116
Project Information
Silvopasture is the production practice that integrates trees, pasture, and livestock production together to maximizes income from multiple harvests at the same time. Apart from economic benefits, silvopasture has potential to sequester carbon from the atmosphere, preserves soil quality, balances forest ecology, and promotes environmentally sustainable production practices (Jose & Dollinger, 2019).
Missouri is a home for 15 million-acres of forest, and 17 million-acres of pasture, providing huge possibilities for a silvopastoral-system of livestock production (ECS-MAF, 2021). In the state, sixty-four thousand agricultural producers (86% of the total) are small farmers with less than $25,000 gross sales per year (MA-SBA, 2021). Silvopastoral system of livestock production can maximize the income of small farmers by using available forest and pastureland, while maintaining environmental biodiversity and minimizing effects of climate change.
Sheep and goat enterprise can be started in a small farm with small breeding stock. Animals reach slaughter size quickly, can be raised on forage alone, and investment can be paid fast. Thus, it can be an excellent enterprise for small farmers and low-income producers. The objective of this program is to train producers on fencing in the silvopasture for sheep and goat production across Missouri.
The overall objective of this project is to make small-farmers able to start sheep and goat production in the silvopasture. Our specific objectives are:
- Provide onsite demonstration for building a portable electric fence and water system in silvopasture.
- Familiarize farmers with different types of fences [permanent (border) and temporary (inside to create sub-paddock)], water-systems, forages, and trees.
- Help farmers become aware of different energizers (battery powered systems, solar rechargers, and AC powered units), how to troubleshoot including risk of falling branches from trees, and
- Provide book, extension factsheets, booklets, and information on local fencing suppliers.
Cooperators
Research
No research conducted.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation summary:
Electric Net Fence, Browse Species, Forages & Controlling Invasive Weeds Using Sheep and Goats
Wednesday, May 29, 2024: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Sedalia, Missouri.
Major Activities: Participants learned about i) Netting fence (Hands-on practice), ii) Major browse species for goats in agroforestry system, iii) Forage management for sheep and goats, iv) Pasture forage estimation by using stick yard, v) Invasive weeds and shrubs, vi) How to treat animals if they consume toxic plants in agroforestry system of sheep and goat production system and vii) PRF Insurance essentials.
A total of 11 sheep and goat producers attended this event.
Electric Net Fence, Browse Species, Forages & Controlling Invasive Weeds Using Sheep and Goats (Booth & Lecture Class)
Tuesday, June 11, 2024: at Lincoln University's Carver Farm, Jefferson City, Missouri.
Major Activities: Participants learnt about i) Netting fence (Hands-on practice), ii) Browse trees for goats, iii) Forage for sheep and goats, iv) Pasture forage estimation using stick yard, v) Invasive weeds and shrubs in Missouri, v) How to treat sheep/goats if they consume toxic plants, vi) Forage for sheep and goats, vii) Cover crops, viii) How to treat animals if they consume toxic plants.
A total of 19 people attended the learning opportunity/visited the booth.
Electric Net Fence, Browse Species, Forages & Controlling Invasive Weeds Using Sheep and Goats
Saturday, April 27, 2024: 9:00AM to 1:00 at Confluence Farms, Florissant, MO.
This event was canceled due to a very low registration rate (less than 5 registered for the event).
Electric Fence: Hands-on Training.
When: March 14, 2025, 08:30 AM—05:00 PM, Fair Grove, MO 65648
Major learning activities: Hands on practice (9 to 12 pm): Construction and Installation (hands on practice) on Gates, Line posts, T-posts, Fiberglass, Wire insulators, End insulators, Grounding, Chargers, Hooking to trees, Gate materials, Spinning Jenny and many more for Permanent Fence. Lunch and learn (12 to 1 pm): “Enhancing Pasture Management with the Strategic Use of Pasture Stick Yards". Hands on practice (1 – 5 pm): Continuation of Permanent fencing, Portable fences (polywire and netting fence), Reels, Tread-in posts, Portable chargers.
Total 45 livestock producers from Missouri (mostly) and a few from Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma benefited from this hands-on training
Timeless and Virtual Fence - Basic Information
When: Thursday, July 17th, 2025, Time: 5:15 to 6:45 pm, Where: Program Room, 1997 E. Jackson Blvd, Jackson, MO 63755. Speaker Mark Green.
This was a hybrid event (in person and Zoom). Major topics covered during the talk: i) Electric fence for sheep and goat production, ii) Benefits of a timeless fence over a traditional fence, iii) Materials needed to build a timeless fence for a 5-acre field, and iv) Basics of a virtual fence.
A total of 7 participants attended this event (including both in-person and via Zoom).
Lincoln University Small Ruminant Field Day was held at Carver Farm, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri, on August 22nd, 2025.
Participants learned: 09:30 – 10:30 Using the Pasture Stick to Plan Acres per Paddock and Strip, ii) 10:30 – 11:55 Electric fence in Details, iii) 12:30 – 01:30 Use of Drones/Apps/GPS to Improve Grazing and Hay Fields, iv) 1:30 – 2:30 Building Effective Veterinary-client-patient Relationships and Small Ruminant Drugs Use
A total of 40 producers from different parts of Missouri attended the event.
Lincoln University Field day
Field day at Toelke lane, Leslie MO on March 23rd, 2024.
Participants got hands on practice for following,
Electrified netting, energizers, grounding systems, training livestock to electric fencing, small ruminant targeted grazing, goat nutrition and toxic plant awareness, pasture measurement, stick yard usage, and invasive weeds and shrubs.
Theoritical courses covered during the training,
How to incorporate goats into silvopasture system. Difference between continuous vs rotational grazing system, division of paddocks, confined intensive grazing, targeted grazing, and grazing invasive weeds. How to manage rotational system of grazing, using charged battries, net, testers and many more.
Field day at Columbia, MO on August 26, 2023
Hands-on training on, ‘setting up small fences for sheep and goats’ was organized at Four oaks farm located in E Judy school Road. Ms. Glenda Deshon and her Son Justin Deshon manages 300 acres of pasture partly covered with trees and shrubs using 200 head of mixed goat breeds. Ms. Glenda Deshon is a Goats On the Go® affiliate for Boone and Cole County.
Our program started with hands-on-training on setting fence (electric net) in the silvopasture for strip grazing sheep and goats. The idea was to use goats for the control of noxious weeds, brush, and invasive plants. Herbicides if used to control such plants can run off and therefore are dangerous. Power equipment burns fossil fuel and produces CO2 whereas goats used for the same purpose won’t leave anything behind except fertilizers. Goats used to control vegetation have little damage to desirable plants. Goats have light foot and there is no risk of soil erosion. Seeds of plants after eaten by goats are not viable and therefore no risk of dispersion.
30 Participants got an opportunity to learn how to set up fence and where to buy supplies. After the practical demonstration Ms. Glenda provided in depth lecture on vegetation estimate before grazing, number of animals per acre, breed types, age of the animal appropriate for brush control. Her lectures concluded on how to avoid toxic plants for goats and treatment if accidentally consumed by goats. Increase in knowledge was evaluated immediately after the training program.
Richmond MO, July 30, 2024
Pasture Management & Electric Fencing Workshop:
Participants got hands on practice for following,
Electrified netting, energizers, grounding systems, training livestock to electric fencing, small ruminant targeted grazing, goat nutrition and toxic plant awareness, pasture measurement, stick yard usage, and invasive weeds and shrubs.
Theoritical courses covered during the training,
Participants learnt pasture management and forage availability metrics while using yard-stick tool to maximize resoures (Dr. Homero Salinas). Missouri Small Ruminants Market Trends 2023-2024 (By Dr. Eleazar Gonzalez) and soil testing tools by Lincoln University Innovative Small Farmer Outreach Program (ISFOP) ISFOP members.
Learning Outcomes
Participants learned, where to buy electric net, solar chargers, fence checker, Cost of installing a solar fence charger etc. They know how to check fence voltage and other inspection. How to set voltage (appropriate place to keep charger). Advantages and disadvantages of electric net, 3-4 strand polywire fence, woven wire, barb wire, which company sells such supplies. Can you talk volt, height above the ground for lowest wire, fence net, what to do when it rains. Talk about labor cost. And what will happen when the sky is cloudy for a long time that inhibit charging of solar charger ?
Participants learned vegetation estimation for grazing (How long can we graze in that plot and when to move animals). How do you set waterer, mineral feeder, do you need to grain feed?, Water management, shelter (portable shade). How to check if goats are impatient or restless - for moving to next pasture. When to tear down the old fence and install new place? How often should I check pasture? How to determine when to move to a new pasture? Evening regular check list What are the preferred browse species (weeds and invasive plants)? How many animals per acre do you recommend for bush control from May to July 31st?What is the best age of animals/goats to start brush control? Important plants, browse species, and trees for silvopasturol grazing. Do you need to plant new forage in silvopasture (pasture with trees, woodland)? Targeted grazing to control invasive and nuisance plants? Benefits of rotational grazing, short grazing, repeat grazing? How to avoid toxic plants? How do you treat poisoned goats at home?
How much room animal need to have? Number of animals per area? What kind of goats are best for targeted grazing? What breeds do you recommend?
What about dwarf and pygmy goats for brush control? Where should I buy goats? How much do goats cost to buy? How much do goats cost to feed? Where to buy? What sex (male or female) to use for brush control? What won’t goats eat when they do targeted grazing? How to avoid toxic plants?
What are the health issues you encounter? What is vaccination schedule? Do you have to do hoof trim? Do I need guard dogs, donkeys, or llamas? How to save from predators? Do you prefer purebred or crossbreed? What is your view on using animals with horns, aggressive bucks, castrated or not castrated, females or males, age etc. for brush control? Will goats be able to completely clear the brush after finishing browsing?
Project Outcomes
A total of 159 producers Mostly from Missouri were trained on silvopastoral sheep/goat production system with the help of multiple events organized at different time listed above.
Major learning outcomes during the project were
a) Perimeter fence, internal fence, virtual fence, time-less fence (both hands on practice).
b) Provided with extension publications and powerpoint slides of each presentations.
c) Covered in depth of Browse and forage management in silvopasture
d) Pasture estimation, management of toxic plants,
e) Sheep and goat management in the silvopasture.
https://www.newstribune.com/news/2025/aug/23/small-ruminant-workshop-teaches-farmers-essential/
https://www.newstribune.com/news/2023/jun/15/lincoln-university-expanding-goat-sheep-research/
https://www.lincolnu.edu/news/2025/08/awards-cooperative-extension-lincoln-university-of-missouri.html
https://missouriagconnection.com/news/missouri-sheep-and-goat-programs-boost-farmer-skills
https://www.newstribune.com/news/2024/jun/12/attendees-leave-lu-farm-field-day-thinking-about/