1989 Annual Report for LW89-019
Livestock Health and Nutrition Alternatives: A Western States Conference
Summary
The purpose of this two-year project was to investigate and bring together a credible body of research findings and farmers' experience in the use of alternative methods of maintaining the health and nutrition of food producing animals. The resulting two-day conference, held on December 6-8, 1990, focused on maintaining the nutrition and health of food-producing animals while reducing the use of such inputs as growth hormones, antibiotics and synthetic wormers. AERO organized the conference planning committee, which was comprised of farmers and university personnel.
The conference was structured to provide a balance of research findings presented by scientists and case examples and perspectives offered by producers and veterinarians.
Project Results
Just over 100 ranchers, farmers, scientists and other agriculture professionals attended the Livestock Health and Nutrition Conference.
Sixteen speakers from Montana, Oregon, North Dakota, Minnesota and Arkansas presented their ranch experiences or research findings on a wide range of topics including:
A Holistic Approach to the Production of Domestic Animals and the Maintenance of their Health.
Meeting the Nutritional Requirements of Ruminant Animals Using Alternative Crops, Feeds and Grazing Practices.
Disease Prevention and Health Maintenance.
Alternative Sources of Disease and Parasite Treatment.
Alternative Management Practices.
Marketing and Market Development.
Of the conference participants, 90% scored the conference good to excellent in written evaluations. Eighteen producers met immediately after the conference to begin discussion on developing a cattle pool to provide a consistent year-round supply of organic beef.
A Proceedings of the conference will be available after May 1, 1991. For a copy of the conference program and the Proceedings, contact Al Kurki, AERO, 44 North Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT 59601.
Objectives
(1) To provide ranchers, veterinarians, cow/calf and feedlot operators in the Northern Rockies/Plains region with current information on alternative livestock management and animal husbandry practices as they relate to the health and product quality of food-producing animals (dairy/beef cattle, sheep, chickens or goats).
(2) To identify needs and issues related to use of alternative practices, such as gaps in current research, the feasibility of organic certification standards as they apply to livestock, and barriers producers face in making a transition to using alternative practices.
(3) To present for producers and researchers the objectives and results of other private and public sector livestock research or education projects in this topic area.