An Examination of Selected Small Livestock Producers’ Implementation of Identified Best Practices in Alabama

Abstract

Getting small farmers to adopt “best practices” has been a key challenge in general, but particularly, in the Southeastern U.S. This study focused on selected small livestock producers’ implementation identified best practices in Alabama. Data were obtained through interviews from twelve producers in, primarily, selected South Central Alabama counties emphasizing best practices as well as other production indicators. The subjects were mainly beef cattle and meat goat producers. The identified best practices were: rotational grazing, soil testing, quarantining, deworming, veterinary services, and record keeping. The data were analyzed using descriptive narrative and simple statistics. The demographics showed more male than female producers, and more meat goat producers than beef cattle producers. Also, the results revealed that the commonest best practice was deworming; followed by quarantining, soil testing and record keeping, and rotational grazing. Using veterinary services was the least practiced best practice; most producers chose to provide their own animal health services. The results provide an opportunity for assistance providers to educate producers on the importance of adopting the best practices.

Keywords: Small Producers, Livestock Producers, Best Practices, Case Study