Livestock Management
Looking for information on general livestock management or the management of a specific species? You are in the right place. The Equity is here to help with a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience. If you don't see what you are looking for, feel free to use the Livestock Management Contact Us form to ask a question.
Certified Livestock Manager Training
Certified Livestock Manager Training through the University of Illinois
The Illinois Livestock Management Facilities Act of 1997 requires livestock producers to receive training through the U of I Extension CLM Training Program. This program provides livestock producers with the best management practices for managing and handling their manure. Livestock producers with more than 300 animal units (AUs) must be a certified livestock manager (CLM). The certified livestock manager is expected to be a full-time employee, accessible by phone, and located within one-hour driving distance to the farm. Young farmers (<18 years old) are welcome to take the training but they cannot be the only certified manager at their facilities. Training and passing the test are required where 1,000 AUs or more are managed. Upon successful completion of these requirements, producers are certified for three years.
Webinars: More webinars (virtual workshops) will be offered. These will have the same format as previous workshops. Registration is required ($40). You must attend the whole webinar (about 4 hours) to be eligible for your certificate. The attendance will be checked through the Zoom reports. Those with over 1,000 AU will be required to login and take the 40-question online test (in lieu of the IDoA’s paper-based test). A password for accessing the test site will be sent after attending the webinar.
Photo Courtesy of the National Pork Board Des Moines, Iowa USA.
Safety
Silage Safety
Silage safety is important because accidents happen quickly and can be life changing. Below are two links to that may be beneficial as you or others you know work in and around silage.
Youth Livestock Management
Youth Quality Care of Animals (YQCA)
YQCA is a national quality assurance program that covers multiple species. Youth ages 8 to 21 learn about food safety, animal well-being, and character development. YQCA certification is being accepted by many livestock shows and fairs that require youth quality assurance certification. Be sure to always check the entry requirements of each show for complete details. 4-H members planning to take beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep, goats, market rabbits, and poultry projects are required to obtains the YQCA certification annually.
Quality Assurance
4-H members enrolled in beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep, goats, market rabbits, poultry, horse, dog, cat, rabbit, and poultry projects are required to take the online Quality Assurance & Ethics Training.
Funding
Grants are awarded to producers through the USDA NRCS EQIP programs and Young Farmer funds to assist producers in the initial financial start up costs of producing livestock. Below are a few links that can help get you started.
Livestock Risk Protection
Want to manage your livestock risk? Crop insurance exists for row crop farmers, now there is an option for segments of the livestock industry as well. Livestock Insurance Plans exist to give livestock producers risk management options.
View the below videos to find out more from one of the entities that provides livestock risk protection products.
Cattle & Swine
Cattle
Swine
Permitting
Most states require individuals looking to produce livestock to acquire a permit either through the state Department of Agriculture or Department of Natural Resources. The permitting process includes facets of the building, land, ownership, manure management, animal capacity, and much more. Below is a link to learn more about Illinois Livestock Management Facilities Permitting (LMFP).
Have Questions? We can help.
Species Resources
