Palouse CD holds meet on livestock practices

A 30-strong crowd gathered at the Palouse Federated Church last Thursday, Feb. 3, to hear four panelists speak on livestock topics.

Sponsored by the Palouse Conservation District, the night had a broader focus of informing livestock owners on the best management practices for both their animals and businesses.

The first speaker was small business owner, Cheryl Williams-Cosner, who raises livestock and sells direct from her farm outside Walla Walla.

Williams-Cosner spoke about her operation from start to finish, from purchasing their mountainside land to selling cuts of lamb out of the trunk of her car.

“Getting it certified organic was a simple process for us,” she told the room of ranchers.

She advised the group on her own tips for marketing. Searching out new markets and forming relationships with local consumers is key, she said. She pointed out an operation can be flexible with the quality and delivery of their product, but said she doesn’t compromise on price.

Darin Saul, director of the University of Idaho’s sustainability center, said the center had been awarded a large grant from the state to complete a survey on producers in the region.

Ranchers filled out that survey at the meeting.

WSU meat scientist Jan Busboom gave tips on raising animals for the meat market as well as tips on how to accurately gauge the quality of meat.

“You can’t make a bad animal good. But you can ruin a good animal,” Busboom told the audience. He emphasized feeding animals well from day one for good meat quality. Giving animals quality feed throughout their youth is irreplaceable, he said. Trying to save on feed at any point in their youth could impact the fat marbling later on.

Tom Kammerzell of Colfax, who raises his own cattle on several pastures, said he came to the meeting in the hopes of learning about the cost-share program offered by the Palouse Conservation District. Some of Kammerzell’s pastures are in the boundaries of that district.

Kammerzell said he was very interested in learning about the UI survey. Never before has this region of Idaho and Washington had a comprehensive survey of meat producers. The results of the survey could reveal a compelling need for a processing plant with USDA inspection in the area.

“When they get that back, if there’s truly the product in the area and the need, then you can take that to an investor and they’ll say, ‘that looks like a good business plan,’” Kammerzell said. Having his product processed through a USDA plant could open up his sales to restaurants and stores in the area.