Raising Livestock In Jackson County

Jackson County has a very diverse and growing livestock population. An area that was traditionally dominated by cattle, horses, sheep, and swine is increasingly seeing new species such as bison, llamas, alpacas, emus, ostrich and expanding populations of horses chickens, goats, and other species that can be managed on small acreages.

Cattle

The cattle industry contributes approximately $14,000,000 (farm gate value) to the economy of Jackson County on an annual basis. Jackson County’s cattle industry continually ranks around 14th out of 36 counties in Oregon. The industry is diverse with income derived from commercial cow/calf operations, stockers (steers and/or heifers grazed on pasture from approximately 500 lbs. to 850 lbs.), retained ownership through the feedlot, club calf (calves sold for 4-H and FFA projects), and purebred operations, which sell replacement heifers and/or bulls to commercial cattlemen and other purebred breeders.

Cattle typically prefer grass over forbs such as clover and other broad leaf plants which can make grazing cattle with sheep a very good pasture management tool. Grazing cattle on annual grasslands, at the right time of the season, can reduce yellow starthistle and other weedy species infestations.

Horses

Early in Jackson County history horses were used mainly as work animals by local ranchers. While this is still a major use the industry has expanded to several purebred operations ranging from Quarter horses and Arabians to Thoroughbreds and various breeds of Walking horses to Draft horses.

There has been an increasing number of horses and horse operations in the county for the last 10 – 15 years. This has added substantially to the combined farm gate value of Jackson County’s economy. Additionally, Jackson County has great and expanding 4-H, FFA and Jr. open horse activities that keep youth active all year long.

Sheep

Jackson County’s sheep industry dates back to the mid to late 1800’s with flocks of 4000 head or more grazing on the valley floors, surrounding foothills, and high elevation forest and range. Current interest in niche marketing and group buying of feed and other resources by local sheep producers has had a positive impact for producers. Additionally, sheep are conducive to small landholdings. In 2002 the Southern Oregon Sheep Producers formed to help local sheep enthusiasts with everything from marketing and pasture management to flock health and group purchasing of needed resources.

Sheep tend to prefer forbs over grass. When grazed properly, sheep can be an excellent tool to help eliminate yellow starthistle, an invasive weed, and other broad leaf weedy species.

Swine

After a period of declining numbers the swine industry is expanding in Jackson County. Progressive swine producers have established diverse and high quality breeding operations

New and Diverse Species

In addition to traditional livestock new and diverse species are increasing in Jackson County. Llamas, emus, ostrich, alpaca, meat goat and other species are all meeting with various degrees of success. These animals are well adapted to small acreage farms. Various forms of niche marketing are required to insure continued success of some species, while others are more easily adopted to traditional marketing methods.