By: Dr. Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension County Livestock Specialist Jeff Yearington, Lincoln University Farm Outreach Worker West Central Region
Goat Nutrition Forage Quality Feeding Strategies
Goat Digestive Physiology Goat Feeding Behavior Nutrient Requirements
Rumen Fermentation vat where bacteria and protozoa break down fiber. Reticulum Extension of the rumen, collects heavier particles. Omasum Removal of excess moisture and further grinding. Abomasum Gastric juices and enzymes secreted.
Kid Digestive System Adult Goat Digestive System 1 Rumen; 2 Reticulum; 3 Omasum; 4 - Abomasum
Goats are browsers They eat with there heads up If pasture gets to short that could increase parasite problems Prefer forage diversity Brush/weeds Grass Legumes
Pasture Grazing Systems Good quality pasture system 6 to 8 goats per acre Good brush browse system 9 to 11 goats per acre
Poisonous plants Clippings from Yews and rhododendrons Clippings from cherry, apricot, and peach trees Plant during certain times of the year Cocklebur Symptoms of poisoning Vomiting and death Call vet immediately Learn response associated with poisonous plants or bad tastes
Class of nutrients Water Protein Energy Vitamins Minerals All are required
Water Most important as it is related to intake Insufficient water intake affects Production Growth General appearance Should always have access to high quality source of water
Protein Source of nitrogen for the bugs in the rumen Source of amino acids for protein synthesis in the animals body Used for Body tissue development Development of hormones and enzymes Milk production
Energy Primarily comes from carbohydrates Sugars Starches Fibers Fats 2.25 times the energy of carbohydrates Sources Animal and plant No more that 2 to 3% of the ration
Energy Needed for Growth Reproduction Milk production Health Proper kidding and raising kids
Protein RDP RUP Microbial Cell Carbohydrates Fiber and Starch Peptides AA Microbial Enzymes Sugars NH 3 + Carbons Skeleton VFA Urea Via Urea Cycle AA Synthesis Microbial protein for use by animal to meet its needs For animal Growth Reproduction Lactation For Microbes Cell growth Cell division
Physiological states effect on intake of goats Lbs. of dry matter 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Weaning Yearling Gestation Lactating AVG Lactating High Intake 2 3 4.5 4 5 5 Buck
% 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Physiological state effects on energy and protein levels required for goats Weaning Yearling Gestation Lactating AVG Lactating High Buck TDN 68 65 60 60 65 60 %CP 14 12 10 11 14 11
Minerals Required in small portion Macro Ca, Cl, Mg, P, K, Na, S Micro Co, Cu, F, Fe, I, Mn, Mo, Se, Zn Required Bone formation Construction of muscles, blood cells, internal organs and enzymes Develop proper immunity to diseases
% 1 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 Goat Calcium and Phosphorus Requirements Weaning Yearling Gestation Lactating AVG Lactating High Buck Ca 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.4 P 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2
Vitamins Small portion of the diet but essential for life Required for Normal growth, production, reproduction, fight stress, disease and maintain good health
Vitamin Vitamin A Vitamin B Vitamin C Vitamin D Vitamin E Vitamin K Source Animal conversion of β Carotene from forage and corn Developed by microorganisms of a fully functional rumen Synthesized by animal tissues Animal conversion of sunlight and sun cured hays High quality legume hay Green leafy fresh or dry feedstuffs and rumen microorganisms
Forage quality related to Fiber Protein Content Factors that influence forage quality Species Maturity Plant parts Post harvest handling Storage
Nutritive values of different full bloom hays Feed stuff NDF (%) TDN (%) CP (%) Fescue K31 67 58 12.90 Timothy 64.20 56 8.10 Alfalfa 48.80 55 17.00 Red Clover 46.90 55 15.00 Beef Cattle NRC, 2000
Forage Crop Stage of maturity NDF% TDN% CP% Alfalfa Early Vegetative 33 66 30 Early Bloom 39.30 60 25 Mid Bloom 47.10 58 22 Full Bloom 48.80 55 17 Late Bloom 53.00 53 17 Mature 58.00 50 14 Beef Cattle NRC, 2000
1 st bite: leaves with low fiber 2 nd bite 3rd bite: stems with high fiber
Body Condition Scoring Flushing Does Managing Goats and Cattle Fescue Toxicity Ration Balancing
Feel fat condition over the backbone, ribs, spine, and loin Score from 1 to 5 1. Emaciated 2. Thin 3. Average 4. Fat 5. Obese
Does Breeding 3 Late Gestation 3 Kidding 3 or better Weaning 2 Bucks Pre breeding 3 4 Use to determine supplementing strategies
Feeding a high energy diet 30 40 days before breeding Increase body weight, ovulation rate and litter size Poor body condition does respond better Make sure the does do not get too fat Strategies Move goats to high quality lush pasture or feed ½ pound of corn or whole cottonseed per day
Goat first then cattle Goats clean the mature plant growth and brush away and leave the lush growing forage for cattle Recommended stocking rate of 1 2 goats per beef cow without reducing forage availability Improve productivity of pastures
Caused by endophyte that lives in the fescue plant Concentrated in the seed head Symptoms poor conception rates, low pasture gains, low milk production, heat stress, hoof and tail rot Pregnant Does Birthing issues Thickening placenta wall making it hard for the kid to get out of the sack leading to death
Ways to reduce symptoms Pasture Rotation Interseed legumes Supplement with other feed stuffs to dilute effect Graze or cut fescue before it gets to the seed head stage
Balance the ration to meet the nutrient requirements of the animal Forage testing Animal Requirements Weanling, Yearling, gestation, average or high lactating doe, and buck Formulate the ration to meet the energy and protein requirements
Minerals Feed a free choice complete goat mineral that fits your animals needs Macro minerals likely to be deficient Salt (NaCl) Mg Ca and P (ratio 2:1) Micro minerals likely to be deficient Cu Zn Se
Vitamins Usually don t worry about vitamin B, C, and K Look at Vitamins A, D, E. Supplement D if the goats are being housed inside Use a commercially available complete mix that fits the needs of the animal
Presentation of the Ration Balancing Software from Maryland University By Jeff Yearington http://www.sheepandgoat.com/ RationMixer