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Grazing and Browsing Behavior, Grazing Management, Forage Evaluation and Goat Performance: Strategies to Enhance Meat Goat Production in North Carolina

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Grazing and Browsing Behavior, Grazing Management, Forage Evaluation and Goat Performance: Strategies to Enhance Meat Goat Production in North Carolina 1 Grazing and Browsing Behavior, Grazing Management, Forage Evaluation and Goat Performance: Strategies to Enhance Meat Goat Production in North Carolina Jean-Marie Luginbuhl, Professor, J. Paul Mueller, Professor and Interim Dean of International Programs, James. T. Green, Jr., Professor Emeritus, Douglas S. Chamblee, Professor Emeritus, and Heather M. Glennon, Meat Goat Program Research Technician and PhD candidate College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University Campus Box 7620, Raleigh NC 27695 ABSTRACT the use of high quality forage and browse and the Goats (Capra hircus hircus) offer an opportunity strategic use of expensive concentrate feeds. This can to more effectively convert pasture nutrients to be achieved by developing a year-round forage animal products as milk, meat and fiber which are program allowing for as much grazing as possible currently marketable and in demand by a growing throughout the year. segment of the US population. With the introduction of the Boer breed and the upgrading of meat-type Some people still believe that goats eat and do goats with Boer genetics, research focusing on well on low quality feed. Attempting to manage and forage evaluation, feeding strategies and the feed goats with such a belief will not lead to development of economical grazing systems was successful meat goat production. On pasture or urgently needed to meet the needs of this emerging rangeland, maximum goat gains or reproduction can industry. The first part of this paper focuses on the be attained by combining access to large quantities of quality forage that allow for selective feeding. description of grazing/browsing behavior of goats and grazing management, and grazing strategies such Goat Brazing/Browsing Behavior as control and strip grazing, differences between Goats are very active foragers, able to cover a control and continuous grazing, forward creep wide area in search of scarce plant materials. Their grazing, limit grazing and co-grazing and multi- small mouth, narrow muzzle and split upper lips species grazing. The second part reports on results enable them to pick small leaves, flowers, fruits and from research conducted at North Carolina State other plant parts, thus choosing only the most University, the objective of the program being the nutritious available feed. As natural browsers and development of year-round grazing systems. Studies given the opportunity, goats will select over 60% of were conducted with winter and summer annual their daily diet from brush and woody perennials forages, cool-season perennials in spring and fall, (black locust [Robinia pseudoacacia], brambles weaning age in spring on perennial forages, summer [Rubus spp.], honeysuckle [Lonicera japonica], perennial forages including gastrointestinal parasite multiflora rose [Rosa multiflora], privet [Ligustrum control, evaluation of fodder trees, and finally a vulgare], saplings, small deciduous trees, sumac demonstration with a volunteer stand of a mixture of [Rhus typhina], etc.), and broadleaf plants (dock a summer annual forage and a broadleaf plant. [Rumex spp.], dog fennel [Eupatorium capillifolium], Key words: meat goat, annual and perennial horseweed [Conyza Canadensis], lambsquarter forages, fodder trees, grazing systems. [Chenopodium album], pigweed [Amaranthus spp.], plantain [Plantago spp.], poison ivy [Toxicodendron radicans], sedge [Carex aurea], etc.) over INTRODUCTION herbaceous species such as bluegrass [Poa Feeding may be the highest expense of any meat pratensis], tall fescue [Festuca arundinacea], goat operation. Goats (Capra hircus hircus) raised orchardgrass [Dactylis glomerata], annual ryegrass for meat need high quality feed in most situations and [Lolium multiflorum], crabgrass [Digitaria require an optimum balance of many different sanguinalis], bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon], nutrients to achieve maximum profit potential. cereal grains, and others. The ability to utilize browse Because of their unique physiology, meat goats do species, which often have thorns and an upright not fatten like cattle (Bos Taurus) or sheep (Ovis growth habit with small leaves tucked among woody aries), and rates of weight gain are smaller, ranging stems, is a unique characteristic of the goat compared from 0.1 to 0.8 lb/day. Therefore, profitable meat to heavier, less agile ruminants. Goats have been goat production can only be achieved by optimizing observed to stand on their hind legs and stretch up to 2 browse leaves from trees such as several oak species 5. Graze along fence lines before grazing the (Quercus spp.), walnut (Juglans nigra), sweet gum center of a pasture. (Liquidambar styraciflua), etc. or throw their bodies 6. Graze the top of pasture canopy fairly against saplings to bring the tops within reach. Goats uniformly before grazing close to the soil level. even sometimes climb into trees or shrubs to 7. Will travel longer distances in search of consume the desired forage. preferred forage than will other domestic ruminants. Because of their inquisitive nature and tolerance of "bitter" or high tannin material, goats may eat Explanation of Plant Terms unpalatable weeds and wild shrubs that may be Annual: A plant that germinates, grows, reproduces contain poisonous compounds, such as pokeweed only by seed, and dies in one year or growing season. (Phitolacca Americana) or milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). The absence or the severity of poisoning is Perennial: A plant that persists for several years with related to the quantity of material consumed, the new growth from a perennating part, and can live portion and age of the plant eaten, the season of the indefinitely. Often a combination of diseases and/or year, the age and size of the animal, whether the insects will cause a perennial to be short lived. leaves are wilted or not as in the case of black cherry, and other factors. Goats are often not affected by Cool Season Perennial: Perennial plant species that is poisonous compounds or anti-nutritional factors if a usually seeded in late summer or early fall (may be sufficient number of other plant species are available. seeded in late winter or early spring, resulting in less Because goats prefer to consume a very varied diet, growth the year of establishment). The major the detrimental effects of poisonous compounds proportion of its growth is during the cool season in found in certain plants are diluted. the spring with a lesser peak growth in the late summer and early fall. For example, in the piedmont In spite of their grazing preferences, goats can be of North Carolina a mixture of tall fescue-ladino grazed on pasture alone. The feeding strategy of clover will produce about 55% of its total production goats appears to be to select grasses when the protein in March, April and May, and about 20% in August, content and digestibility are high, but to switch to September and October. Cool season grasses usually browse when the latter overall nutritive value may be flower profusely in mid-spring and, if permitted, higher. This ability is best utilized under conditions seeds will mature by late spring. Cool season where there is a broad range in the digestibility of the legumes vary greatly in their periods of floral available feeds, giving an advantage to an animal production. For example, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) which is able to select highly digestible parts and will usually produce some flowers after every reject those materials which are low in quality. harvest. In the year of establishment, the seedling growth of perennials is less vigorous than winter In a pasture situation, goats tend to graze from the annuals. top to the bottom of plants and do not like to graze near the soil surface. Therefore, goats will more Warm Season Perennial: Perennial plant species that uniformly graze a canopy than other ruminants. This is usually seeded or planted vegetatively in late behavior results in even grazing and favors a first winter or spring and produces the major proportion of grazer-last grazer system. This might consist of using its growth during the warmer months, June, July and a goat herd as the first group and cattle as the last August in the Piedmont of North Carolina. For group. This management is most appropriate with example, hybrid bermudagrass will produce about lactating does or growing kids whose nutrient 70% of its total production in June, July and August requirements are high. in the piedmont of North Carolina. Bermudagrass completely ceases growth at frost. Warm season In summary, goats have been observed to: grasses vary greatly in their period of floral 1. Select young grass over white clover (Trifolium production. A warm season perennial legume such as repens). sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) produces a 2. Prefer browsing over grazing pastures, and eat seed crop every year in early to mid fall. more browse than do other domestic ruminants. 3. Eat a wider range of plant species than do sheep Warm Season Improved Grasses: Warm season or cattle. grasses are often of tropical or subtropical origin and 4. Prefer foraging on rough and steep land over grow mainly during late spring, summer and early flat, smooth land. fall. Frost will kill warm season annual grasses, whereas warm season perennial grasses become 3 dormant and unproductive during the winter months. 3. Overseeding bermudagrass pastures with With adequate fertilization, some of the warm season legumes, ryegrass, cereal grains, or brassicas grasses have very high forage yields. However, such as turnip, mustard
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