Comparison of pen vs. pasture-fed goats
-
Upload
university-of-maryland-extension-small-ruminant-program -
Category
Education
-
view
490 -
download
0
description
Transcript of Comparison of pen vs. pasture-fed goats
Using grain to improve goat carcass quality and value: Year 2
Susan Schoenian and Jeff Semler - University of Maryland Extension
Thank you for your support of the 2012 and 2013 pen vs. pasture studies.
We love barley!
Pen-fed (n=15) Pasture-fed (n=15)
• Maintained on pasture– Pasture-only diet– No supplemental feed
• Maintained in dry lot• Fed hay and grain
– Free choice mixed hay– Whole barley once per day
2013
Growth rate - average daily gain (ADG)
0.311 ± 0.071 lb./d
0.064 ± 0.036 lb./d
Fecal egg counts (eggs per gram of feces)Fecal egg counts are a measure of parasite infection (# worms)
Pastures were pre-infected by sheep. All goats were
dewormed on May 31 with three anthelmintics.
812
31
3
FAMACHA© scores (1-5)FAMACHA© scores estimate packed cell volume (PCV), which is a measure of the anemia caused by the worms
8
12
3
13
Live and carcass weights
Percent carcass yields
Carcass fat
Carcass musclingRib eye area (REA) - in2
+28%
+37%
Meat Quality (2012 data)
Caproic Palmitic Stearic Oleic0.0
20.0
40.0
60.0
80.0
100.0
120.0
Mg fatty acid per gram of dry meatTop 4 (>90%) fatty acids in goat meat
Pasture Pen
+8.7 mg+10.5 mg +3.4 mg
+50 mg
SFA (neutral) Bad SFA Neutral SFA MUFA (good)
Economics of pen vs. pasture feeding
Group USDA grade Price per cwt Avg. weight Value per head
Pasture 2.5 $159 55.2 $88
Pen 1.1 $207 74.5 $154
Difference 1.4 $48 19.3 $66
Group Lbs. lean Price per lb. Value per head
Pasture 9.70 $10 $97
Pen 16.65 $10 $166.50
Difference 6.95 0 $69.50
Feed cost for pen goatsBarley: 1.1 x 84 x $13/cwt = $12.01Hay: 2.4 x 84 x $12/cwt = $24.34Total: $36.40/headProfit: $154-$36.40 = $117.60/head
Cost for pasture goats$100/acre x 12.5 acres x 96 goats ÷ 15 = $13.02Death loss (FAMACHA 5 ): 4 x $88 ÷ 15 = $23.47 Total: $36.49/headProfit: $88-$36.49 = $51.51/head
Goat Twilight Tour (open house)August 1, 2013
We’d like to repeat the study for a third and final time.
• Results in 2011 and 2013 differed from results in 2012
• 2013 was the first year in which a uniform set of goats was utilized in study (a similar source of goats has confirmed for 2014).
• Repeat study feeding whole barley instead of a more expensive ration.
• Pasture, weather, and economic conditions vary each year.
Thank you Maryland Grain Producers!