PenVsPastureStudy
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Transcript of PenVsPastureStudy
Using grain to improve goat carcass quality and value
Susan Schoenian and Jeff SemlerUniversity of Maryland Extension
Thank you for your support of the 2012 pen vs. pasture study.
I like grain!
Pen-fed (n=15) Pasture-fed (n=15)
• Maintained on pasture• Pasture only diet
Warm and cool season grasses and forbs
• No supplemental feed
• Maintained in dry lot• Free choice grass hay• Fed grain once per day
(4 parts whole barley: 1 part 36% CP pellet)
Growth rate – average daily gain (ADG)
0.183 vs. 0.149 lbs./day2.85 lbs. over 84 days
Worm status
11 goats dewormed
0 goats dewormed
Live grade and carcass yield
Meat Quality (last year’s data)Longissimus dorsi had 1.3% intramuscular fat and 23.3% protein.
Even when there are differences in fatty acid content, the differences are not likely relevant to the human diet.
Palmitic acid 16-0
Stearic acid 18-0
Oleic acid 18-1, cis-9
0.05.0
10.015.020.025.030.035.0
Grams per 100 grams of fat
Pasture Pen
a a a aa
b
Good SFABad SFA Good MUFA
Economics
Advantage to pen-fed goatsGrowth+ 2.85 lbs. @ $1.60/lb. = + $4.56Feed costs$14.05 (pen) - $7.81 (pasture) = + $6.24Additional profit$4.56 + $6.24 = $10.80/goat$10.80 x 15 goats = $162 total
On the other handThe cost of parasite control and any death losses (due to parasites) would have offset the advantage exhibited by the pasture-fed goats.
We’d like to repeat the study . . . Why?
• Results in 2011 and 2012 were opposite.
• We’d like to correct the possible biases in the study.– Equalize groups of goats – Use same scale for weighing
• Feed a different ration to the pen-fed goats.– Mixed hay + whole barley
• Regardless of the comparison, we’d like to determine if pen feeding can be a viable method for raising market goats.
Thank you Maryland Grain Producers!