Goat Forage Research Update

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Goat Forage Research Update
Presented by Ken Andries Kentucky State
University
Information Provided by David C.
Ditsch University of Kentucky Robinson Station
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Research Efforts

• Focus on grazing management for parasite control
  and nutrition levels for improved performance,
  leading to a more sustainable Kentucky goat
  industry.
• Forage establishment trial
• Forage Preference Trial
• Goats for invasive weed control
• Multi species grazing trial
• Continuous vs. rotational grazing trial

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Chicory
(Cichorium intybus L.)

• Perennial forb
• Rosette growth habit
• Most common variety Puna
• Seeding rate 3-4 lbs/ac
• Produces well under rotational stocking
• Min. grazing height of 2 in.
• TDN 65, CP 15
• Contains sesquiterpene lactones

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• 2007 Chicory Phosphorus and cultivar Study
• Surface mine site (UK Laurel Fork)
• Low, medium and high soil phosphorus levels
• 5 different cultivars
• Dry matter yield
• Stand persistence
• Re-growth
• Sesquiterpene Lactone Concentrations

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Sericea Lespedeza Establishment Trial Variety
Interstate Seeding Rate 30 lbs/ac Seeding Date
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Burndown/NT drill
Roto-till/Drill
Disc/Broadcast
Interseed w/NT Drill
Burndown/Broadcast
Disc/Drill
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Sericea Lespedeza Establishment Trial
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Goat Grazing Preference Trial UK Robinson
Station 2006
(Most to least) Sorghum Sudan White
clover Turnip Red clover Chicory Sericea
Lespedeza Tall Oatgrass Alfalfa Warm Season
Grasses (EGG, Switch, BB, Indian) Reed
Canarygrass Orchardgrass Annual Lespedeza Novel
Endophyte TF Endophyte Free TF Infected
TF Bluegrass Bermudagrass
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Improving Steep Terrain Pastures with Mixed
Species Grazing
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Daily Nutritive Requirements for Meat Goat, Beef
Cow and Horse in early Lactation
Goat1 Cow2 Horse3
..g/lb..
CP 1.36 1.13 1.36 TDN 9.07 6.35 Ca 0.
06 0.03 0.05 P 0.04 0.02 0.03
1 goat 125 lbs 2 beef cow 1000 lbs 3 horse 1100
lbs
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What are the possible advantages to mixed
species grazing?

• Improved weed control
• Greater utilization of pastures
• Increased production per acre
• Reduced exposure to parasitic larva

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Mixed Species Grazing Demonstration
Sebastian Farms, Breathitt Co. Kentucky 2006
2 Goats graze first followed by cattle
1 Goats grazing with cattle
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Mixed Species Grazing Demonstration
Sebastian Farms, Breathitt Co. Kentucky 2006
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Mixed Species Grazing Demonstration
Sebastian Farms, Breathitt Co. Kentucky 2006
Work Dates
...Cow Average Wt (lbs)..
...Goat Average Wt (lbs)..
Grazing Period 186 days
Rotated 27 times (Ave. 6.9 days per paddock)
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Mixed Species Grazing Demonstration
Sebastian Farms, Breathitt Co. 2006
Work Dates
Average FAMACHA RATING (1- 5)
.Percentage () of Does De-wormed.
Grazing Period 186 days
Rotated 27 times (Ave. 6.9 days per paddock)
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Mixed Species Grazing De-Worming Cost
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Practical Challenges of Mixed Species Grazing
Fencing
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Practical Challenges of Mixed Species Grazing
Fencing
Access to Water
Access to specific mineral
Safe paddock rotation plan
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Goat Rotational Grazing Demonstration
Measurements (every 30 days) Weights FAMACHA Fe
cal Samples
Stocking Rate 10 does/ac
Greenup Co. Kentucky
Rotation Every 7 days 4 paddocks (0.3 ac)
Continuous
Rotational
Pasture Tall Fescue/clover
Continuous
Rotational
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Greenup County Goat Rotational Grazing Study 2006
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QUESTIONS?