Effect of Different Grazing Systems on Dairy Goat Productivity

Final Report for FNE01-369

Project Type: Farmer
Funds awarded in 2001: $3,700.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2001
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $3,725.00
Region: Northeast
State: Vermont
Project Leader:
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Project Information

Summary:

Note to readers, attached is the complete final report for FNE01-369

Our long-term goals include having a larger porportion of browse of our goats. It is very clear that is what they prefer. When we would let our goats on pasture out to move the fence they always ran into the woods to eat browse species. This study indicates that feeding browse increases productivity, compared to pasture alone. However, pasture will also be an important component to our system. Goats are quite enthusiastic about eating grass in the early spring before browse has leafed out and in the fall when the browse is starting to senescent. Our ideal plan would be to utilize browse from early June to mid September, with pasture access on either end of the grazing season.

Research

Participation Summary
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.