Nutrient optimization for sustainable goat production systems in the southeastern U.S.

1. To determine pasture quality changes using multi-culture grasses, and grasses in
combination with legumes;
2. To determine animal health, performance and carcass quality of goats when browse is incorporated in the feeding system and when grazing multi-culture grasses, and grasses in combination with legumes;
3. To determine soil quality changes using multi-culture grasses, and grasses in
combination with legumes;
4. To identify and assess economic characteristics and optimum economic return of
different goat production (grazing/browsing) systems;
5. To evaluate adaptability (on an experiment station with goats) and demonstrate applicability (on three small farms) of an integrated year round forage system using commercial goats, pure bred goats, and goats co-foraging with cattle.