Goat Range-Nutrition Performance Test

Project Overview

FS03-174
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2003: $13,113.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2008
Region: Southern
State: Texas
Principal Investigator:
Marvin F. Shurley
Meat Goat Association

Commodities

  • Animals: goats

Practices

  • Animal Production: free-range, range improvement, grazing - rotational
  • Education and Training: extension, on-farm/ranch research
  • Production Systems: agroecosystems

    Summary:

    In a two hundred day buck/wether range performance test, this producer organization demonstrated that through grazing management, range recovery may be accomplished. By seasonal grazing of goats, primarily during the dormant grazing system, they showed an improvement in range and turf conditions.

    The animals were run in a two pasture rotational grazing system. They were weighed on a regular basis and forage was assessed as well.

    The overall test results achieved have been positive. The producer was able to gather weight gain data on animals raised under commercial conditions, improved the quality of the deer herd on the lease property, as well improving forage quality, quantity, and availability on this same property.

    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.