Optimizing Feed Strategies for Sustainable Milk Yield and Butterfat in Southern Dairy Goats

Commodities

• Animals: goats
• Animal Products: dairy

Practices

• Animal Production: feed management

The proposed solution to the identified problem is to test and compare three practical feed strategies for dairy goats to determine which system most effectively improves milk yield and butterfat production while lowering feed costs and dependence on commercial rations. This project will use on-farm data collection, analysis, and outreach to provide small producers in the Southern region with science-based information they can immediately apply to their own herds.

Goodwin Family Farms will evaluate three feeding systems over two full lactation periods using 10 standard dairy goats divided into three balanced groups. Each group will receive one of the following rations:

• Control ration: a standard commercial grain and alfalfa hay diet representing typical feeding practices on small dairy goat farms.

• High-butterfat ration: alfalfa, beet pulp, and black oil sunflower seed designed to increase energy density and butterfat levels.

• Sustainable local ration: a blend of regionally available grains and forages sourced through LF Feed in Bismarck, Arkansas, emphasizing affordability and local availability.

Daily milk yield will be weighed and recorded; weekly samples will be tested for butterfat and protein. Feed offered and refused will be weighed to calculate intake, and feed ingredient costs will be documented to determine feed cost per pound of milk produced. Body-condition scoring and health observations will be conducted every two weeks. Data will be analyzed with assistance from Langston University and the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

1. Increase milk yield and butterfat: Identify which ration produces the greatest combined improvement in yield and butterfat percentage within two lactations.

2. Lower feed cost per unit of milk: Achieve at least a 10-15 percent reduction in feed cost per pound of milk compared with the control ration.

3. Maintain animal health: Keep average body-condition scores between 2.5 and 3.5 and stable across groups, showing that nutrition goals can be met sustainably.

4. Create educational materials: Publish a short guide and host at least two producer field days to share methods, data, and results with a minimum of 50 farmers.

5. Promote adoption: Encourage at least 25 percent of participating or attending producers to adopt one or more feeding practices demonstrated through the project.

All objectives are specific, measurable, achievable within the two-year timeframe, and realistic for a working dairy goat farm.

Economic viability:
Feed represents the highest recurring cost for dairy goat producers. By comparing cost-to-yield ratios among three feed systems, the project will identify a profitable balance between performance and expense. Data from the study will help producers make informed feeding decisions, improving income stability and reducing risk. If the locally sourced ration performs competitively, farmers will gain an affordable, regionally based option that strengthens local markets for grains and forages.

Environmental stewardship:
Using locally grown feed ingredients reduces transportation distance and associated fuel use. It also supports rotational cropping systems and responsible nutrient cycling by increasing demand for regionally produced forages and grains. Improved feed efficiency reduces waste output per gallon of milk and minimizes nutrient runoff from manure. Balanced diets support overall herd health, reducing the need for medications and chemical treatments, which further lowers environmental impact.

Quality of life and community resilience:
The project will strengthen the network of goat producers in Arkansas and surrounding states by combining research with education. Field days hosted through the Arkansas Goat Producers Association (AGPA) and The Arkansas Traveling Goat Farrier will allow producers to observe feeding setups, review real data, and discuss adoption. Many dairy goat farms are family-run, and improved profitability translates directly to better household stability, reduced financial stress, and the ability to remain in agriculture. Sharing results also builds a culture of cooperation and continuous learning among small farmers.

Implementation Plan

The research phase will run for 24 months.

• Months 1-3: finalize ration formulation, collect baseline milk and feed data.

• Months 4-12: conduct first lactation trials and host a mid-year demonstration.

• Months 13-18: repeat trials in a second lactation to confirm consistency.

• Months 19-21: compile and analyze data with university cooperators.

• Months 22-24: hold final field day, release the producer guide, and publish results through AGPA and Extension networks.

Langston University will assist with milk composition testing and data analysis; Dr. Dan Quadros of the University of Arkansas Extension will review feeding plans and contribute to field-day education. Laci Culpepper will assist with daily data collection and recordkeeping to ensure accuracy.

Advancing Sustainability

The information gathered will directly help producers adopt feeding strategies that balance cost, efficiency, and herd health. Locally based rations reduce dependency on global feed markets, creating a more resilient agricultural system. By demonstrating these results on an operating farm, the project bridges the gap between research and practice and encourages other small dairies to perform their own on-farm experiments.

In the longer term, the project can be expanded or replicated to include additional forages or grazing systems, supporting further sustainability research within the Southern SARE region.

No genetically engineered varieties or organisms will be used. All feed ingredients are standard, non-GMO products readily available from local suppliers. The focus of the project is on sustainability through management and sourcing rather than biotechnology.

Expected Outcomes

1. Verified data on milk yield, butterfat, feed intake, and cost efficiency for three feed systems.

2. Identification of at least one ration that provides equal or greater milk and butterfat output at a lower cost.

3. Educational materials, workshops, and videos enabling producers to implement findings on their farms.

4. Increased producer awareness of sustainable feeding practices and improved confidence in data-based decision-making.

5. Strengthened collaboration between producers, Extension agents, and regional suppliers.

Long-Term Benefits

Over time, producers who adopt the study's recommendations can lower costs, maintain high milk quality, and reduce waste. The local agricultural economy benefits from increased demand for regional feed ingredients, while rural families experience greater financial security and opportunity. Environmentally, fewer imported feeds and more efficient rations contribute to reduced resource use.

This project provides a realistic, evidence-based pathway for moving existing dairy goat systems toward sustainability while demonstrating that small, farmer-led research can create meaningful regional impact.

This project will use an on-farm experimental design to compare three feeding strategies for dairy goats. The research will take place at Goodwin Family Farms in located in rural Arkansas, a working dairy goat operation that manages standard dairy goats for milk production and value-added products and represents a typical small scale dairy farm. The farm has a history of participation in ADGA milk testing programs and maintains appropriate facilities for controlled feeding, milking, and data collection. The study will span two full lactation cycles (approximately 24 months) to ensure that data reflect both seasonal and production-stage variations. The purpose of this experiment is to identify the feed system that provides the best combination of milk yield, butterfat content, and feed cost efficiency. The project will generate practical, data-driven results that producers can apply immediately to improve sustainability and profitability.

The study herd consists of 10 healthy, standard dairy does in similar body condition and stage of lactation. All animals are housed and managed under identical environmental conditions, with access to shelter, clean water, and mineral supplements. The experiment will use a randomized complete block design with three treatment groups and three goats per group to control for breed and production level differences.

Treatment Groups:

1. Control Ration (Group A): Standard commercial goat grain and alfalfa hay, representing the current feeding system used by most small producers.

2. High-Butterfat Ration (Group B): Alfalfa hay plus beet pulp and black oil sunflower seeds to increase digestible energy and milk solids.

3. Sustainable Local Ration (Group C): Regionally available forages and grains sourced from LF Feed in Bismarck, Arkansas, formulated to be low-cost, balanced, and sustainable.

Each feeding trial will run through two lactations (approximately 240 days each), allowing evaluation of both early and late lactation stages. Rations will be balanced to meet NRC nutrient requirements for dairy goats based on milk yield and stage of lactation.

Feed amounts and composition will be adjusted weekly according to body weight and production levels to maintain equal nutritional baselines across groups. All goats will be milked twice daily under the same routine to maintain consistency.

Data will be collected daily, weekly, and biweekly using the following procedures:

• Individual milk yield recorded twice daily using a calibrated hanging milk scale.

• Feed offered and refused weighed to calculate daily feed intake and feed efficiency (milk per pound of feed consumed).

• Ambient temperature and humidity recorded to evaluate environmental effects on production.

Weekly Measurements

• Milk samples collected from each goat and analyzed for butterfat, protein, and somatic cell count.
  Milk analysis will be performed using Langston University's certified DHIR lab.

• Feed samples collected and stored weekly for compositional analysis (protein, fiber, and fat content).

Biweekly Measurements

• Body condition scoring (BCS) performed using a 1-5 scale and overall herd health observations recorded.

• Individual feed costs updated based on current ingredient prices from LF Feed.

Raw data (milk yield, feed intake, feed cost, butterfat, and body condition) will be entered into spreadsheets and checked for accuracy. Each variable will be analyzed to compare treatment means.

Primary calculations will include:

• Milk yield (lb/doe/day)

• Butterfat percentage (%)

• Feed cost per pound of milk produced

• Butterfat yield per unit of feed cost

• Feed conversion efficiency (milk yield ÷ feed intake)

Materials and Tools

• Feed bins, feed scoops, and calibrated scales for weighing feed.

• Milk scales (to measure daily yield).

• Refrigerated storage for milk samples.

• Milk testing equipment and sample bottles for weekly lab shipments.

• Feed storage containers for each treatment group to prevent cross-contamination.

• Body condition scoring charts.

• Data sheets and digital spreadsheets for data logging.

• Weigh scale and basic veterinary supplies for herd health monitoring.

All feed ingredients will be purchased locally to ensure regional applicability. LF Feed in Bismarck will provide pricing information and ingredient consistency throughout the study.

Project Activities and Timeline

Months 1-3:

• Finalize ration formulas and baseline testing for milk yield and butterfat.

• Calibrate scales, prepare feeding equipment, and train assistants on data collection procedures.

Months 4-12:

• Begin first lactation trial.

• Conduct ongoing feed recording, milk testing, and body condition scoring.

• Hold first on-farm field day at mid-point to demonstrate project setup.

Months 13-18:

• Conduct second lactation trial under identical conditions.

• Continue data collection and sample submission.

Months 19-21:

• Compile and analyze data with Langston University assistance.

• Summarize feed performance, milk quality, and cost comparisons.

Months 22-24:

• Prepare final report, conduct end-of-project field day, and distribute results through the Arkansas Goat Producers Association and Extension networks.

Results will be evaluated based on both production and economic performance. Key indicators include:

• Total milk yield per lactation.

• Butterfat and protein content averages.

• Feed cost per unit of milk.

• Feed efficiency ratio.

• Consistency of animal body condition and health.

Improvement will be defined by statistically significant differences or economically meaningful improvements (for example, an increase of 0.3 percent butterfat or a 10 percent reduction in feed cost per gallon of milk).

A written summary of findings will be developed and reviewed by project cooperators. Results will then be translated into a practical educational guide for producers, describing feeding options, costs, and expected outcomes.

Feedback will also be collected from workshop and field day participants to measure knowledge gain and planned adoption of new practices.

This methodology directly supports the project's goal of improving the profitability and environmental sustainability of small dairy goat operations in the Southern region. By generating real, measurable data under field conditions, the study helps farmers move away from high-cost, resource-intensive feeding systems and adopt locally adapted, efficient options.

The design ensures repeatable, science-based results while maintaining realistic, farm-scale applicability. The project builds local research capacity, demonstrates farmer-led experimentation, and contributes practical solutions that strengthen the sustainability of Southern agriculture.