Effects of stocking rate and physiological state of meat goats grazing grass/forb pastures on forage intake, selection, and digestion, grazing behavior, and performance
| Title | Effects of stocking rate and physiological state of meat goats grazing grass/forb pastures on forage intake, selection, and digestion, grazing behavior, and performance |
| Publication Type | Web Article |
| Year of Publication | 2013 |
| Authors | Askar, AR, Puchala, R, Gipson, T, Tesfai, K, Detweiler, GD, Asmare, A, Keli, A, Sahlu, T, Goetsch, AL |
| Series Title | Journal of Animal Science |
| Edition | 91 |
| Type of Medium | (E-Supplement 2) |
| Abstract | Effects of forage conditions with different stocking rates (SR) on performance and grazing behavior of goats could vary with animal physiological state, as influencing nutrient demand and usage. Boer goat does with 2 kids (D; 1 mo after kidding), growing wethers (G; 4 mo initial age), and yearling wethers (Y; 14 mo initial age) grazed 0.4-ha grass/forb pastures, with 1 animal per type in each pasture for a low SR and 2 for a high SR. The experiment started in late spring and was 114 d with 4 periods (P1-4). Forage mass was 2,517, 2,433, 2,506, and 2,452 kg/ha for the low SR and 2,680, 1,932, 1,595, and 1,393 kg/ha for the high SR in P1, P2, P3, and P4, respectively (SE=335). Botanical composition of the diet based on n-alkanes was similar among animal types (P>0.10). Likewise, chemical composition of forage samples did not differ between animal types (P>0.10), with averages of 11% CP and 53% NDF. Digestibility of OM based on C31 (hentriacontane) was greater (P |
