Nutrient Management in Mixed Specie Pastures for GOATS An Peischel Small Ruminant Specialist (Goats) Cooperative Extension Service Tennessee State University and University of Tennessee Phone:

Sustainability through Biodiversity Persists over generations Flexible Meets needs - present / future Renewable resources used wisely Pollution rate minimal

Ecosystem Foundation Blocks Succession Water cycle Mineral cycle Energy flow

Ecosystem Foundation Blocks Succession –Change and development –Complex, stable communities –Competition, interdependence & adaptation Water Cycle –Maximum use of rainfall –Minimize erosion –Percolation / infiltration

Ecosystem Foundation Blocks Mineral Cycle –Effective cyclic pattern –Biological soil – atmospheric interaction –Continuous decomposing plant & animal residues Energy Flow –Carbon cycle –Keeps all processes of life functioning –Solar power –All living things depend upon plants to harvest (capture) energy from sun & convert it to a useable form

Nutrition –Environment / weather –Breed –Stage of production –Quality of diet –Age and sex of goats –Body weight and body condition –Activity and exercise Energy and protein levels in balance to reflect stage of Vitamin and mineral requirements are being met production

Forage Quality & Goat Requirements TDN Dry & Early Pregnant Does Does in Early Lactation Yearling Weanling J-M Luginbuhl

Forage Quality & Goat Requirements PROTEIN Dry and Early Pregnant Does Yearling WeanlingDoes in Early Lactation J-M Luginbuhl

Protein (%) J-M Luginbuhl

T N C (%) MarAprMayJunJulAugSept verbina goldenrod ironweed TNC – Lipids, Sugars, Starches, Pectins

Chemical composition of various plants browsed by goats (%) Browse typeCrude protein Neutral detergent fiber CalciumPhosphorous Multiflora rose Honeysuckle Brambles Privet Green briar Kudzu leaves 23.7 Trumpet creeper J-M Luginbuhl

Energy Physiological Priorities Energy has the number one effect on reproduction –Basal metabolism –Activity –Growth –Energy reserves –Pregnancy –Lactation –Energy reserves (milk fat) –Estrus cycle / Initiation of pregnancy Hormonal Ovulation –Excess energy reserves

Management Terrain Physiological state Climate Plant specie Fiber composition Nitrogen content Seasonal patterns Browse and grass Browse Density Plant part Chemical composition Behavior Soil Quantity Residual Dung and urine Grass Browse Fertility Moisture Organic Matter

Effects of Grazing % of Leaf Removed % of Root Stoppage

WEEKS OF GROWTH IIIIIIIV Dormant GROWTH RATE (# / AC / DA)

Recovery time –Soil fertility –Season –Soil water –Temperature –Degree of defoliation –Time of removal –Animal specie

Pasture Calendar Specie Brome Fescue Wheatgrass Orchardgrass Switchgrass Bluestem Indiangrass Month A M J J A S O

Diet Preference Differences (percent of diet) PlantHorseCattleSheepGoat Grass Weeds (forbs) Browse (woody)

Goat’s Eye 1)Young green leaves / stems 70 – 75% digestible 20% CP 24 – 30 hour turn over rate 2)Old green leaves 60 – 65% digestible  10% CP 50 hour turn over rate 3)Dead / brown leaves 45% digestible 6% CP 65 hour turn over rate 4)Mature stems 35% digestible 4% CP 72 hour turn over rate

GRAZING HEIGHT, FROM SOIL SURFACE LOWER ….TO HIGHER Horse > Sheep > Cattle > Goat J-M Luginbuhl

$ $ $ J-M Luginbuhl

Leaf Tannin (mg/g DM) J-M Luginbuhl

Cattle alone Goats + Cattle Experimental site after four years of grazing Control Rosa multiflora Thumb. bushes No bushes left.. Stocking rate: 1.4 acre/steer or 1.4 acre/steer acre/goat J-M Luginbuhl

Recommendation: 1 to 2 goats per head of cattle J-M Luginbuhl

Electric Fencing (Portable Solar Powered) - Maximize utilization of forage - Allocation based on forage quality and physical condition of goat - Manage individual or mixed plant species - Maintain healthy environment for vegetation and livestock

Health Disease prevention Fecal analysis Strategic vaccinations Hoof care Biosecurity

Management –Vegetation – browse, pasture, woodlands –Source alternative feedstuffs –Fencing –Health (disease prevention, foot problems, internal parasites) –Facilities –Dogs – guardian / herding –Behavior –Transportation

-INTER · RELATIONSHIPS- ITEMPLANTANIMALSOILECON- OMICS SOCIAL Herd Objectives Unit Size Feed on Offer Desired Residual Growth Rate Growing Conditions Animal Conditions Days Browsed Days Grazed

Cooperative Extension Program