Feeding systems for goats for meat and milk production.
1983
Shelton M.
Goat production is of special significance for the Caribbean because of the goat's special adaptations to high temperatures and arid conditions. There is a large market for goat meat, and the opportunity for increased use of goat's milk, especially for household use by small farmers. Goats have unique feeding characteristics viz. they consume a wide variety of forages at the same time as being highly selective of plant species or plant parts; their intake per unit of body weight is high; they are efficient at recycling nitrogen from low quality sources such as urea; they avoid soiled feedstuffs and abort readily if the diet is low in energy. The potential and limitations of 6 management systems: tethering, free roaming, browsing in cultivated or uncultivated pastures, and confinement feeding by 'cut and carry' forage or formulated rations are outlined. Economical feeding for meat production should include grazing, supplemented by rations during drought. Ration may include crop residues (corn, sorghum, beans, etc.), cutting brush, cut forage from protein bank or other protected pasture, molasses-urea, and protein-energy supplements from harvested grains or animal or commercial by-products. Dairy herds will need supplemental concentrate feeds to achieve a high level of milk production (500-1000 kg/annum). The depressed yields of tropical environments (<500 kg) may be overcome by nutrition and inclusion of dairy breeds such as Saanen, Alpine Toggenbury or Anglo Nubian. 2 example rations for milk production in tropical areas are given. Use should be made of local feedstuffs like bagasse and molasses. Ideally some grazing or forage feeding is required for roughage, supplemented with formulated ration with 12-18 % protein content and added minerals and sources of energy.
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