Build a Comprehensive Management Plan - Kiko goats a Management Plan.pdfBuild a Comprehensive Management Plan Steve Hart Langston University Goat Program at Langston University Web

Build a Comprehensive Build a Comprehensive

Management PlanManagement Plan

Steve HartSteve Hart

Langston UniversityLangston University

Goat Program at Langston Goat Program at Langston

UniversityUniversity

�� Web site www2.luresext.eduWeb site www2.luresext.edu

�� Research Research

�� Nutrient RequirementsNutrient Requirements

Vegetative MgtVegetative Mgt�� Vegetative MgtVegetative Mgt

�� Internal ParasitesInternal Parasites

�� Quarterly newsletterQuarterly newsletter

Field Day April 25Field Day April 25thth

Meat Goat HandbookMeat Goat Handbook

�� www.scsrpc.orgwww.scsrpc.org

Comprehensive ManagementComprehensive Management

�� Very few management factors affect only one Very few management factors affect only one facet of a goat operation. For instance, nutrition facet of a goat operation. For instance, nutrition may affect health, parasite control may affect may affect health, parasite control may affect animal performance, genetics may affect health. animal performance, genetics may affect health. animal performance, genetics may affect health. animal performance, genetics may affect health. Holistic or Comprehensive management is Holistic or Comprehensive management is considering how management decisions in one considering how management decisions in one aspect of the production system can affect many aspect of the production system can affect many aspects before making the decision. aspects before making the decision.

TopicsTopics

�� Do you have a management plan?Do you have a management plan?

�� Planning for good, costPlanning for good, cost--effective nutritioneffective nutrition

�� Reproduction for your bottom lineReproduction for your bottom line

Animal selection to make animals like you like Animal selection to make animals like you like �� Animal selection to make animals like you like Animal selection to make animals like you like themthem

�� Health plan to enable animals to do their jobHealth plan to enable animals to do their job


�� Do you have a business objective? Why are you Do you have a business objective? Why are you in the goat business?in the goat business?

�� Entertainment or hobby?Entertainment or hobby?

�� Companion animal?Companion animal?�� Companion animal?Companion animal?

�� Development of breeding stock?Development of breeding stock?

�� Commercial goat meat production?Commercial goat meat production?

�� Goats for brush and weed management?Goats for brush and weed management?

�� Show goats?Show goats?


��You cannot make a management plan until You cannot make a management plan until you decide why you are in the business.you decide why you are in the business.

��Once you decide why you are in the goat Once you decide why you are in the goat business, you need to set some goals for business, you need to set some goals for business, you need to set some goals for business, you need to set some goals for the business.the business.

��Every management decision must be Every management decision must be evaluated as to whether it will get you evaluated as to whether it will get you closer to your goals.closer to your goals.


�� Do you have a budget?Do you have a budget?

�� Is your goal to make money, break even and Is your goal to make money, break even and have fun while you do it?have fun while you do it?

�� Break even while controlling weeds and brush?Break even while controlling weeds and brush?�� Break even while controlling weeds and brush?Break even while controlling weeds and brush?

�� Aid the development of the breed without it Aid the development of the breed without it costing you too much?costing you too much?


�� What is your market?What is your market?

�� Are you trying to develop your market?Are you trying to develop your market?

�� What is the future market?What is the future market?

Ethnics need goat meat. We can make a little Ethnics need goat meat. We can make a little �� Ethnics need goat meat. We can make a little Ethnics need goat meat. We can make a little money just producing meat. We need another money just producing meat. We need another angle to increase profit. May be producing angle to increase profit. May be producing breeding stock. Could be grazing goats with breeding stock. Could be grazing goats with cattle.cattle.

Nutrition PlanNutrition Plan

�� Nutrition has a greater affect on the health, wellNutrition has a greater affect on the health, well--being, production and profit of a goat operation being, production and profit of a goat operation than any other management area.than any other management area.

�� Do you have a plan to provide the necessary Do you have a plan to provide the necessary �� Do you have a plan to provide the necessary Do you have a plan to provide the necessary nutrients in a costnutrients in a cost--effective manner?effective manner?

�� Match animal production to forage production.Match animal production to forage production.


�� Forage is our cheapest nutrient. It is even Forage is our cheapest nutrient. It is even cheaper when it is unwanted vegetation.cheaper when it is unwanted vegetation.

�� If you roll forage up in a round bale, it doubles If you roll forage up in a round bale, it doubles the cost of the forage.the cost of the forage.the cost of the forage.the cost of the forage.

�� Can you stockpile forage to reduce the amount Can you stockpile forage to reduce the amount of hay fed?of hay fed?

�� Can you move your kidding season to reduce Can you move your kidding season to reduce the use of hay/purchased feed?the use of hay/purchased feed?


�� MineralsMinerals--we know less about goat mineral we know less about goat mineral requirements than we do for any food producing requirements than we do for any food producing species.species.

�� Find out from county/area extension specialist Find out from county/area extension specialist �� Find out from county/area extension specialist Find out from county/area extension specialist what minerals are deficient for cattle. You know what minerals are deficient for cattle. You know that you have to pay attention to these.that you have to pay attention to these.

�� More is not always better. A few goat minerals More is not always better. A few goat minerals have excessive copper. have excessive copper.


�� Some mineral supplements provide about 15% Some mineral supplements provide about 15% of the animal’s mineral requirement.of the animal’s mineral requirement.

�� Don’t be cheap, but pricey is not always better.Don’t be cheap, but pricey is not always better.

�� You need to have a freeYou need to have a free--choice mineral mix choice mineral mix �� You need to have a freeYou need to have a free--choice mineral mix choice mineral mix available to your animals at all times.available to your animals at all times.

�� Evaluation of animal mineral nutrition status is Evaluation of animal mineral nutrition status is complex.complex.


�� Vitamins A, E needed when there is no green Vitamins A, E needed when there is no green forage available, assuming animal gets sufficient forage available, assuming animal gets sufficient sun to meet his vitamin D requirement.sun to meet his vitamin D requirement.

�� Vitamins lost their potency in mineral mixes Vitamins lost their potency in mineral mixes �� Vitamins lost their potency in mineral mixes Vitamins lost their potency in mineral mixes over a period of months in heat.over a period of months in heat.

�� Purchase mineral in the fall about time of frost Purchase mineral in the fall about time of frost to have greater vitamin availability.to have greater vitamin availability.


�� Pasture is the cheapest source of nutrients and Pasture is the cheapest source of nutrients and pasture is the most expensive source of pasture is the most expensive source of nutrients.nutrients.

�� Seldom pays to plant a forage for a goat if you Seldom pays to plant a forage for a goat if you �� Seldom pays to plant a forage for a goat if you Seldom pays to plant a forage for a goat if you have to prepare a seedbed and plant something.have to prepare a seedbed and plant something.

�� Frost seeding may be cost effectiveFrost seeding may be cost effective


�� Best pasture for goats isBest pasture for goats is----

�� Goats like diversity and will do best on a pasture Goats like diversity and will do best on a pasture that has brush, broadleaf weeds and grasses.that has brush, broadleaf weeds and grasses.

�� Goats do poorest on grass monocultures, Goats do poorest on grass monocultures, �� Goats do poorest on grass monocultures, Goats do poorest on grass monocultures, especially bermudagrass.especially bermudagrass.

�� May be a good investment to rent a runMay be a good investment to rent a run--down down cattle pasture for your goats.cattle pasture for your goats.


�� Woody species can pull up minerals from deep Woody species can pull up minerals from deep down. Some plants are better at accumulating down. Some plants are better at accumulating certain minerals than others.certain minerals than others.

�� Probably part of the reason goats do better on a Probably part of the reason goats do better on a �� Probably part of the reason goats do better on a Probably part of the reason goats do better on a diverse pasture.diverse pasture.


�� Body condition will tell you the protein and Body condition will tell you the protein and energy adequacyenergy adequacy

�� Minerals adequacy more difficult to evaluate.Minerals adequacy more difficult to evaluate.

�� Better to start on the front end to provide Better to start on the front end to provide �� Better to start on the front end to provide Better to start on the front end to provide necessary minerals and avoid mineral necessary minerals and avoid mineral deficiencies.deficiencies.

�� Mineral deficiencies affect health, parasite and Mineral deficiencies affect health, parasite and reproduction in goats.reproduction in goats.

Reproduction PlanReproduction Plan

�� The goat is the most reproductively competent The goat is the most reproductively competent of the food animal species.of the food animal species.

�� When do we kid?When do we kid?

�� What is our market?What is our market?�� What is our market?What is our market?

�� Do you kid on pasture? Do you want animals Do you kid on pasture? Do you want animals that will take care of themselves and their kids?that will take care of themselves and their kids?


�� Do we want sire records?Do we want sire records?

�� Records on herd conception rate, litter size and Records on herd conception rate, litter size and survival to weaning.survival to weaning.

�� Do you have goals for these parameters?Do you have goals for these parameters?�� Do you have goals for these parameters?Do you have goals for these parameters?


�� Bucks have a high fertility rate. Only about 5% Bucks have a high fertility rate. Only about 5% have poor or no fertility.have poor or no fertility.

�� Breeding soundness exam?Breeding soundness exam?

�� Marking crayon during breeding season?Marking crayon during breeding season?�� Marking crayon during breeding season?Marking crayon during breeding season?

Breeding PlansBreeding Plans

�� What are your breeding goals?What are your breeding goals?

�� What characteristics differentiate the Kiko from What characteristics differentiate the Kiko from other goat breeds?other goat breeds?

�� Are you breeding to maintain these Are you breeding to maintain these �� Are you breeding to maintain these Are you breeding to maintain these characteristics?characteristics?

�� That is why the AKGA needs breeding That is why the AKGA needs breeding standards, so breeders have similar breeding standards, so breeders have similar breeding goals.goals.

Breeding PlanBreeding Plan

�� You are fortunate to have and EPD program You are fortunate to have and EPD program that is up and coming. Another goat breed that that is up and coming. Another goat breed that has such a program has about 2% participation has such a program has about 2% participation in the EPD program. Are you really interested in in the EPD program. Are you really interested in in the EPD program. Are you really interested in in the EPD program. Are you really interested in selling goats that are functional in the field or selling goats that are functional in the field or just selling goats with papers.just selling goats with papers.

�� Access to forage based buck tests.Access to forage based buck tests.


�� Breed the best to the best.Breed the best to the best.

�� Best in what? Rate of gain, good looks, maternal Best in what? Rate of gain, good looks, maternal characteristics, parasite resistance?characteristics, parasite resistance?

�� Measures of best?Measures of best?�� Measures of best?Measures of best?

�� EPD program will help in answering these EPD program will help in answering these questionsquestions


�� Breed the best to the bestBreed the best to the best

�� Cull those that don’t measure up.Cull those that don’t measure up.

�� If we mate a buck from the top 5% of the If we mate a buck from the top 5% of the population with a doe from the top 5% of the population with a doe from the top 5% of the population with a doe from the top 5% of the population with a doe from the top 5% of the population and make assumptions on heritability population and make assumptions on heritability etc. 10% of the progeny will equal or exceed the etc. 10% of the progeny will equal or exceed the parents. 10% will be in the bottom ¼ of the parents. 10% will be in the bottom ¼ of the herd and should be culled or not used for herd and should be culled or not used for replacements.replacements.


�� When goats are valuable, all are kept for When goats are valuable, all are kept for replacement or sold (no culling). The end result replacement or sold (no culling). The end result in several generations you accumulate a in several generations you accumulate a significant proportion of individuals with significant proportion of individuals with significant proportion of individuals with significant proportion of individuals with inferior genes. We have seen this in another inferior genes. We have seen this in another breed where commercial producers do not want breed where commercial producers do not want that breed because a majority function poorly that breed because a majority function poorly under commercial conditions. under commercial conditions.


�� The breed could be improved for commercial The breed could be improved for commercial purposes by culling a majority and then culling purposes by culling a majority and then culling heavily the next generation. The Kiko breed can heavily the next generation. The Kiko breed can end up in situation very easily. Don’t sell a end up in situation very easily. Don’t sell a end up in situation very easily. Don’t sell a end up in situation very easily. Don’t sell a breeding animal that you would not want to breeding animal that you would not want to keep for a replacement.keep for a replacement.

�� Learn from the mistakes of others!Learn from the mistakes of others!

Maternal CharacteristicsMaternal Characteristics

�� Kid without assistance.Kid without assistance.

�� Kids nurse and does takes care of them.Kids nurse and does takes care of them.

�� Implies good teats/udder and adequate milk Implies good teats/udder and adequate milk production.production.production.production.

�� Doe brings kids in at weaning time without your Doe brings kids in at weaning time without your interference or help.interference or help.

Health PlansHealth Plans

�� Goats are healthy animals except for what man Goats are healthy animals except for what man does to them.does to them.

�� A healthy immune system will prevent most A healthy immune system will prevent most animal diseases.animal diseases.animal diseases.animal diseases.

�� If we take care of the immune system with If we take care of the immune system with adequate nutrition, avoid/reduce stress and adequate nutrition, avoid/reduce stress and avoid big germ challenges, we will have very avoid big germ challenges, we will have very little disease.little disease.

Health PlansHealth Plans

�� What diseases cause you the most problems? What diseases cause you the most problems? Do you keep a list of animal deaths and Do you keep a list of animal deaths and suspected cause? Do you keep a list of what you suspected cause? Do you keep a list of what you treat animals for.treat animals for.

�� Vaccinate for what diseases you have as well as Vaccinate for what diseases you have as well as tetanus and overeating disease.tetanus and overeating disease.

�� Get animals posted, especially if one has Get animals posted, especially if one has symptoms like the one last week that died.symptoms like the one last week that died.

�� What is your death rate?What is your death rate?

Health PlanHealth Plan

�� Do you have caseous lymphadenitis or Do you have caseous lymphadenitis or abscesses?abscesses?

�� Can/should our goal be to eradicate this Can/should our goal be to eradicate this disease?disease?disease?disease?

�� Do you have abortion diseases? How can you Do you have abortion diseases? How can you sell breeding animals if you do? Blood testing is sell breeding animals if you do? Blood testing is good, but imperfect.good, but imperfect.


�� Parasites are the greatest health problem in Parasites are the greatest health problem in goats, causing more deaths than the total of the goats, causing more deaths than the total of the next 3 leading causes of death.next 3 leading causes of death.

�� Parasite control involves pasture management, Parasite control involves pasture management, �� Parasite control involves pasture management, Parasite control involves pasture management, nutrition and genetics. Dewormers should be a nutrition and genetics. Dewormers should be a last resort and seldom used.last resort and seldom used.

�� Are you breeding for parasite resistance?Are you breeding for parasite resistance?


�� You need to know as much about parasite You need to know as much about parasite biology as you do goat production unless you biology as you do goat production unless you are in a dry climate or have very parasite are in a dry climate or have very parasite resistant animalsresistant animals

�� The second most important parasite is The second most important parasite is coccidiosis. It is related to stress, especially in a coccidiosis. It is related to stress, especially in a young animal. One can use coccidiostats when young animal. One can use coccidiostats when animals are stressed such as during weaning.animals are stressed such as during weaning.


�� Has anyone ever tried a low stress weaning Has anyone ever tried a low stress weaning program such as some cattle people are using?program such as some cattle people are using?

In ConclusionIn Conclusion

�� We must know why we are in the goat business.We must know why we are in the goat business.

�� We must know what type of animal that we We must know what type of animal that we want to produce.want to produce.

�� We must use genetic selection and culling to We must use genetic selection and culling to �� We must use genetic selection and culling to We must use genetic selection and culling to develop that type of animal.develop that type of animal.

�� Animals need supported with good nutrition, Animals need supported with good nutrition, good health and good management to be able to good health and good management to be able to do their job.do their job.

Documents

Build a Comprehensive Management Plan - Kiko goats a Management Plan.pdfBuild a Comprehensive Management Plan Steve Hart Langston University Goat Program at Langston University Web