Using grain to improve goat carcass quality and value: Year 2

Susan Schoenian and Jeff Semler - University of Maryland Extension

Thank you for your support of the 2012 and 2013 pen vs. pasture studies.

We love barley!

Pen-fed (n=15) Pasture-fed (n=15)

• Maintained on pasture– Pasture-only diet– No supplemental feed

• Maintained in dry lot• Fed hay and grain

– Free choice mixed hay– Whole barley once per day

2013

Growth rate - average daily gain (ADG)

0.311 ± 0.071 lb./d

0.064 ± 0.036 lb./d

Fecal egg counts (eggs per gram of feces)Fecal egg counts are a measure of parasite infection (# worms)

Pastures were pre-infected by sheep. All goats were

dewormed on May 31 with three anthelmintics.

812

31

3

FAMACHA© scores (1-5)FAMACHA© scores estimate packed cell volume (PCV), which is a measure of the anemia caused by the worms

8

12

3

13

Live and carcass weights

Percent carcass yields

Carcass fat

Carcass musclingRib eye area (REA) - in2

+28%

+37%

Meat Quality (2012 data)

Caproic Palmitic Stearic Oleic0.0

20.0

40.0

60.0

80.0

100.0

120.0

Mg fatty acid per gram of dry meatTop 4 (>90%) fatty acids in goat meat

Pasture Pen

+8.7 mg+10.5 mg +3.4 mg

+50 mg

SFA (neutral) Bad SFA Neutral SFA MUFA (good)

Economics of pen vs. pasture feeding

Group USDA grade Price per cwt Avg. weight Value per head

Pasture 2.5 $159 55.2 $88

Pen 1.1 $207 74.5 $154

Difference 1.4 $48 19.3 $66

Group Lbs. lean Price per lb. Value per head

Pasture 9.70 $10 $97

Pen 16.65 $10 $166.50

Difference 6.95 0 $69.50

Feed cost for pen goatsBarley: 1.1 x 84 x $13/cwt = $12.01Hay: 2.4 x 84 x $12/cwt = $24.34Total: $36.40/headProfit: $154-$36.40 = $117.60/head

Cost for pasture goats$100/acre x 12.5 acres x 96 goats ÷ 15 = $13.02Death loss (FAMACHA 5 ): 4 x $88 ÷ 15 = $23.47 Total: $36.49/headProfit: $88-$36.49 = $51.51/head

Goat Twilight Tour (open house)August 1, 2013

We’d like to repeat the study for a third and final time.

• Results in 2011 and 2013 differed from results in 2012

• 2013 was the first year in which a uniform set of goats was utilized in study (a similar source of goats has confirmed for 2014).

• Repeat study feeding whole barley instead of a more expensive ration.

• Pasture, weather, and economic conditions vary each year.

Thank you Maryland Grain Producers!