Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: During the 2007-2008 funding year we were able to start evaluating several forage species and to compare the performance of kids managed under extensive and intensive (fed-lot) feeding systems. ACTIVITES/EVENTS/SERVICES/PRODUCTS/DISSEMINATION: 1. Because 2007-2008 was the first year of this study, not all of the objectives have been accomplished in experiment 1 and 2 yet. 2.However, fifty 7 month year old kids were randomly assigned among four grazing system. One group of goats was maintained in a feed lot system. Preliminary data was collected and evaluated using SAS for experiment 3. 3.Preliminary results from the feeding system trial was made available during two Certified Master Goat Program workshops facilitated by Florida A&M University for producers, and other agricultural professionals (i.e., extension agents). 4. On-farm consultations were also held on requested farm sites. Recommendations were made on grazing systems based on some of the preliminary results found on cow pea and Bahiagrass and developing drought strategies. 5. Educational materials (included in program manual)were also made available through the training activities. PARTICIPANTS: Angela McKenzie-Jakes, PI (40% Research) Provided overall coordination and supervision over all research activities on-station. Assisted in collecting data, and provided a forum (Certified Master Goat Program) by which the preliminary data could be shared with producers. Lee Anderson, Associate Professor (100% for Summer Term only) Provided assistance in collecting research data and developing research projects for summer interns within the boundaries of the current grant. Coordinated and supervise interns daily activities, and provided technical assistance and guidance to ensure that the students accomplished and complete their research projects. Present results of research findings at conferences, seminars, Gerry Bryant, Senior Animal Technician (100% Research) Provided assistance in the every day operation of the goat unit such as cleaning pens, feeding, management of the herd, health checks, assistance in collecting research data, making repairs on the facility, building feeding troughs, monitoring the herd daily etc. Undergraduate Students (Heather Williams, Shanessy Shannon and Patricia Miller worked 40hrs./week at a rate of $8.00/hour The summer interns assisted in collecting, research data from their assigned projects as well as provide the care and management of their project animals on a daily basis. Godfrey Nurse provided in-kind contributions to the project. He assisted monitoring the health and nutrition of the research animals throughout the duration of the project. He assisted making sure the goals of the project were carried out to the best of his ability and provided assistance in collecting data on forage production and growth performance on the project animals. He developed the first publication under this project (Module 10 - Pasture Production and Utilization) to share with producers and agricultural professionals. The information was presented in two Master Goat Programs. He alos co-authored the publication with Mr. Fidelis Okpebhola who is currently employed at Virginia State University. Veterinarian, Dr. T. Eric Peterson (in-kind), monitored the health of all of the research animals throughout the duration of the project and also provided technical guidance to the summer interns. TARGET AUDIENCES: The audience that was targeted for this project were underserved, small and limited resource farm families in Florida that raised goats. Because these farm families usually lack the necessary skills necessary to raise productive animals the current research findings was discussed in a informal setting (Master Goat Program) which also included extension agents. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The major changes that would be made in future projects of this nature are listed below: 1. An irrigation system must be in placed. It is hard to predict what the rainfall pattern will be for a given year. However, despite drought-like conditions, researchers must still be able to obtain data to provide information much needed information to producers and other agricultural professionals (i.e., extension agents, state and federal agencies). 2. This project was originally designed to take place over a three-year period and many of the initial goals were not accomplished under the current PI before the project was terminated. However, this project will be continue under Dr. Ray Mobley at Florida A&M University (new PI), so that all of the objectives stated in the proposal is accomplished. In fact, the parasite study will start in a few weeks, the pasture study will be repeated under an irrigational systems and the study to evaluate nine forages species will continue this month (Oct. 2008).
Impacts
There were several lessons that were learned by the researchers during the first phase of this project. Initially, 4-5 month year old kids were selected as the experimental units for this project. However, due to low rainfall conditions (March - July), the grazing strategies for this project had to be readjusted because of the lack of vegetation available for the animals in this study. Instead of grazing, the kids were supplemental with crack corn and fed hay to sustain them until the pastures were ready. Thus, the extensive kids received a similar diet to the kids that was managed in the intensive production system. The kids were also provided with trace mineral salt blocks to ensure they were provided with adequate nutrients. Non-productive breeding does were culled immediately from the herd to ensure that there was enough vegetation available for the research animals. When the areas were final ready for grazing, the experimental animals were 7 months of age. Other, grazing strategies implemented on this project included rotating the animals frequently to prevent overgrazing (weekly), checking body condition scores, monitoring fecal samples for parasites and checking FAMACHA scores bi-weekly to ensure the animals remained healthy. Since, grazing strategies had to be adjusted considerably it was not long before the forages began to go dormant. However, the goats were able to graze the Cow Pea for several weeks longer after most of the forages were dormant. There was no significant differences (P>.79) between weight gains for the animals that were grazed during the latter period of the study and costs between production systems were similar. Although the intention of this study was to identify economical diets for grazing goats by evaluating several forage species, researchers had to utilize several grazing and management strategies to sustain the research herd. These strategies were also discussed during training meetings with producers and on-farm consultations to assist them in making the best economical decisions for their farms. An irrigation system for pastures used for grazing animal is not an practical option for most small and limited resource producers. However, an irrigation system in a research environment can better assist scientists on this project in obtaining needed data for future studies.
Publications
- 1. Nurse, G. and F. Okpebhola. 2008. Module 10 - Pasture Production and Utilization. In: Certified Master Goat Program Manual (non-referred).
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