SUSTAINABLE SMALL RUMINANT PRODUCTION IN THE SOUTHEASTERN U.S.

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0226219
• Multistate No.: SCC-81
• Project Start Date: Oct 1, 2007
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2012
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV
(N/A)
RALEIGH,NC 27695

Performing Department
Crop Science

Non Technical Summary
In 2006, there were more than 1.5 million sheep and lambs in southern states, Missouri, Maryland, and West Virginia, more than a 4% increase since 2005. There were nearly 2 million goats in these states, more than a 5% increase since 2005. Increased sheep and goat numbers reflect a growing demand by ethnic populations and niche markets. However, the U.S. is still importing more lamb and goat meat than it is producing for domestic consumption. There is also a growing market for organic meat products. Both conventional and organic lamb and goat production in the southeastern US is challenged because of the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), particularly the blood-sucking Haemonchus contortus which has developed resistance to available dewormers. Research to find new methods of GIN management is necessary. Priority areas include improved genetics, novel products or feedstuffs that act as anthelmintics, and integration of the FAMACHA system, a selective deworming program, and alternative forage systems. An abundance of forages in the southeast allows for organic and forage-fed systems for small ruminants. But low forage quality of warm season species during summer months limits growth and productivity of livestock. Although these forages are hardy, they often cannot meet nutritional needs during growth and lactation phases. Goats prefer browse species which have been grazed out of many pastures or were not available if goats were added to existing sheep or cattle operations. Forage-based, low-input production systems require appropriately adapted small ruminant germplasm. Traditional, high producing breed types may not necessarily be the breed resources best suited for the environmental and management conditions in the southeastern U.S., but rather small-framed breed types, such as hair sheep and landrace goat breeds may be a better fit. Although these breed types have slower growth rates, their production efficiency may be higher, and their leaner and smaller carcasses are well accepted by most ethnic markets. Research is needed to evaluate the production potential of various breed types and crosses under forage-based production systems. These research priorities, parasite control, forage resource management, and identification of appropriate breed resources, require coordinated efforts of multiple research institutions, each contributing their specific expertise towards the design of integrated systems.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

(N/A)

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
205	0780	1060	10%
307	0780	1060	60%
313	3820	1110	30%

Knowledge Area
205 - Plant Management Systems; 313 - Internal Parasites in Animals; 307 - Animal Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
0780 - Grasslands, other; 3820 - Goats, meat, and mohair;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems); 1110 - Parasitology;

Keywords

meat goat, forage systems, browse, gastrointestinal parasite

management, sustainable, sylvopastoral systems

Goals / Objectives
Objective 1. Develop integrated GIN control methods that decrease reliance on chemical dewormers through the use of selective deworming (FAMACHA system), better forage management and grazing options, and animal selection for nematode resistance or resilience. Objective 2. Develop a forage-based feeding system for year-round grazing that meets nutritional requirements by evaluating performance of forage (legumes, grass, and browse) varieties and/or forage systems and animal performance. Objective 4. Disseminate research results and information to producers through station field days, workshops, websites. Outputs: Improved forage-based systems for conventional and organic small ruminant production. Improved selection for sheep and goat resistance to GIN to reduce need for deworming. Improved summer gains for growing lambs and kids on forage-based systems. Identification of sheep and goat breed types most suited for production in the southeastern US. Coordination of specific research and extension programs to accelerate goals. Identification of critical research objectives. Improved outreach to scientific community and producers. Exchange of ideas and information.

Project Methods
Objective 1: Integrated control methods will include the strategic use of anthelmintics, FAMACHA, copper oxide wire particles, and grazed condensed tannin-containing forages. The importance of evaluating these methods in various combinations is to achieve adequate control with minimal use of anthelmintics. Ultimately, the results of these trials will lead to an integrated strategy for controlling worms. Objective 2: Cool-season and warm-season annual and perennial forages will be established, evaluated and compared to determine forage availability and quality, stocking rate, animal performance and during different stages of production for goat production systems. Another thrust will be the integration of fodder trees into grazing systems for goats. Co-grazing of cattle and meat goats to control invasive species such as broadleaf weeds and brushy and woody vegetation will be evaluated as an environmentally friendly alternative to herbicide application or mechanical cutting. Objective 4: Producer workshops, teaching the use of FAMACHA, fecal egg counts, other integrated parasite control strategies and the efficient use of forages and browse in goats production systems will be taught throughout the state. Local, county and regional meetings and conferences will be held. Information derived from these projects will be posted to he NCSU website.

Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: (1) Control grazing lactating does and their kids on three varieties of tall fescue indicated that does maintained their weights on weight on MaxQ and Jessup endophyte-free, but lost weight on Kenticky31 infected fescue. Nursing kids gained slightly less on Kentuchy31 endophyte-infected fescue than on MaxQ and Jessup endophyte-free fescue. Nevertheless, all kid gains were adequate (2) Control grazing replacement doelings on these same tall fescue varieties indicated that goats were losing weight on Kentucky31 while gaining similar weights on the two other varieties. Gains on MaxQ and Jessup endophyte-free fescue were adequate for replacement doelings. Replacement doelings did not graze Kentucky31 infected fescue well and left large quantities of ungrazed forage. Kentucky 31+ endophyte infection and tillers producing alkaloids was extremely high (3) No gain differences were observed in growing goats control-grazed on bermudagrass pastures and supplemented with whole cottonseed or a soybean hull-corn mix (4) Control grazing lactating does and their kids on MaxQ fescue and Persist orchard grass indicated that nursing kids gained adequately while nursing does maintained their weight (5) Weanlings were control-grazed either on sericea lespedeza (a legume containing condensed tannins), pearlmillet, or had free choice access to pearlmillet and sericea lespedeza. Fecal egg counts of kids grazing sericea lespedeza and sericea lespedeza-pearlmillet free choice decreased within 7 days and stayed low through through the grazing period, while fecal egg counts of kids grazing pearlmillet increased within 7 d of grazing. While barn-fed from day 35 to 56, fecal egg counts in kids grazing sericea lespedeza and sericea lespedeza-pearlmillet free choice. While they stayed high on goats grazed on perarlmillet alone. Average daily gains were highest for kids grazing lespedeza-pearlmillet free choice, intermediate for kigs grazing sericea lespedeza and lowest for kids grazing pearlmillet. Goats having free-choice access to sericea lespedeza-pearlmillet had similar fecal egg count patterns than goats grazed only on sericea lespedeza. Results are being disseminated through CES in-service trainings of livestock agents and producers meetings (6) Spraying liquid nitrogen fertilizer on bermudagrass pastures infested with gastrointestinal parasite larvae was not effective in reducing goat worm loads, contrary to results from a similar study conducted on tall fescue pastures (7) In yearling and weanling goats drenched with copper oxide needle boluses, fecal egg counts did not provide an adequate assessment of nematode infection and packed cell volume and FAMACHA scores seemed to be more reliable indicators. Hepatic copper stores increased within acceptable levels (8) Goats showed promise as a viable long term alternative to herbicides to control Pueraria lobata, an invasive leguminous vine very high in protein and energy.(9) Control grazing adult does on a voluntary crabgrass-pigweed stand indicated that these forages can play an important role as a summer component of goat grazing systems. PARTICIPANTS: J.P. Mueller, Crop Science, NCSU, Co-PI, H.M. Glennon, NCSU, Post-graduate training. Partner organizations: North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Collaborators: Julie Grossman NCSU Soil Science, Michelle Schroeder-Moreno, NCSU Crop Science; A. O. Abaye, Virginia Tech, S. Mobini, W. R. Getz, T. H. Terrill and L. Williamson, Fort Valley State U., R. M. Kaplan, U. of Georgia J.E. Miller, Louisiana State U., J. M. Burke, USDA, ARS Dale Bumpers, Booneville, AR, A. Zajac, Virginia Tech, E. Valencia, U. of Puerto Rico, M. J. Williams, USDA, ARS, Brooksville, FL., G. B. Bath, South Africa. TARGET AUDIENCES: Producers, Cooperative Extension Agents, Ag. professionals, part-time farmers and retirees raising goats, Animal Science, Agronomy and Veterinary students, interns, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services staff North Carolina Meat Goat Association, North Carolina Dairy Goat Breeders Association, North Carolina Goat Producers, Inc. Central Carolina Community College, Pittsboro, Attendees to Field days, producers' meetings, workshops, formal classroom instruction, extension and outreach, hands-on training workshops. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Results indicated that the perennial and annual grasses and legumes investigated were of excellent quality and exceeded the nutritional requirements of suckling kids and nursing does, replacement does and wethers, or growing weanlings managed under controlled, rotational grazing management. Therefore, these forages have strong potential for the development of year round forage grazing systems for part of the southeastern United States. Grazing sericea lespedeza showed excellent potential as a non pharmaceutical alternative to chemical anthelmintics in an integrated parasite control program. Utilization and management of forages by goat producers is increasing, and resulting in a more sustainable industry. The increased knowledge of participants results in changes in gastrointestinal parasite control approach by producers and resulted in healthier animals, lower production costs and better culling and management decisions. In addition, many producers planted or requested information about sericea lespedeza due to our research results using this legume in a summer grazing system. Participants increased their knowledge, skills and abilities in goat production, including parasite control and forage management.

Publications

• Pietrosemoli, S., J-M. Luginbuhl, and J. T. Green. 2012. Effect of outdoor swine management systems on the botanical composition of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea L.) paddocks. J. Anim. Sci. 90 (E-Suppl. 3):7.
• Renner, B. M., S. Pietrosemoli, J-M. Luginbuhl, C. Raczkowski, J. T. Green, and J. Grossman. 2011. Effect of stocking rate on forage production, soil compaction and root numbers in a swine pasture system. J. Anim. Sci. 89, E-Suppl. 1. J. Dairy Sci. 94, E-Suppl. 1: 315.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., S. Pietrosemoli, J. M. Freeman, and K. L. Anderson. 2011. Alternatives to traditional anthelmintics to control gastrointestinal nematodes in grazing meat goats. Archiv. Latinoam. Prod. Anim. 18, No. 3-4:113-122.
• Juarez-Reyes, A. S., G. Nevarez-Carrasco, M. A. Cerrillo-Soto, M. Murillo-Ortiz, J-M. Luginbuhl, H. Bernal-Barragan, and R. G. Ramirez. 2008. Dietary chemical composition, plasma metabolites and hormones in range goats. J. Appl. Anim. Res. 34:81-86.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., and S. Pietrosemoli. 2007. Utilizacion de caprinos para el control de vegetacion indeseable: Use of goats to control undesirable vegetation. Arch. Latinoam. Prod. Anim. 15:294-309. Invited.
• Wildeus, S, J.-M. Luginbuhl, K. E. Turner, Y. L. Nutall and J. R. Collins. 2007. Growth and carcass characteristics in goat kids fed grass and alfalfa hay-based diets with limited concentrate supplementation. Sheep Goat Res. J. 22:15-19.
• Unruh Snyder, L.J., J-M. Luginbuhl, J.P. Mueller , A.P. Conrad, and K.E. Turner. 2007. Intake, digestibility and nitrogen utilization of Robinia pseudoacacia foliage fed to growing goat wethers. Small Rumin. Res. 71:179-193.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., and J. P. Mueller. 2012. Performance of meat goats control-grazed on winter annual grasses. Sheep Goat Res J. 27:8-17.
• Webb, D. M.. A. O. Abaye, C. D. Teutsch, J-M. Luginbuhl, G. Scaglia, and C. E. Zipper. 2011. Mixed grazing goats with cattle on reclaimed coal mined lands in the Appalachian region: effects on forage standing biomass, forage botanical composition and autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.). Sheep & Goat Res. 26:26-31.
• Cubbage, F., V. Glenn, J. P. Mueller, D. Robison, R. Myers, J-M. Luginbuhl, and R. Myers. 2012. Early tree growth, crop yields, and estimated returns for an agroforestry trial in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Agrofoestry Systems 86:323-334. DOI 10.1007s 10457-012-9481-0.
• Unruh Snyder, L.J., J. P. Mueller, J-M. Luginbuhl, and C. Brownie. 2007. Growth characteristics and allometry of Robinia pseudoacacia as a silvopastoral system component. Agroforestry Systems Vol. 70:41-51.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., S. Pietrosemoli Castagni, and J. M. Howell. 2006. Uso de un anthelmintico botanico para el control de nematodos gastrointestinales en caprinos de carne. Arch. Latinoam. Prod. Anim. 14:88-89.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., J. Paul Mueller, J. T. Green, Jr., D. S. Chamblee, and H. M. Glennon. 2010. Grazing and browsing behavior, grazing management, forage evaluation and goat performance: Strategies to enhance meat goat production in North Carolina. In L. Anderson, D. Jackson, A. McKenzie-Jakes, O. Onokpise, K. Sarjeant (Eds) Strenghtening The Goat Industry. pp 73-87. Florida A and M Univ. September 12-15. Tallahassee, FL.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., and E. B. Rayburn. 2009. Goat nutrition and management. In: E. B. Rayburn (Ed) Animal Production Systems for Pasture-Based Livestock Production. Chapter 6. pp 153-187. Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service. NRAES-171. Ithaca, NY.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., and S. Pietrosemoli. 2008. Use of dehydrated neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) leaves to control coccidiosis in young goats. In: A. J. Aguilar-Caballero, F. J. Torres-Acosta, Andres Ducoing-Watty, A. Cerillo-Soto, A. Saul Juarez-Reyes, and G. Martinez-Kawas (Eds) Sustainable Goat Production: Challenges and Opportunities of Small and Large Enterprises. IX International Conference on Goats. Queretaro, Mexico.
• Abaye, O. A., M. Webb, and J-M. Luginbuhl. 2008. Effects of cattle grazing alone and with goats on nutritive value and animal performance. In: A. J. Aguilar-Caballero, F. J. Torres-Acosta, Andres Ducoing-Watty, A. Cerillo-Soto, A. Saul Juarez-Reyes, and G. Martinez-Kawas (Eds) Sustainable Goat Production: Challenges and Opportunities of Small and Large Enterprises. IX International Conference on Goats. Queretaro, Mexico.
• Meza-Herrera, C.A., R. Castro-Franco and J-M. Luginbuhl. 2007. Chemical composition of goat milk and its products in Mexico. In: The quality of Goat Products: Models and Tools for Evaluation and Promotion. Session 1: A Window on the Worldwide Production. p. 15-18. International Symposium sponsored by the International Goat Association. Consiglio per la Ricerca e la Sperimentazione in Agricultura. Potenza-Bella, Italy.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., and J. P. Mueller. 2012. Survival rate and mineral composition of four fodder tree species for meat goats. Proc. XI International conference on Goats. p 291. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Spain.
• Mobini, S., W. R. Getz, T. H. Terrill, R. M. Kaplan, J.E. Miller, L. Williamson, J. M. Burke, A. Zajac, E. Valencia, J-M. Luginbuhl, M. J. Williams, G. B. Bath, and N. C. Whitley. 2012. Smart drenching and FAMACHA integrated training for sustainable control of gastrointestinal nematodes in small ruminants. Proc. XI International conference on Goats. p 30. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Spain.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., H. M. Glennon, J. E. Miller, and T.H. Terrill. 2011. Evaluation of sericea lespedeza grazed as a summer forage and natural parasite control for goats. J. Anim. Sci. 89 (E-Suppl. 2): 15.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., J.E. Miller, T.H. Terrill, and H.M. Glennon. 2010. Evaluation of sericea lespedeza and natural parasite control for grazing goats. J. Anim. Sci. 88 (E-Suppl. 3):31.
• Whitley, N. C., J-M. Luginbuhl, S. Schoenian, and M. Worku. 2010. Survey of North Carolina goat and sheep producers after gastrointestinal parasite management training. J. Anim. Sci. 88 (E-Suppl. 3):35.
• Abaye, O. A., D. Schlueter, D. Webb, J-M. Luginbuhl, and G. Scaglia. 2009. Influence of cattle grazing alone and with goats on foragec biomass, botanical composition and browse species. J. Anim. Sci. 87 (E-Suppl. 3):34.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., J. P. Mueller, and H. M. Glennon. 2009. Performance of suckling kids and their dams control-grazed on three tall fescue cultivars. J. Anim. Sci. 87 (E-Suppl. 3):32.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., J.E. Miller, T.H. Terrill, and H.M. Glennon. 2009. Evaluation of Sericea lespedeza as a summer forage and for helminth control of grazing goats. J. Anim. Sci. 87 (E-Suppl. 3):37.
• Abaye, O. A., D. Webb, G.. Scaglia, C.Teutsch and J-M. Luginbuhl. 2008. Assessing the effect of cattle grazing alone and with goats on animal performance and nutritive values of pastures established on reclaimed coal-mined lands. ASA. Annual meeting. CD- ROM.
• Abaye, O. A., D. Webb, G.. Scaglia, C.Teutsch and J-M. Luginbuhl. 2008. The influence of cattle grazing alone and with goats on forage biomass, botanical composition and browse species. ASA. Annual meeting. CD- ROM.
• Poore, M. H., J.-M. Luginbuhl, H. M. Glennon, A. D. Shaeffer, and H. A. Deihl. 2008. Pelleted soybean hulls or cottonseed and corn as supplements for weanling Boer-cross wethers grazing bermudagrass pastures. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (E-Suppl.2):96.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., S. Pietrosemoli Castagni, and J. M. Howell. 2007. Uso de un anthelmintico botanico para el control de nematodos gastrointestinales en caprinos de carne. XI Jornadas Cientifico Tecnicas de la Facultad de Agronomia. Z15. Universidad del Zulia. Maracaibo. Estado Zulia. Venezuela.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., and H. M. Glennon. 2007. Field applications of liquid nitrogen fertilizer for controlling gastrointestinal parasites in weanling meat goats. J. Anim. Sci 85 (Suppl. 2):33.
• Meza-Herrera, C. A., R. Castro-Franco, and J-M. Luginbuhl. 2007. Chemical composition and casein and albumin pattern in goat milk and its products in Mexico. In International Symposium: The Quality of Goat Products. Book of Abstracts Session I, p 16. Potenza-Bella, Italy.
• Watson, D. W., and J-M. Luginbuhl. 2009. Lice: what they are and how to control them. ANS 09-617MG.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., and K. L. Anderson. 2009. Coccidiosis, the most common cause of diarrhea in young goats. ANS 09-616MG.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., and K. L. Anderson. 2009. Controlando ectima contagioso en caprinos de carne. ANS09-615MG.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., and K. L. Anderson. 2009. Vaccinating goats against enterotoxemia and tetanus: Is it necessary ANS09-614MG.

Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities: The sustainability of several grass-legume pasture mixes for grazing meat goats are being investigated while evaluating the impact of goats on biological nitrogen fixation and changes in soil nitrogen and phosphorus levels. Six acres of MaxQ fescue were established in fall 2011 at a new research site with different species of clover, for a total of 12 plots. The first experiment was conducted in spring 2012 with approximately 72 nursing does and 144 suckling kids. The second experiment will start on 24 September 2012 with 72 castrated male goats born in spring 2012. Events. Plots of fescue with different species of clover and sericea lespedeza were established at two dairy goat and one meat goat farm in fall 2011. A field day was conducted at all three farms in spring 2012. Products. Development of a forage website titled NCSU Forage and Grassland Program: www.forages.ncsu.edu Dissemination: Cooperative extension agents (in-service trainings), NRCS personnel (Grassland ecology training), producers, ag professionals and veterinarians (producers' meetings, workshops and field days) attended classroom lectures and hands-on classes Topics included 1. Forages and forage systems for meat goats, 2. Benefits and challenges of grass-legume mixtures, 3. forages choices, forage establishment and evaluation, grazing management and animal performance, 4. Gastrointestinal tract nematodes (GIN) integrated control program and the use of FAMACHA to control GIN, 5. Animal characteristics and behavior as it influences grazing management, 6) How to trim hooves, deal with hoof rot and hoof scald. Educational materials were distributed at those events in printed form or through electronic means. In addition, timely educational materials were distributed to all livestock/forage CES agents through mass email. PARTICIPANTS: Abaye, O. Virginia Tech. Miller, J. Louisiana State University Terrill, T. Fort Valley State University TARGET AUDIENCES: Individuals, Cooperative Extensioln Agents, Commodity Associations, NRCS personnel, Students Formal classroom instruction (invited lectures, education, continuing education, non-formal education PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
Forages and Forage Systems for Goats: utilization and management of forages by goat producers is increasing, and resulting in a more sustainable industry. Gastrointestinal parasite Control: the increased knowledge of participants results in changes in gastrointestinal parasite control approach by producers and resulted in healthier animals, lower production costs and better culling and management decisions. In addition, many producers planted or requested information about sericea lespedeza due to our research results using this legume in a summer grazing system. Goat Production and Management: participants increased their knowledge, skills and abilities in goat production, including parasite control and forage management.

Publications

• Luginbuhl, J-M., and J. P. Mueller. 2012. Performance of meat goats control-grazed on winter annual grasses. Sheep & Goat Res. J. In Press.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., H. M. Glennon, J. E. Miller, and T.H. Terrill. 2011. Evaluation of sericea lespedeza grazed as a summer forage and natural parasite control for goats. J. Anim. Sci. 89 (E-Suppl. 2): 15.
• Juarez-Reyes, A. S., M. A. Cerrillo-Soto, M. Guerrero-Cervantes, H. Bernal-Barragan, E. Herrera-Torres, F. G. Rios-Rincon, and J.M. Luginbuhl. 2011. Productive and reproductive performance and metabolic profile of ewes supplemented with hydroponic green wheat. Small Rumin. Res. Submitted.
• Webb, D. M.. A. O. Abaye, C. D. Teutsch, J-M. Luginbuhl, G. Scaglia, and C. E. Zipper. 2011. Mixed grazing goats with cattle on reclaimed coal mined lands in the Appalachian region: effects on forage standing biomass, forage botanical composition and autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.). Sheep & Goat Res. 26:26-31.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., S. Pietrosemoli, J. M. Freeman, and K. L. Anderson. 2011. Alternatives to traditional anthelmintics to control gastrointestinal nematodes in grazing meat goats. Archiv. Latinoam. Prod. Anim. 18, No. 3-4:113-122.
• Luginbuhl, J-M., and J. P. Mueller. 2012. Survival rate and mineral composition of four fodder tree species for meat goats. International Conference on Goats (Accepted).