Progress 04/01/24 to 03/31/25
Outputs
Target Audience:Research targets a diverse audience within the meat goat industry. Primarily, it aims to benefit meat goat producers by providing them with valuable insights into optimal harvest weights, diet compositions, and management practices to enhance productivity and profitability. Agricultural extension agents are also a key audience, as they will use the research findings to better support and educate producers through various outreach activities. Additionally, researchers and academics in animal science, nutrition, and agricultural economics will find the project's results beneficial for advancing scientific knowledge and informing future studies. Ultimately, consumers will indirectly benefit from improved meat quality and potentially lower prices due to more efficient production systems. Changes/Problems:Due to the seasonality of goat reproduction and the need to mimic practical goat farming conditions, as well as the shortage of Kiko goats, some experiments have been delayed. This has subsequently slowed down the analytical processes, meat sensory evaluations, and publication timelines. To achieve all the research goals and ensure the quality and value of the data for the audience, additional time is required to complete this research. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Langston University students gained hands-on experience and practical knowledge through their involvement in the research. They participated in data collection, analysis, and interpretation, which enhanced their understanding of animal science, nutrition, and agricultural economics. This experience not only enriched their academic learning but also prepared them for future careers in agriculture and research. Extension personnel benefited from the project's findings by gaining new insights and information to share with the farming community. They used the research outcomes to provide one-on-one consultations with farmers. This enabled them to offer more effective and up-to-date advice on improving meat goat production systems. Farmers attending Goat Field Day were able to directly learn from the project's results. They received practical recommendations on optimal harvest weights, diet compositions, and management practices tailored to different breeds and genders of meat goats. This knowledge helped them improve their production efficiency, meat quality, and profitability. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results of the project have been disseminated to communities of interest through various channels. Field days have been organized, allowing stakeholders to observe the project's progress and outcomes firsthand. Additionally, the findings have been shared at national and regional meetings through presentations and abstracts.Through their involvement in the research at Langston University, students gained valuable hands-on experience and practical knowledge. They engaged in data collection, analysis, and interpretation, which deepened their understanding of animal science, nutrition, and agricultural economics. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The future work for the meat goat project includes completing all animal experimentation and analyzing feed, blood, and meat samples. Additionally, a sensory panel will evaluate the developed meat products. The results will be extended and disseminated through various channels, including the publication of the obtained results.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In the completed meat goat experiments, various measures were determined and statistically analyzed to understand the effects of different factors on goat production. The dressing percentage, which indicates the proportion of the live animal that results in the carcass, was measured. Carcass composition was analyzed for protein, fat, water, and collagen, providing insights into the nutritional and structural quality of the meat. Similarly, non-carcass components such as protein, fat, water, and collagen were assessed to understand the overall body composition of the goats. Additionally, the project examined the mass of non-carcass components, including blood, feet/legs, head, skin, kidneys, trachea, lungs, liver, heart, spleen, internal fat, esophagus, and various parts of the gastrointestinal tract, both full and empty. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the p-values for the effects of diet, breed, and gender on these non-carcass components for Boer and Kiko growing kids. Blood measures such as glucose, lactate, urea nitrogen, cholesterol, total protein, triglycerides, insulin, and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were also analyzed. Rumen fluid characteristics, including pH, ammonia nitrogen, total volatile fatty acids (VFA), and the molar percentages of acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, butyrate, isovalerate, and valerate, were measured to assess the digestive and metabolic responses to different diets and management practices. Several linear body measurements were taken and statistically analyzed to assess the physical development and conformation of the goats, including body length (hook to pin bone), heart girth, height at wither, and rump width. These linear measurements are important for evaluating the growth, health, and productivity of the goats, and they help in making informed decisions about breeding and management practices. Preparation of manuscripts and extension brochures from the completed experiments is underway, ensuring that the valuable findings are disseminated to the broader agricultural community.
Publications
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Progress 04/01/23 to 03/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The primary target audience for findings of this project includes animal scientists, livestock extension personnel, goat producers, and allied industries and businesses. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two Visiting Research Scholars (Postdoctoral Research Associates) at the American Institute for Goat Research of Langston University, one Principal Investigator for the first experiment and the other for the second and third studies, received training and professional development through participation in these activities. Other Visiting Research Scholars assisted in the activities and also received training and professional development. Undergraduate students in the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences are participating in animal and laboratory activities at the American Institute for Goat Research and receiving training and professional development. A Ph.D. student in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences of Oklahoma State University is participating in the project through the harvest and meat quality measures and, in so doing, is receiving training and professional development. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest??Because laboratory and statistical analyses for the first two studies are underway, there has not yet been extensive information dissemination. As noted in the previous progress reports, collaborators of Oklahoma State University made two abstract presentations at the Reciprocal Meats Conference in 2022 and in 2023 based on results of the completed experiments, and it is anticipated that there will be one or more similar presentations at the 2024 conference. There was also poster presentation at 2023 ASAS-CSAS-WSASAS Annual Meeting entitled 'Effects of the dietary concentrate level and harvest weight on growth performance of Spanish goat wethers and doelings' , there are plans for having one or more abstract presentations concerning feed intake and growth in the completed studies at the national meeting of the American Society of Animal Science in July, 2024 What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?As noted elsewhere, laboratory and statistical analyses will continue with samples and data from the first two experiments. Abstract presentations have been addressed above. Moreover, drafts of articles with available data will continue to be developed, and it is expected that ones addressing results of the first experiment will be submitted to scientific journals in next few months.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
As noted in the previous progress reports, one of the objectives of the first experiment was to determine most appropriate dietary treatments for subsequent studies to evaluate differences between wether and intact male meat goats and between Boer and Kiko goats. Preliminary results from the first experiment were described in the previous progress report and that laboratory and statistical analyses of available data are underway. Based on the findings from first experiment, in the second and third ongoing study a diet slightly higher in concentrate, 30%, is being used in Phase 1. In Phase 2 this 30% concentrate diet and one with 70% concentrate are being fed. The animal portion of the third experiment will be completed in the first week of March, 2024. The ongoing study is being conducted with growing Boer and Kiko goats. In this experiment there are six pens and animal groups for each breed. The groups consist of three wethers and three doelings stratified based on initial body weight. Two groups of each breed (24 animals total) were harvested after the 11 weeks of feeding of Phase 1 when near the target body weight of 60 pounds. In Phase 2, two groups of each breed continued on the 30% concentrate diet and the other groups were fed the 70% concentrate diet. One-half of the animals (24 total) will be harvested after 9 weeks of Phase 2 and the others (24 total) after 11 weeks when near the target live weight of 80 pounds. Most procedures and measures are the same as those described earlier for the previous trials. In addition to measures such as feed intake and body weight, ingestive (i.e., eating, ruminating, and idle) and position (i.e., standing versus lying) behaviors, ruminal fluid composition, and blood constituent concentrations are being characterized. As in the previous studies, harvest is being conducted at the Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center of Oklahoma State University. Carcass samples will be analyzed for taste and consumer appeal variables in addition to measures at harvest and after chilling. Before harvest, animal value is assessed by the local company Homestead Meats & Processing. Moreover, feed costs will be based on feed intake and USDA Agricultural Marketing Service price listings. After harvest days, noncarcass tissues and half carcasses will be transported to the American Institute for Goat Research of Langston University to be ground and sampled for later laboratory analyses to determine body composition (i.e., dry matter, ash, fat, protein, and energy). Laboratory and statistical analyses for this study are underway and will be completed once all samples are collected and analyzed.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Effects of the dietary concentrate level and harvest weight on growth performance of Spanish goat wethers and doelings
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Progress 04/01/22 to 03/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The primary target audience for findings of this project includes animal scientists, livestock extension personnel, goat producers, and allied industries and businesses. Changes/Problems:There have not been major changes or problems. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two Visiting Research Scholars (Postdoctoral Research Associates) at the American Institute for Goat Research of Langston University, one Principal Investigator for the first experiment and the other for the second study, received training and professional development through participation in these activities. Other Visiting Research Scholars assisted in the activities and also received training and professional development. Undergraduate students in the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences are participating in animal and laboratory activities at the American Institute for Goat Research and receiving training and professional development. A Ph.D. student in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences of Oklahoma State University is participating in the project through the harvest and meat quality measures and, in so doing, is receiving training and professional development. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Because laboratory and statistical analyses for the first two studies are underway, there has not yet been extensive information dissemination. As noted in the previous progress report, collaborators of Oklahoma State University made two abstract presentations at the 2022 Reciprocal Meats Conference based on results of the first experiment, and it is anticipated that there will be one or more similar presentations at the 2023 conference. Likewise, there are plans for having one or more abstract presentations concerning feed intake and growth in the first two studies at the national meeting of the American Society of Animal Science in July, 2023. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?As noted elsewhere, laboratory and statistical analyses will continue with samples and data from the first two experiments. Abstract presentations have been addressed above. Moreover, drafts of articles with available data will continue to be developed, and it is expected that ones addressing results of the first experiment will be submitted to scientific journals before the next progress report.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
As noted in the previous progress report, one of the objectives of the first experiment was to determine most appropriate dietary treatments for subsequent studies to evaluate differences between wether and intact male meat goats and between Boer and Kiko goats. Preliminary results from the first experiment were described in the previous progress report and that laboratory and statistical analyses of available data are underway. Based on the findings, in the second study a diet slightly higher in concentrate, 30%, was used in Phase 1. In addition, a forage of higher quality than in the first study was employed, Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata). In Phase 2 this 30% concentrate diet and one with 70% concentrate are being fed. The animal portion of the second experiment was completed in the last full week of February, 2023. The study was conducted with Boer and Boer × Spanish growing goats that were either intact males or wethers (i.e., castrates). Two groups of each gender treatment (24 animals total) were harvested after 11 weeks of feeding of Phase 1 when near the target body weight of 60 pounds. In Phase 2, two groups of each gender continued on the 30% concentrate diet and others consumed the 70% concentrate diet. One-half of the animals (24 total) were harvested after 9 weeks of Phase 2 and others (24 total) after 11 weeks when near the target live weight of 80 pounds. Most procedures and measures are the same as those described earlier for the first trial. For example, in addition to measures such as feed intake and body weight, ingestive (i.e., eating, ruminating, and idle) and position (i.e., standing versus lying) behaviors, ruminal fluid composition, and blood constituent concentrations are being characterized. Harvest occurred at the Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center of Oklahoma State University. Carcass samples will be analyzed for taste and consumer appeal variables in addition to measures at harvest and after chilling. Before harvest, animal value was assessed by the local company Homestead Meats & Processing. Moreover, feed costs will be based on feed intake and USDA Agricultural Marketing Service price listings. After harvest days, noncarcass tissues and half carcasses were transported to the American Institute for Goat Research to be ground and sampled for later laboratory analyses to determine body composition (i.e., dry matter, ash, fat, protein, and energy). Laboratory and statistical analyses for this study also are underway. The third experiment to be conducted in 2023 and 2024 is for the comparison of Boer and Kiko goats. Because the Institute previously did not have Kiko goats, females and intact males were procured from producers in the region during 2021 and early 2022, and a small number of Boer goats were purchased as well so that the number of progeny available for the experiment would be adequate. Breeding occurred in the fall of 2022, and kidding is in the spring of 2023. The same diets of the second experiment will be used based on the level of animal performance realized.
Publications
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Progress 04/01/21 to 03/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The primary target audience for findings of this project includes animal scientists, livestock extension personnel, goat producers, and allied industries and businesses. Changes/Problems:There have not been major changes or problems. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A Visiting Research Scholar at the AIGR of Langston University, who was the Principal Investigator for the first experiment, received training and professional development through participation in these activities. Four other Visiting Research Scholars assisted in the activities and also received training and professional development. An undergraduate student in the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences assisted in the animal activities at the AIGR and received training and professional development. A Ph.D. student in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences of Oklahoma State University is participating in the project through the harvest and meat quality measures and, in so doing, is receiving training and professional development. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Because the animal portion of the first experiment has just been completed and analyses are underway, there has not yet been a great deal of information dissemination. However, as noted elsewhere, the Ph.D. student at Oklahoma State University will be making two abstract presentations in the summer of 2022 at the Reciprocal Meats Conference in Des Moines, Iowa on June 11-14. Moreover, consideration is being given for presentation of some of the information noted in the Accomplishment section at the International Conference on Goats to be held in Eger, Hungary on September 18-23, 2022, depending on conditions such as travel restrictions. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?As noted elsewhere, laboratory and statistical analyses will continue with samples and data from the first experiment. A draft of one of the articles describing the study has been initiated, with results overviewed elsewhere and the procedures described. It is envisioned that there will be one to three articles concerning measures at the AIGR and one addressing carcass variables characterized at Oklahoma State University. The possible third article from AIGR data would deal with an economic analysis. The other major activity is to plan and conduct the second experiment, which again focuses on differences between wethers (i.e., male castrates) and intact males. Also as noted elsewhere, the first study identified most appropriate diets to be used and, again, the length of phases will be based on growth rate of the animals.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The animal portion of the first experiment at the American Institute for Goat Research (AIGR) of Langston University has been completed. Laboratory and statistical analyses are underway. The study began in early September, 2021 at an average age of the Spanish goats of 4.3 ± 0.03 months. Initial body weight (BW) was 18.6 and 20.6 kg for doelings and wethers, respectively (SEM = 0.41). The diet fed in Phase 1, 13 weeks in length, was 20% concentrate and 80% forage, with projected crude protein and neutral detergent fiber concentrations of 13 and 50%, respectively. In addition to measures such as feed intake and body weight, ingestive (i.e., eating, ruminating, and idle) and position (i.e., standing versus lying) behaviors, ruminal fluid composition, and blood constituent concentrations were characterized. At the end of Phase 1, two pens or groups of animals (six per pen and total of 12 per treatment) were harvested at the Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center of Oklahoma State University. Carcass samples will be analyzed for taste and consumer appeal variables in addition to measures at harvest and after chilling. Before harvest, animal value was assessed by the local company Homestead Meats & Processing. Moreover, feed costs will be based on feed intake and USDA Agricultural Marketing Service price listings. In Phase 2 that was 9-11 weeks in length, 60 animals continued to be fed diets free-choice, with levels of concentrate of 20 (same diet as in Phase 1), 40, 50, 60, and 70%, all with the same projected crude protein concentration of 13% and anticipated neutral detergent fiber level of 50, 35, 33, 33, and 31%, respectively. Animals on two, two, and one treatment(s) were harvested after 9, 10, and 11 weeks, respectively, with the same procedures as noted earlier. After harvest days, noncarcass tissues and half carcasses were transported to the AIGR to be ground and sampled for later laboratory analyses to determine body composition (i.e., dry matter, ash, fat, protein, and energy). Feed dry matter intake in Phase 1 was 733 ± 18.1 g/day and 3.39 ± 0.070 % BW, with an average BW during the phase of 21.6 ± 0.26 kg. Average daily gain in Phase 2 was greater (P < 0.05) for wethers than for doelings (44 and 18 g, respectively; SEM = 5.4). There was a tendency (P = 0.055) for differences among dietary treatments in Phase 2-average daily gain (4, 44, 43, 17, and 45 g for the 20, 40, 50, 60, and 70% concentrate diets, respectively; SEM = 8.7). Dry matter intake in Phase 2 was similar among treatments in g/day (644, 750, 680, 597, and 621 g; SEM = 36.9) but greatest among diets in % BW (P < 0.05) for the diet with 40% concentrate (2.73, 3.25, 2.84, 2.62, and 2.63 for 20, 40, 50, 60, and 70% concentrate, respectively; SEM = 0.062). Overall, there were no consistent differences between phases or genders or among dietary treatments in carcass measures including dressing percentage, temperature, pH decline, quality, or color. One purpose of this experiment was to determine most appropriate dietary treatments for subsequent studies to evaluate differences between wethers and intact males and between Boer and Kiko goat breeds. Based on these findings, a diet slightly higher in quality (e.g., higher quality forage or concentrate level) seems desirable for Phase 1 (e.g., 30% concentrate), and dietary concentrate levels for Phase 2 of 50 and 70% appear appropriate.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
HEARN, K., WANG, W., PUCHALA, R., ENCINAS, F., RIBEIRO, L. P. S., PFEIFFER, M., RAMANATHAN, R., GOETSCH, A.L., AND MAFI, G. 2022. Effects of the dietary concentrate level on carcass cutability traits and cutout percentages of Spanish wethers and doelings. Reciprocal Meat Conference. Des Moines, IA. June 11-15.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
HEARN, K., WANG, W., PUCHALA, R., ENCINAS, F., RIBEIRO, L. P. S., PFEIFFER, M., RAMANATHAN, R., GOETSCH, A.L., AND MAFI, G. 2022. Effects of the dietary concentrate level on meat quality traits of Spanish wether and doeling carcasses. Reciprocal Meat Conference. Des Moines, IA. June 11-15.
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