This presentation gives the results of the 2nd year of a study in which the performance and carcass traits of pen vs. pasture-fed goats.

1. Using grain to improve goat carcass
quality and value: Year 2
Susan Schoenian and Jeff Semler - University of Maryland Extension

2. We love
barley!
Thank you for your support of the
2012 and 2013 pen vs. pasture studies.

3. Pen-fed (n=15)
• Maintained in dry lot
• Fed hay and grain
– Free choice mixed hay
– Whole barley once per day
Pasture-fed (n=15)
• Maintained on pasture
– Pasture-only diet
– No supplemental feed

4. Growth rate - average daily gain (ADG)
0.311 ± 0.071 lb./d
0.064 ± 0.036 lb./d

5. Fecal egg counts (eggs per gram of feces)
Fecal egg counts are a measure of parasite infection (# worms)
8
12
Pastures were pre-infected
by sheep. All goats were
dewormed on May 31 with
three anthelmintics.
3
1
3

6. 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
1
3

7. Live and carcass weights

8. Percent carcass yields

9. Carcass fat

10. Carcass muscling
Rib eye area (REA) - in2
+28%
+37%

11. Meat Quality (2012 data)
Mg fatty acid per gram of dry meat
Top 4 (>90%) fatty acids in goat meat
Pasture
120.0
Pen
+50 mg
100.0
80.0
60.0
40.0
20.0
+8.7 mg
+10.5 mg
+3.4 mg
0.0
Caproic
SFA (neutral)
Palmitic
Bad SFA
Stearic
Oleic
Neutral SFA
MUFA (good)

12. 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 goats
Barley: 1.1 x 84 x $13/cwt = $12.01
Hay: 2.4 x 84 x $12/cwt = $24.34
Total: $36.40/head
Profit: $154-$36.40 = $117.60/head
Cost for pasture goats
$100/acre x 12.5 acres x 96 goats ÷ 15 = $13.02
Death loss (FAMACHA 5 ): 4 x $88 ÷ 15 = $23.47
Total: $36.49/head
Profit: $88-$36.49 = $51.51/head

13. Goat Twilight Tour (open house)
August 1, 2013

14. 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.

15. Thank you Maryland Grain Producers!