Using grain to improve goat carcass quality and value

Susan Schoenian and Jeff SemlerUniversity of Maryland Extension

Thank you for your support of the 2012 pen vs. pasture study.

I like grain!

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

• Maintained on pasture• Pasture only diet

Warm and cool season grasses and forbs

• No supplemental feed

• Maintained in dry lot• Free choice grass hay• Fed grain once per day

(4 parts whole barley: 1 part 36% CP pellet)

Growth rate – average daily gain (ADG)

0.183 vs. 0.149 lbs./day2.85 lbs. over 84 days

Worm status

11 goats dewormed

0 goats dewormed

Live grade and carcass yield

Meat Quality (last year’s data)Longissimus dorsi had 1.3% intramuscular fat and 23.3% protein.

Even when there are differences in fatty acid content, the differences are not likely relevant to the human diet.

Palmitic acid 16-0

Stearic acid 18-0

Oleic acid 18-1, cis-9

0.05.0

10.015.020.025.030.035.0

Grams per 100 grams of fat

Pasture Pen

a a a aa

b

Good SFABad SFA Good MUFA

Economics

Advantage to pen-fed goatsGrowth+ 2.85 lbs. @ $1.60/lb. = + $4.56Feed costs$14.05 (pen) - $7.81 (pasture) = + $6.24Additional profit$4.56 + $6.24 = $10.80/goat$10.80 x 15 goats = $162 total

On the other handThe cost of parasite control and any death losses (due to parasites) would have offset the advantage exhibited by the pasture-fed goats.

We’d like to repeat the study . . . Why?

• Results in 2011 and 2012 were opposite.

• We’d like to correct the possible biases in the study.– Equalize groups of goats – Use same scale for weighing

• Feed a different ration to the pen-fed goats.– Mixed hay + whole barley

• Regardless of the comparison, we’d like to determine if pen feeding can be a viable method for raising market goats.

Thank you Maryland Grain Producers!