04/18/23

Goat Nutrition From A to ZGoat Nutrition From A to Z

Steve HartSteve Hart

E (Kika) de la Garza American E (Kika) de la Garza American Institute for Goat ResearchInstitute for Goat Research

Langston University, OKLangston University, OK

Goat Program at Langston Goat Program at Langston UniversityUniversity

Web site www2.luresext.eduWeb site www2.luresext.edu Research Research Nutrient RequirementsNutrient Requirements Vegetative MgtVegetative Mgt Internal ParasitesInternal Parasites Field Day April 25Field Day April 25thth

Meat Goat HandbookMeat Goat Handbook www.scsrpc.orgwww.scsrpc.org

Nutrition for HealthNutrition for Health

It is well established that good It is well established that good nutrition is necessary for proper nutrition is necessary for proper immune system function.immune system function.

Excess nutrition can also impair Excess nutrition can also impair immune system functionimmune system function

Although nutrition may be adequate Although nutrition may be adequate for production, it may not be for production, it may not be adequate for immune system adequate for immune system functioning.functioning.

Nutrition for HealthNutrition for Health

Goats are normally healthy animals Goats are normally healthy animals except for what man does to them:except for what man does to them:

Crowding, poor ventilation, stress Crowding, poor ventilation, stress (nutrition/shipping/change peers)(nutrition/shipping/change peers)

Bringing diseases in with new Bringing diseases in with new animals, equipment, boots, clothesanimals, equipment, boots, clothes

Raising your own germs by lack of Raising your own germs by lack of sanitation/rodents etc.sanitation/rodents etc.

Nutrition for HealthNutrition for Health

Many goats, given the opportunity Many goats, given the opportunity (good environment and plenty of (good environment and plenty of pasture to select from) will take care pasture to select from) will take care of themselves.of themselves.

ObjectivesObjectives

Describe the classes of nutrients Describe the classes of nutrients required for health and productionrequired for health and production

Discuss how we may provide for Discuss how we may provide for these nutrientsthese nutrients

Use of Langston Interactive Nutrient Use of Langston Interactive Nutrient Calculator to determine how much to Calculator to determine how much to supplementsupplement

Evaluation of body condition to fine-Evaluation of body condition to fine-tune your feeding program tune your feeding program

Classes of NutrientsClasses of Nutrients

WaterWater Protein energyProtein energy Carbohydrates, simple and complex Carbohydrates, simple and complex

energyenergy Fats energyFats energy MineralsMinerals VitaminsVitamins

WaterWater Essential for lifeEssential for life Dry doe 1.0 gallon per dayDry doe 1.0 gallon per day Lactating doe 2.5 gallons per dayLactating doe 2.5 gallons per day Fresh green grass contributes waterFresh green grass contributes water Clean waterClean water Factor in prevention or urinary calculiFactor in prevention or urinary calculi

CarbohydratesCarbohydrates

SugarsSugars ComplexComplex Starch in grainsStarch in grains Cellulose (fiber)Cellulose (fiber) Cellulose highly digestible in Cellulose highly digestible in

youngyoung

plantsplants Fiber necessary for rumen healthFiber necessary for rumen health

FatsFats

High energy contentHigh energy content Forages low in fatForages low in fat Much fat in diet is wax and poorly Much fat in diet is wax and poorly

digesteddigested

Providing EnergyProviding Energy

Energy is costliest item for a goatEnergy is costliest item for a goat PasturePasture Stockpiled pastureStockpiled pasture HayHay Byproduct feedsByproduct feeds Commercial feedCommercial feed

ProteinProtein

Composed of amino acidsComposed of amino acids Goat is efficient at using dietary Goat is efficient at using dietary

proteinprotein Low quality forages require protein Low quality forages require protein

supplementationsupplementation Goats are more subject to urea Goats are more subject to urea

toxicity from non-protein nitrogentoxicity from non-protein nitrogen

Providing ProteinProviding Protein

Protein on vegetative pasture often Protein on vegetative pasture often adequateadequate

Poor pasture, protein is deficientPoor pasture, protein is deficient Winter feeding concerns about Winter feeding concerns about

protein levelprotein level HayHay Protein supplementProtein supplement Prepared feedPrepared feed

B VitaminsB Vitamins

Water solubleWater soluble Synthesized by rumen microbesSynthesized by rumen microbes Deficiency of thiaminDeficiency of thiamin PolioencephalomalaciaPolioencephalomalacia Coccidiostat Corid Coccidiostat Corid High concentrate diets High concentrate diets

VitaminsVitamins

Fat soluble A,D,E,KFat soluble A,D,E,K Vit A deficient in bleached or Vit A deficient in bleached or

weathered hay or stockpiled forageweathered hay or stockpiled forage Vitamin D sunshine vitaminVitamin D sunshine vitamin Vitamin E linked to SeleniumVitamin E linked to Selenium

General Recommended Vitamin General Recommended Vitamin LevelsLevels

Vitamin A 5,000 IU/lbVitamin A 5,000 IU/lb Vitamin D 2,000 IU/lbVitamin D 2,000 IU/lb Vitamin E 80 IU/lbVitamin E 80 IU/lb

Providing for Vitamin RequirementsProviding for Vitamin Requirements

Green grass/browse and sunshineGreen grass/browse and sunshine Liver stores of vitaminsLiver stores of vitamins Green leafy hayGreen leafy hay Mineral supplementsMineral supplements Commercial feedsCommercial feeds InjectionsInjections Read labelsRead labels

Macro mineralsMacro minerals

CalciumCalcium PhosphorusPhosphorus SodiumSodium PotassiumPotassium ChlorideChloride SulfurSulfur MagnesiumMagnesium

Calcium Level .4%Calcium Level .4%

Functions in bone, muscle and nerve Functions in bone, muscle and nerve contractionscontractions

Deficiency causes rickets, bowed Deficiency causes rickets, bowed limbs, lamenesslimbs, lameness

Vitamin D necessary for calcium Vitamin D necessary for calcium absorptionabsorption

Most forages are deficient in calciumMost forages are deficient in calcium

Phosphorus Level .3%Phosphorus Level .3%

Function in soft tissues and bone Function in soft tissues and bone growth, body pHgrowth, body pH

Deficiency reduces growth, pica, Deficiency reduces growth, pica, depraved appetitedepraved appetite

Expensive feed ingredientExpensive feed ingredient May be close to adequate if poultry May be close to adequate if poultry

manure has been appliedmanure has been applied

Magnesium Level .18-.4%Magnesium Level .18-.4% Functions as a component Functions as a component

of bones and function of of bones and function of nervous and muscle systemnervous and muscle system

Major deficiency symptom Major deficiency symptom is grass tetany on lush cool-is grass tetany on lush cool-season pasturesseason pastures

Excitability, staggering, Excitability, staggering, convulsions loss of appetiteconvulsions loss of appetite

Feed palatable mineral with Feed palatable mineral with high level ofhigh level of magnesium magnesium

Potassium, Sodium, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride .8-2.0%Chloride .8-2.0%

Electrolytes in bodyElectrolytes in body Minerals lost in diarrheaMinerals lost in diarrhea Deficiency causes reduced growth, Deficiency causes reduced growth,

pica-depraved appetite, stiffnesspica-depraved appetite, stiffness Salt is sodium chlorideSalt is sodium chloride Potassium seldom deficientPotassium seldom deficient

Sulfur Level .2-.32%Sulfur Level .2-.32%

Functions in protein synthesis, milk Functions in protein synthesis, milk and hair productionand hair production

Deficiency causes poor performance, Deficiency causes poor performance, hair loss, excessive saliva and tearshair loss, excessive saliva and tears

Feeds with natural protein sources Feeds with natural protein sources provide sufficient sulfurprovide sufficient sulfur

Providing for Macromineral Providing for Macromineral RequirementsRequirements

Helps to know hay and grass analysisHelps to know hay and grass analysis Many protein supplements contain Many protein supplements contain

macro and trace minerals and macro and trace minerals and vitaminsvitamins

Mineral supplement with min 12% Mineral supplement with min 12% calcium, 12% phosphorus ?calcium, 12% phosphorus ?

Read the labelRead the label

Urinary Calculi PreventionUrinary Calculi Prevention

No supplemental PNo supplemental P Add Ca to 2.0-2.5 Ca:P ratioAdd Ca to 2.0-2.5 Ca:P ratio No milking rationNo milking ration Plenty of clean/warm waterPlenty of clean/warm water SaltSalt Ammonium chloride .5% Ammonium chloride .5% Biochlor 4.0 oz./dayBiochlor 4.0 oz./day

Problems With Goat Trace Problems With Goat Trace Mineral NutritionMineral Nutrition

Mineral requirements for goats are Mineral requirements for goats are not well knownnot well known

May be breed differences in May be breed differences in requirementsrequirements

Stress increases mineral Stress increases mineral requirements?requirements?

Poor and variable intake of mineral Poor and variable intake of mineral supplements by goatssupplements by goats

Problems With Goat Trace Problems With Goat Trace Mineral NutritionMineral Nutrition

Differences in forage Differences in forage mineral contentmineral content

Major affect by geologyMajor affect by geology Soil pH affects mineral Soil pH affects mineral

availabilityavailability Plant species, stage of Plant species, stage of

maturity and environmentmaturity and environment Goats consume a variety Goats consume a variety

of plantsof plants

Problems With Goat Trace Problems With Goat Trace Mineral NutritionMineral Nutrition

Trace mineralsTrace minerals

Iron, Iodine, Copper, Zinc, Molybdenum Iron, Iodine, Copper, Zinc, Molybdenum Manganese, Selenium, CobaltManganese, Selenium, Cobalt

Regional dependent Selenium, Iodine, Regional dependent Selenium, Iodine, CopperCopper

Beef cattle recommendationsBeef cattle recommendations Plant analysisPlant analysis Blood/liver analysisBlood/liver analysis Custom mineral formulationCustom mineral formulation

Iron Level 50-1,000ppmIron Level 50-1,000ppm

Component of hemoglobin in bloodComponent of hemoglobin in blood Deficiency results in anemiaDeficiency results in anemia Iron is stored in liver, spleen and Iron is stored in liver, spleen and

bone marrowbone marrow

Copper Level 10-80 ppmCopper Level 10-80 ppm

Formation of hemoglobin, enzyme Formation of hemoglobin, enzyme functionfunction

Deficiency anemia, rough bleached Deficiency anemia, rough bleached hair coat, diarrheahair coat, diarrhea

Goat requirements are similar to Goat requirements are similar to cattlecattle

Cobalt Level .1-10.0 ppmCobalt Level .1-10.0 ppm

Component of Vitamin B-12Component of Vitamin B-12 Deficiency anemia, loss of appetite, Deficiency anemia, loss of appetite,

weaknessweakness Seldom deficient in the USSeldom deficient in the US

Zinc Level 40-500 ppmZinc Level 40-500 ppm

Functions in immune system, skin Functions in immune system, skin integrity and reproduction and integrity and reproduction and hooveshooves

Deficiency dermatitis, thick dry Deficiency dermatitis, thick dry patches of skin, hair losspatches of skin, hair loss

Often used to treat skin problemsOften used to treat skin problems

Manganese Level 40-1,000 Manganese Level 40-1,000 ppmppm

Function in bone production and Function in bone production and reproductionreproduction

Deficiency reluctance to walk, foreleg Deficiency reluctance to walk, foreleg deformity, poor reproduction, low deformity, poor reproduction, low birth weightbirth weight

Iodine Level 1.0-50. ppmIodine Level 1.0-50. ppm

Functions as a part of thyroid Functions as a part of thyroid hormone and reproductionhormone and reproduction

Deficiency causes goiter-enlarged Deficiency causes goiter-enlarged thyroid gland-do not confuse with thyroid gland-do not confuse with thymus gland in goatsthymus gland in goats

Deficiency reproduction problems, Deficiency reproduction problems, late abortions, hairless fetus, dumb late abortions, hairless fetus, dumb kids that have no desire to nursekids that have no desire to nurse

Molybdenum Level .1-3.0 ppmMolybdenum Level .1-3.0 ppm

Function in enzyme xanthine oxidaseFunction in enzyme xanthine oxidase Deficiency is very rareDeficiency is very rare Depresses copper absorptionDepresses copper absorption Need four times copper level as Need four times copper level as

molybdenummolybdenum

Selenium Level .2 – 3.0 ppmSelenium Level .2 – 3.0 ppm

Function in reproduction and Function in reproduction and membrane integritymembrane integrity

Deficiency causes white muscle Deficiency causes white muscle disease, poor reproduction and disease, poor reproduction and retained placentaretained placenta

Narrowest range of supplementation Narrowest range of supplementation safetysafety

Interacts with vitamin EInteracts with vitamin E

Copper ToxicityCopper Toxicity

Angora goats more sensitiveAngora goats more sensitive Meat and dairy goats tolerate as Meat and dairy goats tolerate as

much as beef cattle domuch as beef cattle do Don’t use sheep/goat mineralDon’t use sheep/goat mineral Goats need more Cu than sheepGoats need more Cu than sheep Breed and individual differencesBreed and individual differences

Providing for Mineral RequirementsProviding for Mineral Requirements

Present in browse/forage consumedPresent in browse/forage consumed Some body stores, but usually Some body stores, but usually

limitedlimited HayHay Mineral supplementsMineral supplements Commercial feedsCommercial feeds

How Are We Doing?How Are We Doing?

Body condition scoringBody condition scoring Animal reproductionAnimal reproduction Animal healthAnimal health

For Further InformationFor Further Information

http://www2.luresext.edu/goats/training/nutrition.html

http://www2.luresext.edu/goats/library/field/Villaquiran05.pdf

http://www2.luresext.edu/goats/http://www2.luresext.edu/goats/research/nutritionmodule1.htmresearch/nutritionmodule1.htm

Co-species GrazingCo-species Grazing

Minimal dietary overlapMinimal dietary overlap

Cattle consume grass, lesser Cattle consume grass, lesser amounts of forbs and browse: Sheep amounts of forbs and browse: Sheep consume grass, considerable more consume grass, considerable more forbs, less browse and sedges: Goats forbs, less browse and sedges: Goats browse, grass and some forbs.browse, grass and some forbs.

Complimentary grazing relationshipComplimentary grazing relationship

Goat ManagementGoat Management

ParasitesParasites PredatorsPredators Perimeter fencesPerimeter fences

Pasture Stocking RatePasture Stocking Rate

Start with a small group of goats, let Start with a small group of goats, let them multiply and sell goats when them multiply and sell goats when they run out of brush or weedsthey run out of brush or weeds

Two goats/solid acre of brush?Two goats/solid acre of brush?

Six goats to replace one cow?Six goats to replace one cow?

Add .5 to 1.0 goats per cow?Add .5 to 1.0 goats per cow?

Converting Old FencesConverting Old Fences

Sheep and Goat wireSheep and Goat wire 3 extra strands of barbed wire & 3 extra strands of barbed wire &

staysstays 1 or 2 strands of electric fence on 1 or 2 strands of electric fence on

outriggersoutriggers

ConclusionConclusion

Remember the nutrients that your Remember the nutrients that your goats needsgoats needs

Think about cheap ways to provide Think about cheap ways to provide those nutrientsthose nutrients

Use Langston Interactive Calculator Use Langston Interactive Calculator when supplementation is neededwhen supplementation is needed

Follow animal body condition to see Follow animal body condition to see how your nutrition program is workinghow your nutrition program is working