Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
This presentation is about the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test.
Citation preview
BUCK DEVELOPMENT AT THEWESTERN MARYLAND PASTURE-BASED MEAT GOAT PERFORMANCE TEST
SUSAN SCHOENIANSheep &Goat SpecialistWestern Maryland Research & Education Centerwww.sheepandgoat.com – [email protected]
Which buck’s offspring will be more likely to survive to weaning?Which buck’s offspring will grow faster?Which buck’s offspring will be more resistant to worms?Which buck’s daughters will produce more lbs. of live kids?
Which buck is better?
Selection criteria for bucks (and rams)
Live evaluation Body conformation Live handling Measurements
Shows “Expert” opinion
1. On-farm performance testing2. Central performance testing3. Across-flock performance
testing (EPDs)
VISUAL APPRAISAL PERFORMANCE RECORDS
Central performance testing
“A central performance test is where animals from different herds are brought to one central location where performance is recorded. The rationale is that measured differences are more likely due to genetic differences, which will be passed onto offspring, rather than environmental differences which will not. The goal of a central performance test is to identify genetic differences among animals.”
Dr. Dan Waldron Texas A&M University
2008 Top-performing buck (Kiko)
John Smith, Virginia
Small ruminant performance tests
Kerr Center (OK) North Dakota Penn State Texas A&M Virginia Tech Illinois (?) West Virginia University
Angelo State (TX) Fort Valley (GA) Kerr Center (OK) Langston University Nebraska (?) Penn State Texas A&M University of Maryland Western Illinois
RAMS BUCKS
Limitations to central performance testing
Limited to traits that can be measured in the young male.
What is the repeatability (accuracy) of the data?
Different production environments.
Nutrition may be a limiting factor.
GENETICS ENVIRONMENT
Western Maryland Pasture-based Meat Goat Performance Test
Established in 2006 to evaluate the performance of weanling male goats on a pasture-only diet with natural exposure to internal parasites.
GRAZING FROM EARLY JUNE THROUGH LATE SEPTEMBER
Maryland buck testMost important goal is to identify bucks that are more resistant to internal parasites.
RESISTANCEFecal egg counts (FECs)
RESILIENCEPacked cell volume (FAMACHA©, Five Point Check©)
H2 = 20 TO 50 PERCENT
H2 = 10 TO 20 PERCENT
Male goats of any breed or breed cross, born between December 15 (previous year) and March 20 (test year) and weighing 35 to 70 lbs. at the start of the test. Up to 5 goats per consigner (any state).
Eligibility
12.5-acre pasture systemSix paddocks for rotational grazing
Cool season grasses
ORCHARDGRASS MAXQ™ TALL FESCUE
Warm season grass DWARF PEARL MILLET (ANNUAL)
ChicoryHerb with “anthelmintic-like” properties
Weeds
Plant Protein
TDN RFV
Mixed weeds
14.1% 65.8%
111
Chicory 14.3% 75.3%
184
Lambsquarter
23.2% 89.6%
298
Relative feed value of good alfalfa hay is 170 or higher.
SilvopastureWALNUT TREES + MIXED HARDWOODS
Extremes in forage conditionsCONSIDERABLE SEASONAL AND ANNUAL VARIATION IN FORAGE QUALITY AND QUANTITY
June-September 2006-2010Keedysville, Maryland
Monthly and annual rainfall (in)
2006 2007 2008 2009 20100.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
12.00
14.00
16.00
June July AugustSeptember Total
In the event of severe drought conditions
NUTRITIONAL TUBS GRASS HAY
Upon arrival to test site
Body weights Body condition score (1-5) Coat condition score (1-3) Dag score (0-5) FAMACHA© score (1-5) Individual fecal egg count Pooled fecal egg count Larvae ID
Stand in footbath Ear tag Deworm with
anthelmintics from two different chemical classes. (usually moxidectin + levamisole)
5-day treatment for coccidia in water.
Data collected Treatments administered
Every 14 daysLow-stress livestock handing – handling by horns
Weigh FAMACHA© score Body condition score Coat condition score Dag score Health check:
Treat as necessary Collect individual
fecal sample Collect pooled
fecal sample
Five P
oin
t C
heck
©
Goats are penned for multi-day treatments and observation.
Goats with abscesses or pink eye are isolated for testing and treatment, respectively.
Treatment and isolation pens
Since 2009, 19 bucks have been harvested and deboned to collect carcass data and characterize the carcasses of pasture-reared goats.
Carcass evaluation
Ten goats (half-sibs) are being pen-fed for carcass evaluation.
The carcasses of pasture-raised vs. grain (and hay)-fed bucks will be compared.
New for 2011
Number of goats tested
Yearof
test
Start test
Finish
test2006 31 31
2007 47 47
2008 57 57
2009 60 60
2010 72 68
2011 81 80(?) Five year consigners (L-R)Don Smith, Virginia; and Jeanne Dietz-Band,
Maryland
Growth performance
June September
Year ADG
2006 0.190
2007 0.253
2008 0.134
2009 0.206
2010 0.121
2011 0.103
d (-14)
d-0 d-14 d-28 d-42 d-56 d-70 d-84 d-9640
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
Live weight, lbs.
200620072008200920102011
Fecal egg counts (eggs per gram of feces)
Fecal egg counts are a measure of parasite resistance (infection). Resistant animals shed fewer eggs onto the pasture.
Determined by Delaware State University using the modified McMaster procedure.
June September
d (-14) d-0 d-14 d-28 d-42 d-56 d-70 d-84 d-960
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
4,500Average fecal egg count (all goats)
2007
2008
2009
2010
FAMACHA© eye anemia scores
FAMACHA© scores are an estimate of packed cell volume (PCV) and are an indication of parasite “resilience” and the need for deworming.
June September
d (-14) d-0 d-14 d-28 d-42 d-56 d-70 d-84 d-961.4
1.6
1.8
2.0
2.2
2.4
2.6
2.8
3.0
3.2Average bi-weekly FAMACHA© score
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Anthelmintic treatments
FAMACHA©scoring
1 – no Tx2 – no Tx3 – ?4 – Tx5 – Tx
June September
d-0 d-14 d-28 d-42 d-56 d-70 d-84 d-960%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Percent goats requiring anthelmintic treatment
20062007200820092010
Fecal coproculture (larvae ID)
The worm burden has been almost all barber pole worm, especially as the summer progresses.
d-0 d-14 d-28 d-42 d-56 d-70 d-84 d-98 d-11260
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
100
Percent Haemonchus contortus
2008 2009 2010
Other worm species in fecal samples: Trichostrongylus*, Oesophagostomum, Nematodiris, Eimeria, and Moniezia
September
June
Test specifics
Nomination periodApril 1- May 15
Testing fee$20 nomination fee$85 total cost
Delivery datesFirst weekend (Fri-Sat) in June
Sale, field day, and skillathonSeptember 24 or October 1
Top bucks eligible for sale Sell does via private treaty Carcass evaluation http://
mdgoattest.blogspot.com
2008 Top-consignmentKendall & Dana Barnes,
Kentucky
Gold, Silver, and Bronze standards
SMALL RUMINANT PROGRAM
SUSAN SCHOENIANwww.sheepandgoat.co
http://mdgoattest.blogspot.com
Thank you for your attention. Questions?
