Pasture vs. pen-fed goats

Carcass characteristics ofpasture vs. pen-fed meat goats S. G. Schoenian1*, J.W. Semler1, D. L. Gordon1, M.B. Bennett2, and D.J. O’Brien3 1Universityof Maryland College Park 2West Virginia University 3Delaware State University

Background• There is a lack of data pertaining to the performance, carcass characteristics, and economics of finishing meat goats in different production systems.

Procedure• Consigners to the 2011 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test were asked to provide an additional goat for pen- feeding.• The same consigner provided a second buck from the pasture test for slaughter comparison.

ProcedurePen-fed (n=9) Pasture-raised (n=9)• 4.9 m2 zero grazing pen • Rotationally-grazed among six• Unlimited access to grass hay 2-acre paddocks of cool and• Limit-fed grain once per day warm season grasses – Avg. 1 lb. per head per day • No supplemental feeding• Free choice minerals • Free choice minerals w/Rumensin® w/Rumensin®

Data (6/10-9/15)• Bi-weekly – Body weights – FAMACHA© scores – Body condition scores – Coat condition scores – Dag scores – Fecal egg counts• October 1 – Ultrasound • Backfat • Rib eye area

Procedures• After 112 days of consuming their respective diets, the goats were harvested to collect carcass data.• Live weights were determined prior to transport to a custom-exempt slaughter- house (60 km away) for same day slaughter.• Hot carcass weights were determined immediately after slaughter.• Cold carcass weights were determined 6 days later when the carcasses were processed for data collection.

Procedures• Kidney and heart fat was removed from the carcass and weighed.• Carcasses were split between the 12th and 13th rib.• Body wall thickness was measured with a metal ruler.• Rib eye area was measured using a plastic grid.

Procedures• Carcasses were completely deboned and separated into bone, fat, and lean, which were weighed to determine carcass percentages.• A sample of the rib eye was sent to the meat lab at Ohio State University for analysis.

DataMEASURED CALCULATED• Hot carcass weight (HCW) • Dressing percentage• Cold carcass weight (CCW) HCW ÷ Live weight• Rib eye area (REA) • Percent KH fat• Body wall thickness (BWT) KH ÷ CCW• KH fat (KH) weight • Percent Bone Bone ÷ CCW• Fat weight • Percent Fat• Bone weight Fat ÷ CCW• Lean weight • Percent lean Lean ÷ CCW • Yield Lean ÷ Live weight

Results Trait Pasture Pen LW, kg 26.0 ±0.94a 28.8 ±2.16a HCW, kg 10.3 ±0.52a 12.9 ±1.23a DP, % 39.4 ±1.15a 44.4 ±1.57b CCW, kg 9.4 ±0.49a 12.3 ±1.25b %KH 1.45 ±0.008a 2.64 ±0.025b BWT, cm 0.41 ±0.04a 0.62 ±0.09b REA, cm2 8.06 ±0.51a 10.11 ±1.11aU-REA, cm2 6.42 ±0.23 7.91 ±0.82 % Fat 2.14 ±0.08a 4.34 ±0.26b % bone 42.28 ±1.10 37.15 ±1.56 % Lean 54.80 ±1.16a 57.87 ±1.51a Yield, % 19.78 ±0.09a 24.49 ±1.49b

Live and carcass weights (kg) 30.0 25.0 20.0 p < 0.05 15.0 10.0 5.0 a a a a a b 0.0 Live weight Hot carcass weight Cold carcass weight Pasture Pen-fed

Dressing percentage, % Pasture-raised Pen-fed55.0%50.0%45.0%40.0%35.0%30.0% 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9Each number on the horizontal axis represents two goats from the same consigner.

Dressing percentage, % 44.445.043.041.0 39.439.037.0 a b35.0 Pasture-raised Pen-fed p < 0.02

Carcass yields, % p < 0.0014.5%4.0% p < 0.001 b3.5%3.0%2.5% b2.0%1.5% a1.0% a0.5%0.0% % KH % Fat Pasture-fed Pen-fed

Carcass yields, %60.0%55.0%50.0%45.0%40.0%35.0% p < 0.0230.0%25.0%20.0%15.0% a a a a a b10.0% % Bone % Lean Yield, % Pasture-raised Pen-fed

Rib eye area, cm2

Rib eye area, cm2 Pasture-fed Pen-fed11.0010.00 9.00 8.00 7.00 6.00 a a 5.00 Carcass Ultrasound

Carcass vs. ultrasound Carcass Ultrasound11.0010.00 9.00 8.00 7.00 6.00 a b a b 5.00 Pasture Pen p < 0.05

Conclusion• Pen-feeding improved the carcass yield of meat goats in this preliminary study, but the economics of pen-feeding will vary by operation.• A more formal study will be conducted in 2012 to evaluate the performance, carcass traits, and economics of pen vs. pasture feeding.

Thank you for your attention.

Pasture vs. pen-fed goats

by University of Maryland Extension Small Ruminant Program

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