This document summarizes a study comparing goats fed in pens versus on pasture. The pen-fed goats gained more weight on average and had lower worm infection rates. However, the differences in meat quality and fatty acid content between the groups were small and not meaningful. Economically, pen feeding was shown to be advantageous based on increased growth rates and lower feed costs, though these benefits could be offset by parasite control costs for pasture-fed goats. The researchers aim to repeat the study with adjustments to equalize the goat groups and feeding methods.

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

2. I like
grain!
Thank you for your support of the
2012 pen vs. pasture study.

3. Pen-fed (n=15) Pasture-fed (n=15)
• Maintained in dry lot • Maintained on pasture
• Free choice grass hay • Pasture only diet
Warm and cool season grasses and forbs
• Fed grain once per day
(4 parts whole barley: 1 part 36% CP pellet) • No supplemental feed

4. Growth rate – average daily gain (ADG)
0.183 vs. 0.149 lbs./day
2.85 lbs. over 84 days

5. Worm status
11 goats dewormed
0 goats dewormed

6. Live grade and carcass yield

7. Meat Quality (last year’s data)
Longissimus dorsi had 1.3% intramuscular fat and 23.3% protein.
Grams per 100 grams of fat
35.0 Pasture Pen
30.0 b
25.0
20.0 a
15.0 a a a a
10.0
5.0
0.0 Bad SFA Good SFA Good MUFA
Palmitic acid Stearic acid Oleic acid
16-0 18-0 18-1, cis-9
Even when there are differences in fatty acid content, the
differences are not likely relevant to the human diet.

8. Economics
 Advantage to pen-fed goats
Growth
+ 2.85 lbs. @ $1.60/lb. = + $4.56
Feed costs
$14.05 (pen) - $7.81 (pasture) = + $6.24
Additional profit
$4.56 + $6.24 = $10.80/goat
$10.80 x 15 goats = $162 total
 On the other hand
The cost of parasite control and
any death losses (due to parasites)
would have offset the advantage
exhibited by the pasture-fed goats.

9. 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.

10. Thank you Maryland Grain Producers!