Nutrition

Notes on Goats: Feeding Management of A Meat Goat Herd

Dr. Sandra G. Solaiman, Professor, Tuskegee University
(Previously published online with Tuskegee University: November, 2006)

The single most significant variable cost in any livestock operation is feed cost. It averages 45% of the variable cost of an operation including labor costs or is about 64% of the variable cost of an operation excluding labor. Any management practice that can reduce feed cost will significantly improve profit. In this technical paper the major points in the nutrition of goats are discussed to help you understand the digestive system, feeds, and feeding of goats.

The Digestive System of Ruminants
The goat belongs to a group of animals called ruminants that have a 4 compartment stomach (Fig. 1) and a unique ability to digest roughages containing relatively large amounts of cellulose. Cellulose is the chief part of the cell walls of plants and a potential source of energy for ruminant animals. The digestive system of ruminants contains millions of bacteria and protozoa that can digest and manufacture a variety of nutrients. Continue reading…

Understanding Forages and Feedstuffs

Dr. Brady Campbell, Assistant Professor, OSU State Small Ruminant Extension Specialist

Understanding the quality and value of forages within your operation will greatly improve your bottom line. With the recent green up in fields that I’ve seen across the countryside, today we’ll focus a bit more heavily on forages as it is the primary feed source used in sheep production globally, as well as the one that is most commonly overlooked and underappreciated. Ruminant species in grazing situations need to maximize forage digestion in order to meet their daily energy and protein requirements. Forages with unknown nutritive values can be dangerous as a producer may unintentionally limit or reduce and animals’ ability to meet their daily energy and protein requirements. Additional factors to consider are forage species, maturity at harvest, and lignin concentration. Remember, forage quality, nutritive values, and species grown/available will differ based upon geographic location. This section will highlight factors that should be considered to improve your forage feeding system.

Because of their versatility, Continue reading Understanding Forages and Feedstuffs →

Creep Feeding Lambs

Jaelyn Whaley, South Dakota State University Extension Sheep Field Specialist
(Previously published online with South Dakota State University Extension: February 9, 2024)

(Image Source: South Dakota State University Extension)

Creep provides young lambs with a concentrated (energy/protein) feed while nursing with the value of facilitating the development and functioning of a lamb’s digestive system, accelerating growth. At birth, lambs have an immature digestive system; milk is shunted past the first stomachs to the abomasum for nutrient digestion and absorption. To become a mature, and functioning ruminant capable of utilizing roughage feeds, lambs must undergo a huge transition, shifting nutrient digestion and absorption from the abomasum to the rumen. This transition takes place with the introduction of solid feed and water. Earlier introduction of feed and water accelerates this transition, and, therefore, promotes early lamb growth and weaning.

Promotion of rumen development is a multi-faceted process, but providing creep is one essential ingredient, delivering easily digestible carbohydrates and proteins. The easily Continue reading Creep Feeding Lambs →

A Glossary of Feed Analysis Terms and How to Interpret Them

Haley Campbell, Lecturer, The Ohio State University ATI

As we get closer to spring grazing, we’re itching to put our sheep out to pasture to enjoy the lush growth carpeting the fields. However, at least in the Midwest, we still have a few weeks before pastures are ready to be trodden down by cloven feet. In the meantime, the sheep can get by on hay, stored forages, or grains. But do you know what nutrients are in those feeds? Feed companies already give nutrient contents and those can be found on the feed tag. Forages are another story – visual appraisal can only get us so far. By submitting a forage sample (hay, silage, baleage, fresh pasture, etc.) to an analysis lab, like Rock River, DairyLand Laboratories, DairyOne, and others, we can accurately know what nutrients we can provide to our sheep. When those results come back, they are filled with a plethora of terms and acronyms that can be difficult to interpret without any background knowledge. Below, I’ve picked a few that are usually the most important to know and understand.

Dry Matter (DM)– the amount of feed in feed! It is the percent of Continue reading A Glossary of Feed Analysis Terms and How to Interpret Them →

Up Your Pasture Quality Game

Amber Friedrichsen, Managing Editor, Hay and Forage Grower
(Previously published in Hay & Forage Grower: August 20, 2024)

Nutritive value and forage quality are often used interchangeably, but they are not synonymous. If the terms were Russian nesting dolls, the former would fit inside the latter, representing one piece of a larger puzzle.

In an article from the Midwest Forage Association’s Forage Focus newsletter, Yoana Newman with the University of Wisconsin-River Falls clarifies that nutritive value refers to the chemical composition of forage based on components like energy, fiber, protein, fat, and minerals. Forage quality, on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses nutritive value in addition to forage intake and antiquality components. Continue reading Up Your Pasture Quality Game →

Lucky Clovers

Christine Gelley, OSU Extension Educator ANR, Noble County
(Previously published online with: Ag Proud: Progressive Cattle, February 20, 2025)

(Image Source: Agricom: Pastures for Profit – New Zealand)

At A Glance:
For centuries the clover has been symbolic in cultures and religions in areas where clovers thrive. Whether found with leaves of three, four, or more- a field of clover is beneficial in many ways beyond folklore.

Clover Symbolism
March is the humble clover’s time to shine. Symbolic of luck, the celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day, the welcoming of spring, 4-H enrollment time, clovers are featured prominently in our culture this time of year and they become prominent in pastures too.

Much of the agricultural community will recognize a four-leaf clover as the iconic national symbol of 4-H, a youth development program delivered by Cooperative Extension services from Continue reading Lucky Clovers →

Nutrition Throughout Pregnancy for Sheep Flocks

Melanie Barkley, Senior Extension Educator: Livestock, Penn State Extension
(Previously published with Penn State Extension: July 7, 2022)

Feeding the sheep flock is a critical aspect of sheep production and management. Good nutrition influences the overall health status of the entire flock, as well as the growth performance of lambs. This is particularly important throughout the breeding season and pregnancy. Sheep need to eat a balanced diet in order to be healthy and productive.

Proper nutrition starts with the six classes of nutrients. These six classes of nutrients include water, carbohydrates, lipids (fats), protein, vitamins, and minerals. The proper balance of these nutrients can be achieved with a wide range of feed ingredients. A well-balanced diet during pregnancy will help ensure embryo survival and can also lead to healthy and vigorous lambs at birth.

Water is by far the most essential “nutrient” in a sheep diet. Fresh, clean water should always be available. Stale or dirty water will lead to decreased water intake, which ultimately will decrease feed intake. Decreased feed intake will Continue reading Nutrition Throughout Pregnancy for Sheep Flocks →