Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Goats finish strong

Keedysville, MD, 7:00 a.m. -- The goats were worked today by Mary Beth Bennett, Jeanne Dietz-Band, Pam Thomas, and Susan Schoenian. FAMACHA© eye anemia and body condition scores (BCS) were determined by Susan Schoenian. The goats were weighed by Mary Beth Bennett. Scrotal measurements were taken by Jeanne Dietz-Band.

Continued rutting behavior didn't prevent the goats from posting good average daily gains. For the past 14 days, the 47 goats averaged 0.392 + 0.12 lbs. per day (178.2 g). Among individual goats, gain ranged from 0.143 (65 g) to 0.712 lbs. (324 g) per day. This was the highest average daily gain (ADG) since the first time period (6/22-7/20).

The goats ready to be workedAverage daily gain over the 98-day test period (6/22-9/26) is 0.253 + 0.037 lbs. per day (115 g). Among individual goats, ADG has ranged from 0.143 (65 g) to 0.367 lbs. (167 g) per day. Six goats have gained more than 0.3 lbs. (136 g) per day. Nineteen gained between 0.25 and 0.3 lbs. and sixteen gained between 0.2 and 0.25 lbs. per day.

Only six goats gained less than 0.2 lbs. (91 g) per day. Last year, ADG averaged 0.19 lbs. (86 g) per day, as the goats did not realize any gain during the last 28-day period.

FAMACHA score of 1FAMACHA© scores continued to be strong, averaging 1.68 + 0.58, compared to an average of 1.79 two weeks ago. No goat required anthelmintic treatment. Over the duration of the test, only four goats have been dewormed, excluding the initial treatment with moxidectin. Body condition scores remained relatively constant at 2.79 + 0.16. Body condition scores between 2.5 and 3 are probably most desirable.

Measuring scrotal circumference (SC)Scrotal measurements (SC) ranged from 22.0 to 32.0 centimeters and averaged 26.2 + 1.5 centimeters. These measurements were not adjusted for age, weight, or breed. Research indicates that scrotal circumference is highly related to improved semen quality and quantity and reproductive success.

The research center has not experienced much rainfall for a few weeks, but plenty of forage remains. The goats continue to have access to the entire 10-acre grazing system.