Day 42

6:30 a.m. -- The goats were worked today by Jeff Semler, Willie Lantz, Mary Beth Bennett, Jeanne Dietz-Band, and Susan Schoenian.

FAMACHA©, body condition, and coat condition scores were determined by Susan Schoenian. Data was recorded by Pam Thomas. Individual and pooled fecal samples were collected and sent via overnite mail to Delaware State University and the University of Georgia, respectively.

Jeff Semler weighed the goats. For the previous 14-day period, weight gain (or loss) ranged from -6 lbs. (2.7 kg) to +5 lbs. (2.3 kg) and averaged 1.1 lbs. (0.5 kg) or 0.075 lbs. (34 g) per day.

For the period, three bucks tied for having the highest amount of gain: 5 lbs. or 0.357 lbs. per day. The top-performing bucks for the period were consigned by Kendell and Dana Barnes (KY), Jeanne Dietz-Band (MD), and Don Smith (VA).

For the first 42 days of the test, the top gaining goat is a Kiko buck consigned by Merritt Burke (DE). It has gained 17 lbs. (7.7 kg) or 0.405 lbs. (184 g) per day since June 20.

For all sixty goats, weight gain (or loss) for the first 42 days ranged from -10 lbs. (4.5 kg) to + 17 lbs. (7.7 kg) and averaged 5.2 lbs (2.4 kg) or 0.125 lbs. (56.8 g) per day.

Today's FAMACHA© eye anemia scores ranged from 1 to 3 and no goat required anthelmintic treatment. The average FAMACHA© score was 2.2 compared to 2.1 two weeks ago. Weather conditions are "perfect" for development of the barber pole worm. Last year, fecal egg counts, FAMACHA© scores, and the need for anthelmintic treatment peaked on August 30.

We await more parasite data. No new data has been received since the results from the June 18 fecal collections.

Download July 30 report

Day 28

7 a.m. -- The goats were worked today by Jeff Semler, David Gordon, Mary Beth Bennett, Shannon Uzelac, Nelson Escobar, Susan Schoenian, and Pam Thomas. A veterinary student from Virginia Tech visited the test site to gain experience with meat goats and assessing FAMACHA© scores.

FAMACHA©, body condition, and coat condition scores were determined by Susan Schoenian. Data was recorded by Pam Thomas. Individual and pooled fecal samples were collected and sent via overnite mail to Delaware State University and the University of Georgia.

Jeff Semler weighed the goats. For the previous 15-day period, weight gain (or loss) ranged from -5.0 lbs. (2.3 kg) to +12.0 lbs. (5.5 kg) and averaged 3.3 lbs. (1.5 kg) or 0.221 lbs. (100 g) per day.

For the period, the top gaining buck was a Kiko consigned by Merritt Burke (DE). It gained 12 lbs. (5.5 kg) or 0.80 lbs. (364 g) per day. Merritt Burke had another Kiko buck that gained 11 lbs. (5.5 kg) or 0.73 lbs. (332 g) per day. Craig Adams (IL) also had a Kiko buck that gained 11 lbs.

The better gains are attributed to cool weather (mostly in the 80's), low humidity, and preferred forages. During the past two weeks, the goats have been grazing paddocks containing chicory, pearl millet, brassicas, and weeds. They are currently grazing a field in which a sericea lespedeza planting failed. The field contains mostly volunteer weeds which the goats seem to relish.

For the first 28 days of the test, two Kiko bucks are tied for having the highest average daily gain: consignments from Merritt Burke (DE) and Craig Adams (IL). Their bucks have gained 15 lbs. (6.8 kg) or 0.54 lbs. (245 g) per day since June 18.

For all of the goats, weight gain (or loss) for the first 28 days ranged from -9.0 (4.1 kg) to + 15.0 lbs. (6.8 kg) and averaged 4.2 lbs (1.9 kg) or 0.149 lbs. (67.7 g) per day.

Despite limited rainfall in the past month, internal parasites (worms) are starting to become more of an issue. FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 4 and averaged 2.1, compared to 1.7 on July 1. Five goats required anthelmintic treatment and were administered Cydectin® 1% injectable at a dose of 1 ml per 110 lbs. Body condition scores declined slightly. Coat condition scores did not differ.

After working, the goats were given continued access to the weed field. The goats will be worked next on Thursday, July 30.

Download July 16 report

First 13 days

7 a.m. -- The goats were worked today (a day early due to the July 4th holiday) by Jeff Semler, Mary Beth Bennett, Susan Schoenian, Jeanne Dietz-Band, and Pam Thomas. The goats were weighed by Jeff Semler.

FAMACHA©, body condition, and coat condition scores were determined by Susan Schoenian. Data was recorded by Pam Thomas. Individual and pooled fecal samples were collected and sent via overnite mail to Delaware State University and the University of Georgia.

For the previous 13 days, weight gain/loss ranged from -9 to +6 lbs. (-4.1 to 2.7 kg) and averaged 0.9 lbs. (0.41 kg) or 0.07 lbs. (32 g) per day for the 60 goats on test.

The top-gaining goat for the period was a Kiko buck consigned by Craig Adams from Illinois. It gained 0.46 lbs. (209 g) per day. Merritt Burke (DE) and Wes Pinneo (KS) had Kiko goats that gained 0.38 lbs. (173 g) per day for the 13-day period.

The double-deworming on June 6 continued to keep parasites in check. Only one goat required anthelmintic treatment. All other goats had FAMACHA© scores between 1 and 3. The average FAMACHA© score was 1.7.

Currently, goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3 are not being dewormed. This may change, if and when parasites become a bigger issue. Body condition and coat condition scores remained relatively unchanged at 2.7.

Results of the first fecal coproculture revealed a parasite infection composed of 84 percent Haemonchus contortus (barber pole worm) and 16 percent Trichostrongylus. The egg count of the June 6th pooled sample was 533 eggs per gram. The egg count of the pooled sample from June 18 was only 33 epg. There were not enough eggs for culture ID.

Since last Thursday, the goats had been grazing chicory, a perennial herb with purported "anthelminic-like" activity. Today, they were given access to a two-acre paddock containing dwarf pearl millet, brassicas, and forbs. The goats will be worked next on Thursday, July 16.

Download July 1 report