Day 70 - goats lose weight

Friday, August 29, 7 a.m. -- The goats were worked today [in the rain] by Jeff Semler, David Gordon, Mary Beth Bennett, Jeanne Dietz-Band, Pam Thomas, and Susan Schoenian.

Weights were disappointing. On average, the goats lost 0.139 lbs. (63 g) per day for the previous 14-day period. Weight gain (loss) ranged from -0.429 (195 g) to 0.286 lbs. (130 g) per day. Explanations for the weight loss include a heavier parasite load and increased rutting behavior.

For the first 70 days of the test, ADG is averaging 0.143 lbs. (65 g) per day. Among the 58 goats on test, ADG is ranging from -.101 to 0.304 lbs. (46 to 138 g).

So far, the top performing buck is a Kiko consigned by John Smith (VA). Smith's buck gained 0.286 lbs. per day from August 15 to August 29 and is averaging 0.304 lbs. per day for the duration of the test. This goat has not required deworming.

The next best performers are bucks consigned by Dave Sparks (OK) and Benjamin Mourad and Timothy Rodman (MD). The Sparks buck was dewormed today, whereas the Mourad buck have not required any anthelmintic treatment.

Today's FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 5 and averaged 2.57 compared to 2.38 on August 15. Twenty-nine (29) of the 58 goats were dewormed with moxidectin, compared to 9 goats on August 15. All goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3, 4, or 5 were dewormed.

With the continued decline in FAMACHA© scores, we made a decision to deworm all goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3. This follows the recommendations of the Southern Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control.

The goats had previously been grazing chicory regrowth. After being worked today, they were returned to the two acre paddock containing pearl millet. After the pearl millet was previously grazed, rows were mowed through the middle of the field.

The pearl millet had grown very rapidly due to the significant amount of moisture received earlier in the summer. The goats seem to have developed a preference for the pearl millet.

Download August 29 report