Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
only 0.5-0.6% should be grain. Good pasture, hay, or
silage plus 0.5 kg of 12-14% protein grain mix, a salt-
mineral mix, and vitamin A and E supplement can provide
the required nutrients. The feed trough should be located
some distance away to encourage exercise. Fresh water
should be available at all times.
should be separated and monitored closely. Feeding a
high-energy/protein lactation ration along with long hay,
yeast, probiotics, and chelated minerals according to the
body condition score is recommended (Table 10.10 ).
Feeding Nursing Does
During the fi rst few months of lactation, animals should
consume enough to meet their needs for milk production
and for nursing kids. High quality legume or grass hay and
a grain mix containing a minimum of 16% protein bal-
anced for vitamins and minerals is recommended. Nursing
does should be fed both to produce milk and produce
heavier weaned kids. Good pasture, browse, and garden
products including root crops can be helpful. Grain intake
should be increased if needed to optimize kid growth. The
grain mix should be supplemented with an adequate salt-
mineral mix and vitamins A and E.
F
EEDING
C
LOSE
-
UP
D
RY
D
OES
OR
T
RANSITION
D
OES
The last 3 weeks of gestation is referred to as the “close-up
dry period” or transition period for pregnant dairy does.
This is the period when nutrient requirements for fetal
growth and mammary development dramatically increase
while at the same time, space in the abdomen becomes
limited by the developing concepta so that feed consump-
tion can be limited. Intake often decreases by more than
35% while nutrient requirements increase. At this point,
the animal needs high-energy and protein feeds. Dairy
rations often use the “halfway rule of thumb” (that is, feed
half the amount of feed that will be fed after does kid).
Increase intake gradually. No extra buffers should be
needed, but if milk fever is expected, an anionic salt
program is recommended for goats as it is for dairy cattle.
Feeding anionic salts (Table 10.9) to manipulate the
cation-anion balance is recommended especially for high-
producing dairy cattle fed forage like alfalfa hay that is
rich in calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. Feeding
anionic salts lowers blood pH and urine pH, stimulates
release of calcium from bones, and increases calcium
absorption. The use of anionic salts in dairy goats has not
been studied. Nevertheless, it seems prudent to feed low
potassium feeds such as beet pulp or corn silage, reduce
sodium bicarbonate and limestone in the diet, and add
calcium sulfate, or calcium and ammonium chloride to
reduce the cation-anion difference (CAD) and urine pH.
Along with anionic salts, feeding a palatable total mixed
ration properly supplemented with minerals is recom-
mended. Avoid feeding anionic salts to young doelings
because it may cause udder edema; instead, young does
Feeding Herd Sires (Bucks)
To have a productive herd and make genetic progress, care
must be exercised in selecting and caring for the herd sire.
A herd sire should be selected from a high producing doe.
Proper early nutrition is necessary to enhance the produc-
tive life of a herd sire with good performance and
conformation.
P
REBREEDING
S
EASON
A young herd sire should be maintained on a balanced diet
year-round for maintenance and growth. Good quality hay
provided for free choice intake generally will meet the
sire's nutrient requirements. The buck's activities during
the off breeding season are limited, but as the breeding
season approaches, necessary measurements should be
Table 10.10
Nutrient recommendations for
transition rations for lactating dairy goats.
Far - off
Close - up
Fresh
Net Energy Lactation
(Mcal/kg)
1.32
1.5 - 1.6
1.7
Table 10.9
Common anionic compounds fed to
dairy cattle late in pregnancy.
Crude Protein, %
12
15 - 16
18
Neutral Detergent Fiber, %
45 - 65
35 - 40
30
Anionic Salts or Mixtures
Non - fi ber Carbohydrates, %
25
30
35
Magnesium, Calcium and Ammonium Sulfate
Fat, %
3
4
5
Calcium, and Ammonium Chloride
Source: Adapted from “ Feeding the transition dairy
cow” by Sandra Stokes, Extension Dairy Specialist,
Texas A & M University System, Texas AgriLife
Extension Service. http://AgriLifebooksstore.tamu.edu.
Nutri - Chlor — Canola meal treated with HCl
Soy - Chlor — Heat treated soybean meal treated with
HCl
