Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
goats; thus, use of extra-label drugs is a common practice.
Therefore, there is a need for integrated management strat-
egies to avoid high nematode burdens in goats. Co-grazing
of goats with other ruminants, especially cattle, may
provide a means not only to improve pastures but to reduce
parasite load and anthelmintic use in goats. This area of
research should be fully investigated as a holistic approach
and a part of an integrated parasite management. Indigenous
goats show more resistance to internal parasites. Therefore,
either crossing indigenous goats with newly improved
breeds to produce more resilient animals or treatment with
naturally occurring substances with inherent anthelmintic
activity must be researched. Plant secondary metabolites
such as tannins are showing promise for reducing parasite
load. These compounds can also render proteins unavail-
able. More research should be conducted to evaluate the
optimum levels of forage that contain tannins to improve
performance by reducing parasite load and nutrition of the
animal. Other innovative approaches can be used, such as
incorporating the use of elevated slatted false fl oor housing
to eliminate re-infestation with internal parasite eggs.
Future research should be focused on evaluating the effi -
cacy of an integrated approach to controlling gastrointes-
tinal parasites.
Goats, when raised intensively, seem to be more stress
prone than cattle or sheep (author's personal observation);
however, there is no research to document this in goats
under a confi nement system. High stress levels are associ-
ated with lower immune response that can directly infl u-
ence resistance to diseases and parasites. More research
relating to the plane and level of nutrition, environmental
stressors, and immune responses is needed as a part of an
integrated approach to parasite management.
The great advantages of elevated slatted false fl oor
housings for dairy and meat goats and their impact on
reducing parasite load must be investigated. This fl ooring
system is found in many tropical countries, and it is the
only management system practiced for half a million head
of dairy goats in Taiwan. This system can contribute to
controlling transmission of internal parasites and can be
used as a part of integrated parasite management.
mining thermal neutral zone, lower critical temperature,
and higher critical temperature for goats. Goats being a
more agile species may have a need for different sets of
requirements for temperature or ventilation capacity than
sheep. More consideration for housing design that accom-
modates goats' playful nature and space requirements for
their welfare must be revisited. Automated systems of
feeding and watering may be more economical and support
the freewill nature of goats and may avoid agonist behavior
and reduce overfeeding.
The elevated housing or lofting area that is practiced in
the most tropical regions of the world is completely ignored
in the U.S. The elevated slatted fl oor for housing goats will
reduce transmission of parasites.
Environmental Enhancement and Animal Welfare
The welfare of farm animals and the environment where
they have been raised and slaughtered is increasingly
becoming a major concern for consumers. Consumers are
becoming increasingly concerned about the products they
consume, not only in terms of fat, cholesterol, and drug
residue levels, but they want to be reassured that animals
have been raised under humane conditions and in a stress-
free environment, and have received humane treatment
during handling and slaughter.
Consumers are increasingly more conscious about the
welfare of animals raised for food production under inten-
sive systems. Also the negative impact of animals on the
environment, especially in concentrated feeding facilities,
is of major concern in developed countries. The unit area
needed to house a goat humanely under intensive and
extensive management systems must be evaluated more
accurately. It appears that goats may need more surface
area per animal unit than cattle and sheep to reduce para-
site burden and use of anthelmintics.
Also, the positive impact of goats on enhancing the envi-
ronment by reducing fi re fuel load or improving pastures
must be researched. Goats can be successfully used to
reduce use of petrochemical-based herbicides and to avoid
dangerous fi res in pine plantations or other areas that are
used for human habitats. However, when placing goats in
these systems, the number of goats per unit area (stocking
rate) and appropriate exposure time for plant growth and
height, is not well defi ned and needs further investigation.
Goat Housing and Environment
In the developed countries, the majority of goats are raised
under intensive conditions for meat and especially milk
productions. Searching literature for favorable environ-
mental and housing conditions for goats, very limited data
exist. Currently available data on favorable climatic condi-
tions for housing design for goats are scarce and mostly
are from sheep data. Future research should focus on deter-
Product Availability and Quality
In developed countries such as the U.S., demand for goat
products, especially meat and cheese, is increasing.
Consumers demand a steady supply of fresh meat products
with consistent quality year-round. The effi cacy of out - of -
