sheep & goat nutriton
TRANSCRIPT
SHEEP & GOAT
NUTRITIONSUSAN SCHOENIAN
SHEEP & GOAT SPECIALIST, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION
WESTERN MARYLAND RESEARCH & EDUCATION CENTER, KEEDYSVILLE, MARYLAND
[email protected] – WWW.SHEEPANDGOAT.COM – WWW.WORMX.INFO
Presentation outline
Nutrients
Nutrient requirements
Intake
Synchronizing forage and animal production
Supplementation
Evaluating nutritional program
Suggested resources
Nutrients required by all sheep and goats
Energy
Protein
Minerals
Vitamins
Water
Energy (calories)
Nutrient required in the greatest quantity.
Is usually the most limiting nutrient.
Comes primarily from carbohydrates and
fats in the diet, but also from excess protein.
Excess energy is stored as fat in the body.
Energy is expressed in different ways:
• TDN - total digestible nutrients, %
• DE - digestible energy, kcal
• ME - metabolizable energy, kcal
• NEp - net energy, kcal
• DOM - digestible organic matter, %
Improper feeding of energy to livestock
Not enough energy in diet Reduced fertility
Reduced growth rates
Reduced milk production
Loss of body condition, reserves
Higher critical temperature
Less cold tolerance
Reduced resistance to disease.
Risk of pregnancy toxemia (ketosis)
Reduced nutrient absorption.
Increases protein requirements (%) of ration.
Too much energy in diet
Wasteful economically
Over-conditioned (BCS >4.5) animals
have impaired reproduction.
Fat females are more prone to
pregnancy toxemia and dystocia.
Feed efficiency decreases once an
animal has reached its optimal finish.
Excess finish is undesirable to most to
consumers.
Protein (amino acids)
Required in smaller amounts than energy.
More expensive feed ingredient than energy.
Amount more important than quality.
Excess protein is not stored in the body: excess protein is broken down and used as energy.
Some excess protein may be beneficial if parasites burdens, esp. barber pole worm, are excessive.
Protein is expressed in different ways:
• CP – crude protein• DP – digestible protein• MP – metabolizable protein
• DIP – rumen degraded intake protein• UIP – undegraded intake protein
Crude protein (CP): N x 6.26 True or “natural” protein
1. Rumen degraded intake protein (DIP)
Digested in rumen
N ammonia microbial protein
2. Undegradable intake protein (UIP)
(bypass or escape protein)
Not digested in rumen.
Digested postruminally (in small intestines) or
excreted in feces.
Non-protein nitrogen (NPN), e.g. urea
By-pass protein
A mix of microbial protein and
bypassed dietary protein is
desired for optimal productivity.
In high-producing animals, it is
recommended that 25-35% of
protein be bypass protein.
20-30 % of the protein in fresh,
high quality forage is bypass
protein.
Supplementing with bypass
protein may improve
productivity and/or increase
resistance to internal parasites.
Bypass Protein sources
Low
Soybean meal
Medium
Cottonseed meal
Dehydrated alfalfa
Distiller’s grains
High
Corn gluten meal
Fish meal
Improper feeding of protein to livestock
Not enough protein
Protein deficiency is rare; most effects are sub-clinical
Impaired reproduction
Reduced growth rates
Reduced hoof and horn growth.
Reduced milk production
Decreased fiber production
Reduced resistance to disease, especially parasites.
Reduced rumen function
Reduced nutrition absorption
Too much protein
Expensive and inefficient source of energy.
Risk of pizzle rot in males
Can cause metabolic harmExcess N ammonia UREA (BUN)
Reduces performance, as energy is
required for removal.
Excess protein has been shown to cause
reproductive problems in cattle .
Excess N (in manure) can be an environmental
concern (“a resource out-of-place”)
MicronutrientsRequired in small amounts: ounces, grams, international units (IU), or parts-per-million (PPM).
Minerals
MacromineralsCalcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P)
Salt: sodium and chloride (NaCl)
Potassium (K)
Magnesium (Mg)
Sulfur (S)
Trace or microminerals1. Cobalt (Co)2. Copper (Cu)3. Fluoride (F)4. Iron (Fe)5. Iodine (I)6. Manganese (Mn)7. Molybdenum (Mo)8. Selenium (Se)9. Zinc (Zn)
Vitamins
Fat-soluble - A – D – E – K
Carotene (green forages) vitamin A
Sunlight Vitamin D
Vitamin E sometimes requires supplementation
Vitamin K synthesized in rumen
Water-soluble - B complex – C
B vitamins synthesized in rumen
Vitamin C synthesized in tissues
Possible micronutrient problems
Deficiencies
Calcium and phosphorusrickets
Calcium
Milk fever
Copper
Various, including
swayback, stringy wool,
hair color
IodineGoiter
Magnesium
Grass tetany
Excesses Calcium
milk fever
Copper (esp. sheep)Chronic or acute toxicity
Selenium toxicosis
Sulfur - polio
Imbalances Copper, molybdenum, and sulfur
Copper toxicity or deficiency
Calcium and phosphorus
Urinary calculi
SaltLower feed and water
consumption
Selenium and Vitamin E
White muscle disease
Various other problems
Thiamin (B2)
Polioencephamalacia
ZincWool picking, skin problems,
hoof problems
Important nutrition interactions
Calcium and phosphorusRatio should never go below 1:1
2:1 is ideal for most rations, especially for males and castrates.
Cobalt and vitamin B12
Copper, molybdenum and sulfurMolybdenum forms insoluble complex with copperSulfur binds with molybdenum
Nitrogen and sulfur10:1 to 12:1 ratio is ideal
Energy and proteinExcess protein (N) reduces nutrient absorption and causes intestinal imbalances.
Nutrient requirements of sheep and goats
Vary by
Species
Genetics (type)
Size (weight)
Body condition
Sex
Age
Stage and level of production
Disease
Environment
Nutrient requirements vary by species
and genetics
0.50
0.70
0.90
1.10
1.30
1.50
1.70
1.90
2.10
2.30
Angora Boer Local Dairy Lamb
Energy (TDN) requirements, lb/day
66 lb. intact male kids/lamb
0.33 0.33
0.33
0.66
0.09+
fibergrowth
0.50
0.70
0.90
1.10
1.30
1.50
1.70
1.90
Mature ewe Meat doe Dairy doe Angora doe
Energy (TDN) requirements, lb/day
132 lb. female, maintenance
+fiber
growth
Source: Nutrient requirements of small ruminants, 2007
Nutrient requirements vary by size (weight)
0.80
0.90
1.00
1.10
1.20
1.30
1.40
1.50
1.60
1.70
110-lb 154-lb 198-lb
Energy requirements, lb. TDN/day
Mature ewe, maintenance
0.60
0.70
0.80
0.90
1.00
1.10
1.20
1.30
1.40
1.50
88-lb 132-lb 154-lb
Energy requirements, lb. TDN/day
Mature non-dairy doe, maintenance
Source: Nutrient requirements of small ruminants, 2007
Energy requirements vary by stage
of production
1.00
1.20
1.40
1.60
1.80
2.00
2.20
2.40
Maintenance Breeding Early gestation Late gestation Lactation
Energy requirements, lb. TDN/day
132-lb. mature non-dairy doe (twins)
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
Maintenance Breeding Early gestation Late gestation Lactation
Energy requirements, lb. TDN/day
176-lb. mature ewe (twins)
Source: Nutrient requirements of small ruminants, 2007
Protein requirements vary by stage
of production
0.10
0.20
0.30
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
0.80
Maintenance Breeding Early gestation Late gestation Lactation
Protein requirements, lb/day
176-lb. mature ewe (twins)
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40
0.45
0.50
Maintenance Breeding Early gestation Late gestation Lactation
Protein requirements, lb/day
132-lb. non-dairy doe (twins)
Source: Nutrient requirements of small ruminants, 2007
Mineral requirements vary by stage
and level of production
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
Maintenance Breeding Early gestation Late gestation Early lactation
Mineral requirements, g/d
176-lb. mature ewe (twins)
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
Maintenance Breeding Early gestation Late gestation Early lactation
Mineral requirements, g/d
132-lb non-dairy doe (twins)
Calcium
Phosphorus
Source: Nutrient requirements of small ruminants, 2007
Nutrient requirements vary by level of
production
1.60
1.70
1.80
1.90
2.00
2.10
2.20
2.30
2.40
Single Twins Triplets
Energy requirements, lb. TDN/day
132-doe, late gestation
1.60
1.80
2.00
2.20
2.40
2.60
2.80
3.00
3.20
3.40
Single Twins Triplets
Energy requirements, lb. TDN/d
176-lb. mature ewe, late gestation
Source: Nutrient requirements of small ruminants, 2007
Nutrient requirements vary by desired level of
performance, e.g. ADG
0.50
0.70
0.90
1.10
1.30
1.50
1.70
No gain 0.11 0.22 0.33 0.44 0.55
Energy requirements, lb. TDN/d
44-lb. intact Boer buckling
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
0.44 0.55 0.66 0.88
Energy requirements, lb. TDN/d
66-lb. ram lamb, 4 mos. early maturing
Source: Nutrient requirements of small ruminants, 2007
Intake
Intake is important for acquisition of nutrients, especially by grazing livestock
Livestock require amounts of nutrients, not percentages.
Livestock requirements are based on the dry matter (moisture-free) content of the feed source.
Feedstuffs vary considerably in their dry matter content (percentage).
Fresh-growing forages usually have a low dry matter content compared to more mature pastures and most harvested feeds.
Intake can be a limiting factor on pasture-based diets.
Factors affecting intake
PalatabilityFlavor and texture
Foraging behaviorbite size and bite rate
Chemical characteristics of feedalkaloids, endophyte, tannins, and terpenes
Forage quality, density, and availability
Dietary energy and fiber contentFiber Intake
Physiological stage of animal
Temperaturetemperature metabolic rate
Supplementation
How to increase intake
Keep forage in vegetative
stage through grazing
management.
Diversify pasture composition to include several grass species
and around 30% legumes.
Maintain a dense pasture so
animals will take larger bites.
Supplementation
Synchronizing forage and animal
production
Breeding flock/herd Growing/finishing lambs & kids
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
January February March April May June July August September October November December
176-lb ewe 132-lb doe
Energy requirements of ewes/does, lbs. TDN/day
Winter (January) lambing/kidding (twins)
Dry periodLactation Early gestationLate
gestationBreeding
LambingKidding
Wean
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
January February March April May June July August September October November December
176-lb ewe 132-lb doe
Energy requirements of ewes/does, lbs. TDN/day
Winter (January) lambing/kidding (twins)
Dry periodLactation Early gestationLate
gestationBreeding
LambingKidding
Wean
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
January February March April May June July August September October November December
176-lb ewe 132-lb doe
Energy requirements of ewes/does, lbs. TDN/day
Winter (January) lambing/kidding (twins)
DryLactation Early gestationLate
gestationBreeding
LambingKidding
Wean
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Growing and finishing
Winter-born lambs and kids
Winter
born
Wean
Growing and finishing
Winter-born lambs and kids
Winter
born
January February March April May June July August September October November December
1. Sell at Easter
2. Market by July 1
3. Hold for Muslim holiday
Wean
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
January February March April May June July August September October November December
176-lb ewe 132-lb doe
Energy requirements of ewes/does, lbs. TDN/day
spring (APRIL) lambing/kidding (twins)
DryLactationEarly
gestation
Late gestation Breeding
LambingKidding
Wean
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
January February March April May June July August September October November December
176-lb ewe 132-lb doe
Energy requirements of ewes/does, lbs. TDN/day
spring (APRIL) lambing/kidding (twins)
DryLactationEarly
gestation
Late gestation Breeding
LambingKidding
Wean
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
January February March April May June July August September October November December
176-lb ewe 132-lb doe
Energy requirements of ewes/does, lbs. TDN/day
spring (APRIL) lambing/kidding (twins)
DryLactationEarly
gestation
Late gestation Breeding
LambingKidding
Wean
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Growing and finishing
Spring-born lambs and kids
Spring
born
Wean
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Growing and finishing
Spring-born lambs and kids
Spring
born
Wean
1. Sell at weaning
2. Hold over summer
3. Put on feed
4. Forage option
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Growing and finishing
Spring-born lambs and kids
Spring
born
Wean
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Growing and finishing
Spring-born lambs and kids
Spring
born
Wean
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
January February March April May June July August September October November December
176-lb ewe 132-lb doe
Energy requirements of ewes/does, lbs. TDN/day
Fall (September) lambing/kidding (twins)
Dry LactationEarly gestationLate
gestationBreeding
Lambing
Kidding
Wean
Energy requirements of ewes/does, lbs. TDN/day
Fall (September) lambing/kidding (twins)
Dry LactationEarly gestationLate
gestationBreeding
Lambing
Kidding
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
January February March April May June July August September October November December
176-lb ewe 132-lb doe
Wean
Energy requirements of ewes/does, lbs. TDN/day
Fall (September) lambing/kidding (twins)
Dry LactationEarly gestationLate
gestationBreeding
Lambing
Kidding
Wean
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
January February March April May June July August September October November December
176-lb ewe 132-lb doe
September October November December January February March April May
Growing and finishing
Fall-born lambs and kids
Fall
born
Wean
Growing and finishing
Fall-born lambs and kids
Fall
bornWean
September October November December January February March April May
1. Sell at Christmas
2. Put on feed
3. Forage options
September October November December January February March April May
Growing and finishing
Fall-born lambs and kids
Fall
bornWean
Supplementation: when is it necessary?The purpose of supplementation is to provide required nutrients that are not being supplied by the forage diet.
Determine which nutrient is limiting and
supplement that one first.
Supplementing energy is helpful on
vegetative, well-managed pastures for
more efficient utilization of forage protein
(especially for high producing animals).
Supplementing with protein is necessary
on low-quality pasture and rangeland or
when continuously grazing temperate
warm-season pastures.
The added production should cover the
cost of supplementation.
Feed + delivery + labor
Who to supplement and why?
Ewes and does
Improve BCS
Flushing
Late gestation
Early lactation
Lambs and kids
To improve growth rates
To improve parasite tolerance
To finish for market
To reach target markets
To develop replacement females
Other reasons for supplemenation
As a carrier for
Minerals
Coccidiostats
Antibiotics
MGA
Natural “dewormers”
Nematode-trapping fungus *
Sericea lespedeza pellets to help control parasites
During drought conditions or inclement weather.
To stretch the pasture resource.
Supplemental feeding
Supplementation
The animal eats the
supplement and
pasture intake is not
reduced.
Substitution
Some of the supplement is substituting for pasture.
Pasture intake drops. Saved pasture may be your goal.
Complementation
• A good supplement increases the animal’s intake of dead pasture or crop residue.
Types of supplements
SaltMinimum recommendation
Mineral mixesGeneral recommendation
Nutritional tubs, blocksCostly, but labor-saving
HayCommon practice
GrainUsually most economical
Sericea lespedeza pelletsHelp control parasites
High fiber feedsIdeal for grazing ruminants
Supplementation with fibrous by-product feedsPermissible under USDA Grass-fed Standards
>18% CF < 70% TDN 5.5% Fat
FeedstuffCF
(fiber, %)
TDN
(energy, %)
CP
(protein, %)
Fat
(EE, %)
Almond hulls 16 59 5.0 3.3
Cottonseed hulls 48 45 5.0 1.9
Oat hulls 32 40 4.0 1.5
Peanut hulls 63 22 7.0 1.5
Soybean hulls 38 77 13.0 2.6
Source: Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants, 2007
Roughage feeds are low in starch and thus do not create the negative associative effects in the
rumen that are often created when the forage diet is supplemented with feed grains.
Mineral supplementation for grazing livestock Free choice supplementation generally recommended
Low-cost “insurance” to provide adequate mineral nutrition.
Because soils differ in mineral content from place to place, it is difficult to recommend a mineral mix that is suitable for all farms.
Can test soil, feed, water, and/or tissues to determine specific mineral needs of livestock.
Use species-specific mineral mixes.
Loose mineral mixes are better than blocks for sheep and goats.
Keep mineral mixes dry.
Don’t let mineral feeder(s) run out.
Make sure all animals get minerals; may need multiple feeders placed around pasture.
Evaluating the nutritional program in a
pasture-based production system
Forage
1. Quality
Forage test to determine likely
quality of animals’ diet.
2. Quantity
Estimate forage yield
1) Clip-and-weight
2) Plant height and density
Animal
1. NIRS fecal profiling
► Have feces analyzed to determine
quality of forage diet consumed
by animals.
2. Evaluate animals
1) Health
2) Performance
3) Body condition scoring (BCS)
Sampling to determine quality of
diet consumed by grazing livestock
Forage
Sample pasture to determine likelyquality of animals’ diet.
Fill gallon-size bag with forage sample.
Take sample when animals first have access to pasture.
Observe animals to see what plants they are consuming.
Tear plant at grazing level.
Sample entire pasture.
Mix sample.
Send to lab (can freeze)
Feces
Sample feces to determine quality of diet (forage component) animals consumed in previous 36-48 hours.
Collect pooled fecal sample after animals have been grazing pasture for at least 48 hours.
Collect samples from ~10% of flock or herd.
Fill quart-size back with feces.
Keep cool (can freeze).
Send to a lab.
Western Maryland Pasture-based
meat goat performance test
Date Forage DM CP NDF ADF TDN RFV
7/14 Sunn Hemp 16.8 20.0 24.4 21.4 75.8 278
7/14Sunn Hemp
Dwarf Pearl Millet15.2 21.8 36.3 26.7 72.6 174
7/14 Orchardgrass 43.9 9.9 69.4 43.8 53.5 73
7/13 Sorghum 26.9 18.4 66.8
8/09 Mixed weeds 14.1 65.8 111
8/09 Chicory 14.3 75.3 184
8/09 Lambsquarter 23.2 89.6 289
Forage Analyses, Cumberland Analytical Services
2014 Western Maryland pasture-
based meat goat performance test
Date Composition CP DOM DOM:CP
June 19 Cool season 16.7 46.9 2.8
June 29 Cool season 19.0 50.0 2.6
July 3 Cool season 21.2 50.1 2.4
August 7 Warm season 21.5 47.4 2.2
August 14 Warm season 21.8 44.0 2.0
August 20 Warm season 18.4 38.3 2.1
NIRS Analysis, Grazingland Animal Nutrition Lab
Animal monitoring: Body condition scoring
One the most practical and important tools
available to livestock producers.
Used to monitor nutritional program and
health of flock/herd.
Cannot determine body condition without
handling (touching) animals.
A scoring system of 1 to 5 (with 0.5
increments) is usually used for sheep
and goats.
Extremely thin with no fat reserves, 1
Healthy animals, 2.5 to 4
Very over-conditioned (obese) animal, >4.5
Suggested resources
2015 Winter webinar series: pasture management for small ruminant producershttp://www.sheepandgoat.com/recordings.html#pasture
Ruminant Nutrition for Grazers (NCAT-ATTRA)http://extension.usu.edu/rangelands/files/uploads/Ruminant%20Nutrition/Ruminant%20nutrition%20grazing.pdf
Certified forage testing laboratorieshttp://www.foragetesting.org/files/2013_Certified_Labs.pdf
Grazing Animal Nutrition (GAN) Labhttp://cnrit.tamu.edu/ganlab/
Energy converterhttp://animalscience.ucdavis.edu/java/LivestockSystemMgt/Conversion/energy.htm
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THANK YOU. QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?
SUSAN SCHOENIANSheep & Goat SpecialistUniversity of Maryland [email protected]