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Schaffer A, Widdig A, Holland R, Amici F. Evidence of object permanence, short-term spatial memory, causality, understanding of object properties and gravity across five different ungulate species. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13718. [PMID: 38877059 PMCID: PMC11178844 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64396-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In their natural environment, animals face a variety of ecological and social challenges, which might be linked to the emergence of different cognitive skills. To assess inter-specific variation in cognitive skills, we used ungulates as a study model, testing a total of 26 captive individuals across 5 different species (i.e., dwarf goats, Capra aegagrus hircus, llamas, Lama glama, guanacos, Lama guanicoe, zebras, Equus grevyi, and rhinos, Diceros bicornis michaeli). Across species, we used the same well-established experimental procedures to test individuals' performance in naïve physics tasks, i.e. object permanence, short-term spatial memory, causality, understanding of object properties, and gravity. Our results revealed that study subjects showed object permanence, were able to remember the position of hidden food after up to 60 s, and inferred the position of hidden food from the sound produced or not produced when shaking containers. Moreover, they showed an understanding of basic object properties, being able to locate objects hidden behind occluders based on their size and inclination, and could reliably follow the trajectory of falling objects across different conditions. Finally, inter-specific differences were limited to the understanding of object properties, and suggest that domesticated species as goats might perform better than non-domesticated ones in tasks requiring these skills. These results provide new information on the cognitive skills of a still understudied taxon and confirm ungulates as a promising taxon for the comparative study of cognitive evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Schaffer
- Behavioral Ecology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
- Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Anja Widdig
- Behavioral Ecology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Federica Amici
- Research Group Human Biology and Primate Cognition, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Comparative Cultural Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
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2
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Cheng H, Jin BC, Luo K, Zhang XL, Pei JY, Zhang YH, Han LQ, Tang JQ, Li FM, Sun GJ, Ben Wu X. Seasonal resource selection of free-ranging Zhongwei goats in the semi-arid grassland. Animal 2023; 17:100972. [PMID: 37757525 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Goats rarely move and forage randomly. They tend to move in ways generally influenced by biotic and abiotic factors, respectively. However, few studies have explored the foraging behaviour of goats in the absence of predation and human disturbance. Based on step selection function modelling framework, Normalised Difference Vegetation Index, vegetation surveys, and Global Positioning System tracking of 124 free-ranging domestic adult male Zhongwei goats over one year (2016-2017) were used to assess how biotic and abiotic environmental factors affected their spatiotemporal distribution, and developed a conceptual model to represent the goats' trade-off between forage quantity and preference at different seasons, in the semi-arid grassland of Loess Plateau of 1 178 hectare. The results showed that spatial distributions of goats responded to spatiotemporal variation of biotic factors rather than abiotic factors of elevation, slope and solar radiation, which indicated that biotic factors were of priority to abiotic factors in the foraging process for the goats. According to the season changing, the goats positively used areas with higher forage quantity in the spring and winter, areas of higher forage quantity and preferred species in summer, and areas of abundance of preferred species in autumn. We developed a model to describe the phenomenon that the goats selected areas with higher preferred species only when the forage quantity was plentiful, otherwise they selected areas with higher forage quantity. Better understanding of the patterns and drivers of spatiotemporal distribution of the goats can improve our ability to predict foraging behaviour of livestock in heterogeneous environment and lead to better management practices and policies for the sustainability of these semi-arid landscapes and associated ecosystem services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Cheng
- School of Tourism, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China; Institute of Arid Agroecology, State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, and School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| | - Bao-Cheng Jin
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025 China
| | - Kai Luo
- Institute of Arid Agroecology, State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, and School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xue-Li Zhang
- College of Water Conservancy Science & Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Jiu-Ying Pei
- Institute of Arid Agroecology, State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, and School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yong-Hong Zhang
- Institute of Arid Agroecology, State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, and School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Li-Qin Han
- School of Tourism, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Jia-Qi Tang
- Institute of Arid Agroecology, State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, and School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Feng-Min Li
- Institute of Arid Agroecology, State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, and School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Guo-Jun Sun
- Institute of Arid Agroecology, State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, and School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - X Ben Wu
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Abdelsattar MM, Zhao W, Saleem AM, Kholif AE, Vargas-Bello-Pérez E, Zhang N. Physical, Metabolic, and Microbial Rumen Development in Goat Kids: A Review on the Challenges and Strategies of Early Weaning. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2420. [PMID: 37570229 PMCID: PMC10417166 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The digestive system of newborn ruminant functions is similar to monogastric animals, and therefore milk flows into the abomasum instead of rumen for digestion. The rumen undergoes tremendous changes over time in terms of structure, function, and microbiome. These changes contribute to the smooth transition from the dependence on liquid diets to solid diets. Goat kids are usually separated at early ages from their dams in commercial intensive systems. The separation from dams minimizes the transfer of microbiota from dams to newborns. In this review, understanding how weaning times and methodologies could affect the normal development and growth of newborn goats may facilitate the development of new feeding strategies to control stress in further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud M. Abdelsattar
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (M.M.A.); (W.Z.)
- Department of Animal and Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt;
| | - Wei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (M.M.A.); (W.Z.)
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Atef M. Saleem
- Department of Animal and Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt;
| | - Ahmed E. Kholif
- Department of Dairy Science, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt;
| | - Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez
- Department of Animal Sciences, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, P.O. Box 237, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 6EU, UK;
- Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Periférico R. Aldama Km 1, Chihuahua 31031, Mexico
| | - Naifeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (M.M.A.); (W.Z.)
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4
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Meyer MR, Jung JP, Spear JK, Araiza IF, Galway-Witham J, Williams SA. Knuckle-walking in Sahelanthropus? Locomotor inferences from the ulnae of fossil hominins and other hominoids. J Hum Evol 2023; 179:103355. [PMID: 37003245 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2023.103355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Because the ulna supports and transmits forces during movement, its morphology can signal aspects of functional adaptation. To test whether, like extant apes, some hominins habitually recruit the forelimb in locomotion, we separate the ulna shaft and ulna proximal complex for independent shape analyses via elliptical Fourier methods to identify functional signals. We examine the relative influence of locomotion, taxonomy, and body mass on ulna contours in Homo sapiens (n = 22), five species of extant apes (n = 33), two Miocene apes (Hispanopithecus and Danuvius), and 17 fossil hominin specimens including Sahelanthropus, Ardipithecus, Australopithecus, Paranthropus, and early Homo. Ulna proximal complex contours correlate with body mass but not locomotor patterns, while ulna shafts significantly correlate with locomotion. African apes' ulna shafts are more robust and curved than Asian apes and are unlike other terrestrial mammals (including other primates), curving ventrally rather than dorsally. Because this distinctive curvature is absent in orangutans and hylobatids, it is likely a function of powerful flexors engaged in wrist and hand stabilization during knuckle-walking, and not an adaptation to climbing or suspensory behavior. The OH 36 (purported Paranthropus boisei) and TM 266 (assigned to Sahelanthropus tchadensis) fossils differ from other hominins by falling within the knuckle-walking morphospace, and thus appear to show forelimb morphology consistent with terrestrial locomotion. Discriminant function analysis classifies both OH 36 and TM 266 with Pan and Gorilla with high posterior probability. Along with its associated femur, the TM 266 ulna shaft contours and its deep, keeled trochlear notch comprise a suite of traits signaling African ape-like quadrupedalism. While implications for the phylogenetic position and hominin status of S. tchadensis remain equivocal, this study supports the growing body of evidence indicating that S. tchadensis was not an obligate biped, but instead represents a late Miocene hominid with knuckle-walking adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc R Meyer
- Department of Anthropology, Chaffey College, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737, USA.
| | - Jason P Jung
- Department of Biology, California State University, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA
| | - Jeffrey K Spear
- Center for the Study of Human Origins, Department of Anthropology, New York University, 25 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10003, USA; New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY 10024, USA
| | - Isabella Fx Araiza
- Center for the Study of Human Origins, Department of Anthropology, New York University, 25 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10003, USA; New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY 10024, USA
| | - Julia Galway-Witham
- Center for the Study of Human Origins, Department of Anthropology, New York University, 25 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10003, USA; New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY 10024, USA
| | - Scott A Williams
- Center for the Study of Human Origins, Department of Anthropology, New York University, 25 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10003, USA; New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY 10024, USA
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Wade C, Trotter MG, Bailey DW. Small Ruminant Landscape Distribution: A Literature Review. Small Rumin Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2023.106966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
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6
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Berman TS, Inbar M. Molecular identification of individual and seasonal variation in incidental ingestion of arthropods by free-ranging goats. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.1070088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The extent of direct interactions between large mammalian herbivores (LMH) and plant-dwelling arthropods (PDA), i.e., the ingestion of PDA by LMH, remains largely unexplored. Grazing LMH may ingest a variety of PDA, yet, it is unknown how different foraging strategies (i.e., browsing, grazing, etc.) influence the ingestion of PDA or whether individual variation within herds affects it. Here we examine how individual variation within a herd of browsing LMH impacts PDA ingestion. This was done using a DNA metabarcoding analysis on feces collected monthly from marked individuals within a herd of free-ranging goats. We found that goats frequently ingest PDA while feeding (all samples contains PDA), including a complex food-chain of herbivores, predators and parasites, which differed over the season and among individual goats. In total, 63 families of insects and 9 families of arachnids from 15 orders were ingested by the goats. Most ingested PDA were herbivores with reduced mobility, such as immature or sessile species. Highly mobile and noxious PDA were rarely detected. We show for the first time that ingestion of PDA by LMH is influenced by seasonal and individual variation within the herd and that it is common among LMH, regardless of feeding strategy or habitat.
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Berthel R, Deichelboher A, Dohme-Meier F, Egli W, Keil N. Validation of automatic monitoring of feeding behaviours in sheep and goats. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285933. [PMID: 37200299 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Monitoring the feeding and ruminating behaviour of ruminants can be used to assess their health and welfare. The MSR-jaw movement recording system (JAM-R) can automatically record the jaw movements of ruminants. The associated software Viewer2 was developed to classify these recordings in adult cattle and calculate the duration and number of mastications of feeding and ruminating. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of Viewer2 in classifying the behaviour of sheep and goats and assessing their feeding and ruminating. The feeding and ruminating behaviour of ten sheep and ten goats on pasture (observed live) and of five sheep and five goats in the barn (observed by video) were compared with Viewer2 behaviour classifications. To assess the technical and welfare issues of the JAM-R, its application was tested in a feeding experiment with 24 h monitoring of the feeding behaviours of 24 sheep and 24 goats. Viewer2 worked equally well on both species. The mean (95% confidence interval) performance of Viewer2 was at a good level for feeding (accuracy: 0.8-1.0; sensitivity: 0.9-1.0; specificity: 0.6-0.9; precision: 0.7-0.9) and ruminating (accuracy: 0.8-0.9; sensitivity: 0.6-0.8; specificity: 0.8-1.0; precision: 0.9-1.0) compared with human observations, with minor differences between the conditions on pasture and in the barn. The performance improved when recording frequency was increased from 10 Hz to 20 Hz. Applying the JAM-R in a feeding experiment, 71% of the recordings executed were defined as technically error-free and produced plausible values for feeding behaviours. In conclusion, according to the values of accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and precision, the presented JAM-R system with Viewer2 is a reliable and applicable technology for automatic recording of feeding and ruminating behaviour of sheep and goats on pasture and in the barn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne Berthel
- Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Agroscope, Ettenhausen, Switzerland
| | - Alisha Deichelboher
- Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Agroscope, Ettenhausen, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Nina Keil
- Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Agroscope, Ettenhausen, Switzerland
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Cellier M, Nielsen BL, Duvaux-Ponter C, Freeman HBR, Hannaford R, Murphy B, O'Connor E, Cote KRL, Neave HW, Zobel G. Browse or browsing: Investigating goat preferences for feeding posture, feeding height and feed type. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1032631. [DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1032631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Goats naturally browse different forages in various postures; this differs from typical farm practice, thus there are opportunities to improve goat welfare by understanding what and how they like to eat. We investigated if feeding preference was related to posture, feeder height relative to the ground, and type of feed. Sixteen adult, Saanen cross females participated in two experiments comparing a floor-level feeder (grazing posture; farm standard), with an elevated feeder (browsing posture; Exp1) and a platform-level feeder (raised, grazing posture; Exp2), when two forages (leaves, grass) were offered. Measurements included feed intake (g of DM/feeder), feeder switching frequency, first feeder visited, latency to visit first feeder and exploration and non-feeding activity time. Effects of posture (Exp1), height (Exp2) and feed type were analyzed. Type of feed affected preference for feeding posture and height. All goats consumed leaves over grass (Exp1: POP: 188 ± 6.52 g, GRA: 20.3 ± 7.19 g; Exp2: POP: 191 ± 6.15 g, GRA: 0.231 ± 6.91 g; P < 0.001), and the feeder containing leaves was often visited first (Exp 1: GRA/POP: 94% of visits, P < 0.001, POP/GRA: 53%, P = 0.724; Exp 2: GRA/POP: 91%, P < 0.001; POP/GRA: 69%, P = 0.041). When goats received only leaves, they consumed more from the floor-level (162 ± 22.2 g) vs. elevated level (102 ± 21.9 g) feeder (P = 0.039). When goats received only grass, there was no posture or height preference; however, they changed feeders more frequently (at least 4x (Exp1) and 2x (Exp2) more than other combinations; P > 0.01). Feed intake was negatively affected by exploring time (Exp1 only: r = −0.541; P < 0.001) and performing non-feeding activities (Exp1: r = −0.698; P < 0.001; Exp2: r = −0.673; P < 0.001). We did not identify a preference for elevated feeding posture; however, we suggest that our short test (compared to previous work) encouraged goats to make choices based on line-of-sight and also that the elevated feeder design (replicated from previous work) made leaf access harder. Nonetheless, we highlight that some goats actively used the elevated feeder; this coupled with the clear preference for leaves over grass, suggests that offering feed type and presentation diversity would allow individuals to express their natural feeding behavior more fully.
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Jiménez-Martín D, García-Bocanegra I, Risalde MA, Fernández-Molera V, Jiménez-Ruiz S, Isla J, Cano-Terriza D. Epidemiology of paratuberculosis in sheep and goats in southern Spain. Prev Vet Med 2022; 202:105637. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2022.105637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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10
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Pauler CM, Zehnder T, Staudinger M, Lüscher A, Kreuzer M, Berard J, Schneider MK. Thinning the thickets: Foraging of hardy cattle, sheep and goats in green alder shrubs. J Appl Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. M. Pauler
- Agroscope, Forage Production and Grassland Systems Zurich Switzerland
| | - T. Zehnder
- Agroscope, Forage Production and Grassland Systems Zurich Switzerland
- ETH Institute of Agricultural Sciences Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - M. Staudinger
- Agroscope, Forage Production and Grassland Systems Zurich Switzerland
- ETH Institute of Agricultural Sciences Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - A. Lüscher
- Agroscope, Forage Production and Grassland Systems Zurich Switzerland
| | - M. Kreuzer
- ETH Institute of Agricultural Sciences Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - J. Berard
- ETH Institute of Agricultural Sciences Zurich Zurich Switzerland
- Agroscope, Animal Production Systems and Animal Health, Posieux Switzerland
| | - M. K. Schneider
- Agroscope, Forage Production and Grassland Systems Zurich Switzerland
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Nair MRR, Sejian V, Silpa MV, Fonsêca VFC, de Melo Costa CC, Devaraj C, Krishnan G, Bagath M, Nameer PO, Bhatta R. Goat as the ideal climate-resilient animal model in tropical environment: revisiting advantages over other livestock species. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2021; 65:2229-2240. [PMID: 34363136 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-021-02179-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
In the agriculture sector, livestock are considered extremely resilient to climate change and are tipped to play a significant role in ensuring food security to meet the increased demands of growing human population by 2050. Compared to other domestic species, goats are considered the ideal animal model for climate change due to its high thermal and drought resilience, ability to survive on limited pastures, and high disease resistance. This review is therefore a revisit to the advantages of rearing goats over other livestock species under current and future trends of changes in climate, particularly to cope with recurrent multiple stressors such as heat load, and lack of water and feed. In summary, goats, also called as poor man's cow, are preferred by the small-scale landless farmers due to their low input and assured higher output system, as they require low initial investment, with minimum specialized facilities and labors. Furthermore, they perceive goats as better resilient animal to cope with multiple stressors such as heat load, and water and feed scarcity, and possess better skills to cope with bush, when compared with sheep and cattle. The unique capacity for employing behavioral plasticity and morphological features of goats gives them clear advantage over sheep and cattle, when coping with seasonal biotopes, and experiences of water and feed shortage. When facing with low-quality feed, they also are superior to cattle and sheep to digest dry matter and to recycle nitrogen. Additionally, goats have superior ability to desiccate feces and concentrate urine, when compared with sheep and cattle. These advantages make goat the go-to species for efficiently countering the adversities associated with climate change and to optimize appropriate economic return through sustained production. Therefore, goats are tipped to be the future animals with extreme potential to counter the projected alarming climate change impacts and expected to play a significant role in ensuring food security to meet the demands of the growing human population by the end of this century.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Reshma Nair
- Centre for Climate Resilient Animal Adaptation Studies, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bangalore, 560030, India
- College of Climate Change and Environmental Science, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala, India
| | - V Sejian
- Centre for Climate Resilient Animal Adaptation Studies, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bangalore, 560030, India.
| | - M V Silpa
- Centre for Climate Resilient Animal Adaptation Studies, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bangalore, 560030, India
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Giessen, Germany
| | - V F C Fonsêca
- Innovation Group of Thermal Comfort and Animal Welfare (INOBIO-MANERA), Animal Science Department, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, 58 397 000, Brazil
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, 2193, South Africa
| | - C C de Melo Costa
- Innovation Group of Thermal Comfort and Animal Welfare (INOBIO-MANERA), Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias E Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - C Devaraj
- Centre for Climate Resilient Animal Adaptation Studies, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bangalore, 560030, India
| | - G Krishnan
- Centre for Climate Resilient Animal Adaptation Studies, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bangalore, 560030, India
| | - M Bagath
- Centre for Climate Resilient Animal Adaptation Studies, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bangalore, 560030, India
| | - P O Nameer
- College of Climate Change and Environmental Science, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala, India
| | - R Bhatta
- Centre for Climate Resilient Animal Adaptation Studies, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bangalore, 560030, India
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Moon SH, Yun YS, Kim NY, Chung S, Zhang QM, Tang Y, Lee SH, Lee J, Sung SH, Oh M. Determination of Maintenance Energy Requirements for Fattening Castrated Korean Black Goats ( Capra hircus coreanae). Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11061543. [PMID: 34070440 PMCID: PMC8227050 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The energy required for fattening castrated Korean black goats was estimated using the correlation between metabolic energy intake per dietary body weight and average daily gain per dietary body weight. The Y-axis intercept value was the metabolic energy requirement for maintaining the lives of the fattening Korean black goats. It was calculated to be 108.76 kcal/kg BW0.75 (p < 0.05, r2 = 0.6036). Abstract Twelve adult (10 months old) castrated Korean black goats, with an average initial body weight of 24.98 ± 3.7 kg, were used in this experiment to determine their maintenance energy requirements. Dry matter intakes (g/d, p = 0.945) were not affected by energy levels, but metabolic energy intake (kcal/d, p < 0.002) and average daily gain (g/d, p < 0.001) were significantly increased at higher energy levels. Nutrient digestibility was similar in the treatments, but crude fat digestibility increased with the addition of protective fat powder (p = 0.001). The energy required for fattening the castrated Korean black goats was estimated using the correlation between metabolic energy intake per dietary body weight and average daily gain per dietary body weight. The Y-axis intercept value was calculated to be 108.76 kcal/kg BW0.75 (p < 0.05, r2 = 0.6036), which was the metabolic energy requirement for maintaining the lives of the fattening Korean black goats. The estimated energy requirements of the black goat can improve specification techniques, such as the energy level and the amount of feed supply required for domestic black goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Ho Moon
- Department of Food Science, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea; (S.-H.M.); (N.Y.K.); (S.C.); (Q.M.Z.); (S.H.S.)
| | - Yeong Sik Yun
- Institute of Livestock Environmental Management, Daejeon 34068, Korea;
| | - Na Yeon Kim
- Department of Food Science, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea; (S.-H.M.); (N.Y.K.); (S.C.); (Q.M.Z.); (S.H.S.)
- Asia Pacific Ruminant Institute, Icheon 17385, Korea
| | - Sanguk Chung
- Department of Food Science, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea; (S.-H.M.); (N.Y.K.); (S.C.); (Q.M.Z.); (S.H.S.)
| | - Qi Man Zhang
- Department of Food Science, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea; (S.-H.M.); (N.Y.K.); (S.C.); (Q.M.Z.); (S.H.S.)
| | - Yujiao Tang
- School of Bio-sciences and Food Engineering, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130600, China;
| | - Sang-Hoon Lee
- Animal Genetic Resources Center, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Namwon 55717, Korea; (S.-H.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Jinwook Lee
- Animal Genetic Resources Center, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Namwon 55717, Korea; (S.-H.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Si Heung Sung
- Department of Food Science, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea; (S.-H.M.); (N.Y.K.); (S.C.); (Q.M.Z.); (S.H.S.)
| | - Mirae Oh
- Department of Food Science, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea; (S.-H.M.); (N.Y.K.); (S.C.); (Q.M.Z.); (S.H.S.)
- Grassland and Forages Division, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Cheonan 31000, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-41-580-6755; Fax: +82-41-580-6779
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14
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Rosenberger K, Simmler M, Nawroth C, Langbein J, Keil N. Goats work for food in a contrafreeloading task. Sci Rep 2020; 10:22336. [PMID: 33349649 PMCID: PMC7752918 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78931-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Contrafreeloading (CFL) is the phenomenon when animals work for a resource although an identical resource is available for free. Possible explanations for CFL are that animals seek context for species-specific behaviours or to control their environments. We investigated whether goats show CFL and whether breeding for productivity traits has altered its occurrence. In a manipulation task, we compared two selection lines: 27 Nigerian dwarf goats, not bred for productivity traits, and 30 dairy goats, bred for high milk yield. Over 10 trials, each goat could perform one of three behaviours: not participating in the trial, feeding for free from an open door, or opening a sliding door for a feed of similar value. The results were analysed using an Item Response Tree (IRTree) generalized linear mixed model (GLMM). The fitted probabilities to participate were > 0.87 over all trials in both selection lines. For dwarf goats, the probability of choosing the closed door, and thereby demonstrating CFL, increased from 0.30 in Trial 1 to 0.53 in Trial 10. For dairy goats, this probability was constant at approximately 0.43. Unlike dwarf goats, dairy goats were faster to approach the closed compared to the open door. Overall, our results suggest that both selection lines were similarly interested in CFL.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Rosenberger
- Swiss Federal Veterinary Office, Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Agroscope, 8356, Ettenhausen, Switzerland. .,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - M Simmler
- Digital Production Group, Agroscope, 8356, Ettenhausen, Switzerland
| | - C Nawroth
- Leibniz-Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Institute of Behavioural Physiology, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - J Langbein
- Leibniz-Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Institute of Behavioural Physiology, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - N Keil
- Swiss Federal Veterinary Office, Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Agroscope, 8356, Ettenhausen, Switzerland
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15
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Marius LN, Shipandeni MNT, Togarepi C. Review on the status of goat production, marketing, challenges and opportunities in Namibia. Trop Anim Health Prod 2020; 53:30. [PMID: 33230692 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-020-02468-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents the current status of goat production and marketing in Namibia and its challenges and opportunities. Livestock data and reports from the Directorate of Veterinary Services, Meat Board of Namibia and Namibia Statistics Agency were analysed to establish the current status in goat production and marketing. Namibia has 1.9 million goats of which 54% of the total number is found in the northern communal areas. In the commercial farming sector, Boer goat is the main established breed for meat production, while in northern communal areas, the local indigenous goats are common. Goats are reared under an extensive production system and fully dependent on rangelands. Marketing of goats in the formal market is regulated by the board of the red meat industry, whereas there is no regulated marketing in the informal market. The main purpose of goats farming in communal areas is rather for home consumption; thus, trading becomes secondary when a need for emergency income arises. In the commercial sector, goats are mainly marketed on hoof to the lucrative South African market. The major challenges for goat production are recurrent drought, diseases and parasites, predators and theft and poor management. Organized marketing in communal areas and lack of marketing infrastructure are impeded by small flock sizes that limit the numbers that can be marketed. Consumers' health consciousness provides an opportunity to increase goat production through increased demand for goat meat and milk. Market incentives such as attractive prices, market infrastructure, value addition and support policies for local farmers are imperative to improve goat production and marketing.
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Affiliation(s)
- L N Marius
- Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Directorate of Agricultural Research and Development, Private Bag, Windhoek, 13184, Namibia.
| | - M N T Shipandeni
- Department of Animal Science, University of Namibia, Neudamm Campus, Private Bag, Windhoek, 13188, Namibia
| | - C Togarepi
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, University of Namibia, Ogongo Campus, Private Bag, Oshakati, 5520, Namibia
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16
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Nyamukanza CC, Sebata A. Effect of leaf type on browse selection by free-ranging goats in a southern African savanna. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242231. [PMID: 33175912 PMCID: PMC7657486 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Broad- and fine-leaved woody species respond to seasonal changes from wet to dry season differently. For example, broad-leaved species shed their leaves earlier, while fine-leaved species, especially acacias retain green foliage well into the dry season. These differences are expected to result in variation in selection of broad- and fine-leaved woody species as browse by free-ranging goats. We tested the hypothesis that free-ranging goats select broad-leaved woody species more than fine-leaved species during wet (growth) season and fine-leaved woody species more than broad-leaved species during dry season. In addition, we tested if broad- and fine-leaved woody species had different foliar dry matter digestibility and chemical composition (crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, total phenolics and condensed tannins concentration). Free-ranging goats were observed foraging on broad- and fine-leaved woody species over a two-year period (2014 and 2015) during three seasons: early wet (October/November), late wet (February/March) and dry (May/June). Ivlev's selectivity or Jacob's index (Ei) was calculated for five woody species (two broad-leaved and three fine-leaved) browsed by goats during wet and dry season. Jacob's selectivity index was higher for broad-leaved (Ziziphus mucronata and Searsia (Rhus) tenuinervis) than fine-leaved woody species (Acacia nilotica, Acacia karroo and Dichrostachys cinerea) during wet season. However, the trend was reversed during dry season with fine-leaved species having higher Jacob's selectivity index than broad-leaved species. Leaf dry matter digestibility and chemical composition was similar between broad- and fine-leaved woody species throughout the year. We conclude that goats selected broad-leaved woody species during wet season when browse was plentiful and then switched to fine-leaved species which retained leaves during dry season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casper C Nyamukanza
- Department of Animal and Wildlife Sciences, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
| | - Allan Sebata
- Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
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17
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18
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Zobel G, Nawroth C. Current state of knowledge on the cognitive capacities of goats and its potential to inform species-specific enrichment. Small Rumin Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2020.106208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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19
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Torres-Fajardo RA, González-Pech PG, Sandoval-Castro CA, Torres-Acosta JFDJ. Small Ruminant Production Based on Rangelands to Optimize Animal Nutrition and Health: Building an Interdisciplinary Approach to Evaluate Nutraceutical Plants. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E1799. [PMID: 33023017 PMCID: PMC7601357 DOI: 10.3390/ani10101799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The plant kingdom can influence the productivity and health of herbivores at different levels. However, demonstrating this process in a scientific manner entails substantial endeavors from different disciplines. In the present review, we will describe the features of a native vegetation system traditionally used by small ruminants and use its particularities to build an interdisciplinary approach to evaluate the nutraceutical properties of plants. Initially, we will establish the context of the low deciduous forest (LDF), considering some botanical and nutritional aspects, as well as the presence of plant secondary compounds (PSC) and gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN). Furthermore, we will focus on coevolutionary aspects that undoubtedly shaped the plants-nutrients-PSC-GIN-herbivore relationship. In addition, the concept of nutraceutical will be discussed to provide clarity and aspects to be considered for their evaluation. Then, ethological, agronomical, nutritional, PSC, parasitological and animal species issues are deepened placing emphasis on methodological approaches. Special focus is given to condensed tannins, as they are the fourth largest group of PSCs and the most studied in livestock sciences. Validation of the nutraceutical properties of plants from native vegetation systems should be seen as a process derived from many scientific disciplines that feed into each other in a cyclic manner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Carlos Alfredo Sandoval-Castro
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida 97000, Yucatán, Mexico; (R.A.T.-F.); (P.G.G.-P.); (J.F.d.J.T.-A.)
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20
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Hermes TR, Frachetti MD, Voyakin D, Yerlomaeva AS, Beisenov AZ, Doumani Dupuy PN, Papin DV, Motuzaite Matuzeviciute G, Bayarsaikhan J, Houle JL, Tishkin AA, Nebel A, Krause-Kyora B, Makarewicz CA. High mitochondrial diversity of domesticated goats persisted among Bronze and Iron Age pastoralists in the Inner Asian Mountain Corridor. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233333. [PMID: 32437372 PMCID: PMC7241827 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Goats were initially managed in the Near East approximately 10,000 years ago and spread across Eurasia as economically productive and environmentally resilient herd animals. While the geographic origins of domesticated goats (Capra hircus) in the Near East have been long-established in the zooarchaeological record and, more recently, further revealed in ancient genomes, the precise pathways by which goats spread across Asia during the early Bronze Age (ca. 3000 to 2500 cal BC) and later remain unclear. We analyzed sequences of hypervariable region 1 and cytochrome b gene in the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) of goats from archaeological sites along two proposed transmission pathways as well as geographically intermediary sites. Unexpectedly high genetic diversity was present in the Inner Asian Mountain Corridor (IAMC), indicated by mtDNA haplotypes representing common A lineages and rarer C and D lineages. High mtDNA diversity was also present in central Kazakhstan, while only mtDNA haplotypes of lineage A were observed from sites in the Northern Eurasian Steppe (NES). These findings suggest that herding communities living in montane ecosystems were drawing from genetically diverse goat populations, likely sourced from communities in the Iranian Plateau, that were sustained by repeated interaction and exchange. Notably, the mitochondrial genetic diversity associated with goats of the IAMC also extended into the semi-arid region of central Kazakhstan, while NES communities had goats reflecting an isolated founder population, possibly sourced via eastern Europe or the Caucasus region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor R. Hermes
- Graduate School “Human Development in Landscapes”, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
- Institute of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Archaeology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
- * E-mail: (TRH); (CAM)
| | - Michael D. Frachetti
- Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Dmitriy Voyakin
- Archaeological Expertise, LLC, Almaty, Kazakhstan
- International Institute for Central Asian Studies, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
| | | | | | | | - Dmitry V. Papin
- The Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Studies in Archaeology of Western Siberia and Altai, Altai State University, Barnaul, Russia
- Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | | | | | - Jean-Luc Houle
- Department of Folk Studies and Anthropology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Alexey A. Tishkin
- Department of Archaeology, Ethnography and Museology, Altai State University, Barnaul, Russia
| | - Almut Nebel
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Kiel University, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ben Krause-Kyora
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Kiel University, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Cheryl A. Makarewicz
- Graduate School “Human Development in Landscapes”, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
- Institute of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Archaeology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
- * E-mail: (TRH); (CAM)
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Mahdy MAA, Mohamed SA, Abdalla KEH. Morphological investigations on the lips and cheeks of the goat (Capra hircus): A scanning electron and light microscopic study. Microsc Res Tech 2020; 83:1095-1102. [PMID: 32306484 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The current study was done to provide comprehensive information on the anatomical features of the lips and cheeks of the goat by gross examination and morphometric analysis in addition to scanning electron microscope (SEM). Samples from 12 normal healthy adult goat's heads of both sexes were collected directly after slaughtering. The lips and cheeks were dissected, and specimens were collected for both light and SEM. The lips of goat were soft and mobile. The free border of both lips was characterized rostrally by the presence of labial projections. The number, size, and arrangement of labial projections differed in the upper and lower lips. On the other hand, the buccal papillae were arranged into 6-8 longitudinal rows parallel to the cheek teeth. The length of these papillae decreased caudally while they were absent on the most caudal part of the cheek. Presence of several types and shapes of labial projections and papillae, and buccal papillae suggest a high degree of mechanical adaptation of the lips and cheeks of the goat. This study provides baseline data for clinical studies. This study is the first report to shed light on the morphology of the lips and cheeks of the goat by gross and scanning electron microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A A Mahdy
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Salma A Mohamed
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Kamal E H Abdalla
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
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22
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Berman T, Glasser T, Inbar M. Goats adjust their feeding behaviour to avoid the ingestion of different insect species. CAN J ZOOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2019-0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Ungulates feed on plants that are often inhabited by insects. Goats (Capra hircus Linnaeus, 1758) can efficiently avoid the ingestion of setae-covered noxious, caterpillars while feeding, but it is unknown how they respond to non-toxic insects. We filmed and analysed the behavioural responses of goats to smooth, innocuous silkworms (Bombyx mori (Linnaeus, 1758)) while feeding. The goats successfully sorted the silkworms apart from the food despite their tendency to cling to the leaves. Although the goats exhibited behaviours similar to those displayed with noxious caterpillars, the frequency of the behaviours doubled and a new behaviour appeared. The goats detected silkworms using tactile stimulation, obtained by repeatedly touching the leaves with their muzzles. This behaviour enabled them to pick silkworm-free leaves (leaving 73% of silkworms behind). If the goats picked up leaves with a silkworm, then they shook it off. When shaking was unsuccessful, they employed a new behaviour, filtering, in which they physically blocked the silkworm with their lips while consuming the leaves. Silkworms that entered the mouths of goats (rare) were spat out. These findings demonstrate that ungulates are capable of adjusting their feeding behaviour to accurately detect and avoid the ingestion of different insect species.
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Affiliation(s)
- T.S. Berman
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - T.A. Glasser
- Ramat Hanadiv Nature Park, POB 325 Zikhron Ya’akov, 30900, Israel
| | - M. Inbar
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
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23
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Miller BA, Lu CD. Current status of global dairy goat production: an overview. ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2019; 32:1219-1232. [PMID: 31357263 PMCID: PMC6668863 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.19.0253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The global goat population continues to grow and is now over one billion. The number of goats raised primarily for milk production is also growing, due to expanding demand. Most of the world dairy goat production and consumption is in Asia, but a global view of the dairy goat sector reveals important lessons about building successful modern dairy goat industries. The most organized market for goat milk is found in Europe, especially in France. The European goat sector is specialized for milk production, mostly for industrial cheesemaking, while also supporting traditional on-farm manufacturing. Government involvement is significant in sanitary regulation, research, extension, support for local producer organizations, and markets, and ensures safety and quality. Nonetheless, producers are still vulnerable to market fluctuations. New dairy goat industries are developing in countries without a long goat milk tradition, such as China, the United States, and New Zealand, due to rising consumer demand, strong prices, and climate change. The mix of policies, management and markets varies widely, but regardless of the country, the dairy goat sector thrives when producers have access to markets, and the tools and skills to sustainably manage their livestock and natural resources. These are most readily achieved through strong and inclusive producer organizations, access to technical services, and policies that enable the poor and marginalized groups to benefit from increasing demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth A Miller
- Department of Natural and Physical Sciences, University of Arkansas - PTC, North Little Rock, AR 72118, USA
| | - Christopher D Lu
- College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management, University of Hawaii, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
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24
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Lu CD, Miller BA. Current status, challenges and prospects for dairy goat production in the Americas. ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2019; 32:1244-1255. [PMID: 31357265 PMCID: PMC6668862 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.19.0256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Dairy goat production continues to be a socially, economically and culturally important part of the livestock industry in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean islands. Goat milk, cheese and other dairy products offer consumers food products with nutritional, health and environmental benefits. In North America, Mexico produces the greatest volume of goat milk, but most is for family or local consumption that is typical of a mixed farming system adopted by subsistence farmers in dry areas. The United States is not yet a large global goat milk producer, but the sector has expanded rapidly, with dairy goat numbers doubling between 1997 and 2012. The number of dairy goats has also increased dramatically in Canada. Commercial farms are increasingly important, driven by rising demand for good quality and locally sourced goat cheese. In South America, Brazil has the most developed dairy goat industry that includes government assistance to small-scale producers and low-income households. As of 2017, FAO identified Haiti, Peru, Jamaica, and Bolivia as having important goat milk production in the Western Hemisphere. For subsistence goat producers in the Americas on marginal land without prior history of chemical usage, organic dairy goat production can be a viable alternative for income generation, with sufficient transportation, sanitation and marketing initiatives. Production efficiency, greenhouse gas emission, waste disposal, and animal welfare are important challenges for dairy goat producers in the Americas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Lu
- College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management, University of Hawaii, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
| | - Beth A Miller
- Department of Natural and Physical Sciences, University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College, North Little Rock, AR 72118, USA
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25
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Hard HR, Brusseau M, Ramirez-Andreotta M. Assessing the feasibility of using a closed landfill for agricultural graze land. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2019; 191:458. [PMID: 31230132 PMCID: PMC7398612 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7579-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Once landfills are closed and maintained according to the US Environmental Protection Agency's standards and regulations, they are potential sites for revitalization efforts, particularly via agricultural activities. This project was commissioned by the City of Tucson Environmental Services Department as part of an effort to explore ways to reuse one or more of the 16 landfills the department manages in the Tucson metropolitan area. The objective of this project was to assess the feasibility of using a closed landfill to support safe goat browsing. A site history and investigation was conducted at the Harrison Landfill in Tucson, Arizona, to characterize the soil quality and uptake of deleterious metals by the following plants observed at the landfill: Pennisetum ciliare (buffel grass), Baccharis sarothroides (desert broom), Salsola tragus L. (Russian thistle), Larrea tridentata (creosote), Tamarix ramosissima (salt cedar), and Atriplex canescens (fourwing saltbush). Site characterization data were combined with known goat browsing and plant consumption patterns to determine exposure risks. It was observed that soil concentrations of metals (Al, Ag, As, Be, Ba, Fe, Co, Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn, Ni, V, Se, Mo, Sn, Sb, Pb) did not exceed Arizona Department of Environmental Quality's soil remediation levels. Tamarix ramosissima, Baccharis salicifolia (willow baccharis), Pennisetum ciliare, Salsola tragus L., Baccharis sarothroides, Larrea tridentata, and Atriplex canescens contained metal concentrations that fell well within maximum tolerable levels. In general, this project determined that after soil and plant assessment, urban, arid landfills may be used effectively for economic development through agricultural grazing ventures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna R Hard
- Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Mark Brusseau
- Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences Department, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Mónica Ramirez-Andreotta
- Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health's Division of Community, Environment & Policy, The University of Arizona, 1177 E. 4th Street, P.O. Box 210038, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
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26
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Harrault L, Milek K, Jardé E, Jeanneau L, Derrien M, Anderson DG. Faecal biomarkers can distinguish specific mammalian species in modern and past environments. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211119. [PMID: 30730906 PMCID: PMC6366745 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying the presence of animals based on faecal deposits in modern and ancient environments is of primary importance to archaeologists, ecologists, forensic scientists, and watershed managers, but it has proven difficult to distinguish faecal material to the species level. Until now, four 5β-stanols have been deployed as faecal biomarkers to distinguish between omnivores and herbivores, but they cannot distinguish between species. Here we present a database of faecal signatures from ten omnivore and herbivore species based on eleven 5β-stanol compounds, which enables us to distinguish for the first time the faecal signatures of a wide range of animals. We validated this fingerprinting method by testing it on modern and ancient soil samples containing known faecal inputs and successfully distinguished the signatures of different omnivores and herbivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loïc Harrault
- Department of Archaeology, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
- Department of Archaeology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Karen Milek
- Department of Archaeology, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
- Department of Archaeology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Emilie Jardé
- Université Rennes, CNRS, Géosciences Rennes, UMR 6118, Rennes, France
| | - Laurent Jeanneau
- Université Rennes, CNRS, Géosciences Rennes, UMR 6118, Rennes, France
| | - Morgane Derrien
- Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - David G. Anderson
- Department of Anthropology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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27
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Berman TS, Messeri N, Glasser TA, Inbar M. Innate ability of goats to sense and avoid ingestion of noxious insects while feeding. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 6:181078. [PMID: 30891259 PMCID: PMC6408377 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.181078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Large mammalian herbivores regularly encounter noxious insects on their food plants. Recent evidence revealed that goats efficiently avoid insect ingestion while feeding, yet it is unknown whether this ability is innate. We experimentally examined the behavioural responses of naive goat kids to a common insect, the spring-webworm (Ocnogyna loewii). We filmed and analysed the kids' behaviour while feeding and compared it to the behaviour described in adults. Naive kids sorted the webworms apart from the food without ingesting them (all webworms survived). They exhibited behaviours similar to those displayed by adults, demonstrating an innate ability to avoid insect ingestion. The kids detected webworms using tactile stimulation, obtained by repeatedly touching the leaves with their muzzles. This enabled them to pick webworm-free leaves (leaving 93% of webworms behind). While adults frequently shook or discarded leaves with webworms or spat out webworms, these behaviours were rare in kids. The kids' mean feeding rates doubled over the trials, indicating that their feeding efficiency on plants with and without insects improved with experience. As ingesting noxious insects could be fatal, innate avoidance is critical. These findings highlight the importance of direct interactions between mammalian and insect herbivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tali S. Berman
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Noa Messeri
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
- Department of Biology and Environment, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa at Oranim, Tivon 36006, Israel
| | - Tzach A. Glasser
- Ramat Hanadiv Nature Park, PO Box 325 Zikhron Ya'akov 30900, Israel
| | - Moshe Inbar
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
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Zobel G, Neave HW, Webster J. Understanding natural behavior to improve dairy goat ( Capra hircus) management systems. Transl Anim Sci 2018; 3:212-224. [PMID: 32704793 PMCID: PMC7200440 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txy145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Public interest is stimulating farming industries to improve animal welfare in production systems. Indoor housing of ruminants has received scrutiny because of perceived intensiveness and lack of naturalness. Animal welfare has traditionally focused on health benefits (e.g., bedding management and reducing disease) and reducing negative experiences (e.g., painful husbandry practices). Recent attention to animals having “a life worth living” extends expectations to provide increased care and opportunities for positive experiences and natural behaviors. Although not all natural behaviors necessarily contribute to improved welfare, we present evidence for why many are important, and for how they can be promoted in commercial systems. Worldwide, commercial dairy goats (Capra hircus) are frequently housed in large open barns with space to move and soft bedding for lying; however, this is not sufficient to promote the range of natural behaviors of goats, which in turn suggests that commercial housing could be improved. The basis for this thinking is from the range of behaviors expressed by the Capra genus. Collectively, these species have evolved cognitive and behavioral strategies to cope with harsh and changing environments, as well as variable and limited vegetation. The rocky and often steep terrain that goats inhabit allows for predator avoidance and access to shelter, so it is not surprising that domesticated goats also seek out elevation and hiding spaces; indeed, their hoof structure is designed for the movement and grip in such rugged environments. The browsing techniques and flexibility in diet selection of wild, feral and extensively managed goats, appears to be equally important to housed goats, highlighting the need for more complexity in how and what goats are fed. Goats naturally live in small, dynamic groups, governed by complex social structures in which horns play a strong role. Commercial housing systems should consider the benefits of more natural-sized social groups and revisit the rationale behind horn removal. We suggest that cognitive stimulation is a potential welfare improvement for goats in commercial settings. Goat cognitive abilities, which enabled success in complex and variable social and physical environments, are unchallenged in uniform environments, potentially leading to negative affective states. We make suggestions for housing improvements that could be readily adopted into current systems without compromising production efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gosia Zobel
- Animal Welfare Team, AgResearch Limited, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Heather W Neave
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jim Webster
- Animal Welfare Team, AgResearch Limited, Hamilton, New Zealand
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Manousidis T, Parissi Z, Kyriazopoulos A, Malesios C, Koutroubas S, Abas Z. Relationships among nutritive value of selected forages, diet composition and milk quality in goats grazing in a Mediterranean woody rangeland. Livest Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Neave HW, von Keyserlingk MAG, Weary DM, Zobel G. Feed intake and behavior of dairy goats when offered an elevated feed bunk. J Dairy Sci 2018; 101:3303-3310. [PMID: 29428741 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-13934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Goats are browsers and select vegetation at various heights when foraging. On commercial farms, dairy goats are typically fed from low-level feed bunks. The objective of this study was to determine how feed intake and feeding behavior vary when goats are offered feed at variable heights, with the potential of evaluating the benefits of offering an elevated feeder to dairy goats. Thirteen Saanen X dairy goats were housed in a home pen with a lying area of wood shavings, where they were pre-exposed for 24 d to 3 feeder heights designed to result in differences in head height while feeding: floor level (head lowered relative to body), head level (head level relative to body), and elevated level (head and neck angled upward). Nine groups of 3 goats each were randomly selected and housed for 24 h in a test pen identical to the home pen except that it contained 1 of each of the 3 feeder heights. Each feeder contained ad libitum chopped alfalfa silage and a top-dressed corn-based supplement, refreshed twice daily. Refusals from inside and under each feeder were weighed to calculate intake. Feed intake increased with increasing feeder height (mean ± SE; 0.18, 0.29, and 0.34 ± 0.04 kg of DM/goat for floor-level, head-level, and elevated-level feeders, respectively). Total feeding time did not vary with feeder height, but feeding rate tended to be faster at the elevated-level feeder (14.5 ± 2.1 g of DM/min) compared with head-level (9.2 ± 2.3 g of DM/min) and floor-level (8.9 ± 2.1 g of DM/min) feeders. Goats visited the floor-level feeder (36.4 ± 8.4 visits/goat) less than the head-level (79.4 ± 8.4 visits/goat) and elevated-level (74.8 ± 8.4 visits/goat) feeders. The number of displacements per minute of feeding time (physical removal of another goat from the feeding place) was greater at the elevated-level feeder (0.46 ± 0.06 displacements/min) compared with the floor-level feeder (0.23 ± 0.06 displacements/min) and tended to differ from the head-level feeder (0.27 ± 0.06 displacements/min). We conclude that goats eat more from an elevated feeder and compete more to access this feeder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather W Neave
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Marina A G von Keyserlingk
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Daniel M Weary
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Gosia Zobel
- Animal Science, AgResearch Ltd., Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.
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Abstract
As mammalian herbivores feed, they often encounter noxious insects on plants. It is unknown how they handle such insects. We experimentally examined the behavioural responses of goats to the noxious spring-webworm (Ocnogyna loewii), and manipulated their sensory perception to reveal the process of insect detection. Goats did not avoid plants with webworms, demonstrating a remarkable ability to sort them apart from the plant (98% of webworms survived). Initial detection of webworms involved tactile stimulation, done by repeatedly touching the leaves with the muzzle. This enabled them to pick webworm-free leaves. If the goats picked up leaves with a webworm, they shook or discarded the leaf. They spat out webworms that entered their mouths, after detecting them by touch and taste. By using their keen senses and efficient behaviours, goats are able to feed while accurately excluding insects. These findings highlight the importance of direct interactions between mammalian herbivores and insects.
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Manousidis T, Kyriazopoulos A, Parissi Z, Abraham E, Korakis G, Abas Z. Grazing behavior, forage selection and diet composition of goats in a Mediterranean woody rangeland. Small Rumin Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2016.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Celaya R, Moreno-Gonzalo J, López López C, Ferreira LMM, García U, Ferre I, Osoro K. Productive responses of breeding Cashmere goats and their kids to different stocking rates on improved upland pastures1. J Anim Sci 2016; 94:1276-86. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-0053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Iussig G, Lonati M, Probo M, Hodge S, Lombardi G. Plant Species Selection by Goats Foraging on Montane Semi-Natural Grasslands and Grazable Forestlands in the Italian Alps. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.4081/ijas.2015.3907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Iussig
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Michele Lonati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Probo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Simon Hodge
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Giampiero Lombardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari, University of Torino, Italy
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Villalba JJ, Manteca X, Vercoe PE, Maloney SK, Blache D. Integrating Nutrition and Animal Welfare in Extensive Systems. Anim Welf 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-27356-3_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Iussig G, Renna M, Gorlier A, Lonati M, Lussiana C, Battaglini L, Lombardi G. Browsing ratio, species intake, and milk fatty acid composition of goats foraging on alpine open grassland and grazable forestland. Small Rumin Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2015.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Steinshamn H, Inglingstad RA, Ekeberg D, Mølmann J, Jørgensen M. Effect of forage type and season on Norwegian dairy goat milk production and quality. Small Rumin Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2014.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Lérias JR, Hernández-Castellano LE, Morales-delaNuez A, Araújo SS, Castro N, Argüello A, Capote J, Almeida AM. Body live weight and milk production parameters in the Majorera and Palmera goat breeds from the Canary Islands: influence of weight loss. Trop Anim Health Prod 2013; 45:1731-6. [DOI: 10.1007/s11250-013-0423-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Osoro K, Ferreira L, García U, Jáuregui B, Martínez A, Rosa García R, Celaya R. Diet selection and performance of sheep and goats grazing on different heathland vegetation types. Small Rumin Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2012.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Fujita N, Amartuvshin N, Ariunbold E. Annual Production and Species Diversity of Mongolian Pasture Plants in Relation to Grazing Pressure by Livestock. THE MONGOLIAN ECOSYSTEM NETWORK 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/978-4-431-54052-6_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
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Grazing behaviour and performance of lactating suckler cows, ewes and goats on partially improved heathlands. Animal 2012; 2:1818-31. [PMID: 22444089 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731108003224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The foraging behaviour (grazing time and diet composition), live-weight (LW) changes and parasitic infection (faecal egg counts of gastrointestinal nematodes) of 12 beef cows, 84 ewes and 84 goats suckling their offspring, managed in mixed grazing on heathlands with 24% of improved pasture of perennial ryegrass-white clover, were studied during the years 2003 and 2006. The results showed that goats tended to graze for a longer time, and utilised significantly more heathland vegetation than cattle and sheep, including in their diet in an average of 0.39 herbaceous plants, 0.11 gorse and 0.51 heather over the grazing season, comparing with respective mean values of 0.85, 0.02 and 0.13 in cattle and sheep. Dietary overlap was higher between cattle and sheep (0.76) than between sheep and goats (0.53) or between cattle and goats (0.47). Despite the high performance of autumn-calving cows in spring, sheep had the best LW changes per livestock unit (LU) during the whole grazing season. Goats' performance per LU was lower than in sheep but higher than in spring-calving cows. Regarding offspring production, lambs had higher LW gains per LU than calves and kids. Mean nematode eggs/g fresh faeces (epg) during the grazing season were higher in goats (91 epg) compared with sheep (34 epg) and cattle (14 epg), particularly from September to December. In conclusion, sheep performed best on these heathlands with improved pasture areas if the entire grazing season was considered, despite the good level of production in spring from autumn-calving cows. The results suggested the complementary use of goats in order to increase the effective utilisation of the available vegetation, achieving production levels similar to those from spring-calving cows. Therefore, mixed flocks of sheep and goats would be the most appropriate sustainable systems from the animal production and vegetation use points of view.
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Dennis TS, Unruh-Snyder LJ, Neary MK, Nennich TD. Effects of co-grazing dairy heifers with goats on animal performance, dry matter yield, and pasture forage composition. J Anim Sci 2012; 90:4467-77. [PMID: 22952353 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2011-4643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mixed livestock grazing can offer an alternative management system for rearing dairy replacement heifers (Bos taurus). A 2-yr study was conducted during 2009 (yr 1) and 2010 (yr 2) to determine the effects of co-grazing Holstein heifers under rotational stocking with Boer × Kiko goats on animal performance, pasture DM yield, and botanical composition. Each year, 24 heifers (134 ± 6 d of age and 147.4 ± 31.2 kg BW in yr 1; 166 ± 11 d of age and 168.0 ± 27.6 kg BW in yr 2) and 6 goats (2 yr old and 39.7 ± 16.2 kg BW in yr 1; 1 yr old and 33.7 ± 7.4 kg BW in yr 2) were divided into 6 paddocks with 4 heifers and 2 goats, where applicable, per group. Low endophyte-infected tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) pastures were used to evaluate 2 grazing strategies (heifers grazed alone [HO] or heifers co-grazed with goats [HG]). In addition, 6 goats were assigned to 2 paddocks and grazed alone (GO) each year to estimate goat pasture forage intake and compare Haemonchus contortus infection to co-grazed goats. Forage samples were taken monthly to assess DM yield and botanical composition. Samples collected for botanical composition were manually sorted into grass, legume, and weed species. Forage DMI was estimated using a rising plate meter before and after grazing. Heifer BW at the conclusion of yr 1 and yr 2 did not differ between HO and HG (P = 0.40 and P = 0.12, respectively). Likewise, overall ADG did not differ between HO and HG, averaging 0.65 kg/d and 0.63 kg/d over both grazing seasons (P = 0.70). Grazing strategy did not affect forage or total DMI in yr 1; however, HO consumed 2.3 kg/d more forage DM than HG (P < 0.01), resulting in greater total DMI for HO in yr 2 (P < 0.01). Heights at the hip and withers were greater for HO than for HG during both grazing seasons (P < 0.05). Weed presence did not differ between grazing strategies over both grazing seasons as determined by manual harvesting, but visual estimation of botanical composition at the end of yr 2 showed that HO paddocks had 3.5 times more weed presence than HG pastures (P < 0.01). Within the confines of this study, co-grazing did not affect overall heifer BW gain, but it decreased DMI, suggesting that dairy heifers can be co-grazed with goats without negative effects on ADG or feed efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- T S Dennis
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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Browning R. Effect of the wild-type tall fescue endophyte on growth rate and feed consumption in nulliparous meat goat does. Small Rumin Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2011.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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45
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Allegretti L, Sartor C, Paez Lama S, Egea V, Fucili M, Passera C. Effect of the physiological state of Criollo goats on the botanical composition of their diet in NE Mendoza, Argentina. Small Rumin Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2011.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Hallin KA, Schoeninger MJ, Schwarcz HP. Paleoclimate during Neandertal and anatomically modern human occupation at Amud and Qafzeh, Israel: the stable isotope data. J Hum Evol 2011; 62:59-73. [PMID: 22115545 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2011.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2009] [Revised: 09/04/2011] [Accepted: 09/09/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
The δ(13)C(en) and δ(18)O(en) values of goat and gazelle enamel carbonate indicate that Neandertals at Amud Cave, Israel (53-70 ka) lived under different ecological conditions than did anatomically modern humans at Qafzeh Cave, Israel (approximately 92 ka). During the Last Glacial Period, Neandertals at Amud Cave lived under wetter conditions than those in the region today. Neither faunal species ate arid-adapted C(4) plants or drought-stressed C(3) plants. The variation in gazelle δ(18)O(en) values suggests multiple birth seasons, which today occur under wetter than normal conditions. The magnitude and pattern of intra-tooth variation in goat δ(18)O(en) values indicate that rain fell throughout the year unlike today. Anatomically modern humans encountered a Qafzeh Cave region that was more open and arid than Glacial Period Amud Cave, and more open than today's Upper Galilee region. Goat δ(13)C(en) values indicate feeding on varying amounts of C(4) plants throughout the year. The climate apparently ameliorated higher in the sequence; but habitats remained more open than at Amud Cave. Both gazelles and goats fed on C(3) plants in brushy habitats without any inclusion of C(4) plants. The magnitude of intra-tooth variation in goat δ(18)O(en) values, however, suggest that some rain fell throughout the year, and the relative representation of woodland dwelling species indicates the occurrence of woodlands in the region. Climate differences affecting the distribution of plants and animals appear to be the significant factor contributing to behavioral differences previously documented between Neandertals and anatomically modern humans in the region. Climate forcing probably affected the early appearances of anatomically modern humans, although not the disappearance of Neandertals from the Levant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin A Hallin
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
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Munn AJ, Cooper CE, Russell B, Dawson TJ, McLeod SR, Maloney SK. Energy and water use by invasive goats (Capra hircus) in an Australian rangeland, and a caution against using broad-scale allometry to predict species-specific requirements. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2011; 161:216-29. [PMID: 22079103 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2011.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2011] [Revised: 10/28/2011] [Accepted: 10/29/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Feral goats (Capra hircus) are ubiquitous across much of Australia's arid and semi-arid rangelands, where they compete with domestic stock, contribute to grazing pressure on fragile ecosystems, and have been implicated in the decline of several native marsupial herbivores. Understanding the success of feral goats in Australia may provide insights into management strategies for this and other invasive herbivores. It has been suggested that frugal use of energy and water contributes to the success of feral goats in Australia, but data on the energy and water use of free-ranging animals are lacking. We measured the field metabolic rate and water turnover rate of pregnant and non-pregnant feral goats in an Australian rangeland during late summer (dry season). Field metabolic rate of pregnant goats (601 ± 37 kJ kg(-0.73)d(-1)) was 1.3 times that of non-pregnant goats (456 ± 24 kJ kg(-0.73)d(-1)). The water turnover rate of pregnant goats (228 ± 18 mL kg(-0.79)d(-1)) was also 1.3 times that of non-pregnant goats (173 ± 18 kg(-0.79)d(-1)), but the difference was not significant (P=0.07). There was no significant difference in estimated dry matter digestibility between pregnant and non-pregnant goats (mean ca. 58%), blood or urine osmolality, or urine electrolyte concentrations, indicating they were probably eating similar diets and were able to maintain osmohomeostasis. Overall, the metabolic and hygric physiology of non-pregnant goats conformed statistically to the predictions for non-marine, non-reproductive placental mammals according to both conventional and phylogenetically independent analyses. That was despite the field metabolic rate and estimated dry matter intake of non-pregnant goats being only 60% of the predicted level. We suggest that general allometric analyses predict the range of adaptive possibilities for mammals, but that specific adaptations, as present in goats, result in ecologically significant departures from the average allometric curve. In the case of goats in the arid Australian rangelands, predictions from the allometric regression would overestimate their grazing pressure by about 40% with implications for the predicted impact on their local ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Munn
- Institute of Conservation Biology and Environmental Management, School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia.
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Abstract
AbstractSix adult and six juvenile goats were used to estimate their feeding preferences when three grasses (ryegrass, barley and brome) and two legumes (clover and alfalfa) were tested. Each grass was separately tested with both clover and alfalfa. A comparison between alfalfa and clover was also performed. The plants were harvested just before their utilization, chopped into 4- to 6-cm pieces and offered to the animals in plastic baskets. Preferences were evaluated by means of a series of seven short-term trials. Each short-term trial consisted of two single-food presentations and one choice-presentation. In the first single-food presentation animals received one of the two plants to be tested. In the second single-food presentation they were offered the alternative plant species. In the choice presentation they received the two species simultaneously. During each presentation animals were allowed to eat for 20 min or take a maximum of 50 bites. In the single-food presentations bite rate, bite mass and intake rate of both juvenile and adult animals were influenced by the plant species offered. Indeed, all goats tended to display a higher intake rate and bite mass for grasses than for legumes. A grass/legume ratio of the intake rates was also computed for each grass-legume comparison. These ratios tended to be higher for juvenile than for adult goats. The results of the choice presentations indicated that food preferences were not affected by age as all goats preferred grasses to legumes and clover over alfalfa. This experiment showed that age may not play an important role in the development of food preferences.
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