Matching nutrition with lactation

Goats are sometimes pictured as animals that can live off anything. However, they need a hardy diet just like other ruminants.

Fred Hall, a dairy specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, delivered a webinar about managing and making decisions about forages fed to dairy goats.

“Goats are very active foragers,” Hall said. “They have a small mouth, a narrow muzzle and split upper lips, which enable them to pick off small leaves, flowers, fruits and the plant parts that they deem as the tastiest. Fortunately, that often is also the most nutritious.”

There were three types of forages Hall focused on — pasture, hay and silage. Hall said a benefit of pastureland is goats can decide what forages they want to eat, and, being natural browsers, they tend to find feed with good nutritional value.

Hall discusses the differences in hay types. Alfalfa hay normally has a higher protein level at 15%-21% while grass hay averages 10%-12% depending on when it is cut and how it grew previously.

“Alfalfa hay is the most popular for feeding goats and it has more protein, vitamins and minerals than grass hay,” Hall said. “This is especially important for early pregnancy does.”

The final category of feed Hall mentioned was silage — both corn silage and haylage.

“Silage, especially high moisture corn silage, can be used in substitution of dry ground corn,” Hall said. “It can be used in the formulation of diets because it improves dry matter digestibility.”

Hall also said having fresh, clean water is an important part of a goat’s diet. The more water a goat drinks, the higher its feed intake and feed efficiency.

Stage of lactation should also be considered feed-wise, starting with the far-off dry does, Hall said.

“The requirement for feeding at this point is sufficient nutrition to improve body condition if needed and providing adequate nutrients for the fetus and to prepare the digestive tract for changes after kidding,” Hall said.

The goal to aim for is 11.5% crude protein with 0.5-1 pound of concentrate mixed in the feed. Hall said this is not the time to aim for the most change in the body condition score.

The next stage is the close-up dry period. This is when the doe should be worked slowly up to 2-2.5 pounds of concentrate a day.

“The close-up dry period is one of those that has some really interesting aspects to it,” Hall said. “The risk of metabolic and infectious diseases are particularly high during this transition period.”

Three weeks before and after parturition is when does require the most energy and the highest quality forages for support Hall said. Energy is essential to make it through pregnancy and lactation.

“This is the time that we can start bringing in some of these fermented feeds so that by the time they are peaking they’ve got the (ability to) digest that,” Hall said.

Next, Hall discussed the early and mid-lactation diet. Early lactation does should be expected to lose 1-2 pounds a week initially.

“It’s not uncommon to see a body condition score at 2.0,” Hall said. “We really don’t ever want to see it get less than that, but we know these hard-working does are going to see that happen.”

Hall said producers should provide a minimum of 2.5% of the doe’s body weight in forages and no more than 55% of the diet from concentrates. The required amount of concentrate will depend on forage quality.

“Slugging can become a problem if more than 2 pounds of concentrate is fed at a time,” Hall said.

Finally with late lactation does, total daily nutrition received from concentrate should be decreased. Their dietary energy should also be reduced 2-3 weeks before dry-off so they can have a smooth transition period.

Throughout all stages, high and quick gains in BCS should be avoided. It is best if increases are slow.

One of the final topics Hall discussed was feed quality. A way to guarantee the goats are receiving enough nutrition is by testing the forages. Including corn silage into a total mixed ration for the goats is a good way to ensure they are getting good quality feed with every bite they take.

“Quality corn silage is kind of a natural fit because it is still a forage because you’ve got a lot of the leaves, cobs and stocks but it (also) has a lot of grain in it,” Hall said. “We certainly want to have every mouthful be the most dense nutrient package that we can.”