FSA3098
Meat
Goat
Production
Calendar
Steven
M.
Jones
AssociateProfessor -Animal ScienceMeat
Goat
Production
Calendar
January
Arkansas
Is
Our
Campus
Visitourwebsiteat: http://www.uaex.edu
Introduction
Aswithanyotheranimal enterprise,itisimportanttokeep goodrecordsandhaveaplantofollow whenmanagingyourgoatherd.
Usingaproductioncalendarfor managingyourherdnotonlygives youascheduletofollowforproduction butallowsfortimelybreedingofdoes andmanagementforspecificmarkets. Thecalendaralsoallowsforsuccessful parasiteanddiseasecontrolona consistentandregularbasis.Itshould becombinedwithacomprehensive recordsystemsothatyouknowwhat youhavedoneaswellaswhatistobe doneinthefuture.
Thiscalendaristobeusedas aguidetoassistyouindeveloping aprotocolforyourmanagement
program.Datesaresuggestionsbut mustconformtoyourmanagement scheme.Thisdoesnotmeanthatyou canbetardyinaccomplishingcertain tasks.Sometasksshouldbecon ductedpromptlyandroutinelywhile othermanagementpracticesmay havegreaterflexibility.Byrecording eachpracticeasitisconducted,you thencangobackinfollowingyears andrelatethetimelinesstothe successofthepractice.
Also,somepracticesmayvary fromyeartoyear;i.e.,thenumberof timesdewormingisneededperyear dependsonrainfall,intensityofgraz ingandstockingrate.Nothingbeats doingfecaleggcountstodetermine dewormingschedules.Periodically, lookatthepreviousmonthandthe nextmonthtoseeifamanagement practiceshouldbeconductedinthe presentmonth.
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Checkwaterforfreezingwhen temperatureisbelow32ºF. Evaluateforageconditionsand inventory.
Monitorbodyconditionofdoes andsupplementifnecessary. Feedhaystoredoutsidebefore haystoredinsideorwrapped.
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Prepareforkidding.
Ifyourdoesdonotgetselenium dailyintheirration,theymay needaninjectableselenium supplementsuchasBoSeshots beforekidding.Thetypewill dependupontheareaofthe countryinwhichyoulive.Ask yourveterinariantomakesure. Vaccinatedoesforenterotoxemia • Providetracemineralizedsalt
freechoice.
typesCandDatleast30days beforekidding.
January
(continued)• Verifythatyouhavefrozencolostrumsonhand forfirstkids.
• Collectand/orpurchasecolostrumforkids.Make sureitisfromolderdoeswithgoodimmunity. Strongiodinefordippingnavels,towelsfordry ingkids,intrauterineboluses(incaseinterven tionatkiddingisneeded)andpropyleneglycol (aboutaquart)incaseofketosisarealsoneeded. Anddon’tforgetnipplesandbottles.
• Itistimetopenbreedalldoesthatyouwant tobreedthatstillmaynotbepregnantorthat youarenotsurehaveconceived.Donotuse prostaglandinsonadoethatmightbepregnant. • Considervisitingoneofthewintershows;it’sa
goodexperienceandagoodwinterouting. • Givedrydoesagoodexameachday;usually
visualexamsareallthatareneeded.Potential problemscanbepickedupearlyanddealt witheasier.
• Giveyourdoesamidwinterbrushing;theywill appreciatetheattention.Youmayalsodetect healthproblems.
• Trimfeet,especiallypregnantdoes.
• Encouragepregnantdoestogetexercise.
• Ifwetconditionsexist,feedonhigher,drier areas.
• Ifyouareusinglightingtochangeheatcyclesto breeddoesforfallproduction,turnonthebarn timersJanuary1for20hourlightdaysforboth doesandbucks.
• Usetheelectricclipperstopreparedoesfor kidding.Trimlonghairofftail,rumpandthe udderarea.
February
• Evaluateforageconditionsandinventory.
• Reviewyourmarketingplanbeforethekidsare bornanddeterminewheretoimprovethisyear andnextyear.
• Sortpregnantfromopendoes.
• Beginfeedingextrafeedtopregnantdoes.
• Evaluatedoesandbucks;sellunsoundorinferior animals.
• Evaluateforinternalandexternalparasites.
• Checkyourtattoosetandmakesureyouhave inkandthelettersandnumbersthatyouneed. • Doesshouldbecheckedtwiceaday.Thisallows
youtonoticepotentialproblems–beforethey becomedisasters.
• Trimhoovesasneeded.
• Placewarmwaterinkiddingareaswhen possible.
• Usetheelectricclipperstopreparedoesfor kidding.Trimlonghairofftail,rumpandthe udderarea.
• Cuttingbeardsoffwillmakeiteasierforgoatsto drinkanddoesnotgivethemacoldiciclechin. • Checkforlice.Dustwithanappropriatelylabeled
licepowder.
• Filloutregistryapplicationsonkidsasyoutattoo them.Ifyouneedmoreapplications,alocalprint shopcanphotocopythem.Fillinalldetailsas needed–colorandmarkings,etc.
• Disbudkidswithinthreetofourdaysafterbirth (ifdisbudding).
• Keepbuckkidsfromoutstandingdoesonly. Wethertheremainingbuckkids.
• Freezeextracolostruminicecubetraysfor futureuse.
• Consideraddinglegumesto50percentof summerpastures.
• Feedonhighspotsandareasofgoodfooting.
• Soiltesttodeterminefertilizationratesin thespring.
• Considersprayingforwinterweedsinpasture. ContactyourlocalcountyExtensionagent fordetails.
March
• Evaluateforageconditionsandinventory.
• Beginorcontinuekidding,checkteatsformilk flowandidentifykids.
• Supplementlactatingdoesasneeded.
• Considerweaningsmall,stuntedkids.Checkto seeiftheyhaveadiseaseproblemorifthe motherisnotmilkingwell.
• Discontinuesupplementalfeedingtodoesif pastureisgoodoreconomicsdictate.
• Remembertowetherortoseparatebuckkids fromdoekidsby10weeksofage.
• Trainyourkidstoshowbyhavingtheirlegs handledandpositionedwhiletheyaredrinking theirbottles(ifyousellkidsforshow).
• Tostayaheadofparasites,haveyourvetcheck fecalsamples.Thendoublecheckyourworming program.Remember–healthykidsandgrown animalscandiesuddenlyfromparasitedamage. • VaccinateyourkidsforenterotoxemiatypesC
andDbeforeputtingthemongrain.
• Besuretoprovidecleanwater,goodqualityhay andgrainforyourkids.
• Weaningshouldbedonebyweightandcondition ingratherthanage.Kidsweighing25to35 poundscanbeweanedbutbesuretheyareeat inghayandgrainwell.Provideadequatenutri tionandmanagement.
• Doublecheckallthedoekidsforextrateatsand abnormalitiesbeforeitistimetosendthekidsto market.Cullanyabnormalkids.
• TurnoffthetimersonthebarnlightsMarch1to shortenthelightdaysfordoes(andbucks)you plantobreedforfallkidding.
• SellsomekidsontheEasterkidmarketifprices arestrong.
• Fertilizeaccordingtosoiltestrecommendations.
• Grazefescuepasturesearly.Ifannualryegrassor otherwinterannualsareavailable,grazeall lactatingdoesonbestforage.
April
• Continuekiddingandobservedoesand kidsdaily.
• Discontinuesupplementalfeedingtodoesas economicsdictate.
• Evaluateforageconditionsandinventory.
• Scourscanbecausedbycoccidiosis,aconstant butsometimesundetectedthreattokids.Treatif needed.Kidstartershouldincludeacoccidiostat. • Beginpreparingforspringshows.Brushupon
yourshowmanship.Besureyouranimalisused tobeinghandledandled.(Remember–ashow manshipanimalshouldbeespeciallygentleand shouldbeanappropriatesizeforyou.)
• Fordairygoatowners,planaheadto“Promote theGoat”duringNationalDairyMonth– JUNE.Beginputtingtogetherapressrelease forareanewspapers.Givethemalistofgoat ownersand“happenings”forinterviewsand “photo opportunities.”
• Givethekidsaspecialpenoutsideonnicedays wheretheycanenjoythesunshineandstartto nibbleonalittlegrass.
• Outsidehayfeederswillreducemanurebuildup inthebarn.
• Cleanoutmanurefrombarnsanduseas fertilizer.
• Lighttreateddoesforfallfresheningshouldstart cyclinginheatsixweeksafteryouturnedoffthe timers.Theheatswillbeshort.Penthemwitha buckforbestresults.Twobucksaremoreeffec tiveifyoudon’tplantokeeppurebredkids. • Reviewyourfinancialbudgettoreviewthestatus
ofexpensesandexpectedreceipts.
• Ask–DomyanimalslookasgoodasIwould like?Domanagementpracticesneedtobe changed?
April
(continued)• SellsomekidsontheEasterkidmarketifprices arestrongandEasterislate.
• Fertilizeaccordingtosoiltestrecommendations.
• Grazefescuepasturesearly.Ifannualryegrass orotherwinterannualsareavailable,grazeall lactatingdoesonbestforage.
• Monitorbodyconditionofnursingdoesand supplementasneeded.
• Grazefescuecloselytokeepitvegetative.
• Harvestextrahayfescueandwinterannuals ashay.
• Rotatepasturestominimizeexposuretointernal parasites.
• Clippasturestokeepthemgrowingvegetatively.
• Fertilizepasturesasrecommended.
May
• Discontinuesupplementalfeedingtodoesas economicsdictate.
• Plantsummerannualsforpasture,ifneeded.Do otherpasturesseemhealthyandgrowingwell? • Feedkidsatregularhourseachday.Besurefeed,
hayandwaterarefreshandclean.
• Watchyouranimalswhiletheyeat;arethey energetic?Watchforonesthatareofffeed, sluggish(earscanbeanindicationofhowthey feel)orstartingwithscoursorbloat.
• Atthefirstsignofscours,considertreatingwith acoccidiostat.Betteryet,haveyourveterinarian checkfecalsamplestoidentifyanyparasitethat mightbeinvolved.
• Makesureyousaveenoughcolostrumfromthose lastdoestofreshen,toheattreatandfreezefor thestartofthekiddingseasonnextyear.
• Insmallerherds,itistimetogiveallyourgoats aclippingoverall,whethertheyaregoingtobe shownornot.Thiswillhelpcontrolexternal parasitesandmakethemcoolerandcleanerfor thehotweather.
• Trimfeetonthewholeherd.Rememberthekids.
• Monitorbodyconditionofnursingdoesand supplementasneeded.
• Grazefescuecloselytokeepitvegetative.
• Harvestextrahayfescueandwinterannuals ashay.
• Rotatepasturestominimizeexposuretointernal parasites.
• Seedsummerannualsforforage,accordingto Extensionrecommendations.
June
• Evaluateforageconditionsandinventory.
• Beginlookingforreplacementbuckswithgood conformation,structuralcorrectness,muscling andhighweightperdayofage.
• Thisisthetimeof yeartogetgoodphotosofyour doesandbucks.Youwillneedthephotoslater whenyoumakeupyoursaleslistand/or advertise.
• Don’twaitforparasitestobecomeaproblem. Talktoyourveterinarianaboutaparasite preventionprogramforyourherd.Remember–
wet,warmweatherandtheuseofpasture increasewormproblems.
• Watchdrystock.Tokeepthemfrombecoming excessivelyfat,restricttheirgrainandencourage pastureandforageconsumption.
• Startplanningyourwinterprogramnow. Whichdoeswillbebredearlyandwhichwillbe bredlate?
• Youshouldhaveyourbreedingprogramforthis fallwellthoughtoutbynow.Doyouhaveabuck? Ifusingartificialinsemination,haveyouordered thesementhatyouwanttouse?
June
(continued)• Flytime–besureallcontrolmethodsare • Fertilizepasturesasrecommended. inforce.
• Cutexcesspastureashayifquantitiesare • Checknewhayformoistureleveltoprevent adequatetojustifybaling;ifnot,clipandfertilize
moldlater. tokeeptheforagevegetativeandgrowingwell. • Clippasturestokeepthemgrowingvegetatively.
July
• Evaluateforageconditionsandinventory.
• Selectreplacementbucks.
• Monitorinternalparasitesthroughfecalsamples. Dewormasneededtokeepgoatshealthy.
• Watchforheatstressinheavymilkersandyoung kids.Pneumoniacanbeasummerproblemthat isn’talwaysspotted.Checkkidsunderstress regularly.
• Thisisthetimetogetyourgoodqualityhaylined upandintoyourbarn.Somehaydealerswillgive youapricebreakiftheydeliverdirectlyfrom theirfieldtoyourbarn.
• Clipyourpastures.Doingsowillhelpcontrolthe weedsthatgoatswon’teatandpromotethe growthofgoodforage.Goatseatsomeweeds.
• Whetheryoushowornot,taketimetosupport thelocal4HandFFAyouth;gotothelocalfair andseetheirprojects.
• Promoteafittingcontestinyourareaforthe youth.
• Maintainflycontrol.
• Weighyourkids.Februarykidsshouldweighat least50pounds.
• Cutexcesspastureashayifquantitiesare adequatetojustifybaling;ifnot,clipandfertilize tokeeptheforagevegetativeandgrowingwell. • Considerweedeatingandsprayingtocontrol
weeds.
August
• Evaluateforageconditionsandinventory.
• Evaluateforinternalandexternalparasites.
• Weankidsandsupplementreplacementdoesand buckswithahighprotein(21percent),high energyfeed.
• Evaluatedoesandbucks;sellunsoundand inferioranimals.
• Watchforheatstressinallanimals.
• Criteriaforculling:
– Barrenfemales–missedtwoseasonsinarow – Badteatsorudders–toobigortoosmall
(mastitis)
– Badmouths–smoothorbrokenmouthsor over orundershotjaw
– Structuraldefects–badfeetandlegsorback – Badtesticles–toosmallorinfected
(epididymitis)
– Unthriftiness–duetooldageordisease – HighFAMACHAscoresascomparedto
averageoftheherd
• Startthemonthbygivingyourbucksagood examinationandtheirseleniumshot,ifneeded; checkthehousingforthebuckstomakesurethat itisescapeproof.
• Beginpreparingforthebreedingseason.Pullout yourproductionrecordsanddecidewhichdoes willbebredearlyandwhichwillbebredlater. • HaveyoucompletedyourAIplansyet?Semen
shouldbeinyourtankbeforetheendofthe monthtoallowplentyoftimeforyourAI breedings.
• Don’tforgettolookatthispastyear’sshow schedule.Willtherebeanyschedulechanges? Breedyourdoeswithnextyear’sshowsinmind.
August
(continued)• Breedbyweightratherthanbyage.Doelings shouldhavereachedabout65percentoftheir adultweightatbreedingtime.
• CheckyourAIequipment.Isitallinworking order?Doyouhaveallthesuppliesthat youneed?
• Hotweather(dogdaysofsummer)means providingextrawaterbucketsandafewfans. • Whenmovinganimals,trytominimizestresson
animalsbydoingsoduringcoolernights.
• Makeentriestofallfairsandlivestockshows.
• Cutexcesspastureashayifquantitiesare adequatetojustifybaling;ifnot,clipandfertilize tokeeptheforagevegetativeandgrowingwell. • Considerweedeatingandsprayingtocontrol
weeds.
• Plantbrassicasandryegrassforfall/winter grazing.
September
• Sowwinterannualsandbrassicasbyearly Septemberifadequatemoistureisinthesoil. • Plantwinterannualsifoverseedingbermuda.
• Evaluateforageconditionsandinventory.
• Beginflushingdoesandbucks.Flushwithfresh greenpastureor1/2poundfeed/head/dayfor2to 3weeksbeforeandafterbreedingseason. • Treatforliceifnecessary.
• DoesbredthismonthwillkidinFebruary.
• Ifyouwillbeusingbucksfromothers,besure youhavecontactedtheownersandhavemade arrangements.
• Startwatchingyourdoes/doelingsforsignsof heat.Markitonyourcalendar.Theyshould recyclein18to21days.Adoethatcycles regularlyallowsyoutoplanaheadandisagood AIprospect.
• In4HandFFA,startsettinggoalsforyourgoat project.Ifthisisyourfirstyear,yourleaderor teachercanhelpyousetupyourrecords.Planto attendcounty,districtorstatefairs.
• Haveyoudewormedallthedoesthatneeditso theyarereadytobreed?Bucksalso?
• Clean,disinfectandstoreshowequipmentfor nextseason,iftheseasoniscomplete.
• Keepfencesingoodrepairtopreventbreeding accidents.
• Checkwaterqualityifitappearstobeaproblem.
• Cutexcesspastureashayifquantitiesare adequatetojustifybaling;ifnot,clipandfertilize tokeeptheforagevegetativeandgrowingwell. • PlanfortheArkansasStateFair.
October
• Plantwinterannualsifoverseedingbermuda grassortillingthesoil.
• Evaluateforageconditionsandinventory.
• Turnoutbuckswithdoes;breedingratio:one buckper20to25does,dependingonpasturesize andbreedingconditions.
• Continuetoflushdoesfor2to3weeksafterbuck turnout.
• Providebestqualityforagetodoesandbucksin breedingherd.
• DoesbredthismonthwillkidinMarch.
• Havespecialbuckhandlingpulloversreadyfor usetohelpkeepodorfrom yourregularclothes. • Haveyourwinterhousingcompleted.Remember,
goatsneedaplacetogetinoutofthecolddrafts andrain.
October
• Testhayfornutrientcontent.
• YourAIplansshouldbecompletewithtentative dateandsiteforsemencollection.
• Itistimeforyoutoorderdrymastitistreatments fordairygoats.Doesthathavehadanyproblems ordonothavegoodtexturetotheirmammary systemsarecandidatesfordrytreatmentifthey aredairygoats.
• Isyourshowequipmentingoodrepairforfall and/orwintershows?Doblanketsneedrepairing? Areyourclipperbladessharp?
• Takethetimetocloselyobserveyourbucks;are theylosingweightduetothebreedingseason? Youmayneedtoincreasetheirgrainandcheck forparasites.
• Plantoattendyourbreedconventionsandshows. Thisisagoodlearningexperience.
• Cleanupandstoreshowequipmentfornext season,ifseasoniscomplete.
• Grazebrassicasandstockpiledbermudagrassor otherwarmseasongrasses.
November
• Evaluateforageconditionsandinventory. Purchasehayifneeded.
• Considerweedeatingandsprayingtocontrol coolseasonweeds.
• Determinedoes’bodyconditionandplanwinter supplementalfeedingprogram.
• Monitorinternalparasitesthroughfecal samples.Iftheparasiteloadisheavy,treat afterfirsthardfreeze.
• DoesthatarebredthismonthwillkidinApril.
• Makearrangementstopregnancycheckwith ultrasoundifyouquestionwhetherdoesare pregnant.Doesneedtobe40dayspregnantto bechecked.
• Doesshouldbeingoodconditionbutnot allowedtogetfat.Plentyof exerciseisimpor tanttoguardagainstpregnancytoxemia.
• Placeheattapeonbarnwaterlines;checkto makesuretheywork.Dobarnmaintenance asneeded.
• Thisisagoodtimetocheckonallyourmedical suppliesandorderthosethatyouneed.Itis necessarytoremovethemedicalsuppliestoa placethatdoesnotfreeze.Iodinethathasbeen frozenisnogood.
• Breedlargekidsthatweigh75to80pounds.
• Harvestingthegarden?Extracarrotsand turnipsmakegoodgoattreats.
• Ifneeded,begingrazingstockpiledfescueand brassicas.
• Checkallequipmentandconductmaintenance asneeded.
• Plantoattendeducationalmeetings.
December
• Evaluateforageconditionsandinventory.
• Removebucks,andfeedtoregainbodycondition whenbreedingseasoniscomplete.
• Evaluatepasturecondition.
• Watchbodyconditionof doesandsupplementif necessary.
• Checkforlice,anduseapouronlicetreatmentif needed.
• DoesbredthismonthwillkidinMay.Doesdueto kidinFebruaryshouldbedriedoff(dairy). • Breedingseasonwillbecomingtoanendsoon.If
youhavenotsettledadoebyAIingherbynow,it istimetobreedhernaturallyifyouwanttomake sureshewillkidthisspring.
• Checkyourkiddingsupplies.Makeordersnow. Nipplesdeterioratefastandneedtobereplaced periodically.
December
(continued)• Starttogetyourkiddingpensreadyforthe kiddingseason.Theyshouldbecleanand sanitized.
• Rememberthatampleexerciseisgoodforallyour goats,especiallythepregnantones.
• Keepacloseeyeonthemoodofyourpregnant does;thechangeinmoodorhabitcanbethefirst indicationofaproblem.
• Limitsalttopregnantdoestoavoidexcessive waterretention.Normally,1percentinthegrain rationissufficient.
• Checkventilationofthebarnincoldweatherto besureplentyoffreshairwithoutdraftsis provided.Condensationontherooforwallsof buildingsindicatespoorventilationaswellasthe presenceofoffensiveodors.
• Reviewallfacilitiestominimizeexposureofgoats tonails,debris,mudormanure.
• Assemblerecordstodeterminecostsandwhere toimprovefornextyear.Whatisyourtax liability?Shouldyouhaveadditionalexpenses beforetheendoftheyeartobetterutilizeyour taxdeductions?
• Isyourmarketingplansufficient?Howcanyou improveitfornextyear?
• Ifneeded,begingrazingstockpiledfescue, brassicasandothercoolseasonannuals. • Checkallequipmentandconductmaintenance
asneeded.
• Plantoattendeducationalmeetings.
Traditionally,demandandpricesincreasepriortomajorethnicholidays(Table1).Ifyouplanto
marketgoatsatthesetimes,yourbreedingseasonmustbeplannedaccordingly.
Table
1.
Ethnic
Holiday
Calendar
for
2014,
2015
and
2016
Holiday
2014
2015
2016
Eidul-Adha/FestivalofSacrifice October5 September24 September12 Muharram/IslamicNewYear October25 October15 October2 Mawlidal-Nabi/Prophet’sBirthday January14 January3 December12 StartofRamadan/MonthofFasting June29 June18 June6 Eidul-Fitr/FestivalofFastBreaking July29 July18 July6
Passover/Pesach March15-22 April4-11 April23-30
RoshHashanah September25-26 September14-15 October3-4
Chanukkah December17-24 December7-14 December25- January1
WesternRomanEaster April20 April5 March27
EasternOrthodoxEaster April20 April12 May1
Christmas December25
AcknowledgmentisgiventoBillyMoore,formerExtensionalternativeagriculturespecialist,forhiscontributiontothe
originalfactsheet.
PrintedbyUniversityofArkansasCooperativeExtensionServicePrintingServices.
STEVENM.JONESisassociateprofessor animalsciencewith IssuedinfurtheranceofCooperativeExtensionwork,ActsofMay8 theDepartmentofAnimalScience,UniversityofArkansasDivision and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of ofAgriculture,LittleRock. Agriculture,Director,CooperativeExtensionService,Universityof Arkansas. TheArkansas Cooperative ExtensionService offers its programstoall eligiblepersons regardlessofrace,color,national origin,religion, gender, age, disability, maritalor veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative FSA3098PD62014RV Action/EqualOpportunityEmployer.
