PASTURING

PASTURING A well developed/improved pasture can carry up to 15 head/ha. When a combine grazing confinement method is observed, provision of a developed 3 ha./50 hd. Pasture divided into 9 paddocks will be desirable. Separate pasture paddocks should be provided for the dry doe, buck kids and growers. Pasturing during the cool times of the day is commonly due.

Does reach puberty from 4 to 18 months. Best

Does reach puberty from 4 to 18 months. Best breeding age will be 10 to 12 months, depending on desired weight. Limit yearling buck services to 25 doe services/year. Older bucks can cover up to 75/year. Buck to doe ratio is I :25.

Reproductive Characteristics of Goats

Reproductive Characteristics of Goats Age of puberty 4- 18 months Cycle of type Polyestrous Cycle length 18 -21 days Duration of heat 2- 3 days (secondary Heat: 8- 12 days after) Gestation period 150 (+/-) 5 days Best breeding time Daily during estrus

Signs of Heat or Estrus:

Signs of Heat or Estrus: 1. Mucus discharge from the vulva, causing matting of tail hair. 2. Uneasiness, constant urination, lack of appetite and bleating. 3. Seeks out or stays near the buck and lets herself be mounted. Speaker notes: Bleating- The characteristic cry of a goat or sheep.

Trends in Biotechnology

Trends in Biotechnology Embryo Technology

Though not yet as common as other breeding techniques in the country, Embryo Technology contributes to a faster pace of genetic improvement and more reasonable costs. All one needs is to surgically transfer the embryo of a boer, even to native goats. The developed fetus of the boer will not inherit whatever traits the host goat has, but instead preserve the integrity of the boer quality.

Artificial Insemination (AI)

Artificial Insemination (AI)

Another breeding procedure used even to humans is done by collecting semen and then introducing it into the uterus with sexual interaction. It is used in animals to propagate desirable characteristics of one male to many females or overcome breeding problems, particularly in the cases of animals such as pigs, dogs, horses, cattle and even honeybees. Process includes collecting the Semen, extending, and then cooling or freezing it. It can then be used on site or shipped to the female’s location through a small plastic tube holding the frozen semen referred to as a “straw”.

For the sperm to remain viable before and after it is frozen, the semen is then mixed with a solution con

For the sperm to remain viable before and after it is frozen, the semen is then mixed with a solution containing either glycerol or other cryoprotectants. A solution that allows the semen from a donor to impregnate more females by making insemination possible with fewer sperm is then used.

Antibiotics like streptomycin are sometimes added to the sperm to control some venereal diseases that the offspring might inherit if the insemination is successful. Speaker notes: Cryoprotectants- is a substance that is used to protect biological tissue from freezing damage

One must follow the following guidelines to ensure successful breeding procedure:

One must follow the following guidelines to ensure successful breeding procedure: Since goat semen is very sensitive, always keep it warm. If a heated facility is unavailable, use a heating pad or hot water to keep the semen and other related equipment at proper temperature.

Deposit the semen deep intra cervically and very slowly. Rapid expulsion can damage sperm cells and cause irritation of the doe’s reproductive tract.

Most inseminators agree that conception is most successful when breeding is done during the later third o

Most inseminators agree that conception is most successful when breeding is done during the later third of standing heat. For best results, inseminate does that have regular recurring heats and no history of breeding or kidding problems. Never attempt to inseminate a doe on her first heat cycle of the season.

Also, keep a detailed record of your AI breeding's, noting factors like color, consistency of cervical mucus, difficulties in cervical penetration and other important information.

Recommended Pasture Grasses and Legumes

Recommended Pasture Grasses and Legumes Goats, like other livestock require the same nutrients Such as protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water but their need for some of these nutrients is not as critical. Bacteria and protozoa in the rumen of the goat have the ability to manufacture and make available many of the nutrients from such feeds as silage, hay-soilage, and other fibrous feedstuffs.

Goats are known to relish Para grass, Star grass, Napier grass, Guinea grass and Centrosema over many improved tropical grasses and legumes. It is also known that goats can browse on leaves of shrubs and bushes for their feed requirements.

Feedstuffs | Dry

Feedstuffs | Dry % (DM) | Total Digestible Nutrients % (TDN) | Crude % (CP) | Digestible Concentrates | | | | Copra Meal | 89.6 | 78.5 | 20.6 | 14.5 Corn Glutten, Feed | 90.1 | 74.9 | 20.2 | 17.1 Corn Grain | 88.8 | 84.2 | 8.1 | 7.1 Rice Bran (Cono) | 88.0 | 69.1 | 12.3 | 8.3 Rice Bran (Kiskis) | 89.0 | 46.6 | 6.2 | 4.5 Nutrient Composition of Some Philippine Feedstuff

Feedstuffs | Dry

Feedstuffs | Dry % (DM) | Total Digestible Nutrients % (TDN) | Crude % (CP) | Digestible Wheat Pollard | 88.2 | 73.1 | 17.1 | 10.4 Soybean Oil Meal | 88.4 | 76.0 | 44.0 | 41.0 Molasses, Cane | 76.3 | 53.0 | 2.0 | 0.4 Corn Bran | 88.0 | 72.1 | 10.5 | 5.6 Green Roughage | | | | Napier Grass | | | | 21 Days | 16.5 | 9.3 | 2.4 | 1.7 42 Days | 18.3 | 10.8 | 1.9 | 1.1 84 Days | 19.6 | 10.9 | 1.0 | 0.4

105 Days | 25.6 | 13.6 | 1.2 | 0.5 Para grass | | | | (Dry season) 28 Days | 22.5 | 12.9 | 2.0 | 1.0 56 Days | 24.0 | 11.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 84 Days | 39.1 | 17.6 | 0.9 | 0.2 (Wet season) 28 Days | 16.3 | 9.4 | 2.4 | 1.6 56 Days | 22.8 | 12.9 | 2.8 | 1.7 84 Days | 21.7 | 12.2 | 1.7 | 0.8

Feedstuffs | Dry

Feedstuffs | Dry % (DM) | Total Digestible Nutrients % (TDN) | Crude % (CP) | Digestible Guinea Grass | | | | (Dry season) 21 Days | 22.5 | 12.9 | 2.0 | 1.0 42 Days | 24.0 | 11.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 84 Days | 39.1 | 17.6 | 0.9 | 0.2 (Wet season) 28 Days | 16.3 | 9.4 | 2.4 | 1.6 56 Days | 22.8 | 12.9 | 2.8 | 1.7 84 Days | 21.7 | 12.2 | 1.7 | 0.8 Centrocema | | | | 28 Days | 24.4 | 14.0 | 3.9 | 2.6

56 Days | 29.5 | 16.8 | 5.1 | 3.5 133 Days | 32.6 | 18.9 | 6.1 | 4.4 175 Days | 30.6 | 17.3 | 4.9 | 3.3 Tree Leaves/Browse Plants | | | | Banana | 94.0 | – | 9.8 | 5.7 Kakawati | 25.3 | – | 6.52 | Ipil-Ipil | 13.30 | – | 27.80 | 22.50 Santan | 27.68 | – | 4.02 |