Abstract:At the present time, the meat of goat is the fastest growing class of livestock in the U.S.A. Due to the sub-tropical climate in the South Eastern region of the US, internal parasites pose a major constraint to the industry. The blood-feeding nematode, Haemonchus contortus results in production losses and even death in untreated animals. The control of H. contortus calls for the use of a combination of different control methods/strategies. An experiment was conducted over three successive years (2008, 2009 and 2010) to evaluate the effects of mixed species grazing on fecal egg counts (FEC in epg), FAMACHA © scores (FS) and Packed Cell Volume (% PCV) in goats. In a 2×2 factorial, 50 Spanish does and 14 Brangus cows were randomly assigned to continuous or rotational grazing systems. Goats were allowed to graze alone or mixed with cattle. The rotational pastures were divided into four paddocks and each paddock was grazed for 7d and allowed to rest for 21d. Every 28d Body Weight (BW), body condition scores (BCS; 1 = thin and 5 = fat), FS (1 = red and 5 = white), blood and feces were collected. Fecal and blood samples were analyzed in the lab for FEC and %PCV. Data was statistically analyzed using SAS's MIXED and correlation coefficients were determined among the measurements. Overall means for PCV, FEC, BCS and FS were 27.4%, 613 epg, 2.3 and 2.5, respectively. PCV was negatively correlated to FS (r = -0.35, p<0.001) and FEC (r = -0.16, p<0.005). BCS was negatively correlated to FS (r = -0.59, p<0.001) and FEC (r = -0.17, p<0.005), while FS and FEC were positive (r = 0.20, p<0.005). Except for the effect of month (p<0.05), no differences due to the main effects were observed and interaction effects were significant at only p<0.10. Goats grazing alone in continuous pastures had a higher PCV and FS scores (28.6% and 2.7, respectively) than goats in mixed rotational pastures (25% and 2.2). The percentages of does in mixed pastures falling in FS-1, FS-2 and FS-3 categories were higher (5.2 Vs 8.9%, 17.0 Vs 22.7% and 15.7 Vs 19.6%, respectively) than does grazing alone. Overall, mixed grazing of pastures with cattle and goats reduced FEC in goats therefore decreasing FAMACHA scores that resulted in increased PCV and BCS values. The present data suggest alternative approaches for suppression of parasite loads include some management practices such as pasture rotation, mixed livestock species grazing and selective deworming.

Over the past 5 years, the emu industry has had forced upon it the need to adjust its practices to conditions determined by the meat, oil and hide markets, rather than the inflated prices enjoyed in the honeymoon years when emu breeders were exploiting a highly inflated bird market. The cost of economically raising birds to the slaughter stage is now the major challenge. The use of a forage crop to reduce feeding costs, the single largest cost to raising emu, was trialled in the Franklin County through funding from AGMARDT. Chicory, plantain, white and red clover were sown and rotationally grazed by emu. Emu on this forage crop also received a half ration of grain-based meal pellets (Forage-birds). This was compared with grazing emu on existing pasture and a full ration of meal pellets (Control-birds). The estimated savings per bird averaged $35.50 (excl. GST), or 24%, for the Forage-birds. For two of the three farms, the average saving per bird exceeded $44.00 or 30%, owing to lower costs of establishment for the forage crop and less extra meal feeding during summer/autumn drought and winter cold. Costs were recalculated to allow for economies of scale, and average savings then increased to 34%. It is expected that greater savings, 40% or more, may be achieved through better preparation of the seedbed giving a better establishment of the sown forage species, if more favourable weather conditions prevail when the species are establishing, and through greater experience. However, it requires more land per bird and more watchful management in terms of seasonal change affecting the crop. Meat quality ratings were all within acceptable levels, while fat from Forage-birds was yellow and Control-birds white. There were indications that fat from Forage-birds was healthier for humans through a better linoleic:linolenic fatty acid ratio and a better polyunsaturated:saturated fatty acid ratio than fat from Control-birds. At slaughter, differences in liveweight and meat quality between farms, and between birds, indicated the importance of correct slaughter and transport procedures to minimise stress. Birds from the forage group were more placid. Keywords: chicory, Cichorum intybus, clover, cost:benefit, Dromaius novaehollandiae, emu, fat, Plantago lanceolota, plantain, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens