Relationships among nutritive value of selected forages, diet composition and milk quality in goats grazing in a Mediterranean woody rangeland

Manousidis, T.; Parissi, Z. M.; Kyriazopoulos, Apostolos P.; Malesios, Chrisovalantis; Koutroubas, Spyridon D.; Abas, Zuraida Abal

doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2018.10.002

Cited by 16 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…Different authors indicated that milk protein and lactose content can be manipulated by modifying the protein source in the diet but not the milk yield [ 34 , 35 , 36 ], whereas milk fat content is negatively related to milk yield [ 13 , 37 ]. The milk composition reported in the present experiment is within the range reported previously in grazing goats [ 13 , 38 ]. Extending these observations, goats bearing male kids produced more milk than goats bearing female kids but the percentage of milk fat content was higher in those goats giving birth to female kids.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Milk Yield and Composition of Mixed-Breed Goats on Rangeland during the Dry Season and the Effect on the Growth of Their Progeny

Flores-Najera

Reyes

Vázquez-García

et al. 2021

Biology

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We tested whether the milk yield capacity of mixed-breed goats on a Chihuahuan desert rangeland in northern Mexico during the dry season affects milk composition, body weight gain, and weaning weight of their progeny. Milk yield and composition, and progeny postnatal growth performance, were recorded weekly. One week after kidding, mixed-breed goats (a mixture of Criollo × dairy breeds; n = 40) were allotted into medium (MP) or low (LP) milk yielding groups (20 goats per group). Mean 105-d total milk yield for MP and LP goats was 45.2 ± 12.5 and 20.7 ± 5.2 L, respectively. Milk lactose (4.3 vs. 4.2%) and solids-non-fat (SNF; 8.2 vs. 8.0) differed (p < 0.05) between MP and LP goats; milk protein content tended to differ (p = 0.08) between MP and LP goats with no difference for milk fat content (p > 0.05). Maternal body weight was positively associated with milk yield, milk lactose, and SNF content (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Goats giving birth to males produce more milk than goats giving birth to females, but milk fat percentage was higher in goats bearing females (p < 0.001). Milk yield and composition throughout lactation did not influence body weight gain (47.8 vs. 48.7 g/day for kids from MP and LP goats) and weaning weight (6.7 vs. 6.7 kg from MP and LP goats) of the offspring (p > 0.05). Birth weight and weaning weight of the progeny were positively related to maternal body weight (p ≤ 0.05). The postnatal growth of the kids was reduced, extending the time to reach market weight. Nevertheless, non-supplemented mixed-breed goats reared on semi-arid rangeland of northern Mexico have the potential for moderate milk production. Therefore, due to the limited nutrients ingested by grazing goats during the dry season, a nutritional supplement is necessary to keep up milk production and adequate growth of kids.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Milk Yield and Composition of Mixed-Breed Goats on Rangeland during the Dry Season and the Effect on the Growth of Their Progeny

Flores-Najera

Reyes

Vázquez-García

et al. 2021

Biology

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“…As reported in this study, the findings of Manousidis et al [14] confirmed the inter-annual variability of diet composition. In the same way, other studies have stated the seasonality of diet composition, such as in the central Monte desert of Argentina [46] and Northern Mediterranean forest [47].…”

Section: Foraging Behavior Decisions Of Goatssupporting

confidence: 53%

Foraging Behavior of Goats Browsing in Southern Mediterranean Forest Rangeland

Otmani

Chentouf²,

Hornick

et al. 2020

Animals

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Mediterranean forest rangelands offer an important feed source for goats. Concerns about grazing strategies and management schemes in order to ensure the rangeland sustainability of Southern Mediterranean forest have revived interest in the foraging behavior of goats. This study was conducted to investigate the seasonal changes of feeding behavior of grazing goats in the Southern Mediterranean forest rangeland of Northern Morocco during two consecutive years beginning in 2016. The direct observation method was used to compare diet composition, intake rate, and diet selectivity of goats during three seasons (spring, summer, and fall). Bite mass of each plant species selected by goats was estimated using hand-plucked simulation. The optimal foraging theory was used as a tool to explain the goats foraging decisions. Bite mass range was extremely wide and varied seasonally. The goats’ diet was largely composed of Cistus spp., Lavandula stoechas, Quercus spp., and Myrtus communis. The result shows that the smaller the bite mass, the higher the biting rate, leading to increased short term intake rates. The selection of various plant species during fall and summer enlarged the diet diversity of goats. As expected, goats preferred trees and some shrubs despite their low availability. Consequently, the most available species is not necessarily the most positively selected. Particular high and positive selection of Quercus suber was observed over seasons. The outcomes confirm the high adaptability and ability of goats to select a woody species across seasons. Knowledge about forage availability and the feeding behavior of goats could be used as the first guide for rangeland managers to ensure herd and forest sustainability.

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“…Livestock, especially extensive goat farming, is one of the most important components of agricultural systems in the Southern Mediterranean Basin. Goat farming systems have not received significant investments due to their low required management cost and to the adaptation capacity of goats to harsh environments [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Due to goats having high metabolic efficiency and behavioral mechanisms, they are the livelihoods of poor farmers; they provide tangible (e.g., milk, meat, and manure) and intangible (e.g., savings and cultural services) benefits to mountainous societies [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal Variations in Chemical Composition, In Vitro Digestibility, and Metabolizable Energy of Plant Species Browsed by Goats in Southern Mediterranean Forest Rangeland

Otmani

Chentouf²,

Hornick

et al. 2021

Animals

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Forest rangelands contribute largely to goat diets in the Mediterranean area. Information about browsed plant quality is essential for adequate feeding management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the temporal changes in chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of the main plant species selected by goats in the Southern Mediterranean forest rangeland during two consecutive years; these were very contrasted (dry and wet). The browsed species were composed of herbaceous, eleven shrubs, and four tree species. Overall, large variability in chemical composition, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and metabolizable energy (ME) was observed among species, grazing season (spring, summer, and autumn), and years within each species. Crude protein (CP) content varied from 60 to 240 g/kg dry matter (DM). The fiber fractions, except for Quercus suber, increased significantly by advancing maturity. Due to the water stress, the lignin level presented a higher value during the spring of the dry year. Condensed tannin (CT) content varied from 2 to 184 g/kg DM. CP, IVOMD, and ME showed a negative correlation with lignin and CT. Based on the results presented herein, it is concluded that the nutritive value of the browsed plant species was highest in the spring and lowest during the summer and autumn of both studied years. With a good grazing management strategy, the selected plant species by goats could guarantee high-quality feeding resources throughout the year.

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Relationships among nutritive value of selected forages, diet composition and milk quality in goats grazing in a Mediterranean woody rangeland

Cited by 16 publications

References 56 publications

Milk Yield and Composition of Mixed-Breed Goats on Rangeland during the Dry Season and the Effect on the Growth of Their Progeny

Milk Yield and Composition of Mixed-Breed Goats on Rangeland during the Dry Season and the Effect on the Growth of Their Progeny

Foraging Behavior of Goats Browsing in Southern Mediterranean Forest Rangeland

Temporal Variations in Chemical Composition, In Vitro Digestibility, and Metabolizable Energy of Plant Species Browsed by Goats in Southern Mediterranean Forest Rangeland

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