Thursday, November 18, 2010

Co-grazing dairy heifers and goats

Researchers at Purdue University determined that co-grazing dairy heifers and goats had no effect on heifer performance.

They randomly assigned 48 Holstein heifers to one of 12 paddocks.  They employed two grazing strategies.  Half of the heifers were co-grazed with goats; half were not. The intensively-managed pastures contained tall fescue and white clover.

Image source:  http://mouseinmypocket.com/

The percentages of weeds in the pastures co-grazed with goats tended to decrease. There was no difference in pasture dry matter yields in the paddocks with or without goats. 

Read abstract from Journal of Animal Science

Thanks to Jeff Semler for suggesting this topic.

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