Introduction

Drought is a feature of the Australian farming landscape. This article is based on a recent review of available information on the drought feeding of Australian goats. The full review is available here as a PDF. This article summarises the main nutritional issues that goat producers need to manage during drought.

Objectives and key steps

The objectives of feeding goats during droughts are:

1. to maintain the live weight of goats;

2. to meet the requirements of breeding does;

3. to maintain the welfare of goats;

4. to allow kids to grow to a target weight without suffering permanent setbacks.

Most goat producers aim to keep their breeding flock substantially intact so they can recover their stock numbers as rapidly as possible when the drought breaks. Culling reduces the costs of feeding and avoids expensive purchases of replacement stock when the drought ends.

Critical live weights

Drought feeding should be started well before the goats reach their critical live weight. The concept of critical live weight indicates the minimum live weight that will enable an animal to survive. Further weight loss may endanger the survival of the goats by leaving them too weak to walk, graze or safely obtain drinking water. The critical live weight is also used when determining feeding level and for long term budgeting and purchasing of feed (Table 1).

Table 1. Guideline to critical live weights (kg) for goats. These live weights are off pasture with an allowance for fleece growth equal to half of a shearing interval

As each flock of goats is different, you need to determine your own critical live weight. One method is to use a weight 30 % less than the recent peak live weight plus 1 kg for each year of age plus estimated fleece weight.

Critical body condition scores

Body condition scoring can be used to determine the timing of drought feeding. Drought feeding should begin when half the goats in a flock have fallen to a body condition score of low 2 (2-, lean or backward store). For grazing goats, feeding should be increased until one third a maintenance ration is fed. If body condition continues to fall, the feeding rate should be increased until body condition is maintained.

Stocking rate and drought

The severity of seasonal and long-term drought is indicated by the quantities of fodder it is necessary to feed to keep goats above critical live weight. Drought feeding is associated with stocking rate. Increasing stocking rate increases the severity and onset of drought.

The drought feeding requirements of goats depend upon their grazing management. In some grazing situations there may be more herbage available in goat grazed pastures than in sheep grazed pasture. This will allow goats to graze for a longer period before they reach a critical live weight. Goats can be out competed when grazed with sheep on pastures at high stocking rates. In these circumstances the goats may reach their critical live weight earlier than the sheep and will need more drought feeding.

Click on the following linking:

Managing Goats in a Drought

Nutritional requirements For Goats

Feed and Feeds Costs For Goats

Other Nutritional Requirements For Goats

The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always read the label before using any of the products mentioned.

The State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

© State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries