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Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
Summary of full report
March 2003
RIRDC Publication No 03/016 RIRDC Project No DAV-202A
Summary
Introduction
Drought is a feature of the Australian farming landscape. The Australian goat industry has not previously reviewed the requirements and practices needed during drought feeding of goats.
Research objectives and general approach
This RIRDC supported project (DAV 202A) was titled “Objective drought feeding guidelines for caprines”. The project was divided into three stages. The outcomes for this stage provided:
1. A technical review of nutritional research relevant to the drought feeding of Australian non-milch goats; and
2. A concise summary suitable for goat producers.
The following general process was carried out:
1. Advising agents, producers and staff operating with the goat industries of the project and seeking their views and input on the work.
2. Reviewing published material relevant to the energy and water needs, appropriate feeding systems, ration formulation and welfare of goats.
3. Canvassing the wider goat industry to locate unique approaches to the drought feeding of goats in an attempt to capture and evaluate the generative learning of experienced goat producers.
Outcomes and implications of review
This review has identified and developed information for the best practice of goats during drought.
Wherever possible reference has been made to original scientific data. Where relevant data are available for goats, the recommendations provided often differ to those provided for sheep. This project has enabled the first interim determination of critical live weights for goats. Where relevant data for goats are not available, the work relies on research undertaken with sheep.
The review has updated and revised the energy requirements for goats for maintenance and growth based on published and unpublished research with Australian goats. A number of useful existing and potential practices for improving the nutritional management and welfare of goats during drought have been identified. The impacts of cold and heat stress on the energy requirements of goats have been reviewed. Research on water requirements of goats has been summarised. Welfare requirements of goats during drought have been briefly reviewed.
The review has identified a number of deficiencies in knowledge regarding best practice and welfare of goats during drought. The review does not claim to be exhaustive but presents as a manual containing a substantial amount of technical information pertaining to the drought management of Australian goats. There are a number of significant gaps in our knowledge that should be rectified and in some areas the suggestions need to be validated.
Recommendations
On the basis of the findings the following recommendations are made:
1. That the findings be published and made available to goat producers and advisory agencies.
2. That industry associations are encourage to link their internet sites to the drought feeding information on the RIRDC and DNRE internet sites.
3. This review should be revised when the current long-term drought is broken.
4. That validation of unpublished information is undertaken.
5. Investigate a number
of important areas impacting on drought management of goats.
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