Released July 22, 2011    

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Despite heavy spring rains, drought conditions have returned and in southern Arkansas, they are severe to excessive. “That’s putting a real strain on goat producers to keep their goats in condition,” says David Fernandez, Cooperative Extension Program livestock specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB).

Several goat producers describe their pastures as “crispy;” they crunch underfoot they are so dry, says Fernandez. Dry does require a diet of 10 percent protein and 60 percent TDN (Total Digestible Nutrients), but most of the grasses grazed in Arkansas, such as bermudagrass, bahia and fescue don’t contain enough protein or TDN, especially under dry conditions.

With breeding season a couple of months away, now is the time to think about the condition of your does as they enter breeding season, says Fernandez. Does that enter in good body condition are more likely to get pregnant and give birth to twins. Also, does in good condition tend to give birth to heavier kids who have a better chance of survival until weaning.

“If your goats are losing condition or are already in poor condition, it’s time to get out your calculator and determine the cost of feeding a supplement versus the returns for improved kidding and kid survival,” advises Fernandez.

“Feeding does to get them in good condition is expensive right now,” says Fernandez, “but if goat producers can hold on, they may find excellent market opportunities next year.”

Large round bales of bermudagrass hay sold for $80 - $140 per ton, depending upon quality the last week of June and the first week of July, according to the Texas, Missouri and Alabama Weekly Hay Summaries published by USDA. If drought conditions persist, hay prices can be expected to rise later in the summer.

Near record corn and soybean prices have driven feed costs. Heavy rainfall early in the season delayed plantings, and summer conditions will affect the final harvest. Unfortunately, information on grain and soybean plantings and projected harvests is still not clear so prices may change rapidly when that information becomes available.

Supplementing goats to maximize condition and production isn’t always economically feasible. Rebecca Sauder of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Ag Market News says large numbers of goats are being sold off the Texas range right now. She thinks the prices for goats should hold firm or even increase as Texas conditions improve and the range is restocked.

Livestock producers looking for hay or hay producers with hay to sell can find or join a listing of hay growers in Arkansas online at http://hayproducers.uaex.edu/.

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University of Arkansas, http://www.uaex.edu/news/july2011/0722UAPB_Goats_Conditioning.html

Contact: Carol Sanders, (870) 575-7238, sanders_c@uapb.edu





 

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