Publication Date
1993
Description
The semi-arid areas of southern Africa are characterised by low and erratic rainfall coupled with sandy soils which result in severe fluctuations in feed quality and quantity. Goats are an important component of farming systems in these areas but their meat production is constrained by shortage of feed in the dry season. Young goats are particularly vulnerable and management systems that prevent weight loss during the dry season are needed. Positive growth rates in kids· aged 8-60 weeks were obtained in response to feeding 200-400 g of Dolichos lablab (a drought-tolerant fodder) or Acacia lorti/is pods (a naturally occurring feed resource). It is proposed that meat production can be improved by allowing goats to breed all year round in response to feed availability and then use locally available browse pods in the dry season to provide supplementary feed to kids, both pre-weaning and post-weaning. Where land resources allow, drought-tolerant forages should be grown for providing supplementary feed to kids.
Citation
Ndlovu, L R., "Management Strategies to Improve Indigenous Meat Goat Productivity in Semi-Arid Areas of Southern Africa" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 3.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session7/3
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Management Strategies to Improve Indigenous Meat Goat Productivity in Semi-Arid Areas of Southern Africa
The semi-arid areas of southern Africa are characterised by low and erratic rainfall coupled with sandy soils which result in severe fluctuations in feed quality and quantity. Goats are an important component of farming systems in these areas but their meat production is constrained by shortage of feed in the dry season. Young goats are particularly vulnerable and management systems that prevent weight loss during the dry season are needed. Positive growth rates in kids· aged 8-60 weeks were obtained in response to feeding 200-400 g of Dolichos lablab (a drought-tolerant fodder) or Acacia lorti/is pods (a naturally occurring feed resource). It is proposed that meat production can be improved by allowing goats to breed all year round in response to feed availability and then use locally available browse pods in the dry season to provide supplementary feed to kids, both pre-weaning and post-weaning. Where land resources allow, drought-tolerant forages should be grown for providing supplementary feed to kids.
