Nutrition and Feeding
Goats have the ability to forage on anything from fresh grass to weeds and shrubs. Ensure a healthy herd by focusing on goat nutrition, feed, and pasture management.
In this section, find information on how to manage dairy and meat goat nutrition, including resources on feed analysis and forage quality. Access tips on estimating water needs, avoiding poison ivy and multiflora rose, and managing warm-season annuals.
Goat Feed Management
Whether raising goats for dairy or meat, paying attention to the animals’ nutritional needs is critical. While goats may have different nutritional requirements based on the stage of life they are in, providing pastures where they can browse freely is the foundation of proper goat nutrition.
Hay is one of the key sources of nutrients for goats, especially during the winter months when they don’t have access to grazing ground. It provides the goat herd with essential vitamins, minerals, and protein. Goat hay can be grass or a legume such as alfalfa.
Grain feeds may also be used as part of a goat’s diet. Grains are mostly used as a supplement when necessary (e.g. to extend the grazing season or boost nutrient levels). It is important to note, though, that overfeeding grains can lead to health problems such as acidosis and indigestion. Learn more about animal feed safety and regulations with Penn State Extension’s Preventive Controls for Animal Food workshop.
Goat Minerals
Typically, forages do not contain enough minerals to meet goats’ dietary requirements. Supplements – such as mineral mixes of salt with calcium, phosphorus, and trace minerals – are often required.
Note: Legume forages typically contain sufficient amounts of calcium and will only need phosphorus with trace mineral supplement.
Apart from goat feed and minerals, your livestock needs to have easy access to fresh, clean water. Producers can ensure an adequate supply of water is available by estimating farm water use needs well in advance. In addition, you should secure feeding equipment such as feed storage containers, feeders, and water buckets.
Goat Pasture and Forage Management
Goats are well-known for consuming a high percentage of brush and other less desirable plants. This way they successfully maximize the use of pastureland and improve forage quality over time.
With an adequate rotational grazing program, goat producers can increase pasture production and help control internal/external parasites. High-quality pastures – as well as small-grain pastures – provide excellent goat feed that also stimulates milk production during kidding. Forage quality is typically affected by plant development and the timing of grazing.
Discover further information on grazing management and pasture systems with Penn State Extension’s Sustainable Pasture Management for Livestock course. To learn more about pasture rotation, soil management, and forage samples, have a look at the Goat Pasture and Forage Quality Management workshop.
- Webinars
$5.00
Living on a Few Acres: Backyard Beef, Sheep, and Goats
When 11/14/2024Length 2 hoursEvent Format Virtual | LiveJoin Extension specialists for the Living on a Few Acres webinar series to learn about breed selection, reproduction, health, and grazing and pasture management of beef cattle, sheep, and goats. - Articles
Reduce Feed Costs by Reducing Hay Waste
The largest input cost for any livestock enterprise is feed costs. In forage dependent operations, most of these feed costs occur during the winter when feeding hay. - Webinars
Free
Planning Pasture Species Selection for Sheep and Goats
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Mar 5, 2024Event Format On-Demand | RecordedLearn the principles of forage species selection, proper pasture seeding techniques, and the optimal timing for seeding pastures. - Webinars
Free
Creep Feeding Principles for Lambs and Goat Kids
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Feb 13, 2024Event Format On-Demand | RecordedDiscover the essential aspects of creep feeding, including setting up feeders, recommended designs, ideal feeds for creep areas, and the crucial do's and don'ts for successful implementation. - Articles
Determining Forage Quality: Understanding Feed Analysis
Learn how to use feed analysis to determine forage quality, and exactly what feeding a high quality forage means. - Articles
Manage Feed Costs by Evaluating Hay Waste
Sheep and goat operations all experience some amount of hay waste during winter feeding. Now is a good time to look back and evaluate how much hay was wasted. - Articles
Prevent Parasites Through Grazing Management
Grazing management and genetic selection can help your flock minimize the impact of parasites. - Articles
Feeding Market Goats for Show
Helpful tips on making sure the goat receives appropriate protein, energy, and minerals. Additionally, details additives in concentrate feeds, roughages, and more. - Webinars
Free
The Four Phases of Feeding the Dairy Goat Kid
When Watch NowRecorded Mar 21, 2023Event Format On-Demand | RecordedLearn the significance of each phase and how they can influence the health, development, and quality of the kids you raise. Comprehend management strategies that can positively affect your bottom line when raising replacement does and bucks. - Articles
Multiflora Rose Control in Pastures
The spread of multiflora rose in Pennsylvania caused it to be designated as a noxious weed. Multiflora rose can be controlled but it takes considerable effort. - Articles
Integrating Grazing into Cropping Systems: Infrastructure
Considerations about fencing, watering systems, animal handling and loading, and shade all need to be resolved before animals are placed on the cropland to increase the likelihood of the success of the grazing program. - Articles
Silvopasture Could Work on Your Farm
Silvopasture is the integration of trees, livestock, and forage crops together on the same land to create dual income from timber and livestock. - Articles
Integrating Grazing into Cropping Systems: Grazing Cover Crops for Soil Health
Information on grazing cover crops for soil health. - Articles
Sampling Bales for Forage Quality Analysis
Testing stored forages for nutritional quality is an important management consideration in livestock nutrition. Sampling bales involves a few simple steps to get a representative sample. - Articles
Japanese Stiltgrass in Pastures
This invasive weed is taking over Pennsylvania pastures. Learn how to control it. - Articles
Water System Planning: Estimating Water Needs
Find out how to estimate homeowner or farmer water needs and calculate how much water must be delivered from a private water supply to meet these needs. - Webinars
Free
Making the Most of Your Feed Analysis for Sheep and Goat Production
When Watch NowRecorded Jan 25, 2022Event Format On-Demand | RecordedFeed analysis is a cost-effective way to balance rations for sheep and goat production. Join us to learn more! - Articles
Nutrition Throughout Pregnancy for Meat Goat Does
Feeding the meat goat herd is a critical aspect of meat goat production and management. Good nutrition influences the overall health status of the entire herd, as well as the growth performance of kids. - Articles
Dairy Goat Production
Dairy goat production is an alternative livestock enterprise suitable for many small-scale or part-time livestock operations. - Online Courses
$150.00
Dairy Goat Production and Management
Sections 8Length 20 hoursLearn the basics of dairy goat production and how to manage your operation, including breeds and selection, nutritional needs, potential health problems, and marketing your product. - Workshops
Meat Goat Production and Management Home Study Course
Interested in running a meat goat operation? The Meat Goat Production and Management Home Study Course is for beginning producers and a great review for seasoned producers. - Workshops
Preventive Controls for Animal Food
Length 2.5 daysProvides the credentials to meet FDA requirements for development and implementation of a preventive system for food safety as stated within the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations.