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- Title
362 Effects of organic versus conventional diets on dam and kid weight in Nubian caprine.
- Authors
Panetta, Isabella V; Armentrout-Shoaf, Bailey; Soyland, Matthew J; Rocco, Christina; Williams, Toree
- Abstract
Recently, agriculture has trended towards the utilization of organic products, due to the belief of superior outcomes, reporting healthier animals with better weight gains, and higher quality products among consumers. However, previous research regarding organic feedstuffs has reported conflicting results, supporting the need for continuing research. Reproductive success throughout and post gestation of caprine dams is closely related to the nutritional intake of the animal, which could be impacted by consumption of organic products. The objective of the current study was to observe caprine kid birth weight, kid ADG, and dam weight throughout pregnancy comparing organic and conventional feedstuffs. Eight pregnant Nubian dams (n = 4) between 1 and 5 yr of age with initial BW between 45.4 and 68.5 kg were separated into groups based on initial BW and BCS. The organic group received a certified organic concentrate, certified organic mineral supplement, and a certified organic molasses while the conventional group received a conventional concentrate, conventional mineral supplement, and conventional molasses. Both groups had ad-libitum access to hay and water. Dams were fed 0.907kg/d/45.4kg of BW of concentrate and mineral supplement at 0.012kg/d/45.4kg of BW in individual feeding stocks at 0630 and 1730 for the last six wk of gestation and three wk post-parturition. Dams were individually weighted and observed weekly for BCS using the American Daily Goat Association's BCS 1 to 5 scale. After parturition, kid birth weight was measured using a hanging sling scale and daily kid weight gain was recorded for three wk post parturition. Differences in kid birth weight, kid ADG, and dam weight were analyzed by two-tailed T-Test at P > 0.05. No differences between kid ADG (P = 0.759), kid birth weight (P = 0.405), or for dam weekly weight (P = 0.457) were observed. Thus, the increase in cost to raise certified organic livestock, such as caprine, is not financially justifiable.
- Subjects
BIRTH weight; NUBIAN goat; WEIGHT gain; CONCENTRATE feeds; ORGANIC products; MINERAL supplements; ANIMAL nutrition; PARTURITION
- Publication
Journal of Animal Science, 2019, Vol 97, p151
- ISSN
0021-8812
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/jas/skz122.267