Are winter rangelands enough to satisfy the nutritional requirements of late-gestation transhumant goats in Patagonia?

Abstract Transhumant herds graze across two different rangeland types according to the season. Winter rangelands differ from summer in amount and quality of available fodder, with former being less productive. In cold areas, winter has low forage where goats may suffer severe nutritional restrictions during gestation which lead significant reproductive losses form abortions perinatal losses. Argentinian northern Patagonia, transhumant Criollo goat is a dual-purpose breed, producing both meat cashmere grazing on they complete their cycle. Our objective was evaluate what extent Argentine Patagonia satisfy requirements needed by late gestating. We evaluated study between 2010 2012 we analysed body weight condition score reaching before kidding. also botanical composition diet, (metabolizable energy, crude protein digestibility) contribution offered species proportions last third gestation. Significantly, found decrease 2010, goats’ diet showed deficiency value 0.6 Mcal/day metabolizable energy 30.43 g/day protein; 2011, 0.77 65.48 2012, 0.75 55.41 protein. Forage present 51, 52 48% digestibility each year, respectively. conclude that Argentinean not high enough recommend 550 an 80:20 mixture corn:soy expeller supplementation