Meat Goat Performance and Carcass Parameters When Finished on Orchardgrass, Red Clover, or Alfalfa Pastures

The meat goat industry is growing rapidly in the U.S., particularly on small farms. There are a diversity of forage types and qualities used in meat goat production systems. Seventy-two Boer goats were used to evaluate weight gain and carcass parameters when growing goats were finished on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.; ALF), red clover ( Trfolium pratense L.; RCL), or orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.; OGR) pastures without energy supplementation. Forage mass showed an interaction (P <0.001) between treatment and time over the grazing season. Goat kids grazing RCL and ALF had higher BW than those grazing OGR throughout the grazing season. Average daily gain (ADG) was similar for ALF and RCL kids (mean 0.18 lb/d) and both were greater (P < 0.001) than OGR (0.11 lb/d). Carcass wt were similar for kids finished on RCL and ALF (mean 33.8 lb), but both were greater (P <0.0001) than kids grazing OGR (29.8 lb). Dressing percentage of RCL and OGR was similar (mean 51.7 %), but both were greater (P <0.05) than ALF (49.8 %). Ribeye area was higher (P < 0.01) for kids finished on RC compared to ALF and OGR. Backfat measurements were not different (mean 0.05 in). Goats finished on ALF, RCL, and OGR produced desirable finished BW and carcasses for the Muslim Halal ethnic market. Introduction: The meat goat industry is growing rapidly in the U.S., particularly on small farms. Meat goat production in the U.S. almost extensively uses the Boer breed to take advantage of the meat-type conformation and heterosis derived from crossbreeding. Weight gains of over 200 g/d for Boer and Boer crossbreeds have been reported (McGregor, 1985). However, using simulation modeling, Blackburn (1995) reported that as the forage base (quality and quantity) changed from high forage to low forage, Boer goat performance ranked below the Spanish goat, suggesting that nutrient intake from lowto medium-quality grasses is insufficient to maximize growth potential for Boer and Boer-cross goats. Alfalfa ((Medicago sativa L.; ALF) is an important legume forage for many classes of livestock (Van Keuren and Matches, 1988) and ALF hay is often used to supply crude protein in finishing diets for small ruminants. Alfalfa is a tall growing, winter hardy plant that produces high yields and quality forage (Hoveland, 1992) and supports superior weight gains (Gelaye et al., 1990) in goat systems. Red clover (Trifoliumpratense L.; RCL) grows 'Supervisory Research Animal Scientist and Research Agronomist, respectively, USDA, ARS, Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center, 1224 Airport Road, Beaver, WV 25813-9423; Program Specialist, West Virginia University, Dept. Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Morgantown, WV 26506.