Goats Among Trees: A Silvopastoral Possibility - University of Florida

Goats among Trees:
A Silvopastoral Possibility
Onokpise, O.U., A. McKenzie-Jakes, L. Whilby, Florida A&M University,
Strong, N. University of Florida, Center for Subtropical Agroforestry
There is an opportunity for
many small farmers to utilize
either existing stands of trees
(both natural and plantations) or
abandoned pastures to produce
goats, timber and forage,
all in the same system.
A growing demand for
goat products can make
this a profitable addition
to your enterprise.
This fact sheet was
published by the Center
for Subtropical
Agroforestry to introduce
rationale, benefits, and
challenges to managing
goats in Silvopastures.
Resources are provided
at the end to guide your
further exploration of this
topic.
Introduction
As with any product or commodity,
annual timber or cattle prices can
vary greatly.
In a world of fluctuating markets,
diversifying your income sources
and keeping inputs to a minimum
can reduce risk and improve the
overall productivity of your farm and
forest land.
People are increasingly finding
Silvopasture a preferred way to
accomplish this.
By combining livestock with
timber production and forage
management, landowners can
procure an annual income from
livestock while waiting for timber to
Come visit us in Quincy!
Kids born this Spring will be placed in FAMU
trial silvopasture sites.
mature, reduce the amount of inputs
they have to provide ( fertilizers,
herbicides, and feed) and reap the
benefits of productivity in all three
components (livestock, timber, and
forage).
Silvopasture is established by
planting trees on existing pasture, or
by thinning existing stands and
managing for optimal forage.
In southern Alabama and Northern
Florida, landowners have focused on
utilizing cattle in their silvopasture
operations, often neglecting other
profitable livestock species, including
meat, dairy, and fiber goats.
Why Goats and Trees?
1. A Growing Goat Market
As Caribbean, Muslim, and other
ethnic populations grow in the US, so
does consumption of traditional goat
meat, milk, and cheese products. It
is estimated that goat meat demand
in the United States is currently twice
domestic production. That translates
to earning potential!
Goats are hearty animals, and
can be managed on limited
acreage. Small-scale, or parttime
farmers can usually achieve
self-sufficiency with a relatively
small herd.
Fencing and herd health
managment will be the largest
and most important investments
you make. To get a good return,
you need to ensure protection
from predators and monitor
parasite loads and diseases.
2. Synergy
By combining trees with forage
and livestock, you reduce
moisture loss that occurs in an
open pasture, provide shade
and protection for your goats,
and improve soil conditions for
tree and forage growth.
3. Goats as “Herbicides”
Goats forage differently than most
small ruminants. If given a choice,
they prefer to forage the top of a
plant or shrub and work their way
down.
Not only do goats perform better on a
diverse diet, but they also control
vegetation that would otherwise
compete with your trees for nutrients
and water.
Holiday Dates Type of Goat in Demand
Western and Eastern Easter March/April kids < 1 yr.
Navadurgara/Dashara October Male adult goats
Start/End of Ramadan Oct.-Dec. Kids w/ milk teeth
Id al Adha Feb.-March Yearlings
Also Important: Christmas, July 4, Jamaican Independance Day, and Carnival
CSTAF Fact Sheet 6

Current Research
In an attempt to assist small farmers
in the Southeastern United States
make management decisions
regarding goat silvopasture systems,
researchers at Florida A&M
University have been conducting
studies on established research and
demonstration sites throughout the
Florida panhandle.
Currently in its initial stages, this
research is being undertaken with
the goal of providing information on
optimal goat stocking rates, tree
spacing configurations, forage
production and other management
variables.
Preliminary Results
Goat Stocking Rates
Early studies show that stocking
rates may affect goat weight gain.
Of course, a lot of this has to do with
the quality of forage that is provided,
but producers will need to ensure
that they do not over-stock their
silvopasture cells. Good rotation
practices not only improves weight
gain, but will reduce parasite loads
as well.
Goats were stocked at rates of 8, 12,
and 16 goats per acre. A stocking
rate of 12 goats / acre showed
maximal gain for the goats without
compromising forage production.
Where goats were stocked at higher
rates, forage production was
reduced. Tree growth, however, was
not affected by goat stocking rate.
Soil Quality
Experiments have been conducted
that compare soil pH, moisture
content, and organic matter content
of soil in open pastures and in
silvopasture systems. Results
indicate that silvopasture systems
might improve soil quality by
providing shade, increasing moisture
content, and providing temperature
moderation. The extent to which this
will occur will vary on the specific
site conditions and tree spacing.
Tree Spacing and Growth
Trees were thinned from an original
4’ x 8’ stand to a spacing of 4’ x 40’.
Bahia and bermuda grass were
seeded for forage underneath.
Trees responded to thinning and
CSTAF Fact Sheet 6
spacing with a 20% increase in
diameter growth.
Pasture Performance
Among the varieties of forage
evaluated to date, Tifton bahiagrass
has shown superior establishment
and productivity in the goat
silvopasture system.
None of the results at this point are
conclusive and will need to be
replicated over time before any final
statements can be made.
GET INVOLVED!
If you would like to work with
CSTAF to establish a goat
silvopasture trial on your land,
please contact us:
(352)846-3496, or:
http://cstaf.ifas.ufl.edu
Additional Considerations
Which Goat Breed?
There are several breeds available in
the US that are suitable to the
Southeast. Goats commonly raised
for meat production include the Boer,
Kiko, Spanish, and the Texas
Genemaster. Production traits that
should be considered when selecting
breeding stock for meat goats are:
Adaptability: Animals should be
adapted to the same environmental
conditions of your farm.
Growth Rate: Select animals with
highest post-weaning growth rates.
Reproduction: Purchase or retain
does that produce twins.
Feed Efficiency: Select animals that
require least feed to gain weight.
For more information on goat breeds
and characteristics, contact Angela
Jakes at (850) 875-8556.
Where Do I Start?
It is beyond the scope of this article
to discuss specific animal
husbandry, forage, or tree
management practices. Contact
your local county extension office,
neighboring goat producers, or one
of the listed contacts included on this
sheet.
For More Information:
Websites
FAMU Statewide Goat Program:
http://www.famu.edu/acad/cesta/coopgoat-articles.htm
The Goat Farmer.
http://www.caprine.co.nz
Clemson University
http://www.clemson.edu/agronomy/
goats.index.html.
ATTRA ~Appropriate Technology
Transfer for Rural Areas.
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/
meatgoat.html
listserv of producers
http://www.cybergoat.com
High goat demand holidays
http://www.interfaithcalendar
.org/2001.htm
Literature
The GoatKeeper’s Veterinary Book.
Third Edition, Farming Press, Ipswich,
U.K. ISBN 0-309-03185-0.
Meat Goats. A booklet about the
basics of meat goat production.
Alberta Goat Breeders Association.
($15.00)
Meat Goat Monthly News. Ranch
Publishing, the American Meat Goat
Association. PO Box 2678, San
Angelo, TX 76902. (915) 655-4434.
Regional
Alabama
Alabama A&M University
Robert Spencer
Small Farms Outreach Program
(256) 372 4958
rspencer@aamu.edu
Georgia
GA Goat Research & Extension Center
Fort Valley College
Dr. Govind Kannann
(478) 825-6816
Florida
Florida A&M University
Ms. Angela McKenzie-Jakes
(850) 875 - 8555
Mr. Godfrey Nurse
(850) 875 - 8556