Dry matter intake in grazing dairy goats

Abstract

The contribution of three strata of pasture (grass, woody species and acorns) to the diet of goats during a grazing season was studied. Results showed that in autumn-winter acorns (61.6%) were the dominant dietary dry-matter component, followed by woody species (25.8%) and grass (12.6%). The opposite was true in spring when the greatest contribution was from grass (61.1%), followed by woody species (37%) and acorns providing a mere 1.9%. In summer, however, woody species increased their contribution to 47.4%, thus constituting an important intake component for grazing goats in the region. Acorns proved to be an important resource, as they are produced at a time when there is a shortage of grass and when woody species have limited nutritional value. Results showed that goats should not be classed solely as browsers but placed midway between strictly herbivorous animals and true browsers, given the contribution of grass to their diet, although an opportunist capacity for adaptation to changes in the quality of available feeds should also be taken into account.