Abstract

 The single greatest cost in any livestock enterprise is the cost of supplying feeding. With intensive feeding systems, feed cost averages 64% of the variable cost of an operation (excluding labor) or some 45% of the variable cost of an operation including labor. Management practices that reduce the cost of feed and feeding will improve profitability of a livestock enterprise. The major points in the feeding management of goats will be discussed to help readers understand differences among feeds and feeding practices that are humane, promote good health, and encourage strong immune function of goats with emphasis on effi cient and economical production of meat, milk, and fiber. FEEDS Specific feeds are not required. Instead, the nutrients from feeds, for example, protein, energy, minerals, and vitamins, are required and must be provided by feed ingredients provided in the diet. Feed ingredients include those provided by humans as well as feed components gleaned by animals from available forage or browse. First, protein is needed. Protein may come partly from nonprotein nitrogen sources like urea. Next, energy is required; that typically is obtained from dietary carbohydrates (sugars, starches, and fi ber), fats, and to a lesser degree, excess protein. Accurate feed management is a three - step process. First, nutrient requirements of the animal must be estimated; second, the composition of available feeds must be assessed; and third, one seeks to provide appropriate amounts of nutrients from specifi c feeds to meet the nutrient requirements. Nutrient requirements of goats for maintenance, growth, pregnancy, and production of meat, milk, and fi ber are published in the NRC (2007). For practical purposes, selected nutrient requirement tables are provided in Appendix B .