Meat Goat Project Update

Below are the past month of weights for the goats on the project.  The grass only group averages about 60 lbs and the grass + grain group is averaging about 67 lbs.

10/30 11/13 11/27
CSC ID Gender Trt WT 10 WT 11 WT 12 Total ADG
1 W Grass 43 42 44 -0.007
2 W Grass + Grain 62 65 64 0.122
3 W Grass 63 69 72 0.136
5 W Grass 53 53 58 0.075
6 W Grass + Grain 60 68 62 0.048
7 W Grass 63 62 49 -0.122
8 W Grass + Grain 68 73 73 0.156
9 W Grass 62 66 71 0.143
10 W Grass + Grain 64 66 72 0.204
11 W Grass 44 44 48 0.088
12 W Grass + Grain 68 74 73 0.088
13 W Grass 55 65 67 0.027
14 D Grass + Grain 62 63 65 0.122
15 D Grass 51 52 55 0.048
17 W Grass 42 46 50 0.020
18 W Grass + Grain 69 70 80 0.170
19 W Grass 64 70 74 0.184
20 W Grass + Grain 65 67 69 0.163
21 W Grass 51 56 61 0.041
23 D Grass 52 56 63 0.109
24 D Grass + Grain 64 64 61 0.054
25 W Grass 59 60 61 0.041
26 W Grass + Grain 56 63 65 0.129
27 W Grass 48 49 50 0.000
28 W Grass + Grain 61 65 71 0.156
29 W Grass 44 44 44 -0.027
30 W Grass + Grain 75 78 78 0.170
31 W Grass 51 50 46 -0.007
32 W Grass + Grain 66 68 69 0.116
33 W Grass 64 67 65 0.027
34 W Grass + Grain 71 74 79 0.163
35 W Grass 68 72 79 0.170
37 W Grass 59 61 64 0.088
38 D Grass + Grain 69 71 70 0.129
39 D Grass 60 59 66 0.150
40 W Grass + Grain 51 57 55 0.082
42 W Grass + Grain 53 52 57 0.027
43 W Grass 60 59 58 0.054
44 W Grass + Grain 55 56 62 0.088
45 W Grass 62 70 74 0.122
46 D Grass + Grain 64 63 63 0.129
47 W Grass 67 67 65 0.020
49 W Grass 54 58 58 0.088
50 W Grass + Grain 559 66 68 0.163
51 D Grass 56 57 56 0.034
52 D Grass + Grain 63 69 64 0.088
54 D Grass + Grain 61 65 63 0.116
56 W Grass + Grain 58 60 62 0.136
Published in:  on December 3, 2009 at 9:23 pm Leave a Comment

Meat Goat Project Update

We have several of the goats from the research project approaching market weight!  We will be harvesting about 5-6 head per week, starting in the next couple of weeks!  I will be mailing all data out to the producers who have consigned animals, this week.  Check back next week for a project summary to date on this blog site!

Published in:  on November 30, 2009 at 9:34 pm Leave a Comment

We have fall lambs!

It is exciting – we have about 70 fall lambs on the ground now and lambing is almost done (only 4-5 ewes are left to lamb).  Looking at the lambs – this is our best lamb crop we have had!  We look forward to offering the top end of the lambs at our annual Chico State Sheep and Goat Educational Day and Sale on February 13, 2010!  Remaining lambs will be available for private treaty sales after that event!  Hopefully we will be able to get some pictures posted over the next couple of weeks.

Published in:  on at 9:32 pm Leave a Comment

Catching up!

Wow – the past couple of months have been busy and I haven’t had a chance to update our blog space.  We have lots of things going on – so we will get back into some regular posts from here on out!  The Chico State Sheep and Goat Unit hopes that everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday season!

Published in:  on at 9:29 pm Leave a Comment

Meat Goat Finishing Study Update

We will be moving the goats to our Sheep Management Center to continue the trial.  This is an elevated feeding facility that promotes animal health by limiting parasite problems.  This will allow us to finish the trial in a timely manner!  The goats will still be on the same dietary treatments, forage only and the forage + grain treatment.  Pictures will be posted once the goats are moved into the other facility!

Published in:  on September 16, 2009 at 6:03 pm Leave a Comment

NCMGA Quarterly Membership Meeting at Chico State

On September 12, 2009, over 60 participants attended the quarterly meeting for the Northern California Meat Goat Association membership.  It was an outstanding meeting!  The membership explored marketing options and educational opportunities and learned a bit about goat meat and grading carcasses.   The day wrapped up with a tour of the Chico State Sheep and Goat Unit.

For more information about this group – visit their website at http://www.northerncaliforniameatgoatassociation.com/

Having fun at the quarterly NCMGA meeting

Having fun at the quarterly NCMGA meeting

Producers touring the unit

Producers touring the unit

NDMGA members touring the Chico State Sheep and Goat Unit

NDMGA members touring the Chico State Sheep and Goat Unit

More discussion on meat goat grading!

More discussion on meat goat grading!

Meat goat producers learning about goat carcass grading

Meat goat producers learning about goat carcass grading

Published in:  on at 5:20 pm Comments (1)

Photos from Weigh Day 8/28

Students from the Animal Nutrition class are helping weigh today!

Students from the Animal Nutrition class are helping weigh today!

More students helping!

More students helping!

Had a couple that needed some treatment - Chico State students helping out.

Had a couple that needed some treatment - Chico State students helping out.

Student moving electric fence

Student moving electric fence

Published in:  on August 28, 2009 at 6:07 pm Leave a Comment

Weigh Day – 8/28/09

Goats were weighed today.  Currently the goats have officially been on test for 56 days.  We are getting closer to harvest on some and will keep you notified as to when animals will be ready.  The ADG reported is for the entire 56 days.

CSC ID Gender Trt WT 1 WT 5 ADG
1 W 1 45 45 0.00
2 W 2 46 59 0.23
3 W 1 52 60 0.14
4 W 2 60 71 0.20
5 W 1 47 55 0.14
6 W 2 55 57 0.04
7 W 1 67 70 0.05
8 W 2 50 65 0.27
9 W 1 50 59 0.16
10 W 2 42 60 0.32
11 W 1 35 44 0.16
12 W 2 60 65 0.09
13 W 1 63 64 0.02
14 D 2 47 58 0.20
15 D 1 48 60 0.21
16 W 2 56 72 0.29
17 W 1 47 44 -0.05
18 W 2 55 61 0.11
19 W 1 47 65 0.32
20 W 2 45 62 0.30
21 W 1 55 58 0.05
22 D 2 56 72 0.29
23 D 1 47 51 0.07
24 D 2 53 62 0.16
25 W 1 55 59 0.07
26 W 2 46 55 0.16
27 W 1 50 50 0.00
28 W 2 48 59 0.20
29 W 1 48 47 -0.02
30 W 2 53 67 0.25
31 W 1 47 52 0.09
32 W 2 52 62 0.18
33 W 1 61 66 0.09
34 W 2 55 64 0.16
35 W 1 54 64 0.18
36 W 2 57 75 0.32
37 W 1 51 56 0.09
38 D 2 51 60 0.16
39 D 1 44 50 0.11
40 W 2 43 46 0.05
41 W 1 44 . .
42 W 2 53 53 0.00
43 W 1 50 57 0.13
44 W 2 49 56 0.13
45 W 1 56 65 0.16
46 D 2 44 54 0.18
47 W 1 62 63 0.02
48 W 2 64 76 0.21
49 W 1 45 55 0.18
50 W 2 44 57 0.23
51 D 1 51 57 0.11
52 D 2 51 62 0.20
53 D 1 42 46 0.07
54 D 2 46 56 0.18
56 W 2 42 52 0.18
58 W 1 37 38 0.02
Published in:  on at 6:07 pm Leave a Comment

Pictures from 8/14/09 – Meat Goat Study

Here are some pictures of the treatment groups.

Just an overview of some of the goats at the CSUC Farm

Just an overview of some of the goats at the CSUC Farm

Some of the goats from the forage + grain group exploring the field.

Some of the goats from the forage + grain group exploring the field.

Forage only group out on their new pasture

Forage only group out on their new pasture

An example of the pasture the goats are grazing

An example of the pasture the goats are grazing

Published in:  on August 15, 2009 at 3:28 pm Leave a Comment

42 Day Meat Goat Finishing Study Update

The goats are doing well!  Gains are up and animals are looking great.  Feel free to scroll down our posts and take a look at how these compare to the last weigh periods.

Avg Wt
8/14

ADG
Past 14 Days

Total Gain (42 Days)

Total ADG
(42 Days)

Forage Only

56.41

0.20

6.19

0.15

Forage + Grain

60.46

0.36

9.64

0.23

Below is all the individual performance data for all animals.   This includes the last period (WT 4 and ADG 3) as well as total trial gains.  Today is day 42 of the project.  Animals will begin reaching the target ending weight of about 80-85 lbs within the next month.

CSC ID Trt WT 4 ADG 3 Period Gain Total Gain Total ADG
1 Forage 45 0 0 0 0.00
2 For + Grain 55 0.21 3 9 0.21
3 Forage 60 0.14 2 8 0.19
4 For + Grain 70 0.43 6 10 0.24
5 Forage 54 0.14 2 7 0.17
6 For + Grain 59 0.43 6 4 0.10
7 Forage 72 0.07 1 5 0.12
8 For + Grain 64 0.29 4 14 0.33
9 Forage 61 0.36 5 11 0.26
10 For + Grain 57 0.29 4 15 0.36
11 Forage 42 0.14 2 7 0.17
12 For + Grain 70 0.29 4 10 0.24
13 Forage 64 0 0 1 0.02
14 For + Grain 59 0.36 5 12 0.29
15 Forage 57 0.21 3 9 0.21
16 For + Grain 69 0.5 7 13 0.31
17 Forage 45 0.21 3 -2 -0.05
18 For + Grain 60 0.21 3 5 0.12
19 Forage 67 0.5 7 20 0.48
20 For + Grain 60 0.43 6 15 0.36
21 Forage 61 0.36 5 6 0.14
22 For + Grain 70 0.43 6 14 0.33
23 Forage 56 0.29 4 9 0.21
24 For + Grain 61 0.21 3 8 0.19
25 Forage 61 0.14 2 6 0.14
26 For + Grain 51 0 0 5 0.12
27 Forage 51 0 0 1 0.02
28 For + Grain 59 0.29 4 11 0.26
29 Forage 50 0.07 1 2 0.05
30 For + Grain 66 0.43 6 13 0.31
31 Forage 55 0.21 3 8 0.19
32 For + Grain 61 0.64 9 9 0.21
33 Forage 68 0.36 5 7 0.17
34 For + Grain 59 0.14 2 4 0.10
35 Forage 67 0.29 4 13 0.31
36 For + Grain 75 0.57 8 18 0.43
37 Forage 55 0.14 2 4 0.10
38 For + Grain 59 0.57 8 8 0.19
39 Forage 49 0.29 4 5 0.12
40 For + Grain 46 0.21 3 3 0.07
41 Forage . . . . .
42 For + Grain 54 0.36 5 1 0.02
43 Forage 59 0.21 3 9 0.21
44 For + Grain 55 0.21 3 6 0.14
45 Forage 64 0.36 5 8 0.19
46 For + Grain 56 0.43 6 12 0.29
47 Forage 64 0.29 4 2 0.05
48 For + Grain 76 0.5 7 12 0.29
49 Forage 52 0.14 2 7 0.17
50 For + Grain 52 0.36 5 8 0.19
51 Forage 58 0.14 2 7 0.17
52 For + Grain 60 0.29 4 9 0.21
53 Forage 46 0.21 3 4 0.10
54 For + Grain 56 0.43 6 10 0.24
56 For + Grain 54 0.43 6 12 0.29
58 Forage 40 0.07 1 3 0.07
Published in:  on August 14, 2009 at 8:17 pm Leave a Comment