SUMMARY

Birth weights and preweaning performance of Boer crossbred kids were monitored in two small meat goat flocks. Birth weights averaged 9.2 pounds (range 6 to 12) and weight at 100 days of age averaged 68 pounds (range 53 to 79) in Flock A. Flock B averages were 8.6 pounds (range 6.5 to 15) for birth weight and 51 pounds (range 38 to 74) for 100 day weights.

PROBLEM

Originally developed in South Africa, the Boer goat was first imported into the United States in April, 1993. Although similar in frame to domestic goats, the Boer is characteristically very heavy boned, deep sided and heavy muscled. Mature weights are reported to be 200 and 300 pounds for females and males, respectively. Boer goats were imported from New Zealand where they had spent the previous five years in quarantine. As a result of the quarantine process, performance data on the purebred Boer is available. However, performance of Boer-sired offspring resulting from matings in the United States are yet undocumented.

Boer semen, frozen embryos and live goats (both male and female) were imported in the spring of 1993. Numerous domestic females of several breeds and breed combinations were bred to Boer bucks. These 1/2 blood kids, born in late 1993 and the spring of 1994, represent the first opportunity to collect domestic performance data from Boer-influenced goats.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this demonstration were to:

1. collect birth weights and monitor ease of birthing and

2. monitor growth rate from birth to weaning at 100 days of age.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Does were bred natural service to Boer bucks in the fall of 1993. During gestation, all does were confined to small traps and/or pens and fed well above their maintenance requirements. Does in the Flock A were either 1/2 Nubian, 1/2 Angora or 3/4 Nubian, 1/4 Angora while does in Flock B were high quality Spanish females.

All does were kidded in confinement. Kids were weighed within 12 hours of birth and subsequently on 30 day intervals to monitor preweaning growth. When possible, kids were weaned and weighed at 100 days of age. Otherwise, weight at 100 days of age was calculated using average daily gain (ADG) from birth to weaning as follows: ((ADG x 100) + birth weight).

Nutrition programs for the two flocks differed.

Flock A - Total confinement. During gestation, does were fed a 16% crude protein pellet once daily at a rate of 2 lb/hd/day. Sorghumsudan hay is offered free choice year-round. After parturition, pellets were increased to 3 lb/hd/day. At approximately two weeks of age, kids began eating pellets with their dams. Therefore, pellets were offered at the rate of 5 lb/lactating doe/day. Does were maintained in excellent flesh through gestation and, as expected, lost weight during lactation.

Flock B - Semi-confinement. Does were fed a 18% crude protein pellet fre choice from conception until kids were weaned. Redtop cane hay was available at all times. Kids had continuous access to hay and pellets until weaning. Does maintained excellent flesh during gestation and, as expected, lost weight during lactation.

In addition to nutritional differences, sire and dam effects preclude direct comparisons between these two flocks.

RESULTS/DISCUSSION/ECONOMIC IMPACT

Preweaning performance of kids in Flock A is shown in Table 1. Birth status is abbreviated as 1=single, 2=twin and 3=triplet. Birth weights were certainly heavier than expected for Angora or Spanish goat kids. Does in this flock were large (all weighed in excess of 125

pounds) and did not experience birthing difficulty. Boer-sired kids were more alert and active when compared to purebred Angora kids of the same age in adjacent pens.

Buck kid #9 injured a foot at 43 days of age, went off feed and never regained his level of performance prior to the injury. Kids in Flock A were given every opportunity to achieve maximum growth; heavy milking dams and continuous access to a high quality creep feed.

Preweaning performance of kids in Flock B is shown in Table 2. Does in this flock were above average size and development for Spanish females; the smallest doe weighed approximately 80 pounds. Even though birth weights were larger than typical for Spanish goats, no birthing difficulties were observed. As observed in Flock A, Boer-sired kids were stronger and more active than purebred Angora kids of the same age under similar management conditions.

Only two kids in Flock B weighed less than 40 pounds at 100 days of age. Doe kid #98 was a twin that was not accepted by her dam and as a result got off to a slow start. Doe #199 experienced some minor health problems that apparently hindered her performance.

Interestingly, several does in both flocks weaned in excess of 100 pounds of kids at 100 days of age. Assuming six does equal represent one animal unit equivalent, theoretically these does could produce in excess of 600 pounds of marketable product per animal unit at 100 days post-parturition.

Growth rate (average daily gain) from birth to 100 days of age was relatively constant for all kids. Therefore, average birth weights and daily gains were used to graphically depict rate of gain by flock in Figure 1. Again, comparisons between flocks are confounded by nutrition, sire and dam effects.

Two points warrant consideration: first, the effect of reproductive efficiency on marketable product. If meat goat production is to remain a viable enterprise, producers must focus on improving reproductive efficiency, the single largest factor affecting profitability. Second, such quantity of lean meat production is difficult to achieve with other livestock species (at 100 days post-parturition).

The data presented herein represents a very small sample of the total Boer-influenced goat population and should be interpreted as such.

Birth weights of Boer-sired kids were larger than traditionally expected from meat goats. As matings began, producers had some reservation and concern for these potentially large birth weights and the possibility of dystocia. Results of this demonstration, involving large, well developed does, indicate no cause for alarm. Additional data involving the mating of Boer bucks to "traditional" meat goat does (60-80 pounds) is needed before the dystocia issue can be completely dismissed.

Preweaning growth exhibited by these Boer-sired kids is impressive. Under the conditions of this demonstration, kids were attaining what have characteristically been thought of as yearling weights (60-75 pounds) by 100 days of age. This rapid growth potential has implications for shortening generation intervals (if year-round breeding is possible) and enhancing the feasibility of producing 3 kid crops in 2 years.

Currently, purebred Boer genetics are too expensive for inclusion in a traditional meat goat production enterprise. However, in time these genetics will be affordable for inclusion in meat goat breeding programs. If the results of this demonstration provide any indication, the future of the meat goat industry is quite exciting.

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