Growth Rate, Carcass Trait and Blood Chemistry of Cross-bred Meat Goats Grazing Puna Chicory, Rackmaster Refuge Mix and Sahara Bermudagrass

Abstract

Lema, M., Kebe, S. and Opio, R. 2008. Growth rate, carcass trait and blood chemistry of cross-bred meat goats grazing Puna chicory, rackmaster refuge mix and Sahara bermudagrass. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 33: 1–6.

A grazing trial was conducted to evaluate Puna chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), Rackmaster Refuge Mix [a blend of chicory, mustard (Sinapis alba), turnips (Brassica rapa), clover (Trifolium repens), kale (Brassica oleracea) and rape (Brassica napus)] and Sahara bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) as summer pasture for meat goats. Puna chicory and Rackmaster refuge were higher in crude protein (CP), net energy lactation (NE₁), net energy gain (NE_g), total digestible nutrient (TDN), relative feed value (RFV), Ca, P, Mg and K contents and lower (P<0.05) in ADF than Sahara bermudagrass. Puna chicory was higher (P<0.05) in P, K and Mg than Rackmaster refuge. Rackmaster refuge was higher (P<0.05) than Puna Chicory in TDN and RFV. But Puna chicory supported better performance in terms of average daily gain, live weight gain per ha, dressing percentage and carcass characteristics as compared to Sahara bermudagrass, Rackmaster refuge mix being in between. It is concluded that Puna chicory may result in improved goat productivity in terms of growth rate and chevon production if used as a summer pasture.

Keywords:

• Chicory
• Rackmaster refuge mix
• Bermudagrass
• summer pasture
• forage quality
• meat goat