Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Article Title

Impact of Using Different Stocking Rates of Goats Under Pine Plantation on Plant Species Occurrence and Animal Productivity

Authors

Anthony S. Kumi, Tuskegee UniversityFollow
India Howard, Tuskegee University
Ronald C. Smith, Tuskegee UniversityFollow
Nar Gurung, Tuskegee UniversityFollow
Alphonso Elliott, Tuskegee UniversityFollow

Abstract

Abstract

The study assessed the impact of using different stocking rates of goats under pine plantation on plant species occurrence and animal productivity. It was conducted on an 11 year-old loblolly pine plantation site in Epes, Alabama from July to October 2011. Thirty-six Kiko crossbred male goat kids of 4 to 5 months of age were assigned to different stocking rates, namely, low (4 goats/acre), medium (8 goats/acre), and high (12 goats/acre) with three replications each. Forage composition, animal daily gain (ADG) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were monitored. Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum) was the most dominant grass species across all treatments. Quantities of understory plant species decreased across all stocking densities with season, but there were no statistical differences (p > 0.05); ADG and BUN were similar. Long-term studies need to be conducted before any meaningful inferences can be drawn.

Keywords: Silvopasture, Loblolly Pine, Goats, Understory Species Composition

Recommended Citation

Kumi, Anthony S.; Howard, India; Smith, Ronald C.; Gurung, Nar; and Elliott, Alphonso (2015) "Impact of Using Different Stocking Rates of Goats Under Pine Plantation on Plant Species Occurrence and Animal Productivity," Professional Agricultural Workers Journal: Vol. 2: No. 2, 5.
Available at: https://tuspubs.tuskegee.edu/pawj/vol2/iss2/5