Alberta goat producers want to measure their meat animals’ feed efficiency in a special trial this summer.
“We all had to use alternative feeds this year and we need to see if these expensive feeds are necessary,” said goat producer Merna Gisler.
Working with Olds College, the Alberta Goat Producers’ Association hopes to start the trial in June. It wants to study 36 weaned wethers between 40 and 50 pounds and born between Jan.1 and March 31.
A variety of breeds are sought, but the association expects the majority to be Spanish/Boer cross or dairy/Boer cross.
The trial will be 140 days, with a two-week warmup. Four feed rations are to be used: oats, barley, hay and pelleted screenings combined with roughage supplements.
There will be three pens to a rotation with a minimum of four animals per pen.
