Goat feedlotting

Feedlotting is a management practice which goat weaner producers frequently use in an effort to achieve a constant supply of quality weaner that meets market specifications for weight and fat score. It allows producers to maintain production when pasture availability is limited, to achieve rapid growth when feed prices are low, to generate cash flow and to value add ration components eg grains. While feedlotting gives producers the flexibility to finish weaner irrespective of seasonal conditions, their options may be more profitable, and should be considered. Producers should carefully compare the benefits of feedlotting with paddock supplementation, or selling selected stock and grain to generate income Additional options include selling goat weanes stores, maintaining goats until quality fodder crops and pasture are available

Vaccination (preventative health care):

Farmers need to be aware of common diseases that affect goats in their area and then follow an appropriate vaccination programme. Vaccination is only possible for certain diseases. With these diseases, you can give the healthy animal an injection that will stop it contracting a particular disease. This is different to treating an animal once it is sick.

One of the key vaccines you can give a goat is Multivax P

● This will control pasteurella (lung infections), pulpy kidney, tetanus, black quarter

● Young goats: inject at 4-5 months and repeat at 5-6 months

● Adult goats: Repeat annually in September (and repeat after 4 weeks).

Other vaccinations should only be given if a problem is positively identified by a vet or animal health technician, for example: enzootic abortion, Brucella melitensis (also commonly called CA)