Goats on the other hand favor the seed heads even though the toxins are known to be highest in the seed. Pregnancy-related problems in goats eating Tall Fescue are similar to those of other species. Goats on the other hand favor the seed heads even though the toxins are known to be highest in the seed. Tip: Kelp (dried seaweed) fed free choice can help lower body temperature by as much as one-half degree Fahrenheit. It has no rootstocks (rhizomes). Writer: Aimee D. Heald 859-257-4736, ext. 3) Contractions so weak that the doe requires human assistance in delivering her kids. Departments & Units   /   Average fescue hay typically contains 8-9% crude protein and 55-60% TDN on a … Tall fescue is grown for pasture, hay, silage and as a companion crop with other forage grass varieties and legumes. Some does never develop an udder. All information provided in these articles is based either on personal experience or information provided by others whose treatments and practices have been discussed fully with a vet for accuracy and effectiveness before passing them on to readers. It grows well in areas where other forages do not and are easy to maintain. Alfalfa is among the mostly cultivated greens for goats and considered as the best for goats. Goats prefer a mix of plant types and consume a diverse diet when variety is offered. Ple… The ability of goats to consume a variety of grasses, legumes, and browse facilitates the dilution concept in a slightly different manner. Browsemaster is a new grass seed mixture from Barenbrug's Master Series for goat pastures. This endophytic (inside the plant) fungus is not detectable visually. When feeding hay, know the nutrient content. ), [GoatCamp™] [Tennessee Meat Goats™] [Myotonic Goats] [TexMaster™ Goats] [Which Breed is Right for You?] Forage Tall Fescue handles all soil types, PH levels and moisture levels. If goats have access to wooded or He said it is not the K31 type fescue with the potential for toxicity. However, goat producers should not worry about that too much, according to University of Kentucky Extension Associate for Goat Production Terry Hutchens. In fact, a steady diet of legume hay can lead to excessive weight gain. Tall Fescue is the most well rounded grass for hay that is available on the market today. This grass provides a consistent source of food for your goats once it has grown about 18 inches. “So far evidence just doesn’t show us that goats have the same problems with fescue endophytes as other livestock species,” he said. Because Tall Fescue is unpalatable, goats usually won't eat it unless they have nothing else from which to choose. Fescue has adequate palatability and is a nutritious forage option that can be successfully used in goat operations. Body temperatures tend to be slightly higher than normal, resulting in animals spending much time standing around in the shade when they should be out foraging. Use tall fescue for grazing and hay production. I learned this year from Don Chenoweth, a goat raiser in Illinois, that his vet prescribed Equidone Gel (Domperidone 2.75 grams) for his pregnant does with Tall Fescue Toxicity. Hutchens said that further supports his opinion that goats are not negatively affected by consuming tall fescue.If goat producers are worried that their livestock may be adversely affected by tall fescue consumption, alternatives do exist.Hutchens said legumes such as red clover, annual/perennial lespedeza or alfalfa can be seeded into tall fescue pastures, therefore diluting tall fescue consumption. Native to Europe, tall fescue was brought to the U.S. in the 1800s. Also, using no-tillage crops such as corn, small grain/soybean or Sudan grass helps to eliminate tall fescue from pastures followed by establishment of alternative pasture species or endophyte-free tall fescue. Goats should not be grazed extensively on pure stands of clover, due to the risk of bloating from the richness of the forage. TENNESSEE MEAT GOAT ™ and TEXMASTER™ are Trademarks of Onion Creek Ranch . There are some strains of Fescue which are endophyte-free (uninfected with the toxic fungus). Goats eating Tall Fescue can have weight gains reduced by more than 50%. Alfalfa is enriched with high protein, … Poor blood circulation causes a condition called dry gangrene in which parts of the hooves and tail can rot and fall off. Infected Tall Fescue is high in protein, but it is an unusable protein. Horse breeders sometimes give pregnant mares a selenium injection 30 days prior to the projected due date to help make the foaling difficulties more manageable. However, some goat owners prefer to be safe than sorry. Also, using no-tillage crops such as corn, small grain/soybean or Sudan grass helps to eliminate tall fescue from pastures followed by establishment of alternative pasture species or endophyte-free tall fescue.Fescue toxicity is a serious economic problem in the beef industry, and its affects have extensively been studied. Aimee D. Heald, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment - It Starts With Us. Digital Media Library, August 8, 2003 • Home Page • Email Us • SALE BARN • Present and Future • GoatCamp™ • Myotonic Goats • Tennessee Meat Goats™ • TexMaster™ Goats • Which breed is right for you? Never feed moldy hay to goats! At his vet's recommendation, he continued daily dosing for 10 days after birthing to facilitate milk let-down. 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