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Title: MEAT GOAT RESEARCH AND PRODUCTION IN APPALACHIA: HERBALS FOR MANAGEMENT OF ANIMAL HEALTH AND MEAT QUALITY

Author
item Turner, Kenneth
item Cassida, Kimberly
item Ferreira, Jorge
item Foster, Joyce
item Ritchey, Kenneth

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/23/2004
Publication Date: 8/29/2005
Citation: Turner, K.E., Cassida, K.A., Ferreira, J.F., Foster, J.G., Ritchey, K.D. 2005. Meat goat research and production in Appalachia: Herbals for management of animal health and meat quality. Proc. 3rd Appalachian Symposium on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. Technology Transfer for Growers, Healthcare Providers, and Entrepreneurs. September 22-25, Beckley WV. pp. 99-103.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Meat goat (Capra hircus) research and farm production systems are important because of the increasing demand for chevon (goat meat) by a diverse ethnic population in the U.S. In addition, goat production on small farms provides a production incentive (high dollar niche market) and land management options for control of weeds and brush on Appalachian hill-land farms. One of the biggest problems when raising meat goats on pasture is gastrointestinal (GI) parasite control, especially Haemonchus contortus. Resistance by H. contortus to both tetrahydropyrimidine and benzimidazole classes of anthelmintics approved for use in goats has been reported. Our research team has the following goals over the next five years: 1) Define production potential of improved pastures for finishing meat goats, 2) Identify critical points for Haemonchus contortus control in pasture-based meat goat finishing systems, and 3) Include applications of medicinal plants in meat goat GI parasite control, performance, carcass, and meat quality objectives. On-site research and collaborative research efforts are also helping to understand meat goat marketing and chevon quality.