Study on the Seasonal Changes in Average Daily Gain, Feed Value, Forage Productivity and Grazing Intensity in Native Pasture Grazed By Korean Native Goat (Capra hircus coreanae)

This study was conducted to determine grazing intensity of female growing Korean black goats (Capra hircus coreanae) on native pasture. It was carried out to obtain basic information for improvement of native pasture management and to establish a feeding system for these goats. The experiment was carried out using ten 4-month-old female doelings with a mean body weight was 14 ± 3.6 kg. The goats were fed supplementary diets containing different rates of concentrates (1.5% of BW) during grazing in native pasture. Supplementary feed and forage samples were dried in a forced-air oven at 65℃, ground to pass through a 1-mm screen, and stored for further analysis. These sample were analyzed for dry matter (DM), extract ether (EE), crude protein (CP), ash, crude fiber (CF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (AOAC, 1990). The crude protein content of forage was the highest in July (18.2 ± 0.6%) and there were significantly differences (P<0.05). The crude fiber content increased in August (31.5 ± 0.25%) at pasture (P<0.05), and decreased in April (14.2 ± 0.17%). The forage productivity of the native pasture was highest in August (1584.0 141.4g/ha) and then decreased in September (666.7). The highest average daily gains (ADG) of 123.5 g/d occurred during June treatment. Grazing intensity was calculated by forage productivity and dry matter intake (DMI) and was the highest in August (106 head/ha). As shown in the results of this study, grazing intensity was suggested to average 68 head/ha during the experiment period (from April to September). It is desirable to maintain adequate grazing intensity by adjusting supplement feed.