Effects of distillers dried grains with solubles and SoyPlus on feedlot Boer goat performance

Abstract

Feed is often the most expensive and important part in animal nutrition. To date, little research has been done on goat nutrition. The objective of this project was to evaluate the efficiency Distillers’ Dried Grains (DDGS) and SoyPlus as a replacement for soybean meal (SBM) in goat diets. In this project, 75 Boer goats (23.5 +/- 1.32 kg BW, approx. 90 days of age) were randomly assigned to 5 treatments at the K-State Sheep and Meat Goat facility. Goats were assigned one of 25 pens (5 treatments, 3 goats/pen) over a 42 day finishing period. Treatments were isocaloric and isonitrogenous, and included 1) SBM (18.7%), ammonium chloride (.75%) 2) DDGS (34.4%), ammonium chloride (.75%) 3) SoyPlus (22%), ammonium chloride (.75%) 4) SBM (17.2%), SoyChlor (4.83%) 5) SoyPlus (20%), SoyChlor (4.83%). Goats were fed with self-feeders with continuous access to feed and clean water. Goats were weighed once a week to calculate BW, ADG, ADFI, G:F. Differences in beginning and final body weight were not detected (P=0.570) and (P=0.284). There were no statistical differences between treatments on ADG (P=0.099), ADFI (P=0.140), G:F (P=0.431). There were statistical differences in feed cost, $/goat (P=0.001). These results show that feeding DDGS and SoyPlus as a replacement for SBM had no effect on overall goat performance. However, it did affect the feed cost per goat. In summary, when finishing a Boer goat when feed cost is the most important factor, choosing the cheaper feed option has no effect on meat goat performance provided diets were formulated similarly.