During this time of year, buck goats are getting smelly, and their does are looking hopeful. But it takes planning to produce a bountiful crop of bouncing baby goats. Here are some things to consider.
LOOK TO NUTRITION
Goat breeding stock should be neither fat nor thin. While quality forage and freechoice minerals are sufficient for goats on maintenance rations, they need more energy in their diets as rut approaches. Many folks "flush" does by switching to legume hay and introducing 1/2 to 1 pound of 12% protein grain mix three or four weeks before breeding season begins; this helps boost ovulation rates and results in more kids. Meanwhile, bucks often forget to eat during rut, so they need to be plump but not grossly overweight as breeding begins.
ADD SELEMIUM, AS NEEDED
Insufficient selenium in goats' diets is associated with low conception rates, retained placentas and weak kids. It also has a positive effect on male fertility. If you live in a selenium-deficient part of the country, such as portions of the Northeast, the selenium in goat-specific minerals is inadequate.
Denne historien er fra Goat-101-24-utgaven av Hobby Farms.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra Goat-101-24-utgaven av Hobby Farms.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The RISE of Opportunist WEEDS
Be prepared to see increasing changes in weeds we fight, such as poison hemlock and poison ivy, and in the crops we grow.
LIVESTOCK Health
Prepare yourself for how to spot symptoms of illness in your farm animals so that you can get them help before it's too late.
CUT FLOWER Farming
If you're considering growing flowers for sale, brush up on these five key things to know before diving in.
WINTER Survival
Keep your land, animals and yourself in good shape this winter with this helpful advice.
COVERAGE CONCERNS
Avoid common insurance mistakes for rural and hobby farm businesses.
FARMER'S GUIDE Berries
Set the stage for tasty strawberries, blueberries and brambles with these soil-boosting garden tips.
Preconditioning CALVES
Follow our step-by-step guide to get more money for your calves.
Soil Conservation
Often, outside of having a specific problem that needs to be addressed, soil conservation isn't something every farmer readily thinks about. Yet conserving the soil should be at or near the top of every farmer owner or manager's list of concerns because absent the prevention of soil erosion, we have the opportunity for another dust bowl.
Year-Round Lettuce & Salad Mixes
It's easy to think of salad greens as just a spring- or fall-garden crop, but it's possible to enjoy freshly harvested lettuces, mustards and more from your own garden year-round.
Barn Improvements
Days are never long enough for a farmer. From dawn to well into the night, tasks arise that often require immediate action. Having to search for tools or equipment is an enormous time waster and incredibly frustrating when you can't find what you need, especially when you know you have it.
