Goat farmers' profile, feeding management and nutrient content of grazing and tree lopping resources in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan.

摘要

This study was conducted to determine the profile of goat farmers and status of nutrients available in the feed resources under field conditions in Bharatpur district, Rajasthan, India. 14 farmers each from 4 villages were selected for the survey. Samples of all feed resources were collected for proximate analysis. Landless and marginal farmers in the district were more dependent on goats for their livelihood support compared to other category of farmers. The maximum goat population per family as well as per individual was associated with small category farmers. The average goat and total number of animals per farmer in the district were 10.79 and 13.38, respectively. The farmers generally sold the male flock for their livelihood and retained the female flock for breeding purposes. The farmers allowed their goats to graze for 5-7 h. Majority of the farmers offered grain (wheat, barley, pearl millet and gram) to kids during the early stages of growth. Some farmers offered home-grown grain as supplement to the growing kids and lactating female goats. Farmers offered tree leaves of one or two species to their goats ad libitum during the grazing period. Crude protein content in herbs, shrubs and tree leaves was greater than in the pasture resources, whereas neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents were higher in the pasture resources than in herbs, shrubs and tree leaves. Calcium (Ca) concentration was higher in herbs, shrubs and tree leaves than in the grass components of the pasture. Magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) concentrations were lower in all feed resources available in the pasture and hilly rangelands during the winter season. Manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) concentrations in feed resources were sufficient to maintain the growth and milk production requirements of goats in the district, whereas zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co) contents were deficient in feed resources. It was necessary to supplement a concentrate mixture having a balanced proportion of energy and protein fortified with deficient minerals to increase the production potential of the goats.