Economic Feasibility of Simultaneous Production of Pine Sawlogs and Meat Goats on Small-Sized Farms in Alabama

The objective of this study were to conduct economic evaluations of silvopasture farming system to enable landowners, extension personnel, and other decision makers to correctly assess its potential among the many land-use options; and to determine the most profitable animal stocking rate on small farms in Alabama. The analysis draws on data from a silvopastoral experiment conducted in the Alabama Black Belt region, on the property of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives in Epes, Alabama, between June 2006 and July 2010. Economic and financial ratio analyses were used to compare profitability, management feasibility, and risk considerations of simultaneous production of pine sawlogs and meat goats on small-sized farms in Alabama. The results suggest that silvopasture technology is profitable and financially feasible under specified assumptions. The Net Present Value model suggested that investing in silvopasture system would be considered acceptable at the 6 percent discount rate at a high stocking rate of 8 meat goats per acre. These findings were reaffirmed by the financial feasibility analysis.

Effect of Leucaena leucocephala （Lam.） and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in Meat Goat Diets on Nematode Eggs and Protozoa Interaction in the Rumen

The effeclt of condensed tannins from Leucaena leucocephala （Lam.） and sodium lauryl sulfate （SLS） addition to basal diets of corn silage on nematode eggs and protozoa interaction in the rumen within Thai native x Anglo-Nubian male goats was studied. Goats （n = 24 male; BW = 30 ＋ 2） were randomly considered toward treatment position into randomized complete block design （RCBD）. The treatments were： 1） Basal （B; 1.0-1.2 kg/head/day, corn silage）, 2） B ＋ SLS 8 g/head/day） 3） B ＋ 40g Leucaena/head/day （1.0% condensed tannins）, and 4） B ＋ 40g Leucaena/head/day （1.0% condensed tannins） with SLS 4 g/head/day）. These studies indicate that the action of 1.0% condensed tannins by Leucaena with 8 g SLS has the effect of increasing C3 （P 〈 0.05）. The opposite effect was observed for C2 which decreased （P 〈 0.05）. Both intestinal nematode eggs and protozoa in the rumen were reduced highly significantly （P 〈 0.01）. Bacteria population was raised （P 〈 0.01）. Nevertheless, all of these treatments did not affect intake, productive performances and blood urea nitrogen.

Leucaena leucocephala Meal as Replacement to Soybean Meal in Growing Goat Diets

Eight goats of 7-8 months old and an average body weight （BW） of 20 ± 5.0 kg were used in double 4 × 4 Latin square design. The treatments were the four levels of leucaena meal replacement for soybean meal in concentrates at 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% of crude protein. The results showed that roughage intake （% BW and g/kgBW^0.75） increased linearly （P 〈 0.01） with increasing levels of leucaena meal while total feed intake was not significantly different among dietary treatments. Similarly, dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber digestibility and ruminal ammonia nitrogen （NH3-N） were not significantly different among dietary treatments. However, crude protein digestibility, ruminal pH （6 hr after feeding）, nitrogen （N） intake, N absorption, N retention and total volatile fatty acids increased quadratically （P 〈 0.01） with the increasing levels of leucaena meals. It could be concluded that leucaena meal could replace up to 50% of soybean meal in the diet without any negative effect on feed intake, nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation of meat goats.

Characteristics and properties of goat meat gels and balls as affected by setting conditions

The properties of goat meat gels without and with 120 mmol/kg CaCl_(2)as influenced by setting time(30-120 min)at 60℃ were studied.A gel set for 60 min with subsequent cooking for 20 min in the presence of CaCl_(2)had the highest breaking force and deformation with coincidentally lowest expressible moisture content(P<0.05).However,no differences in the trichloroacetic acid-soluble peptide content were observed for all gels tested(P>0.05).A decrease in the myosin heavy-chain band intensity was noticeable when CaCl_(2)was incorporated,suggesting increased protein cross-linking.As setting time increased,the L*values increased with varying a*values,whereas no differences in b*values of gels were found,regardless of CaCl_(2)addition(P>0.05).The gel containing CaCl_(2)with setting time of 60 min had the highest hardness,cohesiveness,gumminess,and chewiness(P<0.05)and showed the compact network with high interconnection between strands.Goat meat balls prepared under aforementioned conditions had higher texture and overall likeness scores,compared with the control(P<0.05).Therefore,prior setting at 60℃ for 60 min in the presence of CaCl_(2)is recommended for the manufacture of goat meat balls with improved quality.