Sustainable Year-Round Forage Production and Grazing/Browsing Management Training

Training For Sustainable Year-Round Forage Production and Grazing/Browsing Management in the Southern Region

 

 

Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program in collaboration with other land grant universities (Auburn, Langston, Mississippi State, and Texas A&M), Alabama Natural Resources Conservation Service, and PadmaDal Memorial Foundation conducted a 3-day training program (March 26-28, 2013) – Sustainable Year-Round Forage Production and Grazing/Browsing Management for field agricultural professionals, who are working with goat producers in the Southern Region. This training was funded by Southern SARE. Training was conducted from March 26-28, 2013; March 25 and 29 were the travel dates for those who were coming a long way to Tuskegee.  More information is available in the Program Flyer

















 

Kidding Season - Tips to Minimize Kid Mortality

Introduction

A high survival of newborns is very crucial to be successful in goat business and other livestock enterprises. As goats are seasonal breeders, most goats are bred in fall with the beginning of shorter day length unless the natural breeding is hormonally manipulated. In most part of the country, September and October are the months for natural goat breeding. This breeding season results in winter kidding - mostly in January and February, when cold weather and poor nutrition pose challenges to majority of goat farmers.  Newborn kids are most vulnerable to the adverse climatic conditions. As a result, a high mortality can occur if proper care is not taken. Following are few tips to minimize kid mortality and increase profits.





Figure 1. Newborn kids suckling colostrum.

Tips to Minimize Kid Mortality

• Minimize the chance of injury and infection – Keep the pregnant does in a separate clean shed or new pasture around the kidding date so that the chance of injury and infection is minimized.
• Make sure does with newborn kids have access to a good shelter to get protection from inclement weather conditions.
• Be prepared with necessary materials and supplies, and also to help kids at kidding     


• Necessary materials and supplies – Feeding bottle, supplementary colostrum, heating lamp, towel or rag, soap, water, lubricants, gloves
• Be prepared to help kids – Trim nails and clean hands with soap and water; use gloves before touching kids or does. 
• Make sure newborns are breathing – Remove any material from around the mouth and nose to clear the airways, and clean and dry newborn with clean towel or rag.
• Keep the newborns warm and dry - Provide clean, dry, and soft bedding. When the bedding gets wet, change it or add more bedding. If it is very cold, wrap kids with warm towel or rag. If kids are in a pen, heating lamp can be used to increase the temperature.
• Spray tincture of iodine (7%) on and around the navel - It will minimize the chance of naval infection and related complications.
• Do not take the kids away from does - While cleaning, drying, and performing other activities with the newborns, keep the newborns close to their mothers – it is extremely important to develop maternal bonding.
• Help the weak newborns stand up and suckle - It is crucial that newborns suckle and ingest enough colostrum soon after birth (Fig. 1). If the newborn is weak and/or the mother is not very much interested in her newborn(s), which may be a sign that help is needed for subsequent suckling as well. Feeding enough colostrum soon after birth is very important for kid survival and growth.
• Bottle feed colostrum to kids if does are not producing enough or suckling is hindered - If kids are not able to stand up and suckle, the does should be milked and fed to the kids. Give only a small amount at a time based on kids’ appetite. Colostrum feeding must start soon after kids are born (within half an hour or so) and feeding should be repeated 4 to 5 times a day. Kids will get enough immunoglobulins if 140 – 175 g colostrum per kg of live weight is fed within 24 hours of birth. Overfeeding should be avoided because it may upset kids’ digestive system. For more information, click this link - colostrum feeding.
• Keep the premises clean, dry, well-lighted, and ventilated - This will minimize the chance of infections (such as pneumonia, coccidiosis, and colibacillosis – these are very common in the newborns) because clean, ventilated, and well lit environment is detrimental to disease causing organisms. Also, animals will be comfortable and less stressed under such conditions.
• Provide enough nutrients to does – Nutrient and water requirements of does dramatically increase with the initiation of lactation. Supplementary feeding during last two to three weeks of pregnancy and first four weeks of lactation may be beneficial if they are being raised on poor pastures or low quality feed. 

  

  Figure 2. A doe with mastitis that
  developed after her kids were dead.

•  Keep close eye on teats and udder of does for mastitis – Mastitis (Fig. 2) may easily develop if the does are kept in filthy environment. The chance of mastitis development is very high if a doe loses her kid(s) and she is left without being milked. Any mastitis case should be treated immediately by consulting a veterinarian. For more information about care of newborn kids and does, click this link Newborn Care.
• Make sure premises are safe from predators – Make sure the facility is well fenced to prevent the access of any predators. Also, provision of guard dogs along with a close supervision of the herd will be very useful. 
• Winter Pastures - Development of winter pastures (Fig. 3) can be very useful to provide enough quality feed to does in late pregnancy and early lactation so that she can produce adequate colostrum and milk for healthy newborns.

Figure 3. Marshal ryegrass-crimson clover pastures ready for grazing, Jan. 2013, Phenix City, Alabama.



Goat and Sheep Markets in Alabama

Clay County Goat and Poultry Auction

748 County Road 91

Goodwater, AL

(256) 839-6824

 

1st Saturday Horse sale 5:00 pm

2nd & amp; 4th sat. goats sheep, pigs & amp; cows @12:00 noon

3rd Sat. @12:00 noon misc. whatever they bring.

Small animal & amp; chicken sale every Friday @7:00 Pm.

 

Northwest Alabama Livestock Auction

Russellville Location

14330 AL HWY 243 South

Russellville, AL

256-332-3323

 

Escambia County Coop., Brewton

325 Ag Science Dr

Brewton, AL 36426

(251) 867-5111

Animal sale: Goat and sheep

Sale day: Saturdays

 

Southern Star Stockyard, Elgin

(256) 247-5189

Animal sale: Goat and sheep

Sale day: Second Friday night

 

Central Alabama Goat and Poultry Auction

1403 Kincheon Rd,

Clanton, AL 35045

(205) 280-4628

Animal sale: Sheep, goat, and poultry

Sale day: Thursday morning

 

Cullman Stockyard

75 County Road 1339

Cullman, AL 35058

(256) 734-4531

Note: Make sure to call the Auction or Stockyard you are interested in and find necessary information to satisfy yourself before hauling your animals. 

Updated March 24, 2021

Winter Forage Program Works Well in Alabama

One can have quality, productive pastures in December by developing winter forage program (Fig. 1). December is the time when most pastures (without cool-season forages) appear brown, and there is not much available forages for grazing animals in Alabama and other states of the Southeast USA. This situation continues until warm-season perennial forages grow back in April. Figure 2 depicts the situation of most livestock farms in the winter time. 

 

Figure 1. Marshall ryegrass-winter peas mixed pastures
Dec. 2012, Phenix City, AL, USA



Figure2. Warm-season forages are dormant or dead giving the brown look to
the pasture in Winter, Franklin, AL, USA.
Animals mostly depend on manual feeding at this time.

Winter forages (marshall ryegrass sole crop or mixed with one of the legumes - winter peas, hairy vetch, crimson clover, arrowleaf clover, or berseem clover) planted towards the end of September in one of the producers' farm in Phenix City, AL have grown up to the height of 8 to 12 inches when measured in the third week of December, and ready to be grazed (Fig. 1).  This situation helps producer save money on feeding costs. These winter forages will be producing throughout the spring of next year extending the grazing until the warm-season forages grow back (Fig. 3).

Figure 3. Goats grazing on crimson clover-MaxQ tall fescue mixed pasture
April 2011, Selma, AL, USA.

 

Publication Links - Journal Articles

Journal articles relevant to pasture-, silvopasture-, animal-, and environment-related studies:

Tiwari, A., U. Karki, K. Norwood, J. Johnson, and L. Karki. (2025). Legume addition to grass pastures improved the performance and health indicators of Kiko does. International Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Vol 2(1), 19-30. https://doi.org/10.54536/ijvmas.v2i1.4437

Chaudhary, S., U. Karki, B. Shrestha, S. Lamsal, and L. Karki. (2025). Soybean-supplemented nursing ewes showed better performance and immune response than corn-supplemented ewes while grazing in woodlands. Global Journal of Agricultural and Allied Sciences (GJAAS) Vol 6(1), 11-17. https://doi.org/10.35251/gjaas.2025.009

Lamsal, S., U. Karki, S. Chaudhary, D. Dhakal, and B. Paneru. 2025. Rearing system influenced the performance and health status of pregnant ewes during winter. Global Journal of Agricultural and Allied Sciences (GJAAS), Online First (pages 1-10). https://doi.org/10.35251/gjaas.2025.008

Shrestha, B., U. Karki, S. Chaudhary, A. Tiwari, and L. Karki. 2023. Supplement type impact on the performance and nutrient dynamics of nursing does and kids raised in woodlands. Animals 2024, Vol 14 (1). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14010068, Share it: https://www.mdpi.com/2612838 

Chaudhary, S., U. Karki, B. Shrestha, S. Lamsal, and L. Karki. 2023. Supplement type influenced the performance and resiliency against gastrointestinal parasites of nursing lambs raised in woodlands. Professional Agricultural Workers Journal (PAWJ) Volume 9, No. 2. https://tuspubs.tuskegee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1200&context=pawj  

Paneru, B., U. Karki, S. Bhattrai, and N. Ellis, and L. Karki. 2022. Suitable browse species for small ruminants: Growth pattern and animal preference. Global Journal of Agricultural and Allied Sciences (GJAAS), Vol 4 (1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.35251/gjaas.2022.001

Shrestha, B., U. Karki, A. Tiwari, S. Chaudhary, L. Karki, and C. Okere. 2022. Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in lactating Kiko does and their kids in woodlands with supplements. Professional Agricultural Workers Journal (PAWJ) Volume 9, No. https://tuspubs.tuskegee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1192&context=pawj 

Bishaw, B., R. Soolanayakanahally, U, Karki, and E. Hagan. 2022. Agroforestry for sustainable production and resilient landscapes. Agroforestry Systems, Volume 96, 447-451. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-022-00737-8

Karki, U., B. Paneru, A. Tiwari, N. Ellis, S. Bhattrai, L Karki, and S. Poudel. 2021. Soil quality and growth of southern pines in silvopastures and woodlands integrated with small ruminants. Agroforestry Systems, Published online November 15, 2021. SharedIt link: https://rdcu.be/cBqbE; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-021-00709-4  

Bhattrai, S., U. Karki, S. Poudel, B. Paneru, and N. Ellis 2021, Vegetation-utilization pattern and performance of small ruminants in woodlands with altering heights of non-target plants. Agroforestry Systems, Published online November 1, 2021. SharedIt link: https://rdcu.be/cACq7; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-021-00706-7      

Tiwari, A., U. Karki, B. Paneru, N. Ellis, and L. Karki. 2021. Legume-grass pastures enhanced the growth of yearling Kiko does. Professional Agricultural Workers Journal (PAWJ) - Vol. 8: No. 1, 2. https://tuspubs.tuskegee.edu/pawj/vol8/iss1/2/

Bhattrai, S., U. Karki, and S. Poudel. 2021. Vegetation height and diurnal period influenced the landscape-use pattern of small ruminants in woodlands around summer. Forests 12(2), 205. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12020205.

Karki, U. 2021. Year-round forage production for sustainable goat farming. Professional Agricultural Workers Journal (PAWJ) - Volume 6, Issue 3, Article 9. https://tuspubs.tuskegee.edu/pawj/vol6/iss3/9/

Bhattrai, S., U. Karki, S. Poudel, B. Paneru, and N. Ellis. 2020. Maintenance of non-timber plants at low heights increased the solar radiation influx and understory vegetation biomass in woodlands. Global Journal of Agricultural and Allied Sciences, 2(1), 18-24. https://doi.org/10.35251/gjaas.2020.003

Bhattrai, S., U. Karki, S. Poudel, W. McElhenney, and B. Paneru. 2020. Diurnal behavior and distribution patterns of Kiko wethers and Katahdin rams in woodlands with different vegetation heights during fall. Agroforestry Systems 94: 1809-1823. Published online May 12, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-020-00500-x.

Karki, L. B., and U. Karki. 2019. Impact of an educational program on a year-round forage production and grazing management system in Alabama. Professional Agricultural Workers Journal (PAWJ), Vol. 7 (No. 1). Available at: https://tuspubs.tuskegee.edu/pawj/vol7/iss1/7/

Paneru, B., U. Karki, S. Bhattrai, and N. Ellis. 2019. Growth period of different browse species suitable for grazing small ruminants. Professional Agricultural Workers Journal (PAWJ), Vol. 7 (No. 1). Available online: https://tuspubs.tuskegee.edu/pawj/vol7/iss1/10/

Poudel, S., U. Karki, Y. K. Karki, and A. Tillman. 2019. Diurnal behavior of Kiko wethers in southern-pine silvopastures planted with warm-season forages. Small Ruminant Research, Vol. 175, June, Pages 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2019.03.005

Poudel, S., U. Karki, W. McElhenney, Y. K. Karki, and A. Tillman. 2019. Confinement influenced the diurnal behavior and distribution pattern of Katahdin rams and Kiko wethers in southern-pine silvopastures. Agroforestry Systems 94:29-40. Published online February 1, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs10457-019-00359-7 Online First.

Karki, L. B., U. Karki, S. R. Mentreddy, C. S. Christian, and S. K. Bambo. 2018. Impact of agroforestry educational program: a case of small-scale holders. International Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Studies (IJAERDS), Vol. 5, Issue 4, October, pages 37-50. Available at   http://www.eajournals.org/journals/international-journal-agricultural-extension-rural-development-studies-ijaerds/vol-5-issue-4-october-2018/

Poudel, S., U. Karki, W. McElhenney, Y. K. Karki, and A. Tillman. 2018. Behavior and distribution patterns of Katahdin rams in southern-pine silvopastures with cool-season forages. Agroforestry Systems. Published online September 29, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-018-0294-7 Online First.

Karki, U., Y. Karki, R. Khatri, A. Tillman, S. Poudel, N. Gurung, and A. Kumi. 2018. Raising goats in the southern-pine silvopasture system: challenges and opportunities. Agroforestry Systems. Published online June 27, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-018-0271-1 Online First. (SharedIt link - https://rdcu.be/2nyB)

Karki, U., Y. Karki, R. Khatri, and A. Tillman. 2018. Diurnal behavior and distribution patterns of Kiko wethers in southern-pine silvopastures during the cool-season grazing period. Agroforestry Systems. Published online April 11, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-016-9934-y Online First.  

Karki, U. and L. B. Karki. 2017. Winter forage program benefitted small-scale goat producers.  American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Vol. 12 Issue 2, 79-84. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajabssp.2017.79.84 Available online: http://thescipub.com/pdf/10.3844/ajabssp.2017.79.84  

Poudel, S., U. Karki, W. McElhenney, Y. Karki, A. Tillman, L. Karki, and A. Kumi. 2017. Challenges of stocking small ruminants in grazing plots with dormant browse species. Professional Agricultural Workers Journal (PAWJ), Vol. 5 (No. 1). Available online: http://tuspubs.tuskegee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1100&context=pawj

Karki, L.B., and U. Karki. 2017. The socioeconomic and ecological impact of cool season forage production: a case of Black Belt Counties, Alabama. Professional Agricultural Workers Journal (PAWJ), Vol. 4 (No. 2, 9). Available at: http://tuspubs.tuskegee.edu/pawj/vol4/iss2/9

Khatri, R., U. Karki, J. Bettis, and Y. Karki. 2016. Grazing with goats changed the woodland plant-species composition during summer. Professional Agricultural Workers Journal (PAWJ), Vol. 4 (No. 1). Available online: http://tuspubs.tuskegee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1078&context=pawj

Karki, U., J. Idassi, S. R. Mentreddy, N. Gurung, L. Karki, S. Bambo, and C. Christian. 2016. Agroforestry research and extension education at 1890 universities and its impact in the Southeast. Agroforestry Systems. 90(5), 715-722. Published online September 7, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-016-9934-y Online First.  

Karki, U. and M. S. Goodman. 2015. Microclimatic differences between mature loblolly-pine silvopasture and open-pasture, Agroforestry Systems 89: 319–325. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-014-9768-4 Online First.

Karki, U., M. S. Goodman, and S.E. Sladden. 2013. Plant-community characteristics of bahiagrass pasture during conversion to longleaf-pine silvopasture. Agroforestry Systems 87 (3): 611-619. Published online November 9, 2012, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-012-9582-9 Online First.

Karki, U., M. S. Goodman, and S. E. Sladden. 2009. Nitrogen source influences on forage and soil in young southern-pine silvopasture, Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 131: 70-76,  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2008.09.007.

Karki, U. and M. S. Goodman. 2013. Microclimatic differences between young longleaf-pine silvopasture and open pasture. Agroforestry Systems 87 (2): 303-310. Published online August 1, 2012, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-012-9551-3 Online First.

Karki, U. and M. S. Goodman. 2011. Short-term soil quality response to forage species and pH. Grass and Forage Science 66: 290–299, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2494.2011.00794.x.

Karki, U. and M.S. Goodman. 2010.  Cattle distribution and behavior in southern-pine silvopasture versus open-pasture. Agroforestry Systems 78: 159-168, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-009-9250-x  

Karki, U. 2008. Southern-pine silvopasture systems: forage characteristics, soil quality, and landscape utilization by cattle, PhD Dissertation, Auburn University, https://etd.auburn.edu//handle/10415/1409  

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7268-2747 

Updated October 15, 2025.

Professional Agricultural Workers Conference 2012

Pre-conference events - December 1, 2012
Conference - December 2-4, 2012

Conference Venue:
Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center

Tuskegee University
1 Booker T. Washington Blvd
Tuskegee, AL 36083
(334) 727-3000

For more information about the conference, visit the conference website: http://www.pawc.info/

If scholarship is needed to attend the conference, one must fill the scholarship application form and send to the designated person immediately (or before the application deadline).

Tuskegee University Youth Goat Show October 27, 2012

The Tuskegee University (TU) Prevet Club will hold an annual Open Goat Show at the Tuskegee University Caprine Research and Education Unit on October 27 at 1:00 PM.

The show is open to all youth exhibitors under age 19 who are residents of Alabama. Events include breeding classes, market classes and showmanship.

Entry forms must be postmarked by October 22. Entry form and more information about the goat show can be accessed by clicking this link: Entry Form and Other Information

If you have any question, please contact:
Dr. Nar Gurung, TU Prevet Club Advisor at ngurung@mytu.tuskegee.edu. Or call him at 334-727-8457 (Office) or 334-421-8620 (Cell).

Goat Artificial Insemination Training at Tuskegee University

Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program and The Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Alabama A&M University are providing a hands-on workshop entitled “Reproductive Management and Artificial Insemination (AI) in Goats” at the Tuskegee University Caprine Research and Education Unit on Saturday, October 13, 2012, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The workshop seating is limited to 20 participants. Registration is $25 and includes lunch and all training materials. The deadline to register is Wednesday, October 10, 2012.

This training will allow goat producers to receive instruction on the reproduction of goats, including anatomy, physiology and reproductive management of does as well as the advantages and limitations of using AI. The workshop will also provide hands on training in AI techniques. Participants will learn how to use the controlled internal drug-releasing device (CIDR) that was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to implant progesterone in goats for the purpose of synchronizing estrus.

To participate in this program, please register on time by sending the Registration Form and a check for the registration fee.

For more information or need help to register, contact the AI Workshop Program Assistant, Ms. Hooks, at (334-727-8453 or mhooks@mytu.tuskegee.edu). This event is supported by Southern SARE grant.

Time to Plant Cool-season Forages in Alabama

This is time to plant cool-season forages. Productive winter pastures are essential to minimize the requirements for purchased feeds (hay, commercial feeds, concentrates, etc.). Following are few tips to initiate developing winter pastures. Interested producers must have completed steps 1-5 by now. Now this is time to implement Step 6.


1. Do the soil test.

2. Control weeds.

3. Apply lime based on soil test recommendations. Generally, lime has to be applied 3-6 months prior to scheduled planting so that soil pH is adjusted by the time of planting.

4. Select forage species based on pasture soil, climatic condition of the location, and livestock species.

5. Procure selected quality forage seed from the trusted source and fertilizers based on soil test recommendations.

6. Plant selected forages on time. Most of the winter forages are planted in September or early October. Apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer (as recommended) at the time of planting. Nitrogen fertilizer is needed only for non-leguminous crops (grasses). It should be applied in divided doses since it is the least stable fertilizer. Plants need nitrogen for photosynthesis and green leafy growth. So, its application is effective when grasses (not mixed with legumes) are in active vegetative growth (at the beginning and after each harvest).

7. Follow an appropriate grazing management once the planted forages are well established.   If you need help on which forages to plant this season, please contact your local county agents, forage specialists, or livestock specialists. Here are few examples of cool-season grasses: annual ryegrass, tall fescue (MaxQ tall fescue does not have toxic endophyte), orchard grass, small grains (wheat, oats, barley, triticale); cool-season legumes: white clover, crimsom clover, red clover, arrowleaf clover, berseen clover, hairy vetch, common vetch, bigflower vetch, winter peas, alfalfa, and birdsfoot trefoil. All legumes must be inoculated with specific inoculant just before planting while planting them in the new fields.   PLEASE POST COMMENTS ABOUT THIS ARTICLE: whether it was useful to you or more information is needed. Specify what more information is needed if you post comments that 'more information is needed'.

Goat Parasite Problem Worsening with Wet and Warm Weather

Introduction

After a long drought, southeast US is getting some rainfall and making the pastures green. Livestock producers are happy, so are animals because of having access to something to graze on. However, there are couple of things producers need to be aware of and manage grazing properly to minimize potential parasite problem, especially gastrointestinal parasites in small ruminants such as sheep and goats (more so in goats than in sheep). Additionally, when animals are suddenly exposed to young, lush pasture, various digestive and metabolic problems may develop. To avoid this situation, animals should be gradually exposed to the lush pasture, and they should have access to a good quality hay and mineral mixture before allowed to graze the lush pasture and while in the lush pasture field. When lush pasture is wet, it will be more problematic. So, let it dry before letting the animals graze such pastures. Read the Full article and take an appropriate action on time to prevent any loss from parasites.

If you cannot access the 'Full article' link, post comment on this page.