Goat grazing on a grass pasture

Pasture is the lowest cost feed if grazing is permitted. There is no need for harvesting, storage or feeding. However, pastures need to be limed, fertilized and clipped on a routine basis. Utilizing pastures as a major portion of the forage feeding program reduces the cost of meat goat production significantly. The soil and climate in most Southeastern states, California and the Midwest are favorable for growth of a wide range of productive high quality grasses and legumes suitable for grazing. Pastures can be grazed either continuously or rotationally.

Under a continuous grazing system animals are allowed to graze the pasture throughout the grazing season, and the number of animals grazing per acre (grazing intensity) is predetermined to allow sufficient re-growth. Under-stocking and overstocking may alter the output in terms of animal production. Under-stocking will result in more mature plant stands in the pasture having higher fiber content, low protein, and energy content. Under-stocking is also associated with low digestibility, thus, lower quality pastures. Also, trampling associated with under-stocked pastures results in herbage waste.