What are the best pastures for meat goats? Live Q&A Replay

This week's Live Q&A covers the questions:
(1) What's the best pasture for meat goats?
(2) What's the best hay for goats?
**More info on my upcoming Grazing Goats Workshop: cylonrollingacres.thrivecart....
My approach has been based on:
-Goats dietary preference: 20% forages (grasses/legumes, 20% weeds, 60% browse, Source: Pastures for Profit: A Guide to Rotational Grazing (Undersander, D. et al., 2002).
-Focus on what works within our local environment and climate
-Plant species native to prairies in our area
-Potential antiparasitic properties
-Pasture diversity
-Observation of goat’s behavior - legumes over grasses
The full replay with show notes are on my Grazing with Leslie blog: grazingwithleslie.com/grazing...
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[@morningmystfarm2017]

That's great info! I found you in researching bale grazing - and where we are fencing for goats that is going to be absolutely necessary! The land here is very hilly, steep even, and we are fencing in just over an acre that is 'flat' compared to the rest of the place. The soil there is very gritty - lots of visible shale - and for at least the last 20 years or more it's been weeds and LOTS of pine, a few oak trees, and various shrubby trees, including some cedar. Because the goats seem to love pine needles, we are mostly just clearing what we need to for the fence itself, and planning to rotate a bale feeder throughout, using electric rope to section off the areas inside the perimeter. Other parts of the property grow the 'weeds' you mention profusely - plantain, birdsfoot trefoil, etc. I've been told alfalfa won't grow here, but never given a reason why, so as we progress I am definitely interested in adding some alfalfa seed to the mixes we put out for seeding. Yes, I do also look at game plot seed mixes also, as well as the different varieties of clovers. My goals are to create a 'pasture' full of nutritional value as well as plant variety for building soil health. What are your thoughts on the different types of millet and plants like it? Specifically, I had heard that Japanese millet is a good grazing option that does well in multiple soil and moisture levels.... Thank you for the information!!

[@cylonrollingacres]

Glad you found us! I haven’t tried millet but I’m always interested in seeing how new species do and how our goats (and sheep) do with them. Often it’s a matter of smaller paddocks and quicker moves so they eat what’s there vs getting picky. Birdsfoot trefoil, while is hard to establish/takes time, is also a very nutritious forage too!