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led by
Nada Nadarajah has recently developed an Excel-based computer software
program relevant to goat production that is easy to use and readily
facilitates performance analysis. Such a program brings the
potential for advancement in the goat industry.
Dr.
Nadarajah along with his collaborators Diego Giminez, Darrel Rankins and
Daryl Kuhlers were recently ready to offer the record
keeping program that tracks individual goat performance and
processes the data for further evaluation. I too had the opportunity to
collaborate with this group and assist them in implementing the program
module. The software is called "Meat Goat Management Program"
and it allows producers to examine individual animal performance and
further evaluate production efficiencies as well as inefficiencies. With
thorough data entry this program allows producers to more readily
identify animals with desirable reproduction traits, develop effective
culling practices and therefore improve production
efficiencies. The ability to become a more efficient operation and
increase herd productivity should allow goat farmers to become better
managers and increase their opportunity for profitability.
Nada
realized the potential of this program and decided to launch it after
securing a small amount of funding to train producers through "a
hands-on workshop/training in a computer lab facility." Taking it
to the producers via an outreach effort would allow educating producers
in the East with how this program could be used and the features it
offered.
He
went through the process of accepting project applications, selecting
participants and setting a workshop date and location. The big day
took place on June 16 at Chilton County High School. Nada pooled
resources from graduate students and animal scientists from Auburn
University, scientists and specialists from Cooperative Extension and a
dairy goat producer from Tennessee to educate and assist producers with
the Meat Goat Management Program. Forty participants came together
to learn about the program. The workshop represented 20
farms. Husbands, wives and friends worked together entering data
and seeing results.
To
better understand this program, there are some specifics that require a
bit of further elaboration. Within this program there are unique sheets,
which facilitate comprehensive record keeping and tracking
information. The sheets address the following areas: pedigrees,
breeding, kid performance and genetic selection. In addition, there are
two more data sheets that offer unique features. One allows entry
of supplier information for contact and record keeping purposes, and the
other (my favorite) tracks record-keeping information for cost analysis
and tax purposes. The kids’ performance page has headings such as
birth weight, weaning weight, doe kidding parity and more, all of which
serve for performance evaluation. Data entry facilitates further
calculations such as average daily gain. The program facilitates
accumulation of detailed information and is a powerful tool for
comprehensive evaluation and analysis. This baseline data pooled across
many herds would be used to develop necessary adjustment factors to
equitably evaluate animals for genetic merit in the future.
So,
what does all this mean? (1) Sitting down and entering specific data
relevant to each animal forces a producer to be realistic about
individual animal performance, rather than make assumptions. (2)
Data entered allows for accumulation of production factors such as
kidding rates, birth and weaning weights, doe parity, buck performance
and much more. (3) It allows for further analysis in such areas as
production efficiencies, inefficiencies, average daily gain and allows
for comparing inner herd animal performance. (4) And most
important, it adds value to each farm herd. Documentation of
individual animal performance proves production capabilities and
indicated potential in off-spring. This is what differentiates between
meat animals and brood stock; brood stock should be worth more than meat
animals.
At
the end of the day, many of the producers shared positive feedback on
the Meat Goat Management Program. Comments ranged from appreciation for
the program and its features, to compliments on the quality of the
software and its ease of use and comprehension. Participants expressed
appreciation for the work done for goat producers in Alabama.
Specific
comments included: "I would like to thank you so very much for all
of the work that you and the other members put into the
workshop. Everyone involved was so helpful and generous with both
their time and information."
And,
"I am sharing the information about the workshop and emphasizing
how important these records are for farm production status. I’m
glad I was able to bring several applications home and hope that they
will result in a lot of interest for your workshop and program."
Educating
producers about effective and efficient management tools and practices
is the key to accommodating successful goat farming. It’s a good
feeling to know a collaborative effort between Auburn University’s
Department of Animal Science and the Alabama Cooperative Extension
System offers potential for significant advancements within the Alabama
meat goat industry.
Nada
anticipates future funding of this program allowing additional producers
to participate. If you are a goat farmer with a computer and would like
to request a project application for future consideration, please
contact Nada Nadarajah via phone at 334-844-1502 or e-mail at NADARKA@auburn.edu. He
is looking forward to hearing from you.
Robert
Spencer is the Urban Regional Extension Specialist, Lauderdale County
Extension Office, Florence, 256-766-6223, rds0002@aces.edu. |
