A LOW-COST FEEDING STRATEGY FOR NORWEGIAN DAIRY GOATS AND COMPARISON OF PERFORMANCE BETWEEN 1ST-FRESHENERS AND MULTIPAROUS DOES

Performance of first-fresheners (1 year old) and older does was compared during the barn-feeding period and on pasture in four different experiments. First-fresheners were smaller and produced significantly less milk during the mountain grazing period. Feed conversion ratio was similar during the indoor feeding periods, while mature does were more efficient during the grazing period due to higher feed intake. No differences in performance were found between 2-year-old first-fresheners and multiparous does during the mountain grazing period. It is suggested that the current practice of early breeding of Norwegian goats should be replaced by a more flexible approach with first kidding between 1 and 2 years, depending on the quality of home-grown feeds and successful growth of yearling does.