Sustainable goat grazing for managing abandoned fields: Dynamics of vegetation quality, quantity and nutritional status of goats over five years

Abstract

AbstractGrazing goats have potential for use in managing abandoned fields. However, it is unclear how long‐term grazing affects goats as a result of vegetational changes in abandoned fields. This study aimed to assess the dynamics of vegetation quality and quantity and the nutritional status of goats for five years in an abandoned field at different stocking rates: high stocking rate (HS: 30–33 goats/ha) and low stocking rate (LS: 14 goats/ha). In five years, the dominant plant species changed from bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) to tufted grass species at the HS, whereas dwarf bamboo (Pleioblastus argenteostriatus) dominated throughout the five years at the LS. The annual plant biomass at both stocking rates was similar and varied from year to year. Crude protein content in the goats' diet did not show any seasonal or annual trend regardless of the stocking rate. Neutral detergent fiber content in the HS diet did not show any seasonal or annual trend; however, that in the LS diet linearly increased with the grazing year. The dry matter (DM) intake for goats at the LS decreased linearly with the grazing year (p < 0.05), whereas that for goats at the HS did not show any trend. The DM digestibility was higher for goats at the HS than for goats at the LS (p < 0.05). Serum parameters did not show a negative nutritional status of the goats over the study years. Annual daily gain was positive throughout the grazing years regardless of the stocking rate. Consequently, within the stocking rate range studied here, long‐term goat grazing changes the quality of vegetation in an abandoned field; however, goats can maintain their nutritional status and body weight for five years. Thus, goat grazing is a feasible way to control abandoned vegetation over the long term.