GRAZING MANAGEMENT STUDIES WITH THAI GOATS I. PRODUCTIVITY OF FEMALE GOATS GRAZING NEWLY ESTABLISHED PASTURE WITH VARYING LEVELS OF SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING

This report deals with the effect of levels of concentrate supplementary feeding (Nil, 0.25% BW and 0.75% BW) on the productivity of different genotypes (Thai native (TN), 25% Anglo-Nubian (AN), 50% AN and 75% AN) of female goats grazing newly established pasture in a tropical area. The major species of grass was Brachiaria mutica (33%) and of legumes was Centrosema pubescens (34%). There was no significant (p>0.05) difference between nil and 0.25% BW supplementary feeding for growth rate ($g/kg^{0.75}/d$). However, goats fed 0.75% BW supplementary feeding had significantly (p<0.01) higher growth rates than did other treatments. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference among genotypes and between age for growth rate. There was no interaction between feeding and genotype for growth rate.