Spatio-temporal extension of the INRA 2018 goat model: 1. application to group feeding

Abstract

This publication presents a proposal for an approach aimed at sustaining the feed management of groups of dairy goats based on the individual goat model proposed by INRA (INRA, 2018). The approach developed consists of relying on group management indicators, in particular on the choice of the target animal which is the only one fed to its potential. This choice makes it possible (1) to predict the production potentials of each animal as a function of the actual average productions of the group and the quality of the forage offered (2) to predict the responses of the group of goats in terms of intake of concentrates and forages as well as in terms of milk production and nutritional balance. In addition to the target animal, the average goat, representative of the whole group, and the low producing goat used as sentinel for risky rations are systematically taken into account. The proposed procedures are applicable to different farming contexts. In particular, they can be implemented to establish a ration a priori for a given group or to analyze a ration observed in the field.