Abstract

KUNST, C. et al. Impact of goat herd management on body condition and preference of native species. Quebracho (Santiago del Estero) [online]. 2006, n.13, pp.66-76. ISSN 0328-0543.

Lack of appropriate goat herd management is a primary cause of rangeland degradation in Santiago del Estero. Electric fencing was introduced as a way to solve this problem in the Choya Department, so that rangelands may rest and grazing of goat herds could be appropriately managed. The objectives of this study were to assess the impact of the inclusion of deferred areas on goat feeding and on the preference of native species. Two treatments were applied: traditional herd management (continuous grazing, 2 herds) and improved herd management (inclusion of a deferred area, 1 herd). Although resting improved the forage standing crop of shrubs, trees and grasses, the impact on goat body condition was non significant. This result is attributed to the feeding habit of the goats, that prefer shrub and trees rather than native grasses, and the slow growth of the first, non compatible with the forage demand of the goat herds.

Keywords : Goat management; Range management; Species preference; Chaco region.