Hempseed meal (HSM) is the byproduct of hemp seeds and is rich in crude protein and fiber, making it an ideal candidate as a feedstuff for ruminants. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effects of feeding different levels of HSM on the carcass traits of crossbred Boer goats. Forty castrated goat kids (approximately six months, 25.63 ± 0.33 kg) were assigned to one of four treatments (n = 10) in a completely randomized design. Goats were fed pelleted diets (50% forage and 50% concentrate) with additional supplementation of HSM: control with 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% of the total diets. Goats were harvested and processed after a 60-day feeding trial. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the mean values of dressing percentages, carcass weights, body wall thickness, and ribeye area among treatments. Marbling scores and percentages of moisture, fats, proteins, and collagen in the muscles showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) among the treatments. Results suggest that including up to 30% of HSM in the diet of growing meat goats does not affect their carcass traits.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of varying levels of hempseed meal supplementation on antibody and cell-mediated immune responses, as well as the expression of some of the important immunoregulatory cytokines. Treatments consisted of hempseed meal supplementation at 0 (control), 10, 20, and 30% of the total diet. Goats were randomly assigned to one of the four treatments n = 10. Cell-mediated immune response was evaluated on day 59 of the feeding period by measuring skinfold thickness at 24 h following intradermal injection of phytohemagglutinin. A significant increase in skinfold thickness was observed with increasing levels of supplementation as compared to that of the control group. Serum antibody titers to chicken ovalbumin were not significantly different between treatment groups. Cytokine concentrations of IL-6 increased linearly with increasing level of supplementation (p < 0.05), contrarily to the linear decrease that was observed for TNF-α (p < 0.05). Although IL-2 tended to increase with the 10 and 30% levels of supplementation (p < 0.07), the result was not significant, and no significant differences were obtained with respect to IL-4 concentrations. Cytokine gene expression values measured by RT-PCR, however, demonstrated some significant differences. HSM supplementation had no significant effect on the expression of IL-2 or IL-6. However, significant differences were observed with the 30% supplementation for IL-4 and TNF-α as compared to that of the control group (p < 0.05). IL-4 was down regulated for the 10 and 20% treatment groups but was upregulated for the 30% treatment group. TNF-α was downregulated in the 10% but upregulated for the 20 and 30% treatment groups. No significant differences were observed for the serum cortisol concentration or white blood cell counts. These results suggested that hempseed meal supplementation may improve cell-mediated immune response while having no effect on antibody-mediated immune response. However, more research needs to be conducted to determine the most efficacious inclusion rate.

Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) produced in US are predominately low fat, as the economics favor separating as much oil as possible for sale as renewable diesel feedstock and also for use in swine and poultry feed. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding different amounts of low-fat DDGS (LF-DDGS) on growth performance, growth efficiency, rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, and carcass characteristics of Kiko crossbred wether goats. Twenty-four goats, 5–6 months of age, were randomly assigned to one of the four experimental diets (n = 6/diet), 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% LF-DDGS on an as-fed basis, and fed for 84 days. Data collected were analyzed using an orthogonal contrast test for equally spaced treatments. Average total gains, average daily gains, and gain-to-feed ratios were similar among the treatments (p > 0.05). Rumen acetate, propionate, and butyrate concentrations and acetate: propionate ratios were similar (p > 0.05) among treatments. There were no differences (p > 0.05) among treatments for dressing percentage, rib eye area, and backfat thickness. Findings suggest that at least up to 30% LF-DDGS can be included in diets of castrated male goats without affecting production performance and carcass characteristics.

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of hempseed meal (HSM) on goat meat characteristics. Goats (N = 10/treatment) were allocated to a diet concentration (0, 10, 20, or 30%) of HSM, fed for 60 days, and harvested. Carcass measurements were collected after chilling, and subsequently fabricated into wholesale subprimals. From the subprimals of the shoulder and leg, steaks were cut 2.54 cm thick, vacuum packaged, and assigned to laboratory methods: cook yield, instrumental color, lipid oxidation, microbial spoilage, and instrumental tenderness. HSM did not alter (p > 0.05) carcass characteristics, microbial spoilage, cook loss, or the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS). However, a decrease in objective tenderness measurements (p < 0.05) was observed with greater concentrations of HSM supplementation in the diet. Instrumental surface color values for lightness (L*) indicated that steaks became lighter and less red (a*) as storage time increased (p < 0.05). Results suggest that HSM and storage time do not alter some goat meat traits, but HSM or storage time separately may influence goat meat quality. HSM may be an effective feed ingredient that does not alter carcass quality or meat yield.

Goats are recognized as a vital and versatile livestock commodity with significant importance in rural farmers’ communities of developing countries, including Nepal. Growth, reproductive and litter performances are considered as the major economic traits of goats. This study was designed to compare the growth, reproduction and litter traits of goat kids and does at mid hill region for different non-genetic factors such as genetic groups (Khari, Boer 75% and 50%), parity (early, mid and late), season of conception and kidding (summer, autumn, winter, spring), sex (male and female) and type of birth (single, twins and triplet) under optimum management regime. Data for the four-year study period (2017 to 2021) on production performance were entered into MS-Excel sheet from the data record book of the National Goat Research Program, Bandipur and analyzed by using Mixed Model Least-square and Maximum Likelihood Computer Program PC-2 statistical package. The means were compared using Duncans' Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results revealed that the effect of genetic group, parity, type of birth and sex were significant (p<0.05) with respect to growth at different stages along with genetic group and parity that were significant with major non-genetic factors affecting reproduction and litter traits. Better reproduction parameters were recorded for the Khari goat breed than Boer crossbred. Similarly, litter traits at both birth and weaning were found better in later parities with better performance in Khari. Males were born heavier and consistent throughout the study period up to eighteen months. Hence, based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that Khari goat breed has high potential for its reproduction and litter traits with a massive scope of improvement through selection within the population. Likewise, it is also important to consider the growth of inferior Khari goats can also be genetically improved through upgrading up to 75% blood level using an appropriate breed, such as Boer.

Hempseed meal (HSM) is a potential alternative feedstuff for livestock due to its high protein content, but it has not been approved for animal feed in the United States due to safety concerns. This study was conducted to determine the effects of HSM on feed intake, growth performance, serum biochemistry, ruminal papillae morphology, ruminal fermentation profiles, and carcass characteristics of intact male goats. Thirty-six Boer × Spanish intact male goats were randomly assigned to one of four experimental diets (n = 9 goats/diet): 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% HSM on as-fed basis. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and fed free-choice for ad libitum consumption in the 60-day experiment. Linear and quadratic effects of different concentrations of HSM were determined. Total feed intake, crude protein intake, ruminal papillae morphology (papillae density, length, width, absorptive surface area, stratum corneum, and stratum granulosum thickness), carcass traits (longissimus muscle area, body wall thickness, backfat thickness, shrink percentage), and serum concentrations of most metabolites were similar among treatments (P > 0.05). Intake of acid detergent fiber (ADF) and nitrogen detergent fiber (NDF) increased linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing inclusion of HSM in the diet. Average daily gain (ADG), gain-to-feed ratio, and dressing percentage decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with an increasing percentage of HSM in the diet. Similarly, concentrations of propionic, butyric, iso-butyric, valeric, and isovaleric acids in ruminal fluid decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with an increasing percentage of HSM in diet, whereas concentration of acetic acid and total volatile fatty acids in ruminal fluid tended to decrease linearly (P-value nearly 0.10) with an increasing percentage of HSM in diet. The level of blood urea nitrogen increased linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing concentration of HSM, but values were within the normal range for goats. Findings from the serum metabolite analysis and ruminal papillae morphometrics suggest that goats can be fed HSM at a concentration of up to 30% in their diet. However, growth performance results indicate that further cost-benefit analysis is required to compare HSM with other commonly used protein sources such as soybean meal. These findings will be useful for legal bodies to review during the approval process of HSM as a feed ingredient for goats in the United States.