AFSRC scientists are developing small ruminant finishing systems, including applications of medicinal plants for improving animal health with the specific goal of producing an 80-pound meat goat with a carcass having a high lean to fat ratio and meat with consumer benefits. This goat is temporarily housed in a controlled environment for an experiment to study plant materials that have potential value in meeting meat goat health and performance, and carcass and meat quality objectives.

Photo by K. Dale Ritchey