Location: Fruit and Tree Nut Research
Project Number: 6042-10100-001-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: Jun 13, 2025
End Date: Jun 12, 2027
Objective:
Objective 1. Evaluate small ruminant production efficiency outcomes in managed grazing platforms within fruit and nut orchards.
Subobjective 1.A: Grazing effect on small ruminant production, meat quality analysis and animal microbiome.
Objective 2. Assess the impact of managed orchard grazing strategies on animal health and well-being.
Subobjective 2.A: Control of external parasites (lice, ticks, etc.) using microbials,
Subobjective 2.B: Control of internal parasites (endophyte, metabolites),
Subobjective 2.C: Novel sensing mechanisms to monitor goat health and behavior (Siddique, Terrill)
Objective 3. Evaluate the influence of small ruminant grazing strategies on plant and soil productivity and health.
Subobjective 3.A: Grazing impact on fertilization, microbiome, tree health.
Subobjective 3.B: Drone monitoring of pecan health.
Approach:
Adding small ruminants as grazers to orchard systems can be an economic boon to small farmers. However, the profitability of small ruminant enterprises and orchard systems is challenged by various factors. The long-term goal of this project is to integrate small ruminant production into fruit and nut orchard systems to enhance economic and ecological sustainability, productivity, and profitability. In the proposed project, we focus on goats and pecan as a model system. Studies will focus on enhancing the quality and yield of small ruminants, e.g., in meat and milk production. Advanced technology will be developed to monitor goat health, including break-through sensing devices and drone applications. Animal health and parasite load will be assessed, and novel approaches to alleviate parasite pressure will be developed based on biological control methodology. The potential of entomopathogens, or their derivatives, to control internal and external parasites of goats will be explored. For internal parasites, we will use endophytic fungi and bacterial metabolites as novel biocontrol solutions. The impact of small ruminant presence on pecan tree and soil health will be evaluated following various grazing regimes. Factors to be investigated include soil compaction and fertility, leaf nutrition, gas exchange, nut yield, and nut quality. A complete soil microbiome analysis will also be included, looking at the potential risk of foodborne pathogen contamination. The results of this project will fill key knowledge gaps in small ruminant grazing and production in the southeastern U.S. and reduce the risk of parasite burdens, as well as adoption of new technologies. Practices that provide environmental and economic benefits to small farmers will be developed. The model system constructed within this project plan will have applicability to other animal/orchard ventures as well.