Research
The major goal of Dr. Luginbuhl research program is to develop sustainable forage/ browse-based feeding and management systems for meat goats. Research has been concentrated in the following areas:
- Evaluate under grazing, the potential of cool-season and warm-season annual and perennial forages for meat goats.
- Evaluate the use of goats as biological control agents in weed and brush-infested pastures and woodlots when grazing alone or in combination with other livestock species.
- Evaluate the browse potential of fodder tree species in agroforestry systems for meat goats.
- Develop non-pharmaceutical approaches to anthelmintics for the control of gastrointestinal parasites.
- Evaluate byproduct feeds as protein and/or energy sources for meat goats fed forage-based diets.
- Determination of copper tolerance and nutritional requirements for meat goats.
Extension
The major responsibilities of Dr. Luginbuhl extension program are as follows:
- Providing statewide leadership in the development of the expanding meat goat industry through training, technology transfer and educational programs designed for cooperative extension agents, farmers and agribusiness professionals.
- Serving as resource for information on all aspects of meat goat production for county agents, farmers and other agribusiness professionals through websites, publications, conferences, agent training, farmers’ and county meetings, field days, and personal communication.
- Acting as the NCSU liaison for the NC Meat Goat Association, the NC Dairy Goat Breeders Association, the Smokey Mountain Goat Association, the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and other county-based meat goat associations.
Publications
- Harvest regimen changes sericea lespedeza condensed tannin, fiber and protein concentrations, GRASSLAND SCIENCE (2018)
- Season Progression, Ontogenesis, and Environment Affect Lespedeza cuneata Herbage Condensed Tannin, Fiber, and Crude Protein Concentrations, CROP SCIENCE (2017)
- Productive and reproductive performance and metabolic profiles of ewes supplemented with hydroponically grown green wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), ANIMAL FEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (2016)
- Dietary Chemical Composition, Plasma Metabolites and Hormones in Range Goats, JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH (2008)
- Growth characteristics and allometry of Robinia pseudoacacia as a silvopastoral system component, Agroforestry Systems (2007)
- Intake, digestibility and nitrogen utilization of Robinia pseudoacacia foliage fed to growing goat wethers, Small Ruminant Research (2007)
- Drug use survey and evaluation of quality assurance training for meat goat producers, International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine (2004)
- By-product feeds for meat goats: Effects on digestibility, ruminal environment, and carcass characteristics, Journal of Animal Science (2002)
- Establishment and early growth characteristics of six Paulownia genotypes for goat browse in Raleigh, NC, USA, AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS (2001)
- Effect of dietary copper level on performance and copper status of growing meat goats, Sheep & Goat Research Journal (2000)