During the most recent MGA Annual General Meeting, on the 6th May 2025, members were pleased to hear from a panel of industry professionals, on their various research topics. It was clear that significant interest exists in exploring the benefits of improved pasture management and feeding fresh grass to dairy goats.

 

Collaborating on an international scale is something that the MGA actively promotes, with the Nuffield scholars able to bring back a wealth of information and insights from their trips abroad. For example, the benefits of rotational grazing were discussed at length, with goats moved between pastures on a regular schedule, allowing recovery from the pressures of grazing, as well as disrupting the lifecycle of any harmful parasites. It remains a key priority of the MGA, to promote engagement between farmers and academic research, linking theory with daily practice.

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While not yet as widely used as in dairy cattle, Artificial Insemination (AI) is becoming more common across the small ruminant sector. This shift is being driven by farmers who want greater control over genetics, access to proven sires, and the ability to select for desirable traits. On MGA member farms, new methods are being trialled, including motion and temperature-sensing tools to improve heat detection and timing. With extensive research and on-farm trials continuing, MGA members and associated professionals are well positioned to take advantage of future improvements in AI success rates and efficiency.

 

Many thanks to Nuffield Scholars Rachel Yarrow, Laura Eden, and Cormac White.