Is there a trade-off in resource allocation to condensed tannins and thorn defences in Vachellia (Acacia) species?

Acacia species invest in condensed tannins (CT) and thorn defences among others. Plant defences are considered costly because they use resources that would otherwise be available for growth and reproduction. To reduce plant defence costs it has been argued that there are trade-offs between different types of defences. I tested for a trade-off between CT and thorn defences in Vachellia (Acacia) species. Thorn defences were expressed as thorn biomass, thorn density and thorn length. The relationship between defences was tested using Pearson correlation in addition to that with leaf area. My results support a trade-off between CT and thorn biomass and thorn density but not thorn length. Vachellia karroo (Acacia karroo) had high CT but low thorn biomass and thorn density, whereas V. gerrardii (A. gerrardii) had low CT but high thorn biomass and thorn density. Thorn length was positively correlated with CT and negatively related to thorn biomass and thorn density. Leaf area had a strong positive correlation with thorn biomass and thorn density, a weak negative relationship with CT, and a non-significant correlation with thorn length. I conclude that CT has a strong trade-off with thorn biomass and thorn density but not thorn length.     

Patterns of selection of Acacia karroo by goats and changes in tannin levels and in vitro digestibility following defoliation

Patterns of browse selection by Boer goats in a representative Acacia karroo community in the eastern Cape were studied. The rate of intake of browse was positively related to the leaf mass per unit length of the shoot. The ease of harvesting leaf material, as determined by the height off the ground, modified the rate of intake. Generally, following browsing, tannin levels increased significantly and in vitro digestibility decreased significantly. These changes in tannin content and digestibility differed in magnitude according to the plant size and age of the shoot and leaf. Generally, the leaf and shoot intake was negatively related to tannin content and positively related to digestibility, thus influencing patterns of selection for different plant parts and size classes of A. karroo. However, some of the results are contradictory.     

The response of Acacia karroo plants to defoliation by hand compared to defoliation by goats

Abstract

The leaf and shoot growth of Acacia karroo plants defoliated by goats was compared to that of plants in which leaf only or leaf plus shoot‐tips were removed by hand, to simulate goat browsing.

There were no differences in leaf or shoot production between plants whose leaf only was removed compared to those that had both leaf and shoot‐tips removed. Leaf growth on the plants defoliated by goats at moderate levels was approximately three‐fold that on plants defoliated moderately by hand. The plants defoliated by hand produced approximately twice the amount of leaf that the undefoliated plants produced. Heavy defoliation by both hand and goat, produced approximately half the leaf growth that moderately defoliated plants produced, following equivalent defoliation. Shoot production of all plants defoliated by hand was no different to that of the undefoliated control plants and was considerably less than that of the plants defoliated by goats.     

Simulating browse production and response of Acacia karroo to defoliation II. Evaluation of browse management systems and strategies

To assess management implications, a model was used to simulate the response of Acacia karroo to a wide range of different climatic patterns and defoliation regimes. The model predicts that if poor growing conditions initiate growth later in spring than normal, total season growth and harvest is significantly reduced. In comparison, cooler overall temperatures throughout the season reduce growth less markedly. Results indicate that increasing the number of camps in a pastoral system increases the total amount of A. karroo that can be harvested. The model illustrates, in general terms, the limits and constraints of increasing the number of camps, varying the length of stay in each and varying the length of the rest period before the next occupation at different stocking rates. It also indicates the increases in A. karroo harvests that can be expected with different management strategies. The most important prediction of the model was the large increase in productivity that could be expected by sparing or very light use early in the growing season. Even if it is possible to reduce stock in times of drought, this was shown to be of very little benefit.     

Effect of Simulated Browsing on Aspen Regeneration: Implications for Restoration

Aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) is a disturbance-dependent, fire-resilient, shade-intolerant, clonal species that is in decline throughout western North America. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of intensity and season of browsing on annual height growth of aspen suckers. The goal was to aid development of livestock grazing strategies to restore stands in decline due to excessive livestock browsing. We implemented 33 combinations of intensity and season of browse on aspen suckers in three aspen stands on Eagle Lake Range District, Lassen National Forest, California, USA, during 2003 and 2004. Greatest growth was on suckers with no terminal leader browse and ≤ 25% of biomass removed from branches. Lowest growth occurred when 90% of terminal leader length and 50% of branch biomass was removed. Growth was most negatively affected by browse on terminal leader. Growth was lowest for suckers browsed midseason only and suckers browsed both early and midseason. Occurrence of conifer in the stand overstory significantly reduced sucker growth. Managers should minimize browse on terminal leaders, midseason browse over consecutive years, and repeated browse during a growing season.     

Behaviour of goats, sheep and cattle on natural pasture in the sub-humid zone of West Africa

The behaviour of sheep, goats and cattle on a shrub and tree savannah in the sub-humid zone of West Africa was studied during the dry (February to May), rainy (June to September) and cool season (October to January). Two mature females per animal species were followed by two observers during 3 days per month and behaviour activities were recorded every 15 min of the daily grazing time. When browsing, the plant name, plant part and plant height reached during prehension were recorded. The distance travelled and the grazing circuits were recorded with a step counter and a Geographic Position System device. The knowledge of farmers concerning appreciated browse species relative to the browse species consumed by animals in the area was also investigated.

During the dry season sheep, goats and cattle spent around 25% of their time browsing and 20%, 16% and 31%, respectively, of their time grazing. During the cool season, goats (17%) browsed more than sheep (7%) and cattle (5%) (P < 0.05). During the rainy season, sheep browsed 20% of the time while cattle spent only 7% of their time browsing, while goats were tied, with no opportunity for browsing. Browsing leaves was the most important part of the browsing activity. During the cool season, browsing height was the same (1.0 m) for cattle and goats, but lower for sheep (0.6 m) (P < 0.05). In the dry and cool season, sheep and goats walked shorter distances than cattle.

The plant species with the highest frequency of consumption were Acacia dudgeoni Craib, Ficus gnaphalocarpa (Miq.) A. Rich, Dioscorea togoensis Knuth, Cordia myxa L., and Manguifera indica L. for sheep and goats and Afzelia africana Sm., Kaya senegalensis (Desv.) A. Juss, Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. and Dicrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight and Arn. for cattle. Species with a high frequency of citation by farmers were A. africana (92%), K. senegalensis (88%), P. erinaceus (86%), Faidherbia albida A. Chevalier (80%), A. dudgeoni (70%) and F. gnaphalocarpa (69%).

In conclusion, browse species make an important contribution to the diet of ruminant animals in the sub-humid zone and farmers are familiar with the species consumed by ruminant animals.     

Variation in quantity and quality of native forages and grazing behavior of cattle and goats in Tanzania

The study was conducted to assess the effects of seasonal variation in the quality and quantity of pasture and management of livestock exclosures (ngitili) on the grazing behavior of cattle and goats. The study was 2×2×2 factorial design with three independent variables: season (Dry or Rainy), ngitili management (Private or Communal) and animal species (Cattle or Goats). Focal and scan observation methods were used to record different behavioral activities. Vegetation attributes from the study areas were measured in two consecutive seasons. Most key forage species had significant higher crude protein (CP) content and in vitro organic matter digestibility (INVOMD) in rainy than in dry season (P<0.05), but Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) did not vary significantly with season (P>0.05). ADF and NDF were significantly higher in species from communal ngitili than those from private ngitili (P<0.05). Above-ground herbaceous biomass and bulk density (BD) were significantly higher in the rainy season and in the private ngitili than in the dry season and in the communal ngitili respectively. Cattle and goats spent considerably more time grazing and browsing respectively in the rainy season than in the dry season (P<0.05). Cattle foraging activities did not vary significantly (P>0.05) with ngitili management, but goats found to spend considerably more time browsing in the communal ngitili and more time grazing in the private ngitili (P<0.05). Despite the merits of stocking cattle and goats together in the heterogeneous pasture, seasonal variation in forage resources requires investigation of other strategies such as use of multipurpose trees and treatment of crop residues to improve livestock production.     

One-Seed Juniper Sapling Use by Goats in Relation to Stocking Density and Mixed Grazing With Sheep

Suppression of one-seed juniper (Juniper monosperma [Englem.] Sarg.) reinvasion with goats requires achieving levels of defoliation of newly established saplings that eventually kill or suppress plant growth. We tested the effects of stocking density and mixed grazing with sheep on the level of use of one-seed juniper saplings by goats. In summer and spring, groups of 10 does (goats alone, GA) or 5 does and 4 ewes (mixed grazing, MG), grazed 20 × 30 m cells infested with saplings (500–533 · ha^?1; mean: 0.8 m tall), either continuously for 6 d (low stocking density, LD) or with daily rotation through 10 × 10 m cells during the 6-d period (high stocking density, HD) in a block design. Feeding activity; juniper in feces; utilization of herbaceous vegetation; frequency of saplings with light, moderate, and heavy foliage and bark use; and branch utilization were determined. Goats in HD spent more time feeding on saplings, less time feeding on herbaceous forages, and tended to consume more juniper than goats in LD. Utilization of herbaceous vegetation ranged from 52% to 73% and was higher for MG than GA and for LD than HD. The MG–HD treatment resulted in the highest frequency of short saplings (< 0.5 m) with heavy defoliation in summer and spring, and lowest frequency of saplings with light debarking in spring. Heavy defoliation was more frequent in short saplings, whereas heavy debarking was more frequent in tall (> 1 m) saplings. Sapling mortality was not affected by treatments (P > 0.05) and averaged 5% across treatments. Branch debarking was greater in spring (P = 0.02) and explained approximately 80% of branch mortality and 62% and 52% of the reduction in sapling live crown height and volume. Branch utilization (percent length) was not affected by grazing treatments (range: 45–48%), but was influenced by the length and diameter of branches. This study suggests that high stocking density and mixed grazing stimulate feeding behaviors that increase utilization of juniper saplings by goats. Susceptibility of saplings to defoliation and debarking varies with sapling size, branch structure, and season. Targeted grazing in spring appears to have a greater impact on sapling suppression and branch mortality due to higher debarking frequency.     

Research note: Relations between tree height and the associated occurrence of Panicum maximum in Sourish Mixed Bushveld

Abstract

Acacia tortilis, A. karroo and Dichrostachys cinerea subsp. africana trees were divided into nine height classes, with increments of 0.5 m. The abundance of P. maximum growing under their canopies was estimated by scoring on a scale of 0 (no P. maximum) to 3 (P. maximum predominates). Presence of P. maximum was mainly associated with larger trees of all three species, and ranged from virtual absence under small trees to pure stands under larger trees. Spearman's rank correlations between tree height and the abundance of P. maximum (median score) were positive and significant. Panicum maximum attained pure stands (score 3) under smaller A. tortilis trees than under either A. karroo or D. cinerea. A median score of 3 was attained under A. tortilis, A. karroo and D. cinerea trees of >2.0 m, >4.0 m and >4.5 m, respectively. Tree height therefore represents a simple index of conditions favourable to P. maximum.     

Browsing of Grewia occidentalis by domestic stock in a South African savanna: the influence of bush clumps

In South African karoo categorised by multi-species bush clumps, skirted shrub species appear to physically defend the palatable shrub Grewia occidentalis against browsing by eland (Taurotragus oryx). Skirted shrubs appear to defend G. occidentalis by preventing access to plants and by reducing the accessibility of G. occidentalis foliage to the large muzzle of eland. Compared to eland, domestic stock such as goats, have a smaller body and muzzle, and these features may allow them to overcome the physical defence offered by skirted shrubs against the browsing of G. occidentalis. Our study of G. occidentalis browsed by domestic stock indicated that mature and seedling G. occidentalis typically occurred with skirted shrub species. Mature and seedling G. occidentalis growing with skirted shrubs had lower intensities of browsing than other G. occidentalis, and mature G. occidentalis growing with skirted shrubs had greater numbers of fruit than other G. occidentalis. In our study area, a non-selective grazing/browsing system is used and camps are grazed/browsed until a high proportion of forage is removed from most plants. Under this system, mature and seedling G. occidentalis are common within the study area and skirted shrubs appear to provide adequate defence for G. occidentalis against browsing by domestic stock.     

Vachellia karroo leaf meal: a promising non-conventional feed resource for improving goat production in low-input farming systems of Southern Africa

Among a vast number of forage trees, Vachellia karroo (Acacia karroo) remains one of the most widely distributed indigenous plant legumes in Southern Africa. The plant possesses some striking attributes, such as rapid growth rate, drought tolerance, adaptation to alkaline and acidic sterile soils, and resistance to a variety of edaphic and temperature changes. In past years V. karroo was recognised to be a major threat to rangeland productivity owing to its invasive nature. Research interest has shifted from its eradication as an unwanted plant to its utilisation as a feed resource for livestock. Extensive utilisation of V. karroo is mainly hindered by the presence of tannins and spines. Prospects to lessen the adverse effects of the anti-nutritional influences are now recognised. Vachellia karroo possesses desirable fatty acid profiles, and high protein and mineral contents that can improve animal performance. Presently, the use of V. karroo for goat production in communal areas is restricted owing to limited evidence for its nutritional value as animal feed. The present review, therefore, seeks to demonstrate the utility potential of V. karroo to improve growth performance, carcass characteristics, chevon quality, meat fatty acid profiles and as a natural anti-helminth for goats raised under an extensive system of production.     

Growth patterns and annual growth cycle of Acacia karroo Hayne in relation to water stress I. Leaf and shoot growth

Abstract

A field study was conducted to describe the growth patterns of A. karroo at different levels of water stress in different edaphic situations.

Shoots are heterophyllous and are formed by free growth. The degree of development of a shoot, relative to others in the canopy, is governed by branch and position in the canopy. At least six phenological phases were identified in the annual growth cycle.

The pattern of growth and the phenological cycle are not changed by water stress. Initiation, emergence and development of shoots and leaves are governed by how favourable environmental conditions are. If there is little shoot growth early in the season, these plants can partially compensate by producing more leaf per unit of shoot if environmental conditions improve.

Leaf and shoot growth at the beginning of the season took place only if there was sufficient moisture available, and if the minimum temperature had risen above a threshold amount. Where there was insufficient soil moisture, no growth was observed before rains had fallen. The growth strategy of A. karroo differs markedly from that of broadleaved African savanna tree species. Growth in A. karroo is dominated by current growing conditions, rather than those of the previous season. They are able to make opportunistic growth at any time.

Soil depth had a marked influence on plant growth, presumably due to a larger available nutrient and moisture pool.     

Grass defoliation affecting survival and growth of seedlings of Acacia karroo,an encroaching species in southwestern Zimbabwe

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted, one in the field and the other in the greenhouse, to investigate the effects of the intensity and frequency of grass defoliation on the survival and growth of Acacia karroo seedlings. In the greenhouse, seedlings growing with heavily clipped grasses had higher biomass production than those competing with moderately clipped grasses. Root/shoot ratios were higher in treatments with undipped grasses. There was a negative relationship between grass root production and A. karroo biomass production. The field experiment was carried out in two paddocks, one previously heavily‐grazed and the other lightly‐grazed. Grazing in both paddocks was simulated by artificial defoliation. Generally more A. karroo seedlings emerged under lightly defoliated treatments. Clipping frequency had a strong effect (P=0.066) on the survival of emerged seedlings during the wet season. There were no differences in survival rate at the end of the dry season. Though grass defoliation was shown to enhance seedling growth under controlled conditions, no evidence was found to suggest that seedling establishment during the first year is influenced by the intensity of grass defoliation.     

Polyethylene glycol influences feeding behaviour of dairy goats browsing on bushland with different herbage cover

The effects of supplemental polyethylene glycol (PEG) on feeding behaviour, diet composition, intake and milk production were studied in late lactating Sarda goats browsing on a lentisk-based bushland with different herbage cover. The goats were allotted to two groups that browsed 7 h daily on 2 plots characterised by different cover proportions of woody and herbaceous species. These proportions were 90% woody vs. 10% herbaceous species in one plot (W — woody, close bushland with low herbage cover) and 70% woody vs. 30% herbaceous species in the other plot (H — herbaceous, open bushland with high herbage cover). Each group was divided into two sub-groups: one fed with 50 g day^− 1 of PEG 4000 MW (PEG⁺) and the other receiving no PEG supplementation (PEG⁻). The feeding behaviour was different between groups; goats in herbaceous plot (H-goats), had a longer grazing time, expressed as percentage of total observation time than the counterparts (64% vs. 58%, P < 0.05). The intake was not affected by the treatments. The percentage of the species eaten by the goats was different in the two groups: H-goats ate more herbaceous and less woody species than goats in woody plot (W-goats). In each group the PEG tended to affect the botanical composition of the diet. PEG dosed goats ate more tanniferous species than control counterparts (P = 0.12). The average daily milk production was 473, 591, 541 and 589 ml, respectively in W-PEG^−, W-PEG⁺, H-PEG⁻ and H-PEG⁺ sub-groups with significant effect of herbage cover × PEG dose interaction (P < 0.05). The milk urea was affected by herbage cover (P < 0.001) and PEG supplementation (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the effect of PEG is strictly dependent on pasture composition. In open bushland, featured by moderate woody cover, the effect of PEG is more intense on diet selection, due to its marked post-ingestive effects. In close bushland, characterised by high proportion of tanniferous species prevails the efficacy of PEG as a performance booster.     

Effect of the intensity and phenophase of defoliation and water stress on the rate of photosynthesis and the recovery of carbohydrate reserves in acacia karroo hayne

Abstract

A field study was conducted with Acacia karroo plants to determine changes in relative photosynthetic rates, the extent of carbohydrate reserve depletion and the rate reserves take to recover, following defoliation by goats at different intensities and phenophases, at a “wet” and a “dry” site.

The rate of photosynthesis of fully expanded leaves increased markedly following defoliation. Light defoliation increased photosynthetic rate the most. Total non‐structural carbohydrate levels dropped significantly after defoliation. The magnitude of decrease was directly related to the intensity of defoliation.

Following the heavy defoliations, recovery of carbohydrate levels was much faster than after the light defoliations. Rates of recovery were also faster following defoliation in the second half of the growing season, than in the first half. However, the plants that had been heavily defoliated in the second half of the growing season had not fully recovered carbohydrate levels before leaf fall in late autumn.

Moisture stress had very little effect on carbohydrate levels in comparison with the defoliation treatments.     

Vole preference of bilberry along gradients of simulated moose density and site productivity

Browsing by large herbivores might either increase or decrease preference for the plant by other herbivores, depending on the plant response. Using a cafeteria test, we studied the preference by root voles (Microtus oeconomus [Pallas, 1776]) for bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) previously subjected to 4 levels of simulated moose (Alces alces [Linnaeus, 1758]) density. The different levels of moose density were simulated at population densities relevant for Fennoscandian conditions, in exclosures situated along a site productivity gradient. We expected: (i) voles to prefer bilberry from high productivity sites over low productivity sites; (ii) voles to prefer browsed bilberry, if plants allocate resources to compensatory growth or to avoid browsed bilberry if plants allocate resources to defense; (iii) these effects to increase with increasing simulated moose density; and (iv) the concentration of plant chemicals and the plant morphology to explain vole preference. Specifically, we predicted that voles would prefer: (i) plants with high nitrogen content; (ii) plants with low content of defensive substances; and (iii) tall plants with long shoots. Voles preferred bilberry from the high productivity sites compared to the low productivity sites. We also found an interaction between site productivity and simulated moose density, where voles preferred unbrowsed plants at low productivity sites and intermediate levels of browsing at high productivity sites. There was no effect of plant chemistry or morphology on vole preference. We conclude that moose browsing impacts the food preference of voles. With the current high densities of moose in Fennoscandia, this could potentially influence vole food selection and population dynamics over large geographical areas.     

Response of Acacia Sieberiana to Repeated Experimental Burning

We conducted a study on how Acacia sieberiana respond to repeated burning in the Kidepo National Park in northeastern Uganda. The study was conducted to understand effects of common burning regimes (early dry season, late dry season, and no burn [control]) in the area on Acacia sieberiana. The three treatments were applied for three consecutive years to 14 replicate blocks in a randomized block design. All A. sieberiana trees were number tagged and monitored for height and girth (diameter at breast height) growth. All fires were set as head-fires and attained intensity ranging between 422 and 5693 kW · m⁻¹. Both early and late dry season burning increased the number of small (< 49 cm) A. sieberiana trees after 2 yr. Burning did not affect the growth rates. Although the number of trees < 49 cm increased after 2 yr, the mortality in this height class was also increased by the late dry season burning, and after 3 yr of consecutive burning there were no statistical treatment differences in the height class < 49 cm. Late dry season burning also led to high mortality among trees > 250 cm in the third year. Mortality attributed to elephant browsing was important in all treatments but a substantial portion of mortality could not be attributed to any particular cause. In the late burn, fire was the most important mortality factor. Thus, 2 yr of burning may be used as a tool to stimulate recruitment of A. sieberiana, but additional years of late dry season burning will increase the mortality of older trees.     

Modification of soil nutrients and micro‐climate by tree crowns in a semi‐arid rangeland of south‐western Zimbabwe

Abstract

Tree crowns in semi‐arid areas have often been found to create micro‐habitats of improved soil physical and nutrient status and reduced evapotranspiration. These encourage the growth of mesic, palatable and high yielding perennial grasses in otherwise arid environments. A two‐year study, in areas with a long history of light grazing, at Matopos Research Station sought to establish whether the soil nutrient status and micro‐climate under tree crowns are different from those in open areas, and whether the differences are affected by soil type and tree species. The study trees were Terminalia sericea and Acacia karroo. There were consistent patterns in soil nutrient status between understorey and open areas, although these patterns were largely not significant. There was also a consistent pattern in soil volumetric water content of open areas > T. sericea > A. karroo understorey areas. Tree crowns reduced solar radiation reaching understorey areas by an average of 88% and rainfall by an average of 15%. The findings on soil nutrient status are consistent with results from disturbed systems, and challenge the dogma, at least for soil nutrient status, that conservative stocking rates are beneficial.     

Intake and Selection of Goats Grazing Heterogeneous Vegetation: Effect of Gastrointestinal Nematodes and Condensed Tannins

Feeding behavior is a multifactorial process with pivotal relevance for the maintenance and survival of ruminants. This study evaluated the effect of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), condensed tannin (CT) content of plants, and their possible interaction on the intake and selection of feed resources by Criollo goats in a heterogeneous vegetation. An 8-wk field experiment was conducted in the tropical deciduous forest (TDF) during the rainy season with adult Criollo goats (35.1 ± 6.7 kg body weight [BW]). Goats were assigned to four groups (n = 6): 1) MOX: suppressive treatment with moxidectin (Cydectin 0.4 mg/kg BW subcutaneous every 4 wk), 2) INF: with natural GIN infection, 3) MOX + PEG: treated with moxidectin and dosed with a CT-neutralizing agent (50 g of polyethylene glycol [PEG] diluted in 50 mL of water, per os), and 4) INF + PEG: with natural GIN infection and PEG dosage. Intake was measured using a direct observation method in a 2.2-ha TDF plot. Plant availability was obtained from 30 exclusion quadrants (2 × 2 m). Selection was estimated with the Cheeson index using the ratio of consumed plants and their availability by grouping plant species as shrubs and herbs (with high CT [> 10%], medium CT [> 3% to < 10%], or low CT [< 3%]), vines, and grasses. Neither GIN infection nor CT neutralization influenced intake or selection of feed resources. All groups showed high selection toward grass species (P < 0.001), which may represent a strategy to reduce intake of crude protein and CT from shrubs and herbs. In conclusion, GIN infection and CT neutralization do not influence intake or selection of goats with browsing experience in the TDF. Selection toward grass suggested a trade-off between nutrient harvest optimization and the health risk of GIN infective larvae consumption. Thus, it is necessary to revalorize the TDF as a sustainable feed resource for goats.     

Occurrence of mastitis and associated risk factors in lactating goats under pastoral management in Borana,Southern Ethiopia

Mastitis prevalence and related risk factors were studied in 1,072 udder halves of 536 lactating goats from October, 2008 to February, 2009. Clinical and subclinical mastitis were prevalent in 4.3% (95% CI = 2.8, 6.5) and 11.2% (95% CI = 8.7, 14.3) of the studied animals, respectively, resulting in an overall prevalence of 15.5% (95% CI = 12.6, 18.9). Univariate analysis of the potential risk factors has depicted that mastitis was more prevalent in does with previous mastitis history, increased parity, poor body conditions, increased milk production, late lactation stage, long teat, and housed goats. Furthermore, prevalence was significantly higher (p < 0.05) during the wet period of October to November than the dry periods of January to February. No significant variations (p > 0.05) were observed in mastitis prevalence with udder tick infestation, mixing goat with sheep and flock size. With multivariable analysis, lactation stage, teat length, body condition, and season (wet months) have showed significant association with mastitis prevalence, and these factors maintained significant in the stepwise elimination of multivariable logistic regression model. As a result, does in late stage of lactation (OR = 4.3, 1.8, 10.4), poor body condition (OR = 5.0, 1.7, 10.0), long teats (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.1, 4.2) and does examined in wet period were at higher risk of udder infections than early lactation, good body condition, short teat, and examined in dry period, respectively. The study showed occurrence of mastitis and associated risk factors in studied goats, which suggests the need for control intervention. Further investigations into pathogens involved in goat mastitis will optimize our knowledge of causative agents and control interventions.