Richard Browning, Jr., Ph.D.

Welcome to the Animal Physiology Lab

@

Tennessee State University

Site established: December 2006

Last updated: May 30, 2009

This laboratory, part of the Department of Agricultural Sciences, has been involved in ruminant animal research since 1995. Up to 2002, research concentrated on tall fescue endophyte toxicosis in beef cattle with a particular interest in the use of heat-tolerant breed genetics. A transition began in 2001 that lead to the emergence of a new research area, meat goat production.

Presently, meat goats represent the research focus with genetic evaluation for performance and fitness in the southeastern US as the general theme of this TSU small ruminant effort. The research herd is comprised of approximately 250 breeding does and herd sires on 70+ acres of pastureland representing diverse sets of Boer, Kiko, Spanish and Myotonic genetics; all part of the meat goat breed evaluation project.

Research and Outreach Publications

Meat Goat Performance Test Project

If you are in the business of raising and selling meat goats, seed-stock or commercial, the collection of animal weights should be a common part of your management program. This is important for genetic improvement, readiness of market kids, and the general assessment of management protocols and annual doe herd performance.

TSU Fact Sheet: On-farm Performance Testing for Meat Goat Herds

Australia Fact Sheet: Use of Scales in Meat Goat Herds

For additional assistance regarding meat goat production, extension publications, and scheduled training workshops, visit the page of ...

 Maria L. Leite-Browning, DVM  at  Alabama A&M University.

A permanent partner in the meat goat research activities of this lab, Dr. Maria is the former (initial) State Extension Specialist for Goats at TSU and now serves in the same capacity as Extension Animal Scientist for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Training sessions and seminars featuring the latest in TSU meat goat genetics research are often in joint programs with Alabama A&M and Alabama Cooperative Extension under the direction of Dr. Maria.

Dr. Maria's Web Page