I have noticed several threads lately regarding no grain feeding/root vegetable/other substitutes. Reasons?
My reasons:
1. Dependency, I don't want my animals to be dependent on grain to have high growth rates, high milk production, or be dependent on grain to maintain ideal body condition especially in lactation.
2. Yield, if I plant an acre of sugar beets, I will get more pounds than I would in grain.
3. Self-sufficiency. I feel like it'd take more equipment and fertilizer to harvest and get a good yield from grains than other crops. (Could be wrong though)
4. Apparently it's healthier. Milk and meat from non-grain fed stock has more vitamins, omega 6's and minerals than grain fed livestock. One article said grass fed dairy cows produce produce milk with five times as much of an unsaturated than grain fed dairy cows, I feel like this could be the same for dairy goats as well.
5. I won't be growing grains for myself. I don't plan on making my own cereal or bread, I'll be buying those. Any crops I won't raise for myself, I won't raise for my livestock.
6. I may raise grains in the end though, I'm still undecided.