This study aimed to provide baseline data on the changes in nutritive value of natural grazing pasture through one year in a district of southern Mozambique. Samples of eight key native species consumed by goats, namely Sclerocarya birrea, Morus alba, Spirostachys africana, Dichrostachys cinerea, Flueggea virosa, Acacia nigrescens, Acacia nilotica and Panicum maximum, were collected and analysed for their key nutrient constituents, after which the daily energy, protein, calcium and phosphorus intake were estimated. Both the daily energy intake (1.08 ± 0.04 Mcal/d vs 0.84 ± 0.17 Mcal/d) and crude protein intake (94.48 ± 16.85 g/d vs 55.46 ± 15.44 g/d) were higher in the rainy season than in the dry season. The daily intake of calcium and phosphorus did not show significant (p > 0.05) seasonal variations and were below the requirements for maintenance of a 20 kg bodyweight goat during the dry season, and for a pregnant goat during both seasons. Results of this study showed the need to supplement goats with energy, protein and phosphorus for maintenance, growth, and reproduction during the dry season. This study will serve as a basis for the determination of supplementation levels and predicting ration composition from shrub land for grazing goats.

Keywords: goats, intake, natural pasture, requirements