Effects of pasture access regime on performance, grazing behavior, and energy utilization by Alpine goats in early and mid-lactation

•Feed intake and milk energy were not affected by pasture access treatments.•Continuous grazing resulted in greatest heat energy in nearly all hours of the day.•Delaying grazing until dry leaf surfaces lessened heat energy then and when grazing.•Allowing grazing from the afternoon milking until sunset increased heat energy.•Pasture access only between milkings yielded relatively efficient milk production.