NCERA_OLD214: Increased Efficiency of Sheep Production

(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

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Annual/Termination Reports:

[07/20/2010] [07/08/2011] [10/12/2012] [07/22/2013]

Date of Annual Report: 07/20/2010

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/13/2010 - 06/16/2010
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2009 - 09/01/2010

Participants

" Aaron, Debra (daaron@email.uky.edu) - University of Kentucky
" Burke, Joan (joan.burke@ars.usda.gov) - USDA, ARS, Arkansas
" Ehrhardt, Richard (ehrhard5@msu.edu) - Michigan State University
" Ely, Don (dely@uky.edu) - University of Kentucky
" Flora, Guy - ASGC
" Getz, Will (getzw@fvsu.edu) - ASI
" Greiner, Scott (sgreiner@vt.edu) - Virginia Tech
" Held, Jeff (Jeffrey.Held@sdstate.edu) - South Dakota State University
" Kouakou, Brou (kouakoub@fvsu.edu) - Fort Valley State University
" Lewis, Greg (Gregory.Lewis@ARS.USDA.GOV) - USDA, ARS, Dubois
" Leymaster, Kreg (kreg.leymaster@ars.usda.gov) - USDA, ARS, MARC
" Miller, Jim (jmille1@lsu.edu) - Louisiana State University
" Morgan, Jim - NSIP
" Morrical, Dan (morrical@iastate.edu) - Iowa State University
" Notter, David (drnotter@vt.edu) - Virginia Tech
" Petersson, Katherine (kpetersson@uri.edu) - University of Rhode Island
" Rodgers, Paul (prodgers2@earthlink.net) - ASI
" Schoenian, Susan (sschoen@umd.edu) - University of Maryland
" Slyker, Lowell - SGRJ
" Thomas, Dave (dlthomas@wisc.edu) - University of Wisconsin, Madison
" Thompson, James (james.thompson@oregonstate.edu) - Oregon State University
" Thonney, Mike (mlt2@cornell.edu) Cornell University
" Waldron, Dan (d-waldron@tamu.edu) - Texas AgriLife Research
" Wildeus, Stephan (swildeus@vsu.edu) - Virginia State University
" Zerby, Henry (zerby.8@osu.edu) Ohio State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

Monday, June 8
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 am by Henry Zerby, Chair, in the E.S. Good Barn on the campus of the University of Kentucky. Don Ely and Debra Aaron, hosts of the meeting, and Dr. Bob Harmon, Department Head, welcomed the group. Henry Zerby then asked us each to introduce ourselves.
As per the discussion last year, we were asked to think about following up on the request of Christopher Schauer to have a joint meeting (WERA 112/NCERA 190, now 214) in 2011. Mike Thonney volunteered to Chair the Resolutions Committee and Joan Burke and Katherine Petersson agreed to serve. Kreg Leymaster volunteered to Chair the Nominations Committee and Jim Miller and Dave Thomas agreed to serve. Since Justin (current Vice-Chair) has dropped out of NCERA-214 after moving to Wisconsin, it was decided to move Jim Miller to Chair for the 2011 meeting and to elect a new Vice-Chair and Secretary. The Sheep Curriculum Development Committee established last year (Mike Thonney (Chair), Jeff Held, Richard Ehrhardt and Debra Aaron) will meet tomorrow and report. Paul Rogers suggested that a committee be established to attend the National Program 101 Stakeholder meeting next year to provide input of food animal production needs. We will talk about this tomorrow afternoon and go from there.
Henry Zerby chaired station reports.
Objective 1- Develop and evaluate methods to improve reproductive efficiency: Cornell University (Mike Thonney),Texas Agrilife Research (Dan Waldron), U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, USDA Nebraska (Kreg Leymaster), Sheep Experiment Station, USDA, Idaho (Greg Lewis), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (David Notter) and Virginia State University (Stephan Wildeus).
Objective 2 - Develop strategies to improve and predict efficiency of lean growth, carcass quality, and meat palatability: South Dakota State University (Jeff Held) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Scott Greiner).
Adjourned for lunch
Objective 2 (continued) - Iowa State University (Dan Morrical).
Objective 3 - Evaluate genetic resources, nutrient requirements, and production systems for milk production: University of Wisconsin-Madison (David Thomas).
Objective 4 - Develop profitable and sustainable production systems (including parasite control and other health issues): Cornell University (Mike Thonney), Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, USDA, Arkansas (Joan Burke), Fort Valley State University (Will Getz), Louisiana State University (Jim Miller), Michigan State University (Richard Ehrhardt), U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, USDA, Nebraska (Kreg Leymaster) and Virginia State University (Stephan Wildeus).
Objective 5 - Wide dissemination of research results and information to universities, regulatory agencies and producers: University of Maryland (Susan Schoenian) and others as presented in the proceedings.
Adjourned for dinner
Objective 4 (re-visited) University of Rhode Island (Katherine Petersson).
Business meeting called to order by Henry Zerby (Chair) at 7:40 pm.
Approval of the 2009 meeting minutes was requested by Henry Zerby. Dan Morrical moved to approve the minutes and Jeff Held seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Nomination Committee: Kreg Leymaster nominated Jim Miller (Chair), Richard Ehrhardt (Vice-Chair) and Jeff Held (Secretary) as the 2010-11 officers. Mike Thonney moved to accept the nominated officers, and Jim Thompson seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Meeting next year Greg Lewis reiterated that WERA-112 would like to have a joint meeting to be held in Rapid City, SD. South Dakota State University would be the NCERA-214 host (Jeff Held and Julie Walker). The proposed dates would be June 6-8, 2011. Dave Thomas moved to approve the joint meeting and Kreg Leymaster seconded the motion. Motion approved. Jim Miller indicated that Utah State University (Noelle Cockett) wants to host the 2012 meeting in Logan, UT.
Debra Aaron asked why our Administrative Advisor was not present. John Kirby was scheduled to come for Monday, but there was a meeting schedule overlap that interfered with him coming. Dave Thomas indicated that Raluca Mateescu was not here because her Experiment Station Director would not provide travel funding. It might help if someone would either write a letter or speak privately to her Director about the importance of attending.
Lowell Slyker (Sheep and Goat Research Journal) thanked reviewers for their service to the journal. He encouraged us to use the journal especially for practical applications. The journal has been indexed by CAB since 2005 and will now start to make full articles available.
Jim Morgan (National Sheep Improvement Program) said the website will have enrollment forms available later in the month (Portal to Pedigree Wizard). Flock enrollment fees will go up to allow getting Pedigree Wizard, and funds will be used to run the NSIP office. Ten reasons to partner with LAMBLAN were presented. There was discussion on NSIP data input and distribution in conjunction with LAMBPLAN.
Guy Flora (American Sheep and Goat Center) indicated that the grants program that was previously funded will hopefully start again next year after 2 years in hiatus. The new Center has been authorized with funding at one million dollars a year (10% will be for administration and 90% for grants).
Paul Rogers (American Sheep Industry) indicated he will Chair the Production, Research and Education Council and encouraged contributions to the effort of the Council. The producer survey is on the website. The NAHMS Sheep Survey indicated health issues were primary. There is some interesting non-traditional lamb marketing information on the website. The optical image scanning project at Colorado State University is finishing up with some preliminary data (collecting loin and tenderness). Appropriations Scrapie eradication funds not easy to get and there are additional funds for Bighorn research. There is a sheep handling video featuring Temple Grandin being made. There will be a genetics conference in Ohio July 10-11.
Dan Morrical reported that the Research Symposium at the national ASI meeting was well received. There was discussion on whether it should be a regular annual event or less often. Every other year would make travel funding easier. Or, have 3 of the 6 topics every year and alternate.
Henry Zerby closed the Business Meeting by indicating that resolutions, curriculum and future directions/research will be addressed tomorrow.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Tuesday, June 9
Morning The group had a very nice visit to Keenland Thoroughbred Racing and Sales and then a tour of the UK Sheep Farm which ended with a lunch of smoked lamb.
Business meeting (continued) was called to order at 1:00 pm.
Curriculum/education Committee initiated discussion on mechanism for providing materials for those (producers, undergraduate/graduate students, etc.) that dont have access. Hook up with Pipestone model is a possibility. Need credit eligible courses to be university accepted. Not many animal science departments have small ruminant course anymore. ASI has discussed education and should be considered when funding is available again for grants. Difficult to get students interested in sheep research when career opportunities are scarce. The Committee will continue to function with Jeff Held as Chair and Dan Morrical, Henry Zerby and Richard Ehrhardt to serve.
Discussion on future research directions. ASI survey (3000 respondents) indicated a high percentage thought increased revenue is what is needed. We as a group of national researchers need to make research transferable. Need to integrate programs for regional application. Buy in concept important. How can operations expand? Convince producers to pursue successful business models (hard to do). How can producers be provided with a good plan/recipe for business success? Can something be learned from the successful parasite control concept acceptance? Maybe need to fall back to experience/expertise of ASGC and ASI. We need to concentrate on how to integrate objectives 1-4 into objective 5. Should plan be geared for new producers or established producers who want to make changes? ATTRA (ATTRA.org) has a planning manual for sheep/goats and may be a good resource as a starting point. Important to have intensive short duration programs with hands-on followed by mentoring. We need more than just a list of research priorities. We need to know what can be done. Three areas were mentioned as researchable now: terminal sires, parasite control and easy care production. Healthfulness (wholesomeness) of our products will become more visible and product development is important. This is different than food safety which is being addressed adequately. One strategy is to identify good producers in regions and ask them about what has made them successful and what they need to get better. Discussion ended with establishing, what are producer problems and what are researchable producer problems.
On behalf of the resolutions committee Mike Thonney presented the following resolutions:
1) Be it resolved, the members of the NCERA-214 committee on Increased Efficiency of Sheep Production express thanks to Debra Aaron, Don Ely, members of the Block & Bridle Club, students, and staff at the University of Kentucky for their hospitality in organizing a successful annual meeting of the NCERA-214 sheep research and extension committee. (To be sent to Robert Harmon, Chair of Animal and Food Sciences, and Dean M. Scott Smith, University of Kentucky).
2) Be it resolved, the members of the NCERA-214 committee on Increased Efficiency of Sheep Production wish to express appreciation to the following:
a) the American Sheep Industry Association for the presence of Paul Rodgers and Will Getz at the NCERA-214 meetings. (To be sent to Peter Orwick, Executive Director of ASI and Glen Fisher, President of ASI.)
b) the American Sheep and Goat Center for the presence of Guy Flora and their support for sheep and goat research in the U.S. (To be sent to Chase Hibbard, Chairman of the Board, American Sheep and Goat Center.)
c) Jim Morgan, for his continued dedication to the National Sheep Improvement Program and the mission of NCERA-214.
Dan Morrical motioned to approve the resolutions and Kreg Leymaster seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Jim Miller, Secretary June 21, 2010

Accomplishments

Cornell University used a quadratic NDF equation that explained only 17% of the variation in DMI as a percentage of BW for growing lambs. Dividing NDF into that which is fermentable and indigestible accounted for 57% of the variation. This raises two important points: 1) NDF is a poor predictor of DMI compared to its fermentable and indigestible components and 2) the traditional approach of balancing diets by assuming a set amount of DMI is not consistent with the fact that dietary components influence DMI. Cornell University conducted experiments to document the effects of lambing cubicles on intensity of lambing management and on lamb survival are under way. Cubicle use at lambing appears to result in easier sheep movement and reduced shepherding, but does not appear to effect the development of maternal bonding and behavior in ewes. Cornell University continued to collect phenotypes on ability to breed and lamb out-of-season for a project designed to identify DNA markers. The Cornell STAR accelerated lambing system has been shown to be a feasible way of making better use of buildings and equipment and year-round labor. It also increases opportunities to take advantage of optimal times to market lambs. Methods continue to be tested to improve reproductive rates and lamb survival under the system. Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center (USDA Arkansas) initiated several long term research projects to examine the long term effect of alternatives to chemical dewormers on GIN population, lamb production, and economics of using these technologies. Studies on the integration of FAMACHA, copper oxide wire particles and sericea lespedeza have been published. Louisiana State University continued to investigate and demonstrate viable alternative methods for sustainable parasitic nematode control which will benefit sheep production in low input systems. South Dakota State University worked with co-products, soyhulls and DDGS to demonstrate that these feed ingredients can lower unit cost of production and improve production efficiency in sheep operations. South Dakota State University conducted a study to evaluate the effect of glycerol supplementation in a lamb finishing diet on growth performance and carcass traits. No animal response or carcass merit differences were found among treatment animals offered diets with 0, 5 or 10 % glycerol substituted for corn. Glycerol is a co-product created from new-generation ethanol production facilities. South Dakota State University conducted a 64-d finishing trial that evaluated Southdown compared to Hampshire sired crossbred lambs which resulted in a significant growth performance advantage to the Hampshire yet similar gain efficiency. Although feed efficiency was equal the Hampshire sired lambs gained 3.3 more pounds during the trial. Texas Agrilife Research implemented a study to estimate performance differences between Dorper and Rambouillet ewes. Estimates of breed differences for fertility, number of lambs born, lamb birth weight, lamb weaning weight, and lamb carcass traits were documented from records on ewes from 2 to 7 years of age. The main objective of this study is to evaluate lifetime lamb production from Dorper and Rambouillet ewes. U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USDA Nebraska) has implemented plans to increase the number of easy-care sheep for evaluation in a low-input, pasture-lambing production system to about 2,000 head. The breed composition of the easy-care maternal line of prolific hair sheep was changed based on analyses of data collected during 2009. U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USDA Nebraska) has genetically managed flocks of Katahdin and Polypay sheep to represent contemporary industry germplasm and to serve as industry controls for future research on easy-care breeds at USMARC. U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USDA Nebraska) conducted an experiment to collect tissues for investigation of effects of myostatin and callipyge mutations on gene transcription profiles in skeletal muscle of lambs. University of Wisconsin-Madison conducted a 5-day intensive Dairy Sheep School which was held at the Spooner Agricultural Research Station of the University of Wisconsin-Madison in cooperation with the Dairy Business Innovation Center. Enrollment was limited to 13 students, but more than 50 applications from throughout the U.S. were received. Students received classroom instruction from scientists, regulatory personnel, and dairy sheep producers and participated in hands-on activities in care of ewes and lambs at lambing, rearing of lambs on milk replacer, and milking. University of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station Animal Science Program gave tours of the Sheep Research Facility to over 500 students from the public schools. The Animal Science Program mentored one graduate and two undergraduate students supported by funds from the USDA-CSREES grant for resident instruction in agriculture in the insular areas (No. 2006-38416-17727). Utah State University continued to demonstrate the importance of molecular genetics to identify genetic regions of economic importance. This research group has shown the importance of SNPs in identifying economically important genetic profiles. Virginia State University continued progress in identifying factors that influence the efficacy of liquid semen AI system for use in hair sheep production systems.

Publications

Cornell University Staiger A., M. L. Thonney, and R. G. Mateescu. 2009. The effect of Rsa1 polymorphism in beta-lactoglobulin gene on milk production in East Friesian sheep. Plant and Animal Genome Meeting, San Diego, CA. Lunsford, A. K., M.L. Thonney, and R.G. Mateescu. 2009. The effect of Mnl1 restriction fragment length polymorphism in the melatonin receptor 1a gene on reproductive seasonality in ewes. Plant and Animal Genome Meeting, San Diego, CA. Gailor, M. E., J. Gavalchin, and M. L. Thonney. 2009. Effect of lamb age on response to immunization. J. Anim. Sci. 87, E-Suppl. 2, p. 381-382. Staiger, E. A., M. L. Thonney, B. W. Buchanan, and R. G. Mateescu. 2009. Association of beta-lactoglobulin and prolactin genes with milk production in East Friesian sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 87, E-Suppl. 2, p. 402. Hein, D. C., M. L. Thonney, D. A. Ross, and D. E. Hogue. 2009. Effect of level of intake on digestibility of NDF in soy hulls. Proc. Cornell Nutr. Conf. 71:61-68. Mateescu, R. and M. L. Thonney. 2009. Genetic markers for milk production. Proc. 15th Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp. 12 -14 November, Albany, NY. pp. 86-93. Thonney, M. L. and D. E. Hogue. 2009. Fermentable fiber for feeding dairy sheep. Proc. 15th Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp. 12 -14 November, Albany, NY. pp. 111-118. Mateescu, R. G. and M.L. Thonney. 2010. Mapping QTL For Aseasonal Reproduction And Milk Production In Sheep. Plant and Animal Genome Meeting, San Diego, CA. Magee, B.H. and M.L. Thonney. 2009. Observations on the effect of adding water to feed to prevent lamb pneumonia. The Shepherd 54:10. E. A. Staiger, M. L. Thonney, J. W. Buchanan, E. R. Rogers, P. A. Oltenacu, and R. G. Mateescu. 2010. Candidate genes for milk production in sheep. J. Dairy Sci. 93:1736-1742. Mateescu, R. G. and M. L. Thonney. 2010. Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci for aseasonal reproduction in sheep. Animal Genetics doi:10.1111/j.1365-2052.2010.02023.x. Mateescu, R. G. and M. L. Thonney. 2010. Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci for milk production in sheep. Animal Genetics doi:10.1111/j.1365-2052.2010.02045.x. Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, USDA Arkansas Burke, J.M., Soli, F., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., Wildeus, S., Shaik, S.A., Getz, W.R., Vanguru, M., 2010. Administration of copper oxide wire particles in a capsule or feed for gastrointestinal nematode control in goats. Vet. Parasitol. 168:346-350. Whitley, N.C., Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., Cazac, D., Jackson-OBrien, D., Dykes, L., Muir, J.P., 2009. Effect of high tannin grain sorghum on gastrointestinal parasite fecal egg counts in goats. Small Ruminant Res. 87, 105-107. Soli, F., Terrill, T.H., Shaik, S.A., Getz, W.R., Miller, J.E., Vanguru, M., Burke, J.M., 2010. Efficacy of copper oxide wire particles against gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep and goats. Vet. Parasitol. 168, 93-96. Terrill, T.H., Dykes, G.S., Shaik, S.A., Miller, J.E., Kouakou, B., Kannan, G., Burke, J.M., Mosjidis, J.A., 2009. Efficacy of sericea lespedeza hay as a natural dewormer in goats: Dose titration study. Vet. Parasitol. 163, 52-56. Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., 2009. Impact of rotational grazing on management of gastrointestinal nematodes in weaned lambs. Vet. Parasitol. 163, 67-72. Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J.A., Terrill, T.H., 2010. Integrated control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) using sericea lespedeza (SL), FAMACHA, and copper oxide wire particles (COWP) in weaned lambs in Arkansas. J. Anim. Sci. 88 (E-Suppl. 3), 31 (Abstr). Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J.A., Terrill, T.H., 2010. Integrated control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) using sericea lespedeza (SL), FAMACHA, and copper oxide wire particles (COWP) in weaned goats in Arkansas. J. Anim. Sci. 88 (E-Suppl. 3), 31 (Abstr). Crook, E.K., OBrien, D.J., Howell, S.B., Storey, B., Whitley, N.C., Schoenian, S., Burke, J.M., Kaplan, R.M., 2010. Anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and goats in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. J. Anim. Sci. 88 (E-Suppl. 3), 12 (Abstr). Whitley, N.C., Terrill, T.H., Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., 2010. Influence of diets containing sericea lespedeza leaf meal on gastrointestinal parasite fecal egg counts in goats. J. Anim. Sci. 88 (E-Suppl. 3), 33 (Abstr). Terrill, T.H., Joshi, B.R., Kommuru, D.S., Mechineni, A., Gujja, S., Kamisetti, N.R., Dzimianski, S., Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J.A., Burke, J.M., 2010 Feeding sericea lespedeza (SL) leaf meal to goats: effect on gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection. J. Anim. Sci. 88 (E-Suppl. 3), 32 (Abstr). Burke, J.M., 2009. Obstacles to organic and grass fed small ruminant production. J. Anim. Sci. 87 (E-Suppl. 2), 344 (Abstr.). Whitley, N.C., Kaplan, R.M., Burke, J.M., Terrill, T.H., Miller, J.E., Getz, W.R., Mobini, S., Valencia, E., William, M.J., 2009. Small ruminant producer gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) management survey. J. Anim. Sci. 87 (E-Suppl. 2), 310 (Abstr.). Fort Valley State University Brown, P., D. Chessman, A. Hubbard and W. R. Getz. 2009. Targeted grazing of Chinese Privet and Japanese Honeysuckle in the Georgia Piedmont. 4th National Grazing Lands Conference. December 13-15. Sparks, NV. Getz, W. R., W. Kimble II, J. Mack and T. Harris. 2009. Comparative postweaning growth among four groups of percentage Dorper and Katahdin wethers. J. Anim. Sci. 87 (E-supplement 2): 480. Gutta, V. R. , G. Kannan, J. H. Lee, B. Kouakou and W. R. Getz. 2009. Influences of short-term pre-slaughter dietary manipulation in sheep and goats in pH and microbial loads of gastrointestinal tract. Small Rumin. Res. 81:21. Louisiana State University Burke, J.M., Wells, A., Casey, P., Miller, J.E., 2009. Garlic and papaya lack control over gastrointestinal nematodes in goats. Vet Parasitol 159, 171-174. Shakya, K.P., Miller, J.E., Horohov, D.W., 2009. A Th2 type of immune response is associated with increased resistance to Haemonchus contortus in naturally infected Gulf Coast Native lambs. Vet Parasitol 163, 57-66. Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., 2009. Impact of rotational grazing on gastrointestinal nematodes in weaned lambs. Vet Parasitol 163, 67-72. Terrill, T.H., Dykes, G.S., Shail, S.A., Miller, J.E., Kouakou, B., Kannan, G., Burke, J.M., Mosjidis, J.A., 2009. Efficacy of sericea lespedeza hay as a natural dewormer in goats: Dose titration study. Vet Parasitol 163, 52-56. Whitley, N.C., Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., Cazac, D., Jackson-OBrien, D., Dykes, L., Muir, J.P., 2009. Effect of high tannin grain sorghum on gastrointestinal parasite fecal egg counts in goats. Small Rumin Res 87, 105-107. Worku, M., Franco, R.A., Miller, J.E., 2009. Evaluation of the activity of plant extracts in Boer goats. Amer J Anim Vet Sci 4, 72-79. Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Wildeus, S., Terrill, T.H., 2009. Administration of copper oxide wire particles as a bolus or in feed for gastrointestinal nematode control in yearling or peri-parturient does. J Anim Sci 87 (E-Supple. 3), 35. Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., 2009. Use of copper oxide wire particles (COWP) to control gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in stressed lambs or kids. J Anim Sci 87 (E-Supple. 3), 34. Wildeus, S., Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., 2009. Effect of copper oxide wire particles as a bolus or in feed on indicators of gastrointestinal parasitism in goat kids of two breeds. J Anim Sci 87 (E-Supple. 3), 35. Luginbuhl, J-M., Miller. J.E, Terrill, T.H., Glennon, H.M., 2009. Evaluation of sericea lespedeza as a summer forage and for helminth control of grazing goats. J Anim Sci 87 (E-Supple. 3), 37. Orlik, S.T., Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., Terrill, T.H., 2009. Effect of copper oxide wire particles incorporated into feed pellets on the peri-parturient rise in ewe fecal egg count. J Anim Sci 87 (E-Supple. 3), 35. Whitley, N.C., Kaplan, R.M., Burke, J.M., Terrill, T.H., Miller, J.E., Getz, W.R., Mobini, S., Valencia, E. Williams, M.J., 2009. Small ruminant producer gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) management survey. J Anim Sci 87 (E-Supple. 2), 310. OBrien, D.J., Matthews, K.K., Miller, J.E., Whitley, N.C., Crook, E.K., Eierman, J.L., 2009. Natural plant anthelmintic fails to reduce internal parasites in meat goat kids. J Anim Sci 87 (E-Supple. 2), 311. South Dakota State University Beck, R. M., A.E. Wertz-Lutz, C.L. Wright, J.E. Held, R.D. Zelinsky, and C.L. Delvauz. 2009. Effects of glycerol and sire breed on growth and carcass traits of finishing wether lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 88 (e-suppl 3) Abstr. 81. Held, J.E. 2009 Lowering Unit Cost of Production. Emerging Issues Task Force: Managing Change in Livestock Production. SD Extension Bulletins ABC2071602 Held, J.E. 2009. Cost of Gain in Feedlot Lambs. Emerging Issues Task Force: Managing Change in Livestock Production. SD Extension Bulletins ABC 2071603 Held, J.E. 2009. Keys in Lamb Crop Management. SE Sheep Producers Forum Viborg, SD April 2, 2009 Held, J.E. 2009. Lamb Growth Efficiency and Optimum Finished Weight. SE Sheep Producers Forum Viborg, SD April 2, 2009. Held, J.E. 2009. South Dakota Lamb Gate to Rail Program. July 6-8, 2009. Held, J.E. 2009. 2009 South Dakota Master Lamb Producer Recognition Program. September 24, 2009. Held, J.E. 2009. Lamb Growth Efficiency and Cost of Gain for Finishing Lambs fed Diets with DDGS. NW Iowa Lamb Feedlot Forum. December 2009 Held, J.E. 2009. Feeding Co-product Feeds to Sheep. NW Iowa Lamb Feedlot Forum. December 2009. Using DDGS in Sheep Diets The Shepherd Magazine - April 2009. SD Master Lamb Producers Honored Tri-State Neighbor -Sioux Falls- October 2009. South Dakota Shearing School Enables Slutten Brothers to Master Shearing Skills Tri-State Neighbor -Sioux Falls SD - December 2009. Selenium in SD History: A Curse or Cure?South Dakota Magazine - January 2010. Perspectives on the South Dakota Shearing School ASI Sheep Industry News- February 2010. Texas A&M University System Agricultural Experiment Station Lupton, C. J., E. S. Campbell, B. S. Engdahl, T. D. Lovett, F. A. Pfeiffer, C. A. Taylor, Jr., D. F. Waldron, and J. W. Walker. 2009. Selecting Angora goats to consume more juniper. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems J. 11:59-64. Waldron, D.F. and C.J. Lupton. 2010. Improvement of sheep through selection of performance-tested and progeny-tested breeding animals. Texas AgriLife Res. San Angelo. Rep. 2010-1. Waldron, D.F. 2010. Sire summary of ram test performance (1995 2010). Texas AgriLife Res. San Angelo. Rep. 2010-2. U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, USDA Nebraska Heaton, M. P., Leymaster, K. A., Kalbfleisch, T. S., Freking, B. A., Smith, T. P. L., Clawson, M. L., and Laegreid, W. W. Ovine reference materials and assays for prion genetic testing. BioMed Central (BMC) Veterinary Res. 6:23 (Provisional PDF 04/30/10). Heaton, M. P., K. A. Leymaster, R. S. Kalbfleisch, B. A. Freking, T. P. Smith, M. L. Clawson, and W. W. Laegreid. 2010. Ovine reference materials and assays for prion genetic testing. Proc. Plant and Animal Genome XVIII. San Diego, CA. Available: http://www.intl-pag.org/18/abstracts (Poster No. P577). U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, USDA Idaho Carlson, D. B., J. J. Reed, P. P. Borowicz, J. B. Taylor, L. P. Reynolds, T. L. Neville, D. A. Redmer, K. A. Vonnahme, and J. S. Caton. 2009. Effects of dietary selenium supply and timing of nutrient restriction during gestation on maternal growth and body composition of pregnant adolescent ewes. J. Anim. Sci. 87:669-680. Herrmann-Hoesing, L. M., L. E. Broughton-Neiswanger, K. C. Gouine, S. N. White, M. R. Mousel, G. S. Lewis, K. L. Marshall, and D. P. Knowles. 2010. Evaluation of a CAEV/MVV indirect ELISA in the serological diagnosis of ovine progressive pneumonia virus in U.S. sheep: gag dissimilarity indicates low sensitivity among U.S. sheep. Clin. Vaccine Immunol. Accepted for Publication on December 5, 2009. Lewis, G. S., W. G. Gavin, A. L. Goetsch, J. B. Taylor, and M. L. Thonney. 2010. Chapter 10: Sheep and Goats, in Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching. 3rd ed. Fed. Anim. Sci. Soc., Savoy, IL. http://www.fass.org/page.asp?pageID=216 Taylor, J. B., C. A. Moffet, and T. D. Leeds. 2009. Body weight changes and subsequent lambing rates of western whiteface ewes grazing winter range. Livest. Sci. 121:339-342. Taylor, J. B., L. P. Reynolds, D. A. Redmer, and J. S. Caton. 2009. Maternal and fetal tissue selenium loads in nulliparous ewes fed supranutritional and excessive selenium during mid- to late pregnancy. J. Anim. Sci. 87:1828-34. White, S. N., M. R. Mousel, J. O. Reynolds, G. S. Lewis, and L. M. Herrmann-Hoesing. 2009. Common promoter deletion is associated with 3.9-fold differential transcription of ovine CCR5 and reduced proviral level of ovine progressive pneumonia virus. Anim. Genet. 40:583-589. White, S. N., K. I. ORourke, T. Gidlewski, K. C. VerCauteren, M. R. Mousel, G. E. Phillips, and T. R. Spraker. 2010. Increased risk of chronic wasting disease in Rocky Mountain elk associated with decreased magnesium and increased manganese in brain tissue. Can. J. Vet. Res. 74:50-53. University of Maryland Schoenian, S. Wild & Woolly (Maryland sheep and goat producer quarterly newsletter. Published at www.sheepandgoat.com/news/main.html. E-mail distribution list: 600. Schoenian, S. Marketing claims for sheep and goat products. Shepherd Magazine. October 2009, 18-21. Schoenian, S. Healthy livestock produce healthy meat: antibiotic use in the sheep, goat, and livestock industry. Shepherd Magazine. November 2009, p. 10-12. Schoenian, S. Diarrhea (scours) in small ruminants. Goat Keeper. June 2009. P 38-40. Schoenian, S. Tips for selling sheep and goats through public livestock auctions. GoatKeeper. August 2009. P. 41-42. Jackson, D.J., Gooden, M.C., Whitely, N.C., and S. Schoenian. (2009) Use of garlic as a potential natural dewormer in small ruminants. J. Anim. Sci. 85 (E-Suppl. 3), 36. University of Wisconsin Madison Iñiguez, L., M. Hilali, D.L. Thomas, and G. Jesry. 2009. Udder measurements and milkproduction in two Awassi sheep genotypes and their crosses. J. Dairy Sci. 92:4613-4620. Mikolayunas-Sandrock, C., L.E. Armentano, D.L. Thomas, and Y.M. Berger. 2009. Effect of protein degradability on milk production of dairy ewes. J. Dairy Sci. 92:4507-4513. Thomas, D.L. 2010. Performance and utilization of Northern European short-tailed breeds of sheep and their crosses in North America: A review. Animal (In Press). Berger, Y.M. 2009. Economics of dairy sheep operations. Proc. 4th Biennial Spooner Dairy Sheep Day, Dept. Animal Sci., Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison. pp. 4-10. Berger, Y.M. 2009. Update on the crossbreeding trial between the Katahdin and Lacaune breeds. Proc. 4th Biennial Spooner Dairy Sheep Day, Dept. Animal Sci., Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison. pp. 43-47. Berger, Y.M. 2009. Economics of dairy sheep operations. Proc. 15th Annual Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp., Albany, New York. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Anim. Sci. pp. 119-125. Mikolayunas, C.M., D.L. Thomas, and Y.M. Berger. 2009. Protein utilization in lactating dairy ewes. Proc. 15th Annual Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp., Albany, New York. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Anim. Sci. pp. 59-77. Notter, D. R., D. L. Thomas, and D. F. Waldron. 2009. Biological and economic consequences of the FecB mutation in the USA. In: Use of the FecB (Booroola) Gene in Sheep-Breeding Programs. S.W. Walkden-Brown, J.H.J. van der Werf, C. Nimbkar and V.S. Gupta (Eds). Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Proceedings 133:152-158. Available online at: http://www.aciar.gov.au/publication/PR133. Sandrock, Claire M., D.L. Thomas, and Y. M. Berger. 2009. Protein utilization in lactating dairy ewes. Proc. 4th Biennial Spooner Dairy Sheep Day, Dept. Animal Sci., Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison. pp. 11-29. Thomas, D.L. and Y.M. Berger. 2009. Effects of prepubertal growth rate of ewe lambs on their subsequent lamb and milk production. Proc. 15th Annual Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp., Albany, New York. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Anim. Sci. pp. 78-85. Thomas, D.L. and Y. M. Berger. 2009. Effects of prepubertal growth rate of ewe lambs on their subsequent lamb and milk production. Proc. 4th Biennial Spooner Dairy Sheep Day, Dept. Animal Sci., Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison. pp. 35-42. Berger, Y, C. Mikolayunas, and D. Thomas. 2010. Guide to raising dairy sheep. University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension. Publication A3896-01. Berger, Y., C. Mikolayunas, and D. Thomas. 2010. Dairy sheep fact sheet. The Shepherd 55(3):28-31. Berger, Y., C. Mikolayunas, and D. Thomas. 2010. Dairy sheep fact sheet. The Banner Sheep Magazine 33(3):164-166. Thomas, D.L. 2010. Useable crossbreeding systems for small and large sheep flocks. The Shepherd 55(4):8-15. University of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station Godfrey, R.W. and A.J. Weis. 2009. The effect of weaning age on lamb growth and ewe productivity in an accelerated lambing system in the tropics. J. Anim. Sci. 87(Suppl. 1):32 Godfrey, R.W., R. C. Ketring, S. S. Robinson and S. T. Willard. 2009. Use of infrared thermal imaging of the muzzle as a measure of body temperature in sheep and cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 87(E-Suppl. 2):550. Utah State University Byrne, K., M. Colgrave, T. Vuocolo, R. Pearson, C. Bidwell, N. Cockett, D. Lynn, J. Waddell and R. Tellam (2009) The imprinted retrotransposon-like gene Peg11 is expressed as a full length protein in skeletal muscle from callipyge sheep. PLoS ONE (accepted). Fleming-Waddell, J.N., G. R. Olbricht, T. M. Taxis, T. Vuocolo, K. Byrne, B. A. Craig, R. L. Tellam, J. D. White, M. K. Neary, N. E. Cockett, and C. A. Bidwell (2009) Differential gene expression during the development of muscle hypertrophy in callipyge sheep. BMC Genomics (accepted). Fleming-Waddell, J.N., G. R. Olbricht, T. M. Taxis, J. D. White, T. Vuocolo, B. A. Craig, R. L. Tellam, M. K. Neary, N. E. Cockett, C. A. Bidwell (2009) Effect of DLK1 and RTL1 but not MEG3 or MEG8 on muscle gene expression in callipyge lambs. PLoS ONE 4:e7399, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0007399. Goldammer, T., R. M. Brunner, A. Rebl, C. H. Wu, K. Nomura, T. Hadfield, C. Gill, B.P. Dalrymple, J. E. Womack and N. E. Cockett (2009) A high-resolution radiation hybrid map of sheep chromosome X and comparison with human and cattle. Cytogenet. Genome Res. 125:40-45. Goldammer, T., R. M. Brunner, A. Rebl, C. H. Wu, K. Nomura, T. Hadfield, J. F. Maddox and N. E. Cockett (2009) Cytogenetic anchoring of radiation hybrid and virtual maps of sheep chromosome X and comparison of X chromosomes in sheep, cattle and human. Chromosome Res. 17:497-506. Goldammer, T., G. P. Di Meo, G. Luhken, C. Drogemuller, C. H. Wu, J. Kijas, B. P. Dalrymple, F. W. Nicholas, J. F. Maddox, L. Iannuzzi, and N. E. Cockett (2009) Molecular cytogenetics and gene mapping in sheep (Ovis aries, 2n=54). Cytogenet. Cell. Genomics 126:63-76. Jann, O.C., A. King, N. Lopez Corrales, S. I. Anderson, K. Jensen, T. Ait-ali, H. Tang, C. Wu, N. E. Cockett and E. J. Glass (2009) Comparative genomics of Toll-like receptor signaling in five species . BMC Genomics 10:216. Kijas, J. W., D. Townley, B. Dalrymple, M. Heaton, J. F. Maddox, P. Wilson, A. McGrath, P. Wilson, R. G. Ingersoll, R. McCylloch, S. McWilliam, D. Tang, N. Cockett, H. Oddy, J. McEwan, F. W. Nicholas, H. Raadsma (2009) A genome wide survey of SNP variation reveals the structure of sheep breeds. PLoS Genetics 4(e):e4668. Wu, C. H., K. Nomura, T. Goldammer, T. Hadfield, B. P. Dalrymple, S. McWilliam, J. Maddox, J. E. Womack and N. E. Cockett (2009) A radiation hybrid comparative map of ovine chromosome 1 aligned to the virtual sheep genome. Anim. Genet. 40:435-455. Byrne, K., T. Vuocolo, C. Gondro, J. White, N. E. Cockett, T. Hadfield, C. A. Bidwell, J. N. Waddell and R. T. Tellam (2010) A gene network switch enhances the oxidative capacity of ovine skeletal muscle during late fetal development. BMC Genomics (accepted). Cockett, N.E. (2010) Reproductive genomics: genome, transcriptome and proteome resources. In: Reproductive Genomics in Domestic Animals. Editors: Z. Jiang and T. Ott. Wiley-Blackwell , Ames, IA (in print). Cockett, N.E., B. P. Dalrymple, J. McEwan, C. Wu, J. Kijas, J. F. Maddox, F. Nicholas, H. Oddy, H. Raadsma, C. Wade, T. Goldammer, A. Archibald and R. Gibbs (2009) Assembly of the ovine whole genome reference sequence. 2009 Gene Nomenclature Across Species. Cambridge, UK. Dalrymple, B. P. and the International Sheep Genome Consortium (2009) Identification of sheep SNPs using Illumina sequencing and design of the sheep 60K Illumina iSelect SNP BeadChip. Proc., Plant and Animal Genome XVII, W083. Hadfield, T. S., J. E. Miller, C. Wu and N. E. Cockett (2009) High-resolution RH mapping of a potential QTL region on sheep chromosome 19 (OAR19). Proc., Plant and Animal Genome XVII, P502. Kijas, J. W. and the International Sheep Genome Consortium (2009) Determining the genetic structure of sheep and the ISGC HapMap experiment. Proc., Plant and Animal Genome XVII, W082. McEwan, J. C. and the International Sheep Genome Consortium (2009) Skim sequencing the sheep genome and SNP discovery using Roche 454 FLX sequencing. Proc., Plant and Animal Genome XVII, W081. Wu, C. H., T. Hadfield, B. P. Dalrymple, S. McWilliam, J. Maddox, K. Nomura, T. Goldammer, and N. E. Cockett (2009) Using the ovine radiation hybrid map to enhance comparisons of the ovine, bovine and human genomes. Proc., Plant and Animal Genome XVII, P496. Wu, C. H., W. Jin, T. S. Hadfield, S. S. Moore, B. P. Dalrymple, J. F. Maddox, J. Kijas, T. Goldammer, and N. E. Cockett (2009) Expanding the ovine radiation hybrid map with loci form the ovine 1.5 K and bovine 3.0 K SNP chips. Proc., Plant and Animal Genome XVII, P497. Kijas, J. and the International Sheep Genome Consortium (2010) The impact of selection on the sheep genome: findings from the ISGC HapMap Experiment. Proc., Plant and Animal Genome XVIII (abstract). Cockett, N.E., J. C. McEwan, B. P. Dalrymple, C. Wu, J. Kijas, J. F. Maddox, H. Oddy, F. Nicholas, H. Raadsma (2010) Recent advances in sheep genomics. Proc., Plant and Animal Genome XVIII (abstract). Hadfield, T., C. Wu and N. E. Cockett (2010) High-resolution RH mapping of QTL regions for parasite resistance in sheep. Proc., Plant and Animal Genome XVIII (abstract). Raadsma, H. and the International Sheep Genome Consortium (2010) Linkage disequilibrium in the sheep genome: Findings from the ISGC HapMap Initiative. Proc., Plant and Animal Genome XVIII (abstract). Wu, C. H., T. Goldammer, S. Moore, T. S. Hadfield, O. C. Jann, J. F. Maddox, B. P. Dalrymple, J. Kijas, J. McEwan, and N. E. Cockett (2010) Constructing a high resolution RH scaffold that contributes to the ovine whole genome assembly. Proc., Plant and Animal Genome XVIII (abstract). Wu, C. H., T. Hadfield, and N. E. Cockett (2010) An RH-anchored parasite resistance QTL map for sheep. Proc., Plant and Animal Genome XVIII (abstract). Virginia State University Burke, J.M., Soli,F., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H. Wildeus, S., Shaik, S.A., Getz, W.R. and Vanguru, M. 2010. Administration of copper oxide wire particles in a capsule or feed for gastrointestinal nematode control in goats. Vet. Parasitol. 168:346-350. Wildeus, S. and Chozu, E.J. 2010. Liquid semen vaginal AI in three hair sheep breeds during the transition to seasonal breeding. Proc. Ann. Meet. South. Sect. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci., p. 34

Impact Statements

The effects of indigestible (INDF) and fermentable (FNDF) portions of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) on feed intake, growth, and efficiency of weaned lambs were quantified so that farmers can balance the animal health advantages of added INDF and FNDF against the reduction in growth rate. Cubicle lambing management was demonstrated as a strategy to reduce shepherding without sacrificing lamb survival. With colleagues at Oklahoma State University, quantitative trait loci that could help farmers identify sheep for aseasonal lambing and milk production have been mapped to the ovine genome.
Scientists at USDA, ARS in Booneville, Arkansas, Louisiana State University, Auburn University, and Fort Valley State University realized the use of dried sericea lespedeza for GIN control. A patent and a USDA, NIFA Small Business grant was awarded for this technology to further develop a marketable product. A USDA, NIFA, Organic Agriculture Research Extension Initiative grant was awarded to examine the use of nonchemical control methods in farming systems. A Southern Region SARE grant was awarded to examine the effect of integrating poultry and sheep production on GIN infection.
Results indicated that the benefit of grazing SL was not achieved until about 4 weeks, so it appears that a 4 week time period is necessary for ewes and lambs to acclimate to consuming SL. Thus, grazing SL appears to be a viable alternative for nematode control for ewes and lambs which should help to conserve and extend the useful life of available anthelmintics.
South Dakota State University sheep research strives to create low input feeding management strategies based on co-product feed ingredient inclusions. Over the past decade application of our research effort with soyhulls and DDGS diets have resulted in cost effective feeding practices for large ewe flocks and economically feasible lamb finishing diet formulations. Using our recommendations thousands of commercial ewes in our region are offered soyhulls or soyhulls/DDGS mixtures ad libitum during late-gestation and lactation resulting in minimal daily labor requirements and greater production efficiency. Our co-product based lamb diet formulations using soyhulls and DDGS have provided sheep producers an economically viable alternative to conventional starch based diets.
Through outreach activities, our work with these co-product feeds in feedlot receiving programs, finishing diets and the ewe flock has been shared with producers, animal nutritional consultants and extension educators. Feeding strategies resulting from the soyhulls and DDGS research has gained application nationally and appeals to international audiences. End-user testimonials on feeding strategies with these co-product ingredients include lower labor cost, reduced unit cost of production, improved animal performance and practical feeding management options.
Texas AgriLife Research conducts range sheep production research to provide information to sheep producers. Knowldege of performance differences between Dorper and Rambouillet ewes will provide producers with information needed to make an informed choice about expected performance of these breeds. The Dorper breed is relatively new to the US and little comparative research with US breeds has been documented.
Seasonal production of sheep has long been recognized as a major obstacle for the U.S. sheep industry. Producers have traditionally used crossbred ewes of Dorset, Finnsheep and Rambouillet breeding to achieve fertility rates averaging from 60 to 70% following breeding in the most challenging months of May and June. We recently documented that Romanov crossbred ewes realized fertility rates of 87 to 89% when exposed during May, regardless of the remaining breed composition (Dorper, Dorset, Katahdin, White Dorper, and Rambouillet). Commercial producers can manage the seasonal constraint of fertility rate and prolificacy by use of Romanov crossbred ewes.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison operates the only dairy sheep production research unit in North America. The research and outreach activities from this unit provide valuable information to the developing dairy sheep industry in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. An example of the growth of the industry is evident in the increased marketings of sheep milk by the Wisconsin Sheep Dairy Cooperative. In 2009, the cooperative marketed approximately 390,000 kg of sheep milk. This is almost 20 times the amount of milk they marketed in their initial year of 1996 and more than double the amount of milk they marketed in 2003.
Based on current feed costs, which includes shipping to the island, weaning lambs at 90 d of age would have a positive impact on the economics of producing hair sheep in the tropics by saving the producer ~ $8/hd. There does not appear to be any impact on ewe weight, but milk production decreases drastically after day 76 and lambs are most likely obtaining a majority of their nutrition from forage at that time.
The genome scan has identified genetic regions that may impact production in two U.S. sheep breeds. The SNP points to a genomic region that may control parasite resistance in sheep.

Date of Annual Report: 07/08/2011

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/05/2011 - 06/08/2011
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2010 - 09/01/2011

Participants

Aaron, Debra (daaron@email.uky.edu) - University of Kentucky
Burke, Joan (joan.burke@ars.usda.gov) - USDA, ARS, Arkansas
Ehrhardt, Richard (ehrhard5@msu.edu) - Michigan State University
Getz, Will (getzw@fvsu.edu) - ASI
Hatfield, Patrick (hatfield@montana.edu) Montana State University
Held, Jeff (Jeffrey.Held@sdstate.edu) - South Dakota State University
Irlbeck, Nancy (Nancy.Irlbeck@colostate.edu) Colorado State University
Leymaster, Kreg (kreg.leymaster@ars.usda.gov) - USDA, ARS, MARC
LeValley, Steve (steve.levalley@colostate.edu)
Lupton, Chris (C_Lupton@tamu.edu) Texas AgriLife Research
Miller, Larry R. (larryrmiller@atlanticbo.net) ASGC
Miller, Jim (jmille1@lsu.edu) - Louisiana State University
Mikolayunas, Claire (mikolayunas@wisc.edu) University of Wisconsin, Madison
Morrical, Dan (morrical@iastate.edu) - Iowa State University
Redden, Reid (reid.redden@ndsu.edu) North Dakota State University
Rodgers, Paul (prodgers2@earthlink.net) - ASI
Schoenian, Susan (sschoen@umd.edu) - University of Maryland
Schauer, Chris (Christopher.schauer@ndsu.edu) North Dakota State University
Slyter, Lowell (lowell_slyter@hotmail.com) SGRJ
Thomas, Dave (dlthomas@wisc.edu) - University of Wisconsin, Madison
Thonney, Michael L. (mlt2@cornell.edu) Cornell University
Thonney, Mike (mlt2@cornell.edu) Cornell University
Walker, John (JWalker@ag.tamu.edu) Texas AgriLife Research
Wildeus, Stephan (swildeus@vsu.edu) - Virginia State University
Zerby, Henry (zerby.8@osu.edu) Ohio State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

Cornell University, New York - Data were collected to quantify at maintenance, and at higher intakes, the effect of level of intake on digestibility of organic matter and NDF in diets with a range of expected digestible NDF. This information will be used to better estimate suggested levels of fermentable NDF for sheep. The effect on lamb mortality and growth rates of pasture lambing ewes from a flock that had only been barn-lambed for generations were quantified. Blood samples were collected twice weekly from mid-February to mid-May 2011 to document estrous cycles and pregnancy of ¼ East Friesian x ¾ Dorset yearling ewes scheduled to lamb in August 2011. These phenotypes will be used to identify DNA markers for ability to lamb aseasonally. The Cornell STAR accelerated lambing system has been shown to be a feasible way of making better use of buildings and equipment and year-round labor. It also increases opportunities to take advantage of optimal times to market lambs. Methods continue to be tested to improve reproductive rates and lamb survival under the system. Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, USDA Arkansas Several long term research projects have been initiated to examine the long term effect of alternatives to chemical dewormers on GIN population, lamb production, and economics of using these technologies. Studies on the integration of FAMACHA, copper oxide wire particles and sericea lespedeza have been published. Louisiana State University This research group continues to demonstrate viable alternative methods for sustainable parasitic nematode control which will benefit sheep production in low input systems. Michigan State University Outreach accomplishments involved initiation and development of several educational programs in 2010 on various topics that limit small ruminant production in the upper Midwest including: Indoor birth management, Pasture birth management, Grazing management and integration of small ruminants into cropping systems, Integrated parasite management, Accelerated production, and Time management issues in small ruminant production. Applied research efforts are on-going in the areas of integrated parasite management, accelerated production, and integration of grazing with cropping systems. A new course was offered for DVM students as a clinical clerkship entitled Small Ruminant Production Medicine. South Dakota State University Our work with co-products, soyhulls and DDGS, has demonstrated these feed ingredients can lower unit cost of production, improve production efficiency and reduce labor requirements in sheep operations. Studies with another co-product, pelleted corn stover, could lead to even greater labor and cost efficiencies for intensively managed sheep. Lamb performance trials with diets formulated with corn stover were conducted in 2010 and ewe gestation feeding trials are planned for 2011. The EAZI-BREED CIDR was equally effective for estrus synchronization using a 6 or 12 d insertion period in seasonally anestrous Polypay sired commercial ewes. Data from this study has been presented at local and regional extension sheep programs, with an invitation to address a national audience at the 2011 Sheep Leadership School. The sheep CIDR has many possible applications to improve labor efficiency, enhance flock reproductive efficiency and add profit margin to the sheep industry. Texas Agrilife Research Texas A & M System A study has been implemented to estimate performance differences between Dorper and Rambouillet ewes. Estimates of breed differences for fertility, number of lambs born, lamb birth weight, lamb weaning weight, and lamb carcass traits were documented from records on ewes from 2 to 7 years of age. The main objective of this study is to evaluate lifetime lamb production from Dorper and Rambouillet ewes. U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, USDA Nebraska Plans are being implemented to increase the number of easy-care sheep for evaluation in a low-input, pasture-lambing production system to about 2,000 head. Flocks of Katahdin and Polypay sheep are being genetically managed to represent contemporary industry germplasm and to serve as industry controls for future research on easy-care breeds at USMARC. An experiment was started to estimate gene action of marker genotypes on ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP) incidence under conditions of natural challenge. University of Maryland The University of Maryland Small Ruminant Extension Program is a leader in teaching integrated parasite management (IPM) techniques, including the FAMACHA© system to sheep and goat producers in Maryland and other states. Since 2004, more than 1,200 producers in twelve states and three provinces have been certified in the use of the FAMACHA© system. Follow-up surveys indicate that more than 90 percent of producers who participate in the training use the FAMACHA© system to help them make deworming decisions. University of the Virgin Islands During the past year the Animal Science Program has given tours of the Sheep Research Facility to over 300 students from the public schools. The Animal Science Program mentored three undergraduate students supported by funds from the USDA-NIFA grant for resident instruction in agriculture in the insular areas (No. 2006-38416-17727). Virginia State University - Work was completed on various components for a liquid semen AI system for use in hair sheep to readily transfer germplasm between small holder farms.

Publications

Cornell University, New York Staiger, E. A., M. L. Thonney, J. W. Buchanan, E. R. Rogers, P. A. Oltenacu, and R. G. Mateescu. 2010. Candidate genes for milk production in sheep. J. Dairy Sci. 93:1736-1742. Mateescu, R. G. and M. L. Thonney. 2010. Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci for aseasonal reproduction in sheep. Animal Genetics 41:454459. Mateescu, R. G. and M. L. Thonney. 2010. Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci for milk production in sheep. Animal Genetics 41:460466. Buchanan, J. W., M. L. Thonney, and R.G. Mateescu. 2010. Effect of to PFKM and TFDP2 gene expression on muscle growth in sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 88, E-Suppl. 2, p. 629. Hein, D. C. and M. L. Thonney. 2010. Effect of level of intake on digestibility of NDF of soybean hull diets in sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 88, E-Suppl. 2, p. 785. Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, USDA - Arkansas Journal Articles: Burke, J.M., Whitley, N.C., Pollard, D.A. J. Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H. Moulton, K.E., 2011. Dose titration of sericea lespedeza leaf meal on Haemonchus contortus infection in lambs and kids. Vet. Parasitol. (In Press). Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., Terrill, T.H., Kearney, M.T., 2011. A comparison of two integrated approaches of controlling nematode parasites in small ruminants. Vet. Parasitol. (In Press; doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.01.003). Joshi, B.R., Kommuru, D.S., Terrill, T.H., Mosjisis J.A., Burke, J.M., Shakya, K.P., Miller, J.E., 2011. Responses of Sericea lespedeza feeding in goats experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus. Vet. Parasitol. (In Press). Burke, J.M., Orlik, S., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., Mosjidis, J.A., 2010. Using copper oxide wire particles or sericea lespedeza to prevent a peri-parturient gastrointestinal nematode infection in sheep and goats. Livestock Science 132, 13-18. Burke, J.M., Soli, F., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., Wildeus, S., Shaik, S.A., Getz, W.R., Vanguru, M., 2010. Administration of copper oxide wire particles in a capsule or feed for gastrointestinal nematode control in goats. Vet. Parasitol. 168:346-350. Soli, F., Terrill, T.H., Shaik, S.A., Getz, W.R., Miller, J.E., Vanguru, M., Burke, J.M., 2010. Efficacy of copper oxide wire particles against gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep and goats. Vet. Parasitol. 168, 93-96. Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., 2011. Influence of season of lambing on gastrointestinal nematode infection of lambs. J Anim Sci 89 (Suppl. 3), (Abstr). Burke, J.M., Mosjidis, J.A., Miller, J.E., Casey, P., Terrill, T.H., 2011. Sunn hemp with chicory or pearl millet to minimize gastrointestinal nematode infection in weaned goats. J Anim Sci 89 (Suppl. 3), (Abstr). Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., Garza, J., Terrill, T.H., Callahan, S., 2011. Comparison of copper oxide wire particles, copper sulfate and anthelmintic treatment for controlling gastrointestinal nematode infection in lambs. J Anim Sci 89 (Suppl. 3), (Abstr). Kommuru, D.S., Terrill, T.H., Joshi, B.R., Mechineni, A., Gujja, S., Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J.A., Burke, J.M., 2011. Effect of feeding sericea lespedeza leaf meal on establishment of gastrointestinal nematode larvae in goats. J Anim Sci 89 (Suppl. 3), (Abstr). Gujja, S., Terrill, T.H., Mosjidis, J.A., Miller, J.E., Mechineni, A., Kommuru, D.S., Burke, J.M., 2011. Effect of supplemental sericea lespedeza leaf meal pellets on gastrointestinal nematode infection in grazing goats. A.R.D. Whitley, N., Perdue, M., Schoenian, S., Kaplan, R., Storey, B., Terrill, T., Burke, J., Mobini, S., Miller, J., 2011. Impact of Small Ruminant Integrated Parasite Management and FAMACHA© Training in the United States. J Anim Sci 89 (Suppl. 3), (Abstr). Vest, J.L., Brown, M.A., Kohler, J.D., Hudson, M.D., Nusz, S.R., Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Mackown, C.T., Walker, E.L., 2011. Effects of feeding sericea lespedeza as a natural anthelmintic for Haemonchus contortus in lactating does. J. Anim. Sci. 89 (Abstr.). Reyes Herrera1, I., Donoghue, A.M., Moyle, J.R., Goodwin, H.L., Burke, J.M., Burner, D., Raper, R., Fanatico, A.C., Gekara, O., Kuepper, G., Wells, A., Spencer, T., Hale, M., Donoghue, D.J., 2011. Development of a comprehensive and integrated educational program for beginning farmers and ranchers. Moyle, J.R., Donoghue, A.M., Reyes Herrera, I., H.L. Goodwin, H.L., Burke, J.M., Burner, D., Raper, R., Fanatico, A.C., Gekara, O., Kuepper, G., Wells, A., Spencer, T., Hale, M., Donoghue, D.J., 2011. Opportunities for veterans in agriculture: Development of an integrated educational and training program for new farmers and ranchers. Whitley, N.C., Terrill, T.H., Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., Moulton, K., Townsend, L., Horton, J.R., French, J., Cooper, A.K., 2011. Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) leaf meal pellets fed to gastrointestinal nematode infected goats. J. Anim. Sci. 89 (Abstr.). Louisiana State University Soli, F., Terrill, T.H., Shaik, S.A., Getz, W.R., Miller, J.E., Vanguru, M., Burke, J.M., 2010. Efficacy of copper oxide wire particles against gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep and goats. Vet Parasitol 168, 93-96. Burke, J.M., Soli, F., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., Wildeus, S., Shaik, S.A., Getz, W.R., Vanguru, M., 2010. Administration of copper oxide wire particles in a capsule or feed for gastrointestinal nematode control in goats. Vet Parasitol 168, 346-350. Burke, J.M., Orlik, S., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., Mosjidis, J.A., 2010. Using copper oxide wire particles or sericea lespedeza to prevent a peri-parturient gastrointestinal nematode infection in sheep and goats. Livestock Sci 132, 13-18. Miller, J.E., Olcott, B.M., Bath, G.F., 2010. Infectious and parasitic diseases. In: S. Solaiman (Ed.), Goat Science and Production, Wiley-Blackwell, Ames, IA: 217-240. Hadfield, T.S., Miller, J.E., Wu, C., Cockett, N.E., 2010. High-resolution RH mapping of QTL regions for parasite resistance in sheep. Proc XVIII Conf Plant and Animal Genome: 217. Miller, J.E., De la Garza, C., Martins, M., 2010. Evaluation of the effectiveness of copper oxide wire particles vs. copper sulfate for Haemonchus contortus control in grazing lambs. Proc USDA SCC-81, 21-22. Miller, J.E., Ming, L., Burke, J.M. Terrill, T.H., 2010. Evaluation of the effectiveness of grazing sericea lespedeza as a deworming paddock against Haemonchus contortus infection in lambs. Proc USDA SCC-81, 22-23. Cockett, N., Hadfield, T., Miller, J., McCulloch, R., Kijas, J., 2010. Genetic diversity and selection within Rambouillet and Gulf Coast Native breeds. Proc 32nd Inter Conf for Anim Genet: Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., 2010. Grazing sericea lespedeza for controlling natural nematode infection in ewes and lambs. Proc USDA NCERA-214, 50-52. Burke, J.M., Morgan, J., Notter, D., Miller, J.E., 2010. Examining the relationship of fecal egg counts of ewes during the peri-parturient period and their offspring. Proc USDA NCERA-214, 46-47. Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., 2010. Influence of season of lambing on gastrointestinal nematode infection. Proc USDA NCERA-214, 47-49. Cockett., N., Hadfield, T., Miller, J., McCulloch, R., Kijas, J., 2010. Genetic Diversity and Selection within Rambouillet and Gulf Coast Native Breeds. Proc USDA NCERA-214, 56. Hadfield, T.S., Miller, J.E., Wu, C., Kijas, J., Cockett, N.E., 2010. The Use of a High-density SNP Array for Identifying Genetic Regions Controlling Parasite Resistance in Sheep. Proc USDA NCERA-214, 56. Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., Burke, J.M., Mosjidis, J.A., Whitley, N.C., 2010. Dose titration effect of sericea lespedeza feed pellets on gastrointestinal nematode infection in lambs. Proc 55th Ann Meet Amer Assoc Vet Parasitol: 45. Luginbuhl, J.-M., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., Glennon, H.M., 2010. Evaluation of sericea lespedeza as a summer forage and natural parasite control for grazing goats. J Anim Sci 88 (E-Supple. 3), 31. Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J.A., Terrill, T.H., 2010. Integrated control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) using sericea lespedeza (SL), FAMACHA, and copper oxide wire particles (COWP) in weaned goats in Arkansas. J Anim Sci 88 (E-Supple. 3), 31. Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J.A., Terrill, T.H., 2010. Integrated control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) using sericea lespedeza (SL), FAMACHA, and copper oxide wire particles (COWP) in weaned lambs in Arkansas. J Anim Sci 88 (E-Supple. 3), 31-32. Terrill, T.H., Joshi, B.R., Kommuru1, D.S., Mechineni, A., Gujja, S., Kamisetti, N.R., Dzimianski, S.L., Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J.A., Burke, J.M., 2010. Feeding sericea lespedeza leaf meal to goats: effect on gastrointestinal nematode infection. J Anim Sci 88 (E-Supple. 3), 32. Whitley, N.C., Terrill, T.H., Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., 2010. Influence of diets containing sericea lespedeza leaf meal on gastrointestinal parasite fecal egg counts in goats. J Anim Sci 88 (E-Supple. 3), 33. Michigan State University Ehrhardt, R.A. 2010. Critical Control Points for Lamb Survival. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Sheep Seminars: Keeping lambs alive. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2010. Optimizing Maternal Nutrition to Reduce Loss at Birth. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Sheep Seminars: Keeping lambs alive. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2010. Ensure that your grass is greener integrate composting into your grazing operation. Michigan Farmer Magazine, July issue. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2010. Grazing lambs-key considerations for successful weaning. Michigan Shepherd News Ehrhardt, R.A. 2010. Parasite management in sheep: Part 1. Why current practices are failing and new directions for improvement. Michigan Shepherd News Ehrhardt, R.A. 2010. Dietary vitamin E supplementation: An inexpensive preventative health strategy for sheep. Michigan Shepherd News Ehrhardt, R.A. 2010. Is out of season lamb production a practice to consider for your flock? Part 3: Nutritional management of the high performance accelerated flock. Michigan Shepherd News Ehrhardt, R.A. 2009. Winter Grazing-an underutilized opportunity for sheep producers. Hay and Grazier, MI forage council Ehrhardt, R.A. 2009. Is out of season lamb production a practice to consider for your flock? Part 2: Resources required for a successful accelerated production program. Michigan Shepherd News Ehrhardt, R.A. 2009. Is out of season lamb production a practice to consider for your flock? Part 1. Introduction to out of season lamb production models and factors important in overcoming the seasonal constraint on fertility. Michigan Shepherd News Ehrhardt, R.A. 2009. What size sheep should I raise?-Understanding the relationship between mature size and body composition can improve whole flock efficiency and lamb quality. Michigan Shepherd News Ehrhardt, R.A. 2009. The ram effect: Overview and considerations of how it many improve sheep management. Michigan Shepherd News Ehrhardt, R.A. 2009. Winter Grazing-an underutilized opportunity for sheep producers. Michigan Hay and Grazier, Fall issue. Foskolos A.F., S. Hileman, A. Gertler, R.A. Ehrhardt and Y.R Boisclair. 2011. The role of central leptin signaling in orchestrating peripheral metabolic adaptations in mature sheep. (accepted and invited for oral presentation at: Oskar Kellner Symposium: Metabolic Flexibility in Animal and Human Nutrition; Warnemunde, Germany) North Dakota State University Jackson, C. G., T. L. Neville, C. R. Dahlen, and R. R. Redden. 2011. Estrus synchronization in sheep using gonadotropin-releasing hormone, prostaglandin, and controlled internal drug release inserts. Proc. West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 62: Redden, R.R., L. M. M. Surber, B. L. Roeder, and R. W. Kott. 2011. Residual feed intake does not predict efficiency of limit-fed ewe lambs. N. Dak. Sheep Res. Report 52; 3-6. South Dakota State University Beck, R. M., A.E. Wertz-Lutz, C.L. Wright, J.E. Held, R.D. Zelinsky, and C.L. Delvauz. 2010. Effects of glycerol and sire breed on growth and carcass traits of finishing wether lambs. J. Anim. Sci.. 88 (e-supple 3) Abstr. 81. Walker, J. A., G.A. Perry, R. Salverson, P. Nester, C.S. Schauer, J.E. Held and K.C. Olson. 2011. Evaluating glycerin supplementation on reproductive performance of sheep. Proc, Western Section, ASAS. Beck, R. M., A. E. Wetz-Lutz, C. L. Wright, J. E. Held, R. D. Zelinsky, and C. L. Delvaux. 2010. Effects of glycerol and sire breed on growth and carcass traits of finishing wether lambs. 2010 Proc. of NCERA-190 Coordinating Committee. Held, J.E. 2010. SDSU Sheep Extension Programming and Producer Commitment. SD BOR Taylor, G. 2010. Economic Impact of Livestock Sheep (Co-author) SD Dept. of Ag. Bulletin Held, J.E. 2010. Hampshire Task Force: Evaluating the breed infrastructure and future opportunities. AHSA Board of Directors and Committee Members Held, J.E. 2010. Sheep Industry Outlook. Tri-State Livestock News Held, J.E. 2010. Sheep production in an era of higher flock feed cost. Indian Head Sheep Breeders Winter Clinic. Barron, WI. Held, J.E. 2010. Growth performance and feed efficiency of finishing lambs fed co-product based diets. Indian Head Sheep Breeders Winter Clinic. Barron, WI. Held, J.E. 2010. Innovations in the sheep industry to improve labor efficiency. Indian Head Sheep Breeders Winter Clinic. Barron, WI. Held, J.E. 2010. Improving Lamb Growth Efficiency and Lowering Cost of Gain in Finishing Lambs are Keys to Profitable Sheep Production. Indian Head Sheep Breeders Winter Clinic. Barron, WI. Held, J.E. 2010. AHSA Task Force Final Summary. American Hampshire Sheep Association Annual Board Meeting, Louisville, KY. Held, J.E. 2011. Using the sheep CIDR to manage flock reproduction. Pipestone Lamb and Wool Lambing Time Shortcourse. Pipestone, MN. Texas A&M University System Agricultural Experiment Station Campbell, E. J., R. A. Frost, T. K. Mosley, J. C. Mosley, C. J. Lupton, C. A. Taylor, Jr., J. W. Walker, D. F. Waldron, and J. Musser. Pharmacokinetic differences in exposure to camphor after intraruminal dosing in selectively bred lines of goats. J Anim Sci 2010 88: 2620-2626. Blackburn, H. D., S. R. Paiva, S. Wildeus, W. Getz, D. Waldron, R. Stobart, D. Bixby, P. H. Purdy, C. Welsh, S. Spiller and M. Brown. Genetic Structure and Diversity among U. S. Sheep Breeds: Identification of the Major Gene Pools. J. Anim. Sci. doi:10.2527/jas.2010-3354. Texas AgriLife Waldron, D.F. and C.J. Lupton. 2011 Improvement of sheep through selection of performance-tested and progeny-tested breeding animals. Texas AgriLife Res. San Angelo. Rep. 2011-1. Waldron, D.F. 2010. Sire summary of ram test performance (1995 2011). Texas AgriLife Res. San Angelo. Rep. 2011-2. U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, USDA Nebraska Heaton, M. P., Leymaster, K. A., Kalbfleisch, T. S., Freking, B. A., Smith, T. P. L., Clawson, M. L., and Laegreid, W. W. Ovine reference materials and assays for prion genetic testing. BMC Veterinary Research (serial online) 6:23 (17 pages). Available: http:/www.biomedcentral.com/1746-6148/6/23. University of Maryland Whitley, N.C., Luginbuhl, J.M., Schoenian, S., and M. Worku. (2010). Survey of North Carolina small ruminant practices after parasite training. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 88, (E-Suppl. 3), 35. Perdue, M.A., Whitley, N.C., Schoenian, S., and D.J. OBrien. (2010). Impact evaluation of integrated parasite management training conducted in the Northeast U.S. over a two year period. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 88, (E-Suppl. 3), 35. N.C. Whitley, Perdue, M., Schoenian, S., Kaplan, R., Storey, B., Terrill, T., Burke, J., Mobini, S. and J. Miller (2011). Small ruminant integrated parasite management and FAMACHA© training in the United States. Abstracts. American Society of Animal Science Southern Section. 15. Schoenian, S.G., Bennett, M.B., Escobar, E.N., Gordon, D.L., Semler, J.W., and M.S. Updike. (2011). Carcass characteristics of pasture-raised goats. Abstracts. American Society of Animal Science Southern Section. 32. Schoenian, S. 2011. Sheep Diseases A-Z. The Shepherd. 55 (2):6-15. Schoenian, S. 2011. Late gestation in ewes and does. 14(1):11-13. University of the Virgin Islands Weiss S.A., J.P. Muir and R.W. Godfrey. 2010. Coral vine consumption by St. Croix White hair lambs. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Volume 22, Article #97. Retrieved July 6, 2010, from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd22/5/weis22097.htm Godfrey, R.W., L. Larson, A.J. Weis and S.T. Willard. 2010. Evaluation of ultrasonography to measure fetal size and heart rate as predictors of fetal age in hair sheep. Sheep & Goat Research Journal 25: 60-65. Godfrey, R.W., R.E. Dodson and R.C. Ketring. 2010. Production traits of St. Croix and Dorper x St. Croix White ewes in an accelerated lambing system in the tropics. Advances in Animal Bioisciences. 1(part 2):386-387. Godfrey, R. W. and K. Facison. 2010. Milk production and lamb growth of hair sheep weaned at 63 or 90 d of age in an accelerated lambing system in the tropics. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 88(E-Suppl. 2):304. University of Wisconsin - Madison Mikolayunas, C., D.L. Thomas, L.E. Armentano, and Y.M. Berger. 2010. Effect of rumen undegradable protein supplementation and fresh forage composition on nitrogen utilization of dairy ewes. J. Dairy Sci. 94:416-425. Spanu, C., Y.M. Berger, Y.M., D.L. Thomas, and P.L. Ruegg. 2010. Impact of intramammary antimicrobial dry treatment and teat sanitation on somatic cell count in dairy ewes. Small Rumin. Res. (In Press). Thomas, D.L. 2010. Performance and utilization of Northern European Short-Tailed breeds of sheep and their crosses in North America: A review. Animal 4:1283-1296. Thomas, D. L. 2011. Sheep: Replacement Management. In: Fuquay, J. W., P. F. Fox, and P. L. H. McSweeney (eds.). Encyclopedia of Dairy Sciences, Second Edition, vol. 2, pp. 882-886. Academic Press, San Diego, California. Mikolayunas, C. 2010. Dairy sheep feeding 101. Proc. 16th Annual Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp., Eau Claire, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Anim. Sci. pp. 12-16. Mikolayunas, C. 2010. Sire referencing program. Proc. 16th Annual Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp., Eau Claire, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Anim. Sci. pp. 67-70. Thomas, D.L. 2010. Genetics of lamb survival. Proc. of Profitable Flock Expansion Seminars, Keeping Lambs Alive Optimizing Lamb Survival and Prospects for Profit. Atwood and Napanee, Ontario, Canada. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. pp. 43-53. Thomas, D.L. and Y.M. Berger. 2010. Milk recording and genetic improvement. Proc. 16th Annual Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp., Eau Claire, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Anim. Sci. pp. 56-66. Thomas, D.L. and Y.M. Berger. 2010. Effects of prepubertal growth rate of dairy ewe lambs on their subsequent lamb and milk production. J. Anim. Sci. 88 (E-Suppl. 2), J. Dairy Sci. 93 (E-Suppl. 1), and Poult. Sci. 89 (E-Suppl. 1):304. (Accessed at: http://adsa.psa.ampa.csas.asas.org/meetings/2010/abstracts/0303.pdf). Thomas, D.L. 2010. Where, when, and at what weight should I sell my lambs? Proc. 54th Biennial Spooner Sheep Day, Dept. Animal Sci., Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison. pp. 12-17. Virginia State University Ogejo, J.A., Wildeus, S., Knight, P. and Wilke, R.B. 2010. Estimating goat and sheep manure production and their nutrient contribution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Appl. Eng. Agric., 26:1061-1065 Blackburn, H.D., Paiva, S.R., Wildeus, S., Getz, W., Waldron, D., Stobart, R., Bixby, D., Purdy, P.H. Welsh, C., Spiller, S., and Brown, M. 2011. Genetic structure and diversity among U.S. sheep breeds: Identification of major gene pools. J. Anim. Sci. doi.102527/jas.2010-3354. Wildeus. S. and Stein, R. A. 2010. Feeding behavior of intact yearling hair sheep and meat goat males pen-fed in single and mixed-species groups. J. Anim. Sci., 88, E-Suppl. 2: 455 Wildeus, S. and Chozu, E.J. 2011. Performance of two breeds of lactating hair sheep ewes fed rumen by-pass fat following winter lambing. Proc. Ann. Meet. South. Sect. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci., p. 33 Clary, A.P., Chozu, E.J., Wildeus, S., and Zeng, S.S. 2011. Effect of rumen by-pass fat supplementation on milk composition of hair sheep ewes. Proc. 16th Biennial Research Symposium, Assoc. Res. Dir., p. 133-134. Hagens, B., Scharz, J.G., Whitley, N.C., Wilson, M., Luchansky, J., Wildeus, S., Kim, C., Ettinger, M., and Pao, S. 2011. The impact of wild birds and farm management on Campylobacter and Salmonella in small ruminants. Proc. 16th Biennial Research Symposium, Assoc. Res. Dir., p. 75-76. Szabo, S.D., Chozu, E.J., and Wildeus, S. 2011. Effect of shipping environment and extender composition on motility of liquid stored ram semen. Proc. 16th Biennial Research Symposium, Assoc. Res. Dir., p. 172-173. Wildeus, S. and Zajac, A.M. 2011. Species differences in strongylid parasite egg counts in co-grazed hair sheep and goats. Proc. 16th Biennial Research Symposium, Assoc. Res. Dir., p. 195-196.

Impact Statements

Cornell University, New York - The effects of indigestible (INDF) and fermentable (FNDF) portions of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) on digestibility by weaned lambs and mature ewes were quantified so that farmers can balance the animal health advantages of added FNDF against the reduction in growth rate and feed efficiency. Pasture lambing was shown to have the same lamb mortality as barn lambing for ewes from a flock that had not pasture-lambed for generations.
South Dakota State University - Over 50 sheep producers attended the 10th annual SDSU Regional Sheep Forum at the SDSU Sheep Unit Brookings, SD. Survey results indicated many new producers, and 50 % of the producers were attending their first forum. Producers were from SD, MN and IA with more than 6,800 commercial stock ewes represented in the audience. The theme was Keys to Success at Lambing Time. Presentations focused on improving animal reproductive efficiency and reducing labor requirements during the lambing season. A key topic discussed was ewe synchronization using the sheep EAZI-BREED CIDR. Utilizing the recently approved sheep EAZI-BREED CIDR to synchronize the breeding period for seasonally anestrous ewes in fall and traditional winter-spring lambing systems would reduce lambing period labor requirements by 50% or 2 hrs per ewe annually.
Louisiana State University - Results indicated that under the conditions of this study, there may not be much of a benefit of supplementing grazing lambs with a 75% SL pellet at 25-40% total intake.
Michigan State University Michigan State University outreach efforts have focused on providing producers with educational programs and demonstrations on how to improve production efficiency. These efforts included programs on: reducing feed costs through improved grazing management and extending the grazing season; reducing labor with streamlined approaches to both indoor and pasture birth management; improving animal health and productivity with an integrated approach to parasite management; and improving seasonal supply, production per ewe and reducing maintenance cost with accelerated production. Enrollment in accelerated production went from 0 to 4820 ewes (10 farms) in Michigan in one year as a result of these programs.
North Dakota State University - Following the 5 day label recommendation of recently approved sheep CIDRs does not adequately synchronize estrus without additional exogenous hormones. Sheep producers should not use feed efficiency traits determined on self-feeders to predict gain efficiency of ewes when fed at maintenance.
Texas Agrilife Research, Texas A&M System - Texas AgriLife Research conducts range sheep production research to provide information to sheep producers. Knowldege of performance differences between Dorper and Rambouillet ewes will provide producers with information needed to make an informed choice about expected performance of these breeds. The Dorper breed is relatively new to the US and little comparative research with US breeds has been documented.
U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, USDA, Nebraska - Highly productive crossbred ewes can be produced by using either rams or ewes of prolific breeds. If prolific ewes are used, then lambs are often born in litters of three or four, which generally require more care. If rams of prolific breeds are mated to ewes of common breeds, then lambs are typically born as singles and twins, requiring little intervention. The first approach requires fewer prolific ewes to produce a given number of crossbred daughters than the second approach. Experimental results documented that crossbred ewes produced by both methods were similar in productivity and, therefore, producers should use the system that is most convenient for their situation.
University of Maryland - The University of Maryland Small Ruminant Extension Program strives to be a leader in using internet technologies to disseminate researched-based knowledge to sheep and goat producers. The Maryland web sites have excellent recognition and use, as demonstrated by their high Google" presence.
University of the Virgin Islands - OBJ 1 Impact Statement - Based on current feed costs, which includes shipping to the island, weaning lambs at 120 d of age would have a positive impact on the economics of producing hair sheep in the tropics by saving the producer ~ $11/hd. OBJ 4 Impact Statement - Producers in the USVI will be able to take advantage of the increased size and growth traits found in the Dorper crossbreds without impairing the overall productivity of their flocks.
South Dakota State University - Over 50 sheep producers attended the 10th annual SDSU Regional Sheep Forum at the SDSU Sheep Unit Brookings, SD. Survey results indicated many new producers, and 50 % of the producers were attending their first forum. Producers were from SD, MN and IA with more than 6,800 commercial stock ewes represented in the audience. The theme was Keys to Success at Lambing Time. Presentations focused on improving animal reproductive efficiency and reducing labor requirements during the lambing season. A key topic discussed was ewe synchronization using the sheep EAZI-BREED CIDR. Utilizing the recently approved sheep EAZI-BREED CIDR to synchronize the breeding period for seasonally anestrous ewes in fall and traditional winter-spring lambing systems would reduce lambing period labor requirements by 50% or 2 hrs per ewe annually.
Virginia State University - Gastrointestinal parasites are a major constraint to sheep production in the southeastern U.S. Incorporated juniper meal leaf to be into diets may have potential towards controlling nematode parasites in lambs
University of Wisconsin, Madison - The University of Wisconsin-Madison operates the only dairy sheep production research unit in North America. The research and outreach activities from this unit provide valuable information to the developing dairy sheep industry in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. An example of the growth of the industry is evident in the increased marketing of sheep milk by the Wisconsin Sheep Dairy Cooperative. In 2010, the cooperative marketed approximately 495,000 kg of sheep milk. This is 24 times the amount of milk they marketed in their initial year of 1996 and more than 2.5 times the amount of milk they marketed in 2003. In March 2011, the second 4.5-day intensive Dairy Sheep School was held at the Spooner Agricultural Research Station of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Date of Annual Report: 10/12/2012

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 07/26/2012 - 07/27/2012
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2011 - 09/01/2012

Participants

Aaron, Debra (daaron@email.uky.edu) - University of Kentucky; Burke, Joan (joan.burke@ars.usda.gov) - USDA, ARS, Arkansas; Ehrhardt, Richard (ehrhard5@msu.edu) - Michigan State University; Ely, Don (dely@uky.edu) University of Kentucky; Getz, Will (getzw@fvsu.edu) - ASI; Held, Jeff (Jeffrey.Held@sdstate.edu) - South Dakota State University; Inskeep, Keith (einskeep@wvu.edu) West Virginia State University; Leymaster, Kreg (kreg.leymaster@ars.usda.gov) - USDA, ARS, MARC; Miller, Jim (jmille1@lsu.edu) - Louisiana State University; Morrical, Dan (morrical@iastate.edu) - Iowa State University; Morgan, Jim (jlmm@earthlink.net) - NSIP; Notter, Dave (drnotte@vt.edu) - Virginia Tech; Redden, Reid (reid.redden@ndsu.edu) North Dakota State University; Rodgers, Paul (prodgers2@earthlink.net) - ASI; Petersson, Katherine (kpetersson@uri.edu) University of Rhode Island; Orwick, Peter (porwick@sheepusa.org) - ASI; Slyter, Lowell (lowell_slyter@hotmail.com) SGRJ; Thomas, Dave (dlthomas@wisc.edu) - University of Wisconsin, Madison; Thonney, Michael L. (mlt2@cornell.edu) Cornell University; Villalba, Juan (juan.villalba@usu.edu) Utah State University; Waldron, Dan (d-waldron@tamu.edu) Texas A&M

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

Cornell University New York The effect on lamb mortality and growth rates of pasture lambing ewes from a flock that had only been barn-lambed for generations continue to be quantified. Reproduction records continue to be recorded from ¼ East Friesian x ¾ Dorset yearling ewes that first lambed in August 2011. These phenotypes will be used to identify DNA markers for ability to lamb aseasonally. The Cornell STAR accelerated lambing system has been shown to be a feasible way of making better use of buildings and equipment and year-round labor. It also increases opportunities to take advantage of optimal times to market lambs. Methods continue to be tested to improve reproductive rates and lamb survival under the system. Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, USDA, Arkansas Several long-term research projects have been initiated to examine the long term effect of alternatives to chemical dewormers on GIN population, lamb production, and economics of using these technologies. Studies on the integration of FAMACHA, copper oxide wire particles and sericea lespedeza have been published. Louisiana State University This research group continues to demonstrate viable alternative methods for sustainable parasitic nematode control which will benefit sheep production in low input systems. Michigan State University Outreach accomplishments involved the presentation of programs with proceedings/manuals on birth management, parasite management and grazing management. Applied research efforts included projects to document anthelmintic efficacy and infection dynamics in large commercial sheep flocks and to determine the feasibility and benefits of cover crop grazing. Current applied research efforts include complimentary forage crop research, out of season breeding field studies, biological control of gastrointestinal nematode infection in grazing lambs, and the development and assessment of integrated parasite management plans. Courses were offered as a clinical clerkship to DVM students on small ruminant production medicine and to undergraduate students on sheep production. International outreach activities included mentorship of visiting Fullbright scholars from Iraq and presentation of small ruminant management and health program via distance learning to Iraqi producers and DVMs. University of Rhode Island This research and outreach program continues to educate small ruminant producers in best management practices for parasite control and investigate more sustainable alternatives to chemical dewormers. South Dakota State University Our work with co-products, soyhulls and DDGS, has demonstrated these feed ingredients can lower unit cost of production, improve production efficiency and reduce labor requirements in sheep operations. Studies with another co-product, pelleted corn stover, could lead to even greater labor and cost efficiencies for intensively managed sheep. Studies with pelleted corn stover inclusion into lamb and ewe diet formulations at SDSU have shown excellent palatability and performance. This ingredient has the potential to reduce traditional forage needs by 20% in intensive farm flock systems. The EAZI-BREED CIDR was equally effective for estrus synchronization using a 6 or 12 d insertion period in seasonally anestrous Polypay sired commercial ewes. Data from this study has been presented at local and regional extension sheep programs, and presented to a national audience at the 2011 Sheep Leadership School. The sheep CIDR has many possible applications to improve labor efficiency, enhance flock reproductive efficiency and add profit margin to the sheep industry. Launching the sheepSD program will provide a learning community environment between extension personnel and producers across the state of South Dakota. Dave Ollila, Sheep Extension Field Specialist is coordinating the program from his location in western South Dakota. Texas Agrilife Research, Texas A&M System A study has been implemented to estimate performance differences between Dorper and Rambouillet ewes. Estimates of breed differences for fertility, number of lambs born, lamb birth weight, lamb weaning weight, and lamb carcass traits were documented from records on ewes from 2 to 9 years of age. The main objective of this study is to evaluate lifetime lamb production from Dorper and Rambouillet ewes. U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, USDA-ARS, Nebraska Easycare ram lambs are genotyped for TMEM154 and genotypes are used to supplement selection of rams to decrease the prevalence of OPP. Flocks of Katahdin and Polypay sheep are being genetically managed to represent contemporary industry germplasm and to serve as industry controls for future research on easy-care breeds at USMARC. Three experiments were started to estimate gene action of TMEM154 haplotypes on ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP) incidence under conditions of natural challenge. U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, USDA-ARS, Idaho Two additional years of data for puberty and 1 additional year of data for 2-year-old ewe lambing performance have been collected. Analyses of 5 consecutive years of puberty data (i.e., records for H 900 Targhee ewe lambs) are underway. Data from 2000 through 2012 are being compiled and edited to calculate EBV needed to begin quantifying relationships among age at puberty of Targhee ewe lambs, ability of Targhee ewes to lamb at 1 year of age, and scrotal circumference of Targhee ram lambs from weaning until H 8 month of age, and to quantify the response to EBV-based selection strategies on the ability of ewes to lamb at 1 year of age. Presentations: American Sheep Industry Association Convention; Idaho Wool Growers Association Convention; Utah Wool Growers Association Summer Meeting; Northeast Wyoming Sheep Symposium; Utah State University sheep production class; Four groups of veterinary students from 5 universities during lambing-season externships; 1 elementary school group; Interviews for at least 4 news or magazine articles. Virginia State University A rotational grazing system with both warm and cool season pastures was established to evaluate the growth performance and fitness (parasite resistance) in land race hair sheep breeds fed pasture year round.

Publications

Cornell University New York Buchanan J.W., E.A Staiger., M.L. Thonney, and R.G.Mateescu. 2011. Evaluation of PFKM, TFDP2, and HIP2 gene expression and muscle growth in sheep. J. Anim. Sci. Adv. 1:85-88. Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, USDA, Arkansas Moyle, J.R., Burke, J.M., Fanatico, A., Spencer, T., Arsi, K., Reyes-Herrera, I., Donoghue, D.J., Wooming, A., Mosjidis, J.A., Donoghue, A.M., 2012. Palatability of tannin-rich sericea lespedeza fed to broilers. J. Appl. Poultry Res. (In Press). Burner, D.M., Burke, J.M., 2011. Survival of bristly locust (Robinia hispida L.) in an emulated organic goat silvopasture. Native Plants J. (In Press). Mosjidis, J.A., Burke, J.M., Hess, J.B., 2012. The facts about sunn hemp toxicity. Crop Sci. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2011.11.0583 (published online December 29, 2011). Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J.A., Terrill, T.H., 2012. Use of a mixed sericea lespedeza pasture system for control of gastrointestinal nematodes lambs and kids. Vet. Parasitol. doi:101016/j.vetpar.2011.11.074. Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J.A., Terrill, T.H., 2012. Grazing sericea lespedeza for control of gastrointestinal nematodes in lambs. Vet. Parasitol., doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.12.004. Terrill, T.H., Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., Mosjidis, J.A., 2012. Experiences with integrated concepts for the control of Haemonchus contortus in sheep and goats in the United States. Vet. Parasitol. 186, 28-37. Burke, J.M., Whitley, N.C., Pollard, D.A. J. Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., Moulton, K.E., 2011. Dose titration of sericea lespedeza leaf meal on Haemonchus contortus infection in lambs and kids. Vet. Parasitol. 181, 345-349. Louisiana State University Miller, J.E., Kaplan, R.M., Pugh, D.G., 2011. Internal parasites. In: D.G. Pugh (Ed.), Sheep and Goat Medicine (2nd Edition), Elsevier Saunders, Maryland Heights, MO, 106-125. Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., Terrill, T.H., Kearney, M.T., 2011. A comparison of two integrated approaches of controlling nematode parasites in small ruminants. Vet. Parasitol. 178:300-310. Joshi, B.R., Kommuru, D.S., Terrill, T.H., Mosjidis, J.A., Burke, J.M., Shakya, K.P., Miller, J.E., 2011. Effect of feeding sericea lespedeza leaf meal in goats experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus. Vet. Parasitol. 178:192-197. Burke, J.M., Whitley, N.C., Pollard, D.A., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., Moulton, K.E., Mosjidis, J.A., 2011. Dose titration of sericea lespedeza leaf meal on Haemonchus contortus infection in lambs and kids. Vet. Parasitol. 181:345-349. Gujja, S., Terrill, T.H., Mosjidis, J.A., Miller, J.E., Mechineni, A., Kommuru, D.S., Burke, J.M., 2011. Effect of supplemental sericea lespedeza leaf meal pellets on gastrointestinal nematode infection in grazing goats. Proc. 56th Ann. Meet. Amer. Assoc. Vet. Parasitol. 66. Mechineni, A., Terrill, T.H., Mosjidis, J.A., Miller, J.E., Gujja, S., Kommuru, D.S., Burke, J.M., 2011. Effect of grazed Sericea lespedeza on gastrointestinal nematode infection in goats. Proc 56th Ann Meet Amer Assoc Vet Parasitol, 66-67. Miller, J.E., Burke,,. J.M., Garza, J., Terrill, T.H., Callahan, S., 2011. Comparison of copper oxide wire particles, copper sulfate and anthelmintic treatment for controlling gastrointestinal nematode infection in lambs. Proc. 23th International Conference World Association Advancement Veterinary Parasitology, 290. Garza, J., Bunagan, J., Kelly,. V., Miller, J., 2011. The efficacy of Rabon (tetrachlorvinphos) as a control method for trichostrongylosis in small ruminants. Proc. 23th International Conference World Association Advancement Veterinary Parasitology, 209. Whitley, N.C., Terrill, T.H., Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., Moulton, K., Townsend, L., Horton, J.R., French, J., Cooper, A.K., 2011. Effect of sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) leaf meal pellets fed to gastrointestinal nematode infected goats. J. Anim. Sci. 89:(E-Suppl. 1):398. Cherry, N.M., Lambert, B.D., Muir, J.P., Bullinger, M., Miller, J.E., Kaplan, R.M., Whitney, Y.R., 2011. Feeding North American panicled tick-clover containing condensed tannins to growing goats reduces Haemonchus contortus infection. J. Anim. Sci. 89(E-Suppl. 1):402. Vest, J.L., Brown, M.A., Kohler, J.D., Hudson, M.D., Nusz, S.R., Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Mackown, C.T., Walker, E.L., 2011. Effects of feeding sericea lespedeza as a natural anthelmintic for Haemonchus contortus in lactating does. J. Anim. Sci. 89(E-Suppl. 1):696. Whitley, N.C., Perdue, M.A., Schoenian, S., Kaplan, R.M., Story, B., Terrill, T.H., Burke, J.M., Mobini, S., Miller, J.E., 2011. Small ruminant integrated parasite management and FAMACHA training in the United States. J. Anim. Sci. 89(E-Suppl. 2):15. Luginbuhl, J-M., Glennon, H.M., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., 2011. Evaluation of sericea lespedeza grazed as a summer forage and natural gastrointestinal parasite control for goats. J. Anim. Sci 89(E-Suppl. 2):15. Kommuru, D.S., Terrill, T.H., Joshi, B.R., Mechineni, A., Gujja, S., Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J.A., Burke, J.M., 2011. Effect of feeding sericea lespedeza leaf meal on establishment of gastrointestinal nematode larvae in goats. J. Anim. Sci. 89(E-Suppl. 2):15. Looper, M.L., Edrington, T.S., Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J.A., Terrill, T.H., Genovese, K.J., Callaway, T.R., Williamson, B.C., Roserkrans, C.F., 2011. Influence of condensed tannin from sericea lespedeza on fecal shedding of antibiotic resistance-selected Escherichia coli O157:H7 in rams. J. Anim. Sci. 89(E-Suppl. 2):16. Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., Garza, J., Callahan, S., Terrill, T.H., 2011. Comparison of copper oxide wire particles, copper sulfate and anthelmintic treatment for controlling gastrointestinal nematode infection in lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 89(E-Suppl. 2):16. Garza, J., Bunagan, J., Kelly, V., Miller, J.E., 2011. The efficacy of Rabon (teteachlorvinphos) as a treatment for trichostrongylosis in small ruminants. J. Anim. Sci. 89(E-Suppl. 2):16. Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., 2011. Influence of season of lambing on gastrointestinal nematode infection of lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 89(E-Suppl. 2):16-17. Vourter A.D., Neary, K.M., Hutchens, T.K., Andries, K., Miller, J.E., Pezzanite, L.M., Tower, J.E., Einstein, M.E., 2011. Efficacy of garlic juice, copper oxide wire particles, and anthelmintics to control gastorinestinal nematodes in goats. J. Anim. Sci. 89(E-Suppl. 2):17. Burke, J.M., Mosjidis, J.A., Miller, J.E., Casey, P., Terrill, T.H., 2011. Sunn hemp with chicory or pearl millet to minimize gastrointestinal nematode infection in weaned goats. J. Anim. Sci. 89(E-Suppl. 2):17-18. Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., Mosjidis, J.A., 2011. Multiple strategies for farmers in the U.S.A. to control gastrointestinal nematodes in small ruminants. CAPARA. Michigan State University Ehrhardt, Richard A. 2011. Is everything OK? Guide to assessing small ruminant well-being during the transition between late pregnancy and early lactation. Michigan Shepherd News, February. Ehrhardt, Richard A. 2011. Overeating disease: Making sense of vaccination protocols. Michigan Shepherd News, April. Ehrhardt, Richard A., Rozeboom, Dale W. 2011. MSU AG EXPO to feature mortality composting demonstration and information session for sheep producers. Michigan Shepherd News, June. Ehrhardt, Richard A. 2011. Assessing lamb mortality patterns is the first step in reducing loss. August. http://www.growourflock.org/sites/default/files/lamb%20mortality%20patterns_0.pdf. Ehrhardt, Richard A. 2011. Improving lambing percentage with flushing. Michigan Shepherd News, August. Ehrhardt, Richard A. 2011. Ewe lambs: To breed or not to breed? Michigan Shepherd News, November. Ehrhardt, Richard A. 2011. Cover crop grazing with sheep: lessons learned from recent MSU extension demonstration event. MSU news for agriculture website, December. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "Optimizing nutritional management of the doe during the transition period". International Goat Symposium, Ontario Goat Council, Orangeville, Ontario. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "Forage Quality and Goat Nutrition". American Dairy Goat Association Annual Convention, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "Integrated parasite management in goat production". American Dairy Goat Association Annual Convention, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "Optimizing management of the periparturient doe". American Dairy Goat Association Annual Convention, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "Critical control points for lamb survival". Indiana Sheep Symposium, Indiana Sheep Association, Lebanon, Indiana. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "The nuts and bolt of accelerated lambing". Indiana Sheep Symposium, Indiana Sheep Association, Lebanon, Indiana. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "Choosing the right terminal sire for your production system. Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival; Wisconsin Sheep Improvement Association; Jefferson, WI. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "Key considerations in building a commercial ewe flock". Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival; Wisconsin Sheep Improvement Association; Jefferson, WI. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "Overcoming expansion hurdles in commercial sheep production". Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival; Wisconsin Sheep Improvement Association; Jefferson, WI. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "Managing internal parasites with an integrated approach". WOLPA Sheep Symposium, Western Ontario Lamb Producers Association, Walkerton, Ontario. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "Sheep production on high value land: Capturing efficiencies in production". WOLPA Sheep Symposium, Western Ontario Lamb Producers Association, Walkerton, Ontario. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "Sheep production on high value land:Maximizing production". WOLPA Sheep Symposium, Western Ontario Lamb Producers Association, Walkerton, Ontario. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "Overcoming barriers to commercial sheep production in the upper midwest". Ohio Sheep Day, Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, New Lisbon, Ohio. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "Is accelerated lambing a practice to consider for your flock? and". Ohio Sheep Day, Ohio Sheep Improvement Assoc, New Lisbon, Ohio. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "Key considerations in building a commercial ewe flock". Ohio Sheep Day, Ohio Sheep Improvement Assoc., New Lisbon, Ohio. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "Metabolic adaptations of pregnancy". USDA Iraqi Ruminant Health Seminar program, Iraqi Vet Med Syndicate, East Lansing MI to Baghdad, Iraq. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "Small ruminant production opportunities in Northern Michigan". Ag for Tomrrow Conference, MSUE, Escanaba, MI. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "Is accelerated production a good fit for your operation?". Arlington Sheep Day, Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Assoc., Arlington, WI. Ehrhardt, R.A. 2011. "Overcoming barriers to expansion in commercial sheep production". Arlington Sheep Day, Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Association, Arlington, WI. Ehrhardt, R.A., Foskolos, A. (Presenter), Hileman, S., Gertler, A., Boisclair, Y.R. 2011. "The role of central leptin signaling in orchestrating peripheral metabolic adaptations in mature sheep. Oskar Kellner Symposium/Metabolic Flexibility in Animal and Human Nutrition, Warnemunde, Germany. North Dakota State University Jackson, C.G., T.L. Neville, V.R.G. Mercadante, K.M. Bischoff, G.C. Lamb, C.R. Dahlen, and R.R. Redden. 2012. Out-of-season reproductive performance of ewes synchronized to estrus with various 5 day protocols. Proc. West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 63: Van Emon, M.L., K.A. Vonnahme, P.T. Berg, R.R. Redden, M.M. Thompson, J.D. Kirsch, and C.S. Schauer. 2012. Influence of the level of dried distillers grains with solubles on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, serum testosterone concentrations, and semen quality of growing rams. Proc. West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 63: University of Rhode Island MacGlaflin, C., Zajac, A., Rego, K., Petersson, K. 2011 Effect of vitamin E supplementation on naturally acquired parasitic infection in lambs. Vet. Parasitology 175:300-305. K. Barron, B. De Wolf, A. Zajac, B. Sartini, K. Petersson. The effect of vitamin E supplementation on an experimental Haemonchus contortus infection in lambs. Conference of Research Workers in Animal Disease (CRWAD), Chicago, IL, Dec 4-6, 2011. Abstract No. 79P. South Dakota State University Beck, R.M., A.E. Wertz-Lutz, C.L. Wright, J.E. Held, R.D. Zelinsky, and C.L. Delvaux. 2011. Effects of glycerol inclusion on growth, carcass merit, nutrient digestibility, and rumen fermentation in finishing wether lambs. Sheep and Goat Journal (pending reviewer acceptance). Walker, J.A., G.A. Perry, R. Salverson, P. Nester, C.S. Schauer, J.E. Held and K.C. Olson. 2011. Evaluating glycerin supplementation on reproductive performance of sheep. Proc. Western Section, ASAS Vol.62. Held, J.E., R.D. Zelinsky, K. Bruns and J.A. Daniels. 2011. Comparison of 6 or 12d EAZI-BREED CIDR insertion on reproductive efficiency in seasonally anestrous mated ewes. Proc. 2011 NCERA-214 Committee, p. 14-15. Held, J.E. and R. Daly. 2011. Extension specialist and veterinarian warn of Cache Valley virus during winter lambing season. Banner Magazine, February 2011. Held, J.E. 2011. Sheep and lamb market outlook. Tri-State Livestock News, March 24, 2011 Held, J.E. 2011. To feed or not to feed. Tri-State Livestock News, April 8, 2011. Regional and National Popular Press Publications: (reviewed by author) Held, J.E. and R. Daly. 2011. Extension specialist and veterinarian warn of Cache Valley virus during winter lambing season. Banner Magazine, February 2011. Held, J.E. 2011. Sheep and Lamb Market Outlook. Tri-State Livestock News, March 24, 2011. Held, J.E. 2011. To feed or not to feed. Tri-State Livestock News, April 8, 2011. Regional and State Extension Powerpoint Presentations Held, J.E. 2011. Sheep Industry Outlook. Brookings Forum, March 17, 2011. Held, J.E. 2011. Use of the sheep EAZI-CIDR to manage reproduction. Brookings Forum, March 17, 2011. Held, J.E. 2011. SDSU Research and Extension Programming Highlights. South Dakota Sheep Growers Convention, September 24, 2011. Held, J.E. 2011. South Dakota Master Lamb Producer Recognition Program. SD Sheep Growers Convention, September 24, 2011. Held, J.E. 2011. Use of the sheep EAZI-CIDR to improve flock reproductive management and labor efficiency. 2011 Pipestone Lambing Time Short Course. February 4, 2011. Held, J.E. 2011. Use of the sheep CIDR to manage flock reproduction. National Lamb Feeders Sheep Leadership School. July 12, 2011. Held, J.E. 2011. Starting a sheep flock for small-acreage owners. South Dakota CES Workshop. April 16, 2011. Texas Agrilife Research, Texas A&M System J.M. Musser, D.F. Waldron, and C.A. Taylor. 2012. Evaluation of homologous and heterologous protection induced by a virulent field strain of orf virus and an orf vaccine in goats. Am. J. Vet. Res. 73:86-90. Waldron, D.F. 2011. NSIP National Sheep Improvement Programs current impact and future potential J. Anim. Sc. 89, E-Suppl.1:739(Abstr.). White, S.N., J.O. Reynolds, D.F. Waldron, D.A. Schnieder, K.I. ORourke. 2012. Delayed incubation time in goats heterozygous for PRNP S146 or K222. Plant & Animal Genome XX. http://pag.confex.com/pag/xx/webprogram/Paper3931.html Hadfield, T., C. Wu, D.F. Waldron, G.E. Moss, B. Alexander, D. Thomas, J. Kijas, X. Dai, M. Halling, B. Bellaccomo, N. Cockett. 2012. The Use of a 50K SNP Array for Identifying geneomic regions associated with a range of traits in Rambouillet sheep. Plant and Animal Genome XX. http://pag.confex.com/pag/xx/webprogram/Paper4274.html Waldron, D.F.. 2012 Improvement of sheep through selection of performance-tested and progeny-tested breeding animals. Texas AgriLife Res. San Angelo. Rep. 2012-1. Waldron, D.F. 2012. Sire summary of ram test performance (1995-2012). Texas AgriLife Res. San Angelo. Rep. 2012-2. Shackelford, S.D., K.A. Leymaster, T.L. Wheeler, and M. Koohmaraie. 2012. Estimates of breed of sire on carcass composition and sensory traits of lamb. J. Anim. Sci., published ahead of print June 4, 2012, doi:10.2527/jas.2012-5219. Leeds, T.D., D.R. Notter, K.A. Leymaster, M.R. Mousel, and G.S. Lewis. 2012. Evaluation of Columbia, USMARC Composite, Suffolk, and Texel rams as terminal sires in an extensive rangeland production system: I. Ewe productivity and crossbred lamb survival and preweaning growth. J. Anim. Sci., published ahead of print June 4, 2012, doi:10.2527/jas.2011-2640. Heaton M.P., Clawson M.L., Chitko-Mckown C.G., Leymaster K.A., Smith, T.P.L., et al. 2012. Reduced lentivirus susceptibility in sheep with TMEM154 mutations. PLoS Genet 8(1): e1002467. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1002467. Chitko-McKown, C. G., K. A. Leymaster, M. P. Heaton, M. L. Clawson, and G. P. Harhay. Reduced OPP susceptibility in naturally exposed lambs with homozygous TMEM154 K35 genotypes. Proceedings of the 99th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Immunologists. Sider, L.H, M.L. Clawson, M.P.Heaton, C.G. Chitko-McKown, G.P. Harhay, T.P.L.Smith, and K.A. Leymaster. Phylogenetic clades of ovine progressive pneumonia virus (OPPV) associate with sheep TMEM154 genotypes. Proceedings of the 58th Brazilian Congress of Genetics. Heaton, M.P. and K.A. Leymaster. 2012. Research on genetic susceptibility to ovine progressive pneumonia. The Shepherd 57(3):14-15. U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, USDA-ARS, Idaho Kirschten, D.P., D.R. Notter, T.D. Leeds, M.R. Mousel, J.B. Taylor, and G.S. Lewis. 2011. Feed intake and efficiency of F1 Lambs. Proc. Western Section, Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. 62:81-85. Kirschten, D.P., D.R. Notter, T.D. Leeds, M.R. Mousel, J.B. Taylor, and G.S. Lewis. 2011. Correlations between measures of feed efficiency and feedlot returns for F1 Lambs. Proc. Western Section, Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. 62:86-88. Kirschten, D.P., D.R. Notter, and G.S. Lewis. 2011. Feed efficiency and feedlot returns for F1 lambs. Proc. 34 Congreso Asociación Argentina de Producción Animal (AAPA) and 1st Joint Meeting Am. Soc. Anim. Sci.-AAPA, Mar del Plata, Argentina. 31(Suppl. 1):142. Kirschten, D.P., D.R. Notter, T.D. Leeds, M.R. Mousel, J.B. Taylor, and G.S. Lewis. 2012. Evaluation of Columbia, USMARC-Composite, Suffolk, and Texel rams as terminal sires in an extensive rangeland production system: IV. Postweaning growth, feed intake, and feed efficiency. J. Anim. Sci. (Revised, returned to J. Anim. Sci.). Leeds, T.D., D.R. Notter, K.A. Leymaster, M.R. Mousel, and G.S. Lewis. 2012. Evaluation of Columbia, USMARC-Composite, Suffolk, and Texel rams as terminal sires in an extensive rangeland production system: I. Ewe productivity and crossbred lamb survival and preweaning growth. J. Anim. Sci. (In press) doi:10.2527/jas.2011-4640. Notter, D.R., T.D. Leeds, M.R. Mousel, J.B. Taylor, D.P. Kirschten, and G.S. Lewis. 2012. Evaluation of Columbia, USMARC-Composite, Suffolk, and Texel rams as terminal sires in an extensive rangeland production system: II. Postweaning growth and ultrasonic measures of composition. J. Anim. Sci. (In press) doi:10.2527/jas.2011-4641. Mousel, M.R., T.D. Leeds, D.R. Notter, H.N. Zerby, S.J. Moeller, and G.S. Lewis. 2012. Evaluation of Columbia, USMARC-Composite, Suffolk, And Texel rams as terminal sires in an extensive rangeland production system: III. Prefabrication carcass traits and organ weights. J. Anim. Sci. (In press) doi:10.2527/jas.2011-4767. Texas Agrilife Research Texas A&M System J.M. Musser, D.F. Waldron, and C.A. Taylor. 2012. Evaluation of homologous and heterologous protection induced by a virulent field strain of orf virus and an orf vaccine in goats. Am. J. Vet. Res. 73:86-90. Waldron, D.F. 2011. NSIP National Sheep Improvement Programs current impact and future potential J. Anim. Sc. 89, E-Suppl.1:739(Abstr.). White, S.N., J.O. Reynolds, D.F. Waldron, D.A. Schnieder, K.I. ORourke. 2012. Delayed incubation time in goats heterozygous for PRNP S146 or K222. Plant & Animal Genome XX. http://pag.confex.com/pag/xx/webprogram/Paper3931.html Hadfield, T., C. Wu, D.F. Waldron, G.E. Moss, B. Alexander, D. Thomas, J. Kijas, X. Dai, M. Halling, B. Bellaccomo, N. Cockett. 2012. The Use of a 50K SNP Array for Identifying geneomic regions associated with a range of traits in Rambouillet sheep. Plant and Animal Genome XX. http://pag.confex.com/pag/xx/webprogram/Paper4274.html Waldron, D.F.. 2012 Improvement of sheep through selection of performance-tested and progeny-tested breeding animals. Texas AgriLife Res. San Angelo. Rep. 2012-1. Waldron, D.F. 2012. Sire summary of ram test performance (1995 - 2012). Texas AgriLife Res. San Angelo. Rep. 2012-2. Utah State University Logan Alexander, B.M., G.E. Moss, N. Cockett, T. Hadfield and D.J. Burton (2012) Reproductive performance of rams in three producer range flocks: evidence of poor sexual behavior in the field. Small Rumin. Res. (accepted). Bidwell, C.A., N. Waddell, R.L. Tellam and N.E. Cockett (2012) Transcriptome mapping and assembly of the DLK1-DIO3 domain in callipyge lambs. Proc. Plant and Animal Genome XX, W023. Caiment, F., C. Charlier, T. Hadfield, N. Cockett, M. Georges and D. Baurain (2012) Assessing the effect of the CLPG mutation on the microRNA catalogue of skeletal muscle using high throughput sequencing. Genome Res. 20(12)1651-1662. Cockett, N.E. and C. Wu (2012) Genomic information available for use by the sheep industry. Sheep and Goat Res. J. (accepted). Hadfield, T.S., C. Wu, D. Waldron, G.E. Moss, B. Alexander, D. Thomas, J. Kijas, X. Dai, B. Bellaccomo and N.E. Cockett (2012) The use of a high-density SNP array for identifying genetic regions for various characteristics in Rambouillet sheep. Proc. Plant and Animal Genome XX, P578. Kijas, J.W., J.E. Miller, T. Hadfield, R. McCulloch, E. Garcia-Gamez, L.R. Porto Neto, N.E. Cockett and the International Sheep Genomics Consortium (2012) Tracking the emergence of a new breed using 49,034 SNP in sheep. PLoS (accepted). Bidwell, C.A., N. Waddell, R.L. Tellam and N.E. Cockett (2012) Transcriptome mapping and assembly of the DLK1-DIO3 domain in callipyge lambs. Proc.Plant and Animal Genome XX, W023. Wu, C., T.S. Hadfield, J.E. Miller, J. Kijas and N.E. Cockett (2012) Genome-wide association and meta-analysis in an outbred sheep population: identifying genetic loci influencing parasite resistance. Proc. Plant and Animal Genome XX, P588. Virginia State University Turner, K.E., Wildeus, S., and Collins, J.R. 2011. Performance and nutrient utilization in purebred and Spanish and Boer x Spanish and Kikio x Spanish genetic types of goats offered alfalfa hay with corn supplementation. Small Ruminant Research 96:144-148. Szabo, S.D., Wildeus, S. and Teutsch, C.D. 2012. Growth intake and feed efficiency In hair sheep lambs fed a hay-based diet with increasing levels of soyhull inclusion. Proc. Ann. Meet. South. Sect. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci., p. 4. Wildeus, S. and Zeng, S.S. 2012. Effect of season and by-pass fat supplementation on milk composition of hair sheep ewes lambing in spring and fall. Proc. Ann. Meet. South. Sect. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci., p. 30. Wildeus, S. 2011. Accelerated hair sheep lamb production systems in the tropics: Joining three times in two years. 5 Simposio Internacional sobre Caprinos e Ovinos de Corte, João Pessoa, Brazil. West Virginia University Knights, M., Siew, N., Ramgattie, R., Singh-Knights, D and Bourne, G. (2011). Effectiveness of a Short-Term Treatment with Progesterone Injections on Synchrony of Lambing and Fertility in Tropical Hair Sheep. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 126: 70-75. Knights, M., Siew, N., Ramgattie, R., Singh-Knights, D and Bourne, G. (2011). Effect of Time of Weaning on Reproductive Performance of Ewes and Growth of Lambs in Barbados Blackbelly Sheep reared Under a Tropical Photoperiod http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2011.09.042. Singh-Knights, D and Knights, M (2011). Lamb Prices and Marketing and Management Decisions Related to the ASI Grow with twoPLUS Program, July 23, 2011- WV Ram Sale Educational Program, Wardensville, WV. Inskeep, K., Knights, M. and Ramboldt, T. (2011). Out-of-Season Breeding Using the EAZI-Breed CIDR-G in Ewes. Virginia-North Carolina Sheperds Symposium. January 5, 2011, Verona, VA. Knights, M., Inskeep, K. and Ramboldt, T. (2011). Out-of-Season Breeding Using the EAZI-Breed CIDR-G in Ewes. Appalachian Grazing Conference. March 4-5, 2011. WVU Website: http://wvutoday.wvu.edu:8002/n/2011/08/11/shoring-up-the-sheep-industry-wvu-students-score-sustainable-agriculture-grants. Singh-Knights, D and Knights, M. (2011). Lamb Prices Hit Record Highs. News Ewe Can Use. Vol. 13 (1) pg.2. University of Wisconsin Madison Hadfield, T., C. Wu, D. Waldron, G.E. Moss, B. Alexander, D. Thomas, J. Kijas, X. Dai, M. Halling, B. Bellaccomo, and N. Cockett. 2012. The use of a 50K SNP array for identifying genomic regions associated with a range of traits in Rambouillet sheep. Plant and Animal Genome XX Conference, San Diego (Abstr. PO578) (Online: https://pag.confex.com/pag/xx/webprogram/Paper4274.html). Thomas, D.L. 2011. Genetics of lamb survival. Proc. of the 5th Biennial Spooner Dairy Sheep Day. Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison. pp. 18-28. Thomas, D.L. 2011. Genetics of lamb survival. Proc. 17th Annual Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp., Petaluma, California. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Anim. Sci. pp. 51-61. Thomas, D.L. and Y.M. Berger. 2011. 15 years of dairy sheep research at the Spooner Agricultural Research Station, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Proc. 17th Annual Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp., Petaluma, California. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Anim. Sci. pp. 67-86. Morrical, D. and D.L. Thomas. 2011. Lamb nutrition and feeding. The Shepherd 56(8):16-19. Thomas, D.L. 2011. Breeding ewe lambs or getting the most out of ewe lambs. The Shepherd 56 (10): 8-12.

Impact Statements

Cornell University, New York - Based upon data from the Cornell Sheep Farm over the past decade, an autologous vaccine against pinkeye administered by skin scratching appears to be effective. Pasture lambing was shown to have the same lamb mortality as barn lambing for ewes from a flock that had not pasture-lambed for generations.
Louisiana State University - Copper treatment in the form of COWP appears to be preferable to CS for controlling infection over a summer grazing season in lambs. Both Cu formulations appeared to be safe as used under the conditions of this study. Neither treatment benefited production (weight gain). Over 200 producers were in attendance at professional and producer meetings.
Michigan State University - Michigan State University has offered outreach programs for small ruminant producers that have generated new interest in small ruminant production, raised awareness of chronic disease and assisted in implementation of eradication programs, improved nutritional management practices to increase production efficiency and improved parasite management control to reduce animal morbidity and mortality. Michigan sheep and meat goat producer organizations have had record increases in membership in 2011 with the sheep organization recognized as the fastest growing by ASI, with growth in both organizations directly linked to MSU educational efforts according to survey results.
North Dakota State University - With the recent approval of the sheep CIDR to induce estrus in ewes during the anestrous season, there has been a lot of interest by sheep producers in this region. Our research has provided data that producers in our region can use to make important management decisions that will affect their overall flock profitability. Residual feed intake has been recently promoted as a new method to select for efficiency within many livestock species. However, very little research has been conducted in sheep to validate that is it a viable option. Our research has highlighted a very important concept that this measure of feed efficiency is not highly correlated to different diets. This ultimately helps sheep producers make informed decisions whether or not to collect this information on their flock or to purchase animals that have been tested for this measure of efficiency.
University of Rhode Island - Results indicate that oral vitamin E supplementation at 10 IU/kg BW/day tended to reduce the fecal egg counts and significantly reduced the abomasal worm burden in lambs experimentall infected with Haemonchus contortus. There was overwhelmingly positive feedback from the parasite control workshops. Three parasite control workshops for veterinarians were conducted in Massachusetts and Vermont. All forty-three producers participated in farm visits during the summer of 2011. The producers felt that the farm visitation program helped them to identify parasite susceptible animals in their flock, evaluate anthelmintic resistance on their farms and helped reinforce the FAMACHA training they received at the parasite control workshops.
South Dakota State University - Over 80 sheep producers attended the 11th annual SDSU Regional Sheep Forum at the SDSU Sheep Unit Brookings, South Dakota. Survey results indicated many new producers, and 40% of the producers were attending their first forum. Producers were from South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Iowa with more than 10,000 commercial stock ewes represented in the audience. The theme was Opportunities to Enhance Sheep Production. Presentations focused on key theme topics covered in the national industries 2 Plus Initiative. The sheepSD program, a mentorship program for beginning farmers and ranchers was introduced to the industry and producers were encouraged to sign-up this summer and fall. Our sheep extension personnel were successful in securing a grant award of $20,000 grant from ASI to facilitate the sheepSD program in South Dakota. Enrollment for this program will be limited to 50 producers across the state.
Texas Agrilife Research, Texas A&M System - Texas AgriLife Research conducts range sheep production research to provide information to sheep producers. Knowledge of performance differences between Dorper and Rambouillet ewes will provide producers with information needed to make an informed choice about expected performance of these breeds. The Dorper breed is relatively new to the US and little comparative research with US breeds has been documented.
U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, USDA, Nebraska - A common justification for genomic research is the need to discover genetic markers associated with susceptibility to diseases in livestock. Ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP) is an incurable, slow-acting, wasting disease that affects sheep in most countries. It is one of the most costly sheep diseases in the United States due to a decrease in litter weaning weights of about 20% and premature culling or death of breeding stock. We investigated 50,000 genetic markers in infected and uninfected sheep to discover a gene (TMEM154) that affects susceptibility to OPP virus infection. The risk of infection was 2.8 times greater for sheep with a single risk allele than sheep without, a finding confirmed in multiple breeds and states. A genotyping test has been developed for commercial use and is being provided through collaborations with GeneSeek.
U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, USDA, Idaho - Data describing the reproductive traits of peripubertal ewes and the effects of supplemental nutrients on age at puberty provide the basis for initiating research to determine whether estimated-breeding-value-based selection can be used to produce timely and significant improvements in the ability of ewes to lamb as yearlings. This research should ultimately result in management guidelines, including genetic selection, for improving ewe lamb fertility and for determining whether improving ewe lamb fertility through selection is a realistic objective for large-scale sheep producers in the United States.
Utah State University - Isolation of genetic markers associated with health-related traits will be of great importance to the sheep industry. Markers for parasite resistance can be applied across flocks to enhance resistance and/or eliminate susceptible animals. A detailed high-resolution RH map and associated comparative maps are being developed. The availability of high-resolution comprehensive maps for all ovine chromosomes will enhance the identification of chromosomal locations of genes responsible for traits of interest in sheep. In addition, high-resolution maps have enabled identification of multi-species conserved chromosome segments and evolutionary breakpoints in related species. Potential uses of a whole genome reference sequence for sheep will significantly accelerate searches for genetic regions and genes influencing phenotypes in sheep, and provide the next generation of tools for animal genomics research.
Virginia State University - The cost of grains and high quality hay is rapidly increasing in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Research at Virginia State University has been evaluating the inclusion of source if digestible fiber in hair sheep rations. Initial research suggests that soyhull pellets incorporated at an intake level of 2% of body weight in hay-based diets increased dry matter intake, feed efficiency and growth rate in 8-month old lambs.
West Virginia University - The increased adoption of out-of-season breeding by producers combined with higher levels of fertility of ewes bred out of-season have led to more lambs being sold during months with the highest lamb prices with the net result of increased revenue (~15-20%). Additionally, losses due to predation and parasitism are reduced in flocks engaged in out-of-season breeding. Further, producers are increasingly incorporating accelerated lambing in some proportion of their flock which has had the impact of increasing flock productivity. Lambs reared with their dams up until market weight has final weights that are 2.5-5 kgs greater per animal than weaned flock mates. There is also the potential for improved feed conversion efficiency and reduce health associated losses in ewe-reared lambs. Producers, in particular hair-sheep producers, adopting this practice can potentially benefit from significantly higher revenue.

Date of Annual Report: 07/22/2013

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/09/2013 - 06/12/2013
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2012 - 09/01/2013

Participants

Aaron, Debra (daaron@email.uky.edu) - University of Kentucky
Burke, Joan (joan.burke@ars.usda.gov) - USDA, ARS, Arkansas
Baldin, Michel (baldin@wisconsin.edu) - University of Wisconsin
Baptiste, Quinn (quinn.baptiste@mail.wvu.edu) West Virginia University
Cockett, Noelle (noelle.cockett@usu.edu) Utah State University
Ehrhardt, Richard (ehrhard5@msu.edu) - Michigan State University
Ely, Don (dely@uky.edu) University of Kentucky
Getz, Will (getzw@fvsu.edu) - Fort Valley State University, ASI
Held, Jeff (Jeffrey.Held@sdstate.edu) - South Dakota State University
Kolthoff, Ann - South Dakota State University
Leymaster, Kreg (kreg.leymaster@ars.usda.gov) - USDA, ARS, MARC
Miller, Jim (jmille1@lsu.edu) - Louisiana State University
Minton, Ernie (eminton@k-state.edu) - Administrative Advisor - Kansas State University
Morrical, Dan (morrical@iastate.edu) - Iowa State University
Morgan, Jim (jlmm@earthlink.net) - NSIP
Redden, Reid (reid.redden@ndsu.edu) North Dakota State University
Rodgers, Paul (prodgers2@earthlink.net) - ASI
Petersson, Katherine (kpetersson@uri.edu) University of Rhode Island
Schoenian, Susan (sschoen@umd.edu) University of Maryland
Thomas, Dave (dlthomas@wisc.edu) - University of Wisconsin, Madison
Thonney, Michael L. (mlt2@cornell.edu) Cornell University
Trinidad, Amy (amy@sheepusa.org) - American Sheep Industry
Villalba, Juan (juan.villalba@usu.edu) Utah State University
Waldron, Dan (d-waldron@tamu.edu) Texas A&M
Wildeus, Stephan (swildeus@vsu.edu) Virginia State University
Zerby, Henry (zerby.8@osu.edu) - Ohio State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

Cornell University- New York. The 500-ewe flock at Cornell University completed another year of testing the STAR accelerated management system. Record drought conditions limited pasturing and forage preservation for winter feeding, which required purchases of very high-priced feed ingredients. The rate and extent of fermentation of high fiber feed ingredients demonstrated that fiber in soy hulls and wheat midds is quickly utilized. Thus, fast rate of passage resulting from high consumption of diets that include these ingredients should not limit their digestibility. Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, USDA, Arkansas. Sericea lespedeza (SL), a condensed tannin-rich legume, was determined to be effective in the control of Haemonchus contortus and Eimeria spp. in sheep and goats by grazing or supplementation of the SL pellet. Team research included NCERA-214 members from ARS and Louisiana State University, as well as Fort Valley State University, Auburn University, University of Arkansas, and a small family farm. Fort Valley State University. Established that the use of crossbreeding among two hair sheep breeds creates functional and productive brood stock for sheep production systems in the deep South. Research with novel methods of parasitic gastrointestinal nematode control has enabled an expansion of sheep production in Georgia. The FVSU abattoir provides a location where market lamb producers from across the state can obtain processing services under federal inspection. Louisiana State University This research group continues to demonstrate viable alternative methods for sustainable parasitic nematode control which will benefit sheep production in low input systems. Michigan State University. Outreach accomplishments involved the presentation of programs with proceedings/manuals on birth management, parasite management and grazing management. Applied research efforts included projects to document anthelmintic efficacy and infection dynamics in large commercial sheep flocks, evaluation of birdsfoot trefoil as a biological control method in parasite infection and to determine the feasibility and benefits of cover crop grazing. Current applied research efforts include complimentary forage crop research, out of season breeding field studies, evaluation of local/regional lamb marketing efforts and the development and assessment of integrated parasite management plans. Courses were offered as a clinical clerkship to DVM students on small ruminant production medicine and to undergraduate students on sheep production. International outreach activities included presentation of small ruminant management and health program via distance learning to Iraqi producers and DVMs. North Dakota State University. We produced 15 educational programs, 35 presentations, and 23 popular press publications related to improving flock management. Two proceeding papers and four peer reviewed extension publications were published on sheep research consistent with the mission of the NCERA group. South Dakota State University. Our work with co-products, soyhulls, DDGS and pelleted corn stover has demonstrated these feed ingredients can lower unit cost of production, improve production efficiency and reduce labor requirements in sheep operations. Studies with pelleted corn stover inclusion into lamb and ewe diet formulations at SDSU have shown excellent palatability and performance. This ingredient has the potential to reduce traditional forage needs by 20% in intensive farm flock systems. The EAZI-BREED CIDR was equally effective for estrus synchronization using a 6, 9 or 12 d insertion period in seasonally anestrous Polypay or Hampshire mature ewes held in a common pen. Data from this study will be used in local, regional and national audiences through outreach programming. The sheep CIDR enhances flock reproductive management options and could improve labor efficiency and facility utilization. With the successful launch of the sheepSD mentorship program in the fall of 2012 the South Dakota extension staff will provide an educational template for the sheep industry to meet several objectives of the 2-Plus program Lets Grow initiative. Dave Ollila, Sheep Extension Field Specialist is coordinating the program from his base location in western South Dakota. Texas A & M Agrilife Research. A study has been implemented to estimate performance differences between Dorper and Rambouillet ewes. Estimates of breed differences for fertility, number of lambs born, lamb birth weight, lamb weaning weight, and lamb carcass traits were documented from records on ewes from 2 to 9 years of age. The main objective of this study is to evaluate lifetime lamb production from Dorper and Rambouillet ewes. University of Maryland. Collectively, University of Maryland social media reaches more than 500,000 small ruminant producers and others with an interest in small ruminants. University of Rhode Island. This research and outreach program continues to educate small ruminant producers in best management practices for parasite control and investigate more sustainable alternatives to chemical dewormers. University of Wisconsin Madison. We confirmed in one of our research flocks the recent research results from the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center that showed a significant decrease in the incidence of OPP among sheep with two copies of the 1 haplotype of the TMEM154 gene. U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, USDA-ARS. Easycare ram lambs are genotyped for TMEM154 and genotypes are used to supplement selection of rams to decrease the prevalence of OPP. Flocks of Katahdin and Polypay sheep are being genetically managed to represent contemporary industry germplasm and to serve as industry controls for future research on easy-care breeds. Three experiments are underway to estimate gene action of TMEM154 haplotypes on ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP) incidence under conditions of natural exposure. Virginia State University. Research continues to improve accelerated mating for hair sheep under a pasture/forage-based production system. Strategies have been evaluated to concentrate the incidence of estrus early in the mating period, and to improve nutrition of ewes during lactation. West Virginia University. Demonstrations with farmers from the area in attendance were conducted at the WV Purebred Sheep Sale in Petersburg, WV on June 2 with 40 in attendance, at the Clarence Elmore farm near Lewisburg, WV in Greenbrier County in June (a bag of 20 CIDRs was given as a door prize at this event) and in August during the WV State Fair with 12 and 15 farmers in attendance, and at George Wherrys farm in Scenery Hill, PA for 26 farmers, county commissioners, legislators and representatives of farm organizations including Wildlife Services and PA Extension. Other flocks used for research and partial demonstrations and discussions with smaller numbers of guests included Mark Teets SnowyCreek Dorsets in Preston County, WV; Chuck Fitzwaters in Garrett County, MD; Ginger Nelsons with yearlings in Greenbrier County, WV; Marvin Warners and Jimmy Deans in Randolph County, WV; Joe Hattons in Monongalia County, WV; Ed Cokeleys in Ritchie County, WV; and Rick Humphreys in Marion County, WV. We continue to work with producers, providing not only educational opportunities, but also routine reproductive management services, such as breeding soundness examinations, pregnancy diagnoses, and synchronization of estrus. Collaborative Accomplishments Cornell University - New York. A sabbatical leave project was carried out in collaboration with colleagues at Washington State University to evaluate the rate and extent of fermentation of high fiber feed ingredients. Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, USDA - Arkansas. Hair sheep resources (Katahdin lambs) were shared between NCERA-214 members at USDA, ARS in Booneville, Arkansas and Louisiana State University to further Objective 4 of the current Project. A collaborative project was conducted among members at ARS in Booneville and Louisiana State University examining grazing systems using sericea lespedeza for control of GIN in lambs and the use of sericea lespedeza leaf meal pellets for long term control of gastrointestinal nematodes and Eimeria spp. as part of USDA, SBIR and USDA, OREI grants. Romanov rams obtained from USDA, ARS, MARC generated Romanov x Katahdin ewes (half and one-quarter) to examine prolificacy and economics of fall lambing Katahdin straight bred or crossbred ewes. Fort Valley State University Georgia. Collaborated with several other NCERA-214 institutions and centers through the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control including USDA/ARS/Booneville, Louisiana State University, Virginia State University, Virginia Tech, Ohio State University, University of Maryland, and West Virginia University. Collaborated with USDA/ Rural Development, USDA/NRCS, and Farm Credit Service in educating staff and clients on matters related to sustainable sheep forage-based production systems. Collaborated with University of Georgia in Southern Risk Management training for small and medium-sized farmers through enterprise diversification including sheep enterprises. Louisiana State University - J.M. Burke (USDA ARS, Booneville, AR), T.H. Terrill (Fort Valley State University), N.C. Whitley (North Carolina A&T University). Michigan State University - Dr. Richard Ehrhardt is collaborating with Dr. Joan Burke, USDA, ARS Booneville, AR and Dr. Jim Miller. LSU on a USDA OREI funded project A Systems Approach to Control Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Organic Small Ruminant Production. North Dakota State University - We have collaborated with Montana State University, University of Wyoming, South Dakota State University, US Meat Animal Research Center, and US Sheep Station on research project, grants, and/or extension programming. South Dakota State University - Cooperating with Dr. Mike Thonney at Cornell University and a private sector firm Iowa Biofibers, Inc. Harlan, IA to measure animal performance of growing/finishing lambs fed traditional starch based diets compared to diets formulated with processed and chemically treated corn stover. Studies at both universities, South Dakota State and Cornell, focused on the relationship between animal performance and nutrient availability and rumen physiology associated with corn stover inclusions in lamb finishing diets. Drs. Thonney and Held have co-designed the experimental diet formulations for upcoming research trials and have a working relationship with the private sector firm Iowa BioFibers, Inc. Texas A & M Agrilife Research - Texas A&M AgriLife research has supplied DNA samples and production records to Utah State University and to USDA, ARS, Animal Disease Research, Pullman, WA for research projects. University of Maryland - The University of Marylands use of social media facilitates the dissemination of research from the NCERA 214 committee. In other research and extension programs, the University of Maryland has collaborated with many other universities including University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Delaware State University, Virginia State University, University of Maine, Ohio State University, and the institutions represented by members of the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control. University of Rhode Island - We are working with Virginia Tech (Anne Zajac), Louisiana State University (Jim Miller), Wisconsin State University (Jess Reed), Rutgers University (Amy Howell), West Virginia State University (Jim Kotcon, William Bryan, Scott Bowdridge), University of Connecticut (Joyce Meader), University of Massachusetts (Mark Huyler, Stephen Purdy), University ofVermont (Dan Hudson) and Cornell University (Tatiana Stanton) to identify alternativeanthelmintics to gastrointestinal nematodes and to improve the parasite control practices of farmers in the region through parasite control workshops supported by farm visits. University of Wisconsin-Madison - We consulted with Dr. Kreg Leymaster, a lead researcher on the OPP genetics research at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, on our OPP situation and project at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station. Dr. Leymaster gave an invited talk on his OPP research at the Annual Arlington Sheep Day in March 2013. U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, USDA-ARS - Scientists at the USMARC and the USSES collaborate on a maternal line evaluation project at the USSES. White Dorper x Romanov crossbred rams produced at USMARC were used to produce crossbred daughters for evaluation at the USSES. Ten rams were transferred to the USSES during 2008, nine during 2009 and eight during 2010. Scientists at the USMARC and the USSES collaborated to confirm TMEM154 risk factors by doing a cohort analysis of data from each institution. Virginia State University - There was cooperation with scientists from Virginia Tech on research related to gastrointestinal parasitism in hair sheep, and rotational grazing of hair sheep. The sheep and goat extension specialists from the University of Maryland, assisted in hosting of a Hair Sheep Day at Virginia State University. Virginia Tech also cooperated in securing Dorset rams representative of the breed in the Mid-Atlantic region for a terminal sire crossbreeding study. West Virginia University - We collaborated with the WVU Extension Service for this research project, through the Small Ruminant Project Director, Mr. Brad Smith; Dr. Doolarie Singh-Knights- Extension Economic Specialist; Dr. Scott Bowdridge- Asst. Professor- Parasitologist; and Extension agents in Western MD and PA. We have also collaborated closely with 12 sheep producers, who have graciously provided their flocks for research.

Publications

Publications Attachment:

Attachment

Impact Statements

Data from the accelerated lambing flock at Cornell University provide guidance about opportunities to improve the management of highly productive sheep. Methods to account for nutritional effects of high fiber ingredients have been incorporated into a program to formulate diets for sheep and other ruminants.
Grazing fresh or preserved sericea lespedeza (SL) represents an estimated savings on dewormer of more than 50%. Coccidiostats are not allowed in organically produced animals; SL offers control of Eimeria spp. that cause coccidiosis resulting in significant savings to producers due to reduced morbidity and mortality. An SBIR grant awarded to a small family farm, the Sims Brothers, allowed this research to occur. This grant is facilitating commercialization of the pelleted SL product.
Work with sericea lespedeza (AU grazer) has paved the road for use in internal parasite management by many sheep farmers in Georgia and the southern U.S. Has reduced production costs, reduced mortality among lambs, and increased profitability. Work with DDGS will verify the opportunity and risks associated with this relatively new co-product in the southern region.
Mo, Se and Zn deficiencies are a result of feeding SL as deficiencies were corrected after feeding stopped. Mo supplementation at the level used in this study did not correct the deficiency. Further work needs to be done with a higher level of Mo supplementation and also to evaluate Se and Zn supplementation. Over 200 producers were in attendance at professional and producer meetings.
Michigan State University has offered outreach programs for small ruminant producers that have generated new interest in small ruminant production, raised awareness of chronic disease and assisted in implementation of eradication programs, improved nutritional management practices to increase production efficiency and improved parasite management control to reduce animal morbidity and mortality.
Initial research suggests that daily injectable Arg during pregnancy can improve lamb crop by ~50%. We have collaborated with a company that has developed a rumen protected Arg product for research testing purposes. Our initial data suggests that rumen protected Arg did not have a measurable impact on pregnancy or lambing rate in naturally induced out-of-season breeding.
Texas AgriLife Research conducts range sheep production research to provide information to sheep producers. Knowledge of performance differences between Dorper and Rambouillet ewes will provide producers with information needed to make an informed choice about which breed to raise. The Dorper breed is relatively new to the US and little comparative research with US breeds has been documented.
The University of Marylands use of social media is extending the reach of small ruminant extension programs. It is engaging producers and providing another venue for disseminating research-based information.
Results indicate potential for cranberry leaf PAC extract as an anthelmintic. Eight parasite control workshops for small ruminants were held in four states. There was overwhelmingly positive feedback from the parasite control workshops. Fourty-one producers completed a comprehensive parasite control survey. Forty-six producers participated in farm visits. In general, the majority of producers were very satisfied with the farm visits.
We demonstrated in our research flock at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station that testing for presence of OPP and separation of positive and negative animals can greatly reduce the spread of the disease. We also showed that genetic testing may be a method to further reduce the incidence of OPP. We educated producers on these topics at our Annual Arlington Sheep Day in March 2013.
Ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP) is an incurable, slow-acting, wasting disease that affects sheep production in many countries. It is one of the most costly sheep diseases in the United States due to a 20% decrease in production and premature removal of infected sheep from flocks. A gene that affects susceptibility to OPP infection was studied. Sheep with either one or two copies of an unfavorable form of the gene had infection rates of 33% compared to 9% for other sheep.
Moving breeding stock to different locations is becoming increasingly expensive and difficult. There are increased concerns about biosecurity and associated regulations, as well as the cost of transportation. The movement of germplasm using artificial insemination is not widespread in sheep. Traditional forms of artificial insemination using frozen thawed semen in sheep have only had limited success, or require the use of an intra-uterine, surgical approach to insemination which is often cost-prohibitve.