Annual/Termination Reports:

[06/08/2011] [07/17/2012]

Report Information

Participants

Julie Walker (SD State Univ.), Chris Lupton and John Walker (TX AgriLife Research, San Angelo), Chris Schauer (North Dakota State Univ. Hettinger Research Extension Center), Steve LeValley and Nancy Irlbeck (Colorado State Univ.), Patrick Hatfield (Montana State Univ.)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes of the 2011 Meeting of the WERA-039
Coordinating Committee
Spearfish, SD
June 5¬ - 8, 2001

The WERA-039 business meeting was called to order by Chair Julie Walker.

Members of the WERA-039 committee attending the business meeting were Chair  Julie Walker (SD State Univ.), Chris Lupton and John Walker (TX AgriLife Research, San Angelo), Chris Schauer (North Dakota State Univ. Hettinger Research Extension Center), Steve LeValley and Nancy Irlbeck (Colorado State Univ.), Patrick Hatfield (Montana State Univ.)

Prior to the separate business meeting, several sheep industry individuals addressed both the WERA 039 and NCERA 214 groups.
Peter Orwick from the American Sheep Industry Association, discussed that 1/3 of U.S. lambs are going to ethnic markets and that the pelt credit is $20 to $45. He also stated that (1) sheep numbers are top priority; (2) the NASS census needs to be improved; and (3) there is a need to provide mentorship and education for new producers and small land owners.

Lowell Slyter, Editor of Journal of Sheep and Goat Research. Discussed the need for a new editor for the S&G Res. J. and the importance of publishing on a continual basis; not waiting for the next month to publish.

Larry Miller, American Sheep and Goat Center Board. Discussed that the Sheep and Goat Center was privatized in 2007. Low interest loans. Purchased insurance company for livestock risk protection  lamb program. He also stated that last year, the National Sheep Improvement Center was established to provide grant funding. Key issues in agriculture are: 1) loss of faculty at Western Universities partially due to a lack of funding for new faculty to be successful and 2) a loss of 100s of millions in research funding. Key priority of Farm Bill is funding of Sheep Center and funding should be made available next Fall. The 2 + 2 initiative has been hindered by a lack of technology transfer. Sheep have more potential because of greater breed diversity and reproductive potential than other species of livestock.

Paul Rodgers, American Sheep Industry Association, discussed genomics and the importance of communication, especially true for nutrition and predator control issues. He discussed that the lamb check-off dollars are only for promotion and that funding decreased due to ethnic markets that do not pay check-off.

The group separated into their committee and started their individual meetings. Last years minutes were reviewed. Chris Schauer moved to accept the minutes as written. Pat Hatfield seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Travis Whitney was moved to Chair of this committee and Pat Hatfield was nominated and voted in as secretary. It was discussed that next years meeting be in San Angelo; Chris Schauer moved to vote and Steve LeValley second the motion.

Discussion on having joint meetings with the NCERA 214 was had. Since numbers of WERA members are declining, having joint meeting would allow for more exchange of sheep research. Idea will be discussion in future years. As there was not further business, the business meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.

Presentations began at 9:15 a.m. on June 7. Members of the WERA-039 committee attending the presentations were Chair  Julie Walker (SD State Univ.), Chris Lupton and John Walker (TX AgriLife Research, San Angelo), Chris Schauer (ND State Univ.), Steve LeValley (CO State Univ.), and Patrick Hatfield (MT State Univ.).

WERA Objective 1: Develop ecologically and economically sound land management practices that use the unique harvesting abilities of sheep and goats for: a) managing and sustaining native plant communities; b) controlling invasive, exotic plant species; and c) improving nutrient cycling and pest management in range and cropping systems.

Reports given by Pat Hatfield

WERA Objective 2: Develop sheep and goat management strategies that enhance the efficiency for production of high quality, marketable end products by: a) improving biological efficiency through better understanding of environmental and genetic events that influence meat and fiber production; b) identifying unique feedstuffs that enhance the nutritional value of meat; c) utilizing state-of-the-art instrumentation both in the field and in the lab to accurately and rapidly measure important characteristics of wool, mohair, and cashmere; and d) develop animal identification systems that ensure the accurate real-time linking of animals to lifetime genetic, performance, health, and origin databases.

Reports given by Pat Hatfield, John Walker, Steve LeValley, Chris Lupton, Julie Walker and Chris Schauer

WERA Objective 3: Rapidly and accurately disseminate new information to the producer through: a) development of novel technology transfer platforms; b) hosting field days at research centers; and, c) organizing on farm demonstration projects.

Reports given by No reports were represented for objective 3.

The meeting was adjourned at 3 p.m. on June 7. The sheep tour started at 7:45 am on June 8th.

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

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Report Information

Participants

Patrick Hatfield
Department of Animal and Range Sciences
PO Box 172900
Bozeman, MT 59717-2900
406-994-7952
406/994-5589 FAX
hatfield@montana.edu

North Dakota State University
Christopher S. Schauer, PhD
Post-Doctoral Research Associate
Hettinger Research Extension Center
Hettinger, ND 58639
(701) 567-4323
(701) 567-4327 FAX
christopher.schauer@ndsu.nodak.edu

Brian Neville
Graduate Student
ND State Univ.
Fargo, ND 58108
Hultz 169, 231-8790
bryan.neville@ndsu.edu

Redden, Reid
Assistant Professor
ND State Univ.
Hultz 169, 231-5597
reid.redden@ndsu.edu


Oregon State University
Jim Thompson
Department of Animal Science
214 Withycombe Hall
Corvallis, OR 97331-6702
541/737-1908
541/737-4174 FAX

South Dakota State University
Julie Walker
SDSU West River Ag Center
1905 Plaza Blvd
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-394-2236
605-394-6607 FAX
julie.walker@sdstate.edu

Texas A&M University
Christopher J. Lupton
Texas AgriLife Research
7887 US HWY 87 N
San Angelo, TX 76901-9714
325/653-4576
325/653-4364 FAX
c-lupton@tamu.edu

John Walker
Texas Agricultural Experiment Station
7887 US HWY 87 N
San Angelo, TX 76901-9714
325/653-4576
325/653-4364 FAX
jwalker@ag.tamu.edu




Travis Whitney
Texas AgriLife Research
7887 US HWY 87 N
San Angelo, TX 76901-9714
325/653-4576
325/653-4364 FAX
trwhitney@ag.tamu.edu


USDA-Agricultural Research Service
J. Bret Taylor
US Sheep Experiment Station
HC 62 Box 2010
Dubois, ID 83423
208/374-5306
208/374-5582
btaylor@pw.ars.usda.gov

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

See attached minutes for list of accomplishments by objective.

Publications

Travis Whitney<br /> <br /> Whitney, T. R., A. E. Lee, M. G. Williamson, C. D. Swening, and R. L. Noland. 2011. Use of the Penn State forage particle separator to evaluate coarse-ground juniper as a supplemental feed limiter for lambs. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 168:2129.<br /> <br /> Abstracts, and reports<br /> Cherry, N. M., B. D. Lambert, J. P. Muir, M. Bullinger, J. E. Miller, R. M. Kaplan, T. R. Whitney. 2011. Feeding North American panicled tick-clover to growing goats reduces Haemonchus contortus infection. Abstract and Oral Presentation by Cherry. In: ADSA-CSAS-ASAS 2011 Joint Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX. J. Anim. Sci. 89: E-Suppl. 1:397.<br /> <br /> Steele, D. K., C. B. Scott, T. R. Whitney, and C. J. Owens. 2012. Feeding specific amino acids to increase redberry juniper consumption by goats. 3rd annual Ranchers Workshop. Poster. NRCS. Sonora Civic Center. May 16<br /> <br /> Knight, C. W., C. B. Scott, T. R. Whitney, and C. J. Owens. 2012. Changes in nutritional quality and Saline content of salt cedar. 3rd annual Ranchers Workshop. Poster. NRCS. Sonora Civic Center. May 16.<br /> <br /> T. R. Whitney. 2012. Harvesting juniper for feed. 3rd annual Ranchers Workshop. Poster. NRCS. Sonora Civic Center. May 16.<br /> <br /> Whitney, T. R. 2011. Chemical composition differs between browsed and non-browsed Ashe juniper trees. WERA 039 annual meeting. June 58. pp. 2830.<br /> <br /> Whitney, T. R. 2011. Use of the Penn State particle separator to determine if molasses can reduce sorting of ground juniper when juniper is used as a feed intake limiter for lambs. WERA 039 annual meeting. June 58. pp. 3136.<br /> <br /> Whitney, T. R. 2011. Supplements containing escape protein improve redberry juniper intake by goats. WERA 039 annual meeting. June 58. pp. 3738.<br /> <br /> Whitney, T. R. 2010  2015. CRIS Progress Reports: Project TEX09088. Nutritional programs for small ruminant production systems and white-tailed deer. 4 annual reports and 1 final report.<br /> <br /> Whitney, T. R. 2009  2011. Evaluating the use of harvested juniper and dried distillers grains in sheep and Angora goat growing rations. Texas AgriLife Res. Ann. Rep., Texas Dept. Agric. Food and Fibers Res. Grant Program, Final report.<br /> <br /> Whitney, T. R. 2011. Survey: Harvesting and feeding juniper. 37th Annual TX AgriLife Sheep and Goat Field Day, San Angelo. Sept. 1.<br /> <br /> Tim Ross<br /> <br /> Richardson, C. M., R. A. Halalsheh, D. M. Hallford, T. T. Ross. 2012. Carryover Effects on Progesterone Concentrations and Fetal Numbers in Ewes Given Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. Proc. West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci.( In press).<br /> <br /> Richardson, C. M., P. L. Black, R. A. Halalsheh, S. M. Fields, D. M. Hallford, T. T. Ross. 2011. Progesterone Concentrations and Lambing Rates in Ewes Given Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. Proc. West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 62: 299-302<br /> <br /> <br /> HATFIELD <br /> <br /> Keithly, J. I., R. W. Kott, J. G. Berardinelli, S. Moreaux, and P. G. Hatfield. 2011. Thermogenesis, blood metabolites and hormones, and growth of lambs born to ewes supplemented with algae-derived docosahexaenoic acid. J. Anim. Sci. 89:4305-4313. (68)<br /> <br /> Sainju, U. M., A. W. Lenssen, H. B. Goosey, E. Snyder, and P. G. Hatfield. 2011. Sheep grazing in a wheat-fallow system affects dryland soil properties and grain yield. Soil. Sci. Soc. Am. J. 75:1789-1798.<br /> <br /> Moreaux, S J. J., J. L. Nichols, J.G. P. Bowman, and P. G. Hatfield. 2011. Psyllium lowers blood glucose and insulin concentrations in horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 31:160-165.<br /> <br /> Hatfield, P. G., T. Spezzano, H. B. Goosey, S. Blodgett, A. W. Lenssen, and R. W. Kott. 2012. Integrated crop livestock production systems using grazing sheep to control wheat stem sawfly: Impact on over-wintering larval populations. 5th Intl. Wheat Stem Sawfly Conf. Bozeman, MT. http://www.entomology.montana.edu/sawfly (30)<br /> <br /> Hatfield, P. G., H. B. Goosey, A. W. Lenssen, and S. Blodgett. 2011. Sheep grazing to manage crop residues and control insects and weeds in northern plains grain and alfalfa production. SARE Learning Center, Agricultural Innovations. sare.org/Learning-Center/Fact-Sheets <br /> <br /> E. E. Nix, D. L. Ragen, J. G. P. Bowman, R. W. Kott, and P. G. Hatfield. 2012. Effect of swath grazing on forage intake and wastage by ewes. Proc. West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 63:(in press). (97)<br /> <br /> Ragen, D. L., E. E. Nix, R. L. Endecott, P. G. Hatfield, M. K. Petersen, and J.G.P. Bowman. 2012 Individual mineral-supplement intake by ewes swath grazing or confinement fed pea-barley forage. Proc. West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 63:(in press).<br /> <br /> Ragen, D. L., E. E. Nix, R. L. Endecott, P. G. Hatfield, M. K. Petersen, and J. G. P. Bowman. 2012 Individual mineral-supplement intake by ewes swath grazing or confinement fed pea-barley forage. Proc. Montana Livest. Nutr. Conf. http://www.msuextension.org/beefcattle/resources.html<br /> <br /> Barsotti, J. L., U. Sainju, A. Lenssen, C. Montagne, and P. Hatfield. 2012. Effect of sheep grazing on soil carbon and nitrogen in dryland cropping systems. Proc. Montana Livest. Nutr. Conf. http://www.msuextension.org/beefcattle/resources.html<br /> <br /> Paramjit, S. G., K. M. ONeill, and P. G. Hatfield. 2012. Effects of alternative management practices on the abundance and diversity of arthropods in a mixed-crop agroecosystem. Proc. Montana Livest. Nutr. Conf. http://www.msuextension.org/beefcattle/resources.html<br /> <br /> Sainju, U. M., A. W. Lenssen, H. B. Goosey, E. Snyder, and P. G. Hatfield. 2011. Sheep grazing effect on dryland soil carbon and nitrogen in the wheat-fallow system. 2011. West. Nutr. Manage. Conf. 9:146-151.<br /> <br /> Graves, M., J. Mangold, H. Goosey, P. Hatfield, and F. Menalled. 2011. Impact of sheep grazing on demographic parameters of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and wild oat (Avena fatua) in three common Montana agricultural systems. Abstr. 64th Ann. Meeting Soc. Range Manage. http://www.rangelands.org/billings2011/pdf/SRM%202011%20abstracts%20author%20index.pdf<br /> <br /> Integrated research and education. October 2011. MSU Animal and Range Sciences Newsletter. http://animalrange.montana.edu/news.htm (33)<br /> <br /> MSU receives $743,000 for research, courses, involving sheep and organic farming. 2011. Bozeman Daily Chronicle. http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/agriculture/article_7bc919e8-0346-11e1-a993-001cc4c002e0.html<br /> <br /> Montana State University receives $743K for organic sheep farming studies. 2011. Farmer-Stockman. http://farmprogress.com/story-montana-state-u-receives-743k-for-organic-sheep-farming-studies-0-54590<br /> <br /> MSU awarded agriculture grant to research organic farming. 2011. MTbusiness.com. http://www.mtbusiness.com/Agriculture/msu-awarded-agriculture-grant-to-research-organic-farming.html (30)<br /> <br /> Can sheep bring sustainability and profits to organic dryland farming? Integrated farming systems the latest in sheep grazing studies. 2011. Ag Excellence 2010-2011 MSU College of Ag and MT Agric. Exp. Sta.<br /> <br /> Boswell, E. 2011. MSU receives almost $743,000 for research, new courses involving sheep and organic farming. http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=10444<br />

Impact Statements

1. Using sheep to control weeds on summer fallowed ground is a more effective method of cheatgrass control, has a positive impact on beneficial parasitoid insects, and results in the same grain yield and greenhouse gas emission as chemical fallowed treatments, although more N fertilization is required on rotations using sheep for summer fallow management.As off farm petroleum based fuels, fertilizer, and pesticides become more expensive and in the case of herbicides, some weeds develop resistance farmers will look to develop mutually beneficial partnerships to maintain economically and environmentally sustainable production.The project has over the past 10 years documented successes of incorporating sheep into farming systems for weed and insect control
2. See attached minutes for several more impacts (nicely written)

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