Annual/Termination Reports:

[07/29/2005] [08/01/2006] [06/21/2007] [06/28/2008] [06/11/2009]

Report Information

Participants

Schaefer, Daniel (schaeferd@ansci.wisc.edu)  University of Wisconsin;
Miller, Larry (lmiller@csrees.usda.gov)  USDA-CSREES;
Aaron, Debra (daaron@uky.edu)  University of Kentucky;
Berger, Yves (ymberger@wisc.edu)  University of Wisconsin;
Bidwell, Chris (cbidwell@purdue.edu)  Purdue University;
Borg, Randy (rborg@vt.edu)  Virginia Tech;
Bradford, Eric (gebradford@ucdavis.edu)  University of California, Davis;
Bunch, Thomas (tombunch@cc.usu.edu)  Utah State University;
Burke, Joan (jmburke@spa.ars.usda.gov)  USDA-ARS;
Collins, Joni (jcollins@vsu.edu)  Virginia State University;
Daniel, Jay (Jay_Daniel@sdstate.edu)  South Dakota State University;
Ely, Don (dely@uky.edu)  University of Kentucky;
Getz, Will (getzw@fvsu.edu)  Fort Valley State University;
Godfrey, Robert (rgodfre@uvi.edu)  University of the Virgin Islands;
Irwin, Lyndon (lni033f@smsu.edu)  American Sheep Industry Association;
Knights, Marlon (mknight3@mail.wvu.edu)  West Virginia University;
Kuehn, Larry (lkuehn@vt.edu)  Virginia Tech;
Lakos, Sue (slakos@uvi.edu)  University of the Virgin Islands;
Lewis, Greg (glewis@pw.ars.usda.gov)  USDA ARS;
Leymaster, Kreg (leymaster@email.marc.usda.gov)  USDA-ARS;
Slyter, Lowell (Lowell_slyter@hotmail.com)  American Sheep Industry Association;
Magee, Brian (BHM5@cornell.edu)  Cornell University;
Marsh, Deborah (djmarsh@vt.edu)  Virginia Tech;
Meyer, Howard (howard.h.meyer@oregonstate.edu)  Oregon State University;
Morgan, James (jlmm@earthlink.net)  National Sheep Improvement Program;
Morrical, Dan (morrical@iastate.edu)  Iowa State University;
Notter, David (drnotter@vt.edu)  Virginia Tech;
Nussbaum, Bob (Nussbaum@uwplatt.edu)  University of Wisconsin;
Rodgers, Paul (prodgers2@earthlink.net)  American Sheep Industry Association;
Schoenian, Susan (schoen@umd.edu)  University of Maryland;
Thomas, David (dlthomas@wisc.edu)  University of Wisconsin;
Thonney, Michael (mlt2@cornell.edu)  Cornell University;
Vanimisetti, Bindu (vbindu@vt.edu)  Virginia Tech;
Waldron, Dan (d-waldron@tamu.edu)  Texas A&M University;
Whitney, Travis (trwhitney@ag.tamu.edu)  Texas A&M University;
Wildeus, Stephan (swildeus@vsu.edu)  Virginia State University;

Brief Summary of Minutes

The annual meeting of NCERA 190 committee was held at Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA. The business meeting was called to order by chairman Dr. Dan Morrical on June 21, 2005, at 8:15 AM.

Dr. Dan Schaefer presented an administrative update and explained the changes in designation for regional projects, and the committee unanimously selected the NCERA designation. He also explained that a new list of committee members was being prepared for the revised project, and that the health of the committee is reflected in the attendance of committee members at the annual meeting, collaborative efforts, progress in achieving objectives, capturing external funding (leverage committee strength), technology transfer, development of an impact statement. Discussion arose on how committee members get on and off the official station list, and it was recommended that the issue of non-attending members should be addressed by Dr. Schaefer.

The USDA-CSREES report was presented by Larry Miller, who gave updates on staff changes within USDA, the genome mapping efforts for various species, the revision of the NRC requirements for small ruminants, the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center, and USDA portfolio reviews. He also presented an update on the USDA budget, and considerations to reduce formula funding by half, to be replaced with competitive programs.

Updates on activities by the American Sheep Industry Association were provided by three speakers. Dr. Lyndon Irwin, presented an update on the National Animal Identification Program, NRC nutrient requirements for small ruminants, and agro-terrorism as they relate to the sheep industry. Dr. Lowell Slyter gave an update on the status of the Sheep and Goat Research Journal, which will be available free on-line through the ASI web site, and funded through page charges. Papers will be published continuously as they are reviewed. Paul Rodgers reported on the referendum passed to approve the lamb check off, with funds to go to the American Lamb Board, a new Sheep Price Risk Insurance program, and a new "Try Lamb" initiative, as joint effort between the U.S. and Australia.

The NSIP update was provided by Dr. James Morgan, who presented a summary table of activities by breed. New traits are being evaluated for inclusion in the NSIP program, such as accelerated lambing (Polypay), fecal egg count (Katahdin), and carcass scanning (MARC 8 Composite) EPDs. Boer goats will be part of NSIP, and Kiko and Alpacas are under consideration.

An update on the development of new NRC requirements for small ruminants was provided Dr. Larry Miller, and he indicated that the final version of the document will have separate sections for sheep and goats. Dr. Dan Morrical presented a proposal by Iowa State University to provide ration balancing software to NRC.

On behalf of resolutions committee Dr. Joan Burke presented eight resolutions that recognized various individuals and organizations for contributions NCERA 190 and the sheep industry, urged the American Lamb Board to direct a portion of their producer check-off funds to the support of sheep production research to improve the competitiveness of the U.S. sheep producers, and requested that the National Association of Fairs institute a sheep tail docking rule in the interest of animal well-being. All resolutions were passed unanimously.
Dr. Jay Daniel, Chair, Dr. Stephan Wildeus, Vice-Chair, Dr. Joan Burke, Secretary, were elected as officers. Dr. Joan Burke agreed to host the 2006 meeting at the USDA-ARS Research Station in Booneville, AR, in mid-June 2006.

The committee discussed the participation of non-members at the meeting. Concerns were raised about the appearance of information in public domain without review and author approval, and that presence of non-members may prevent scientists from discussing preliminary data freely. After input from a number of committee members, a motion was passed to extend invitations to industry organization and institutional representatives, as well as institutions that are working in sheep research. Guests can also be sponsored by committee members, and the chair will make an announcement at the beginning of the meeting to adhere to the statement on the cover of the proceedings regarding the use of the material presented. The business meeting was then adjourned.

Station reports were presented all day Monday, June 20, and again Tuesday, June 21, after the business meeting. The meeting concluded with a tour of the Virginia State University Small Ruminant Facilities on Tuesday afternoon and a joint hair sheep lamb dinner with participants of the Hair Sheep Workshop following the NCERA-190 meeting.

Accomplishments

NCERA 190 members cooperated on two projects using the MARC Composite rams, with one of the projects involving the USDA-ARS Meat Animal Research Center and Texas A&M University, and a second project involving the USDA-ARS Meat Animal Research Center, the USDA-ARS Sheep Experiment Station, and Virginia Tech.<br /> <br /> A cooperative project evaluating copper wire particles for the control of gastrointestinal nematode parasites is in progress with NCERA 190 committee members from the USDA-ARS Dale Bumpers Small Farm Research Center and Iowa State University.<br /> <br /> Cooperative research was facilitated through the exchange of hair sheep germplasm between NCERA 190 committee members from the University of the Virgin Islands and Virginia State University.<br /> <br /> Joint research on the molecular biology of the Callipyge gene is in progress between NCERA 190 committee members from Utah State University and Purdue University.<br />

Publications

Alexander, B. M., R. H. Stobart, W. C. Russell, K. I. ORourke, G. S. Lewis, J. R. Logan, J. V. Duncan, and G. E. Moss. 2005. The incidence of genotypes at codon 171 of the prion protein gene (PRNP) in five breeds of sheep and production traits of ewes associated with those genotypes. J. Anim. Sci. 83:455-459.<br /> <br /> Berger, Y. M. 2004. Breeds of sheep for commercial milk production. Proc. 10th Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp., Hudson, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Anim. Sci. pp. 14-20.<br /> <br /> Berger, Y.M., P. Billon, F. Bocquier, G. Caja, A. Cannas, B. McKusick, P.-G. Marnet, and D. Thomas. 2005. Principles of sheep dairying in North America. Edited and produced by University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension. CD A3767.<br /> <br /> Berger, Y. M. and D. L. Thomas. 2004. Milk testing, calculations of milk production, and adjustment factors. Proc. 10th Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp., Hudson, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Anim. Sci. pp. 55-62.<br /> <br /> Bidwell, C. A., L. N. Kramer, A. C. Perkins, T. S. Hadfield, D. E. Moody and N. E. Cockett (2004) Expression of PEG11 and PEG11AS transcripts in normal and callipyge sheep. BMC Biology 2:17. DOI:10.1186/1741-7007-2-17.<br /> <br /> Bidwell, C.A., L.N. Kramer, T.S. Hadfield, D.E. Moody C. Charlier, M. Georges and N.E. Cockett (2004) Expression of PEG11 and AntiPEG11 transcripts in normal and callipyge sheep. Keystone Symposia: Emerging Mechanisms of Epigenetic Regulation. Tahoe City CA. <br /> <br /> Borg, R. C. 2004. Developing breeding objectives for Targhee sheep. M. S. Thesis.<br /> <br /> Borg, R. C., D. R. Notter, R. W. Kott, and L. A. Kuehn. 2004. Developing breeding objectives for Targhee sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 82(Suppl. 1):391 (Abstr.).<br /> <br /> Brenig, B., T. E. Broad, N. E. Cockett and A. Eggen. 2004. Achievements of Research in the Field of Molecular Genetics. In: The World Association for Animal Production, Book of the Year for 2003. Wageningen Academic Publishers, The Netherlands (in press).<br /> <br /> Bunch. T. D., C. Wu, Y-P Zhang and S. Wang. 2005. Phylogenetic analysis of snow sheep (Ovis nivicola) and closely related taxa. J. Heredity. (in press).<br /> <br /> Burke J.M., J.E. Miller, D.K. Brauer. 2005. The effectiveness of copper oxide wire particles as an anthelmintic in pregnant ewes and safety to offspring. Vet. Parasitol. (In Press).<br /> <br /> Burke J.M., J.E. Miller, D.D. Olcott, B.M. Olcott, T.H. Terrill. 2004. Effect of copper oxide wire particles dosage and feed supplement level on Haemonchus contortus infection in lambs. Vet. Parasitol. 123:235-243.<br /> <br /> Burke J.M., J.E. Miller. 2004. Relative resistance to gastrointestinal nematode parasites in Dorper, Katahdin, and St. Croix lambs under conditions encountered in the southeastern region of the United States. Small Rumin. Res. 54:43-51.<br /> <br /> Burke J.M., J.E. Miller. 2005. The use of copper oxide wire particles (COWP) in pregnant ewes. Southern Sect. ASAS Meeting, Little Rock, AR (abstract).<br /> <br /> Burke J.M., J.E. Miller, M. Larsen, T.H. Terrill. 2005. Interaction between copper oxide wire particles (COWP) and Duddingtonia flagrans in hair breed lambs. Southern Sect. ASAS Meeting, Little Rock, AR (abstract).<br /> <br /> Caja, G., D. L. Thomas, M. Rovai, M. Hernandez-Jover, Y. M. Berger, and T. A. Taylor. 2005. Using different rumen boluses for the electronic identification and milk recording of dairy sheep. Proc. of the International Symposium on the Future of the Sheep and Goat Dairy Sectors, Zaragoza, Spain (In Press: to be published as an International Dairy Federation volume in the future).<br /> <br /> Cammack, K. M., K. A. Leymaster, T. G. Jenkins, and M. K. Nielsen. 2005. Estimates of genetic parameters for feed intake, feeding behavior, and daily gain in composite ram lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 83:777-785. <br /> Cockett, N. E. 2004. Summary of the 2004 International Conferences for Animal Genetics, held in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese Journal of Animal Breeding (in press).<br /> <br /> Cockett, N. E. 2004. Advances in Livestock Genomics. Conference on Agricultural Genomics: Who, What and Why. AAAS, Pacific Division. <br /> <br /> Cockett, N. E. And F. Galibert. 2004. Genome Mapping at the Molecular Level. In: Mammalian Genomics. Editor: A. Ruvinsky. CAB International, UK (in press).<br /> <br /> Cockett, N. E., M. Smit, C. A. Bidwell, K. Sergers, T. L. Hadfield, G. D. Snowder, M. Georges and C. Charlier. 2004. The callipyge mutation and other genes that affect muscle hypertrophy in sheep. Genetics Selection Evolution 37(Suppl. 1):S65-S81.<br /> <br /> Dabiri, N. and M. L. Thonney. 2004. Source and level of supplemental protein for growing lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 82:3237-3244.<br /> <br /> Daniel, J.A., T.H. Elsasser, and W. Epperson. 2004. Elevation of tumor necrosis factor-a and a1-acid glycoprotein in lambs with consolidation of lung tissue. J. Anim. Sci. 82(Suppl. 1):179.<br /> <br /> Daniel, J.A., J. Held, C. S. Schauer, and W. Epperson. 2005. Lung Lesions in Lambs. Western Dakota Sheep & Beef Day 46:40-45.<br /> <br /> Davis, E., C. H. Jensen, H. D. Schroder, T. Hadfield, A. Kiem, N. Cockett, M. Georges and C. Charlier. 2004. Ectopic expression of DLK1 protein in skeletal muscle of padumnal heterozygotes causes the callipyge phenotype. Current Biology 14:1858-1862.<br /> <br /> Dodson, R. E., H.A. Buroker and R.W. Godfrey. 2005. Behavioral and physiological responses of hair and wool crossbred lambs in a tropical environment. J. Anim. Vet. Adv. 4 (1): 126-129.<br /> <br /> Dodson, R.E., A.J. Weis and R.W. Godfrey. 2004. Growth and parasite burdens of St. Croix White and Dorper X St. Croix White lambs grazing native pasture during the wet season in the US Virgin Islands. J. Anim. Sci. 82(Suppl. 1):376.<br /> <br /> Eng, S. L., E. Owens, J. E. Womack and N. E. Cockett. 2004. Development of an ovine-whole genome radiation hybrid panel. Proc., Plant and Animal Genome XII, poster P650, p. 233.<br /> <br /> Fackrell, B.B. 2005. Effects of genotype, nutrition and progesterone on uterine efficiency in the ewe. M.S. Thesis. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331.<br /> <br /> Fisher, M., S. Duckett, and S. Wildeus. 2004. Effect of breed type, finishing treatment and dietary supplements on carcass characteristics and tenderness in hair sheep. J. Anim. Sci., 82, Suppl. 1:227-228<br /> <br /> Freking, B. A., and K. A. Leymaster. 2004. Evaluation of Dorset, Finnsheep, Romanov, Texel, and Montadale Breeds of Sheep: IV. Survival, Growth, and Carcass Traits of F1 Lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 82:3144-3153.<br /> Freking, B. A., T. P. L. Smith, and K. A. Leymaster. 2004. Meat quality and the callipyge gene, consumer acceptance and final product. Proc. 7th World Sheep & Wool Congress. Quebec City, Canada. Pp. 92-102.<br /> Godfrey, R.W., A.J. Weis and R.E. Dodson. 2004. Production traits of St. Croix White and Dorper X St. Croix White lambs grazing native pasture during the dry season in the US Virgin Islands. J. Anim. Sci. 82(Suppl. 2):27.<br /> <br /> Godfrey, R.W., L. Larson, A.J. Weis and S.T. Willard. 2004. Use of audible Doppler and B Mode ultrasonography to monitor fetal heart rate of hair sheep in the tropics. J. Anim. Sci. 82(Suppl. 1):259.<br /> <br /> Godfrey, R.W., A.J. Weis, R.E. Dodson, M. Loewer and S.T. Willard. 2004. Plasma progesterone response to ACTH administration in ewes during diestrus and following ovariectomy. J. Anim. Sci. 82(Suppl. 1):459.<br /> <br /> Godfrey, R.W., J.R Collins, E.L. Hensley, H.A. Buroker, J.K. Bultman, A.J Weis. 2004. Production of hair sheep using accelerated lambing and an extensive management system in the tropics. In: Proc. 40th Caribbean Food Crop Soc., St John, VI, July 19-23, 2004.<br /> <br /> Greiner, S. P., S. K. Duckett, and D. R. Notter. 2004. Shear force and sensory attributes of lamb from hair sheep composite breeds. J. Anim. Sci. 82(Suppl. 1):311-312 (Abstr.).<br /> <br /> Greiner, S. P., D. R. Notter, H. B. Vanimisetti, A. M. Zajac, and M. L. Wahlberg. 2004. Evaluation of hair sheep composite breeds: summary of results. Proc. Virginia-North Carolina Shepherds' Symp., Harrisonburg, VA, January 9-10, pp. 53-60.<br /> <br /> Henry, D.M. and R.W. Godfrey. 2004. Evaluation of an infrared thermometer for determining the scrotal surface temperature of hair sheep rams in a tropical environment. J. Anim. Vet. Adv. 3:695-699.<br /> <br /> Herrmann, L. M., I. Hötzel, W. P. Cheevers, K. Pretty On Top, G. S. Lewis, and D. P. Knowles. 2004. Seven new ovine progressive pneumonia virus (OPPV) field isolates from Dubois Idaho sheep comprise part of OPPV clade II based on surface envelope glycoprotein (SU) sequences. Virus Res. 102:215-220.<br /> <br /> Hiemke, C. J., L. Lee, D. L. Thomas, T. A. Taylor, R. G. Gottfredson, and S. Pinnow. 2004. Ultrasound fat and muscle measurements of live lambs as a predictor of carcass fat and muscle measurements and changes in ultrasound rib ewe area and fat thickness as lambs grow. Proc. 51st Biennial Spooner Sheep Day, Dept. Animal Sci., Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison. pp. 6-11.<br /> <br /> Hiemke, C. J., D. L. Thomas, T. A. Taylor, R. G. Gottfredson, and S. Pinnow. 2004. Evaluation of ultrasound measurements to predict carcass ribeye area and fat thickness in lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 82(Suppl. 1) and J. Dairy Sci. 87(Suppl. 1):312. <br /> <br /> Holásková, I., G. S. Lewis, M. Elliott, K. P. Blemings, and R. A. Dailey. 2004. Effect of peptidoglycan-polysaccharide complex on reproductive efficiency in sheep. Amer. J. Reprod. Immunol. 52:197-203.<br /> Isler, B. J., B. A. Freking, M. P. Heaton, R. M. Thallman and K. A. Leymaster. 2005. Effects of prion haplotype on growth and carcass traits in sheep. J. Anim. Sci. Midwestern Sec. (In Press).<br /> Jaeggi, J.J., W.L. Wendorff, J. Romero, Y.M. Berger, and M.E. Johnson. 2005. Impact of seasonal changes in ovine milk on composition and yield of a hard-pressed cheese. J. Dairy Sci. 88:1358-1363.<br /> <br /> Kaplan, R.M., J.M. Burke, T.H. Terrill, J.E. Miller, W.R. Getz, S. Mobini, E.Valencia, M. Williams, L.H. Williamson, M. Larsen, A.F. Vatta. 2004. Validation of the FAMACHA© eye color chart for detecting clinical anemia on sheep and goat farms in the southern United States. Vet. Parasitol. 123:105-120.<br /> <br /> King, D.A., K.L. Voges, D.S. Hale, D.F. Waldron, C.A. Taylor, and J.W. Savell. 2004. Use of high and low voltage electrical stimulation strategies enhance muscle tenderness and color from cabrito carcasses. Meat Sci. 68:529-535.<br /> <br /> Lange K.C., D.D. Olcott, J.E. Miller, J.A. Mosjidis, T.H. Terrill, J.M. Burke. 2005. Effect of the condensed tannin containing forage, sericea lespedeza, fed as hay, on natural and experimental challenge infection in lambs. Workshop: Novel Approaches to the Control of Helminth Parasites, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico (abstract 42).<br /> <br /> Lewis, G. S. 2004. Steroidal regulation of uterine immune defenses. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 8283:281294.<br /> <br /> Leymaster, K. A., E. Casas, and B. A. Freking. 2004. Evaluation of Dorset, Finnsheep, Romanov, Texel, and Montadale breeds of sheep: Reproduction of F1 ewes in spring mating seasons. J. Anim. Sci. 82(Suppl. 1.):390. Abst. No. 647.<br /> Leymaster, K. A., B. A. Freking and E. Casas. 2005. Experimental results to take to the bank. The Shepherd. (Submitted).<br /> Li H., N. S. Taus, G. S. Lewis, O. Kim, D. L. Traul, and T. B. Crawford. 2004. Shedding of ovine herpesvirus 2 in sheep nasal secretions: the predominant mode for transmission. J. Clin. Microbiol. 42:5558-5564.<br /> <br /> Liu, W-S., C. W. Beattie, N. E. Cockett and F. A. Ponce de Leon. 2004. Comparative analysis of 38 bovine Y-chromosome microsatellites in cattle, sheep and goats. Proc., Plant and Animal Genome XII, poster P632, p. 229.<br /> <br /> Lupton, C. J., B. A. Freking, and K. A. Leymaster. 2004. Evaluation of Dorset, Finnsheep, Romanov, Texel, and Montadale breeds of sheep: III. Wool characteristics of F1 ewes. J. Anim. Sci. 82:2293-2300.<br /> <br /> Mateescu, R. G. and M. L. Thonney. 2005. Effect of testosterone on insulin-like growth factor-I, androgen receptor, and myostatin gene expression in splenius and semitendinosus muscles in sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 83:803-809.<br /> <br /> Miller J.E., J.M. Burke, T.H. Terrill. 2005. Effect of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 gram copper oxide wire particles on natural infection in lambs. Southern Sect. ASAS Meeting, Little Rock, AR (abstract).<br /> <br /> Murphy, S. K., B. A. Freking, T. P. L. Smith, C. M. Nolan, A. A. Wylie, H. K. Evans, and R. L. Jirtle. 2005. Abnormal postnatal maintenance of elevated prenatal DLK1 levels in callipyge sheep. Genome Res. 16:171-183.<br /> Notter, D. R. and N. E. Cockett. 2004. Opportunities for detection and use of QTL influencing seasonal reproduction. Genetics Selection Evolution (in press).<br /> <br /> Notter, D. R., S. P. Greiner, and M. L. Wahlberg. 2004. Growth and carcass characteristics of lambs sired by Dorper and Dorset sires. J. Anim. Sci. 82:1323-1328.<br /> <br /> Notter, D. R. 2004. Genetic evaluation opportunities for small ruminants. J. Anim. Sci. 82(Suppl. 1):27 (Abstr.).<br /> <br /> Notter, D. R. 2004. Sire selection for maternal versus terminal sire breeds. Proc. Pennsylvania Sheep and Goat Conf., Carlisle, PA, October 29-30, 8 pp. <br /> <br /> Notter, D. R. 2004. The U. S. National Sheep Improvement Program: managing genetic improvement for the U.S. sheep industry. Proc. Maryland Sheep and Goat Genetics Conf., Keedysville, MD, October 30, 21 pp.<br /> <br /> Notter, D. R. 2004. Genetic resistance to internal parasites in sheep and goats. Proc. Maryland Sheep and Goat Genetics Conf., Keedysville, MD, October 30, 9 pp.<br /> <br /> Obeidat, B. S., J. R. Strickland, M. L. Vogt, J. B. Taylor, and C. R. Krehbiel. 2005. Effects of locoweed on serum swainsonine and selected serum constituents in sheep during acute and subacute oral/intraruminal exposure. J. Anim. Sci. 83:466-477.<br /> <br /> Pao, S., D. Patel, A. Kalantari, J.P. Tritschler, S. Wildeus, and B.L. Sayre. 2005. Detection and isolation of salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7 from feces of small ruminants. Appl. and Environ. Microbiol. 71:2158-2161<br /> <br /> Roselli, C. E., Larkin, K., Resko, J. A., Stellflug, J. N., and Stormshak, F. 2004. The volume of a sexually dimorphic nucleus in the ovine medial preoptic area/anterior hypothalamus varies with sexual partner preference. Endocrinology. 145:478-483.<br /> <br /> Rovai, M., D. L. Thomas, Y. M. Berger and G. Caja. 2004. Udder morphology and effects on milk production and ease of milking in dairy sheep. Proc. 10th Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp., Hudson, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Anim. Sci. pp. 79-114.<br /> <br /> Schauer, C.S., J. Held, J. Daniel, J. Caton, P. Hatfield, R. Stobart, L.P. Anderson, J.O. Hall, D.M. Stecher, D. Pearson, and D. Drolc. 2005. Development of high Selenium lamb as a human health food. Western Dakota Sheep & Beef Day. 46:6-12.<br /> <br /> Snowder, G. D., J. N. Stellflug, and L. D. VanVleck. 2004. Genetic correlation of ram sexual performance with ewe reproductive traits of four sheep breeds. Appl. Anim. Behaviour Sci. 88:253-261.<br /> <br /> Southey, B. R., S. L. Rodriguez-Zas, and K. A. Leymaster. 2004. Competing risks analysis of lamb mortality in a terminal sire composite population. J. Anim. Sci. 82:2892-2899.<br /> <br /> Stellflug, J. N., A. Perkins, and V. A LaVoie. 2004. Testosterone and luteinizing hormone responses to naloxone help predict sexual performance in rams. J. Anim. Sci. 82:3380-3387. <br /> <br /> Taylor, J. B. 2005. Time dependent influence of supranutritional organically-bound selenium on selenium accumulation in growing wether lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 83: 1186-1193.<br /> <br /> Taylor, J. B. S. S. Seefeldt, and T. M. Thelen. 2005. The use of short-duration intensive sheep grazing to increase sheep utilization of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.). J. Food Agric. Environ. 3:323-326.<br /> <br /> Taylor, J. B., J. R. Strickland, C. R. Krehbiel, A. K. Clayshulte, M. A. Siepel, and R. L. Ashley. 2004. Disposition of swainsonine in sheep following acute oral exposure. Pages 102-107 in Poisonous Plants and Related Toxins. T. Acamovic, C. S. Stewart, and T. W. Pennycott, eds. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, Oxon, UK.<br /> <br /> Thomas, D. L. 2004. Overview of the dairy sheep sector in Canada and the United States. Proc. 10th Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp., Hudson, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Anim. Sci. pp. 166-180.<br /> <br /> Thomas, D. L., Y. M. Berger, R. G. Gottfredson, and T. A. Taylor. 2004. Comparison of East Friesian and Lacaune breeds for dairy sheep production in North America. Proc. 10th Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp., Hudson, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Anim. Sci. pp. 115-123.<br /> <br /> Thomas, D. L. and G. F. W. Haenlein. 2005. Panorama of the goat and sheep dairy sectors in North America. Proc. of the International Symposium on the Future of the Sheep and Goat Dairy Sectors, Zaragoza, Spain (In Press: to be published as an International Dairy Federation volume in the future).<br /> <br /> Thomas, D. L. 2005. Reducing costs with practical feeding of the ewe flock. 2005. Sheep Management WisLine Program. Viewed at: [http://www.uwex.edu/ces/animalscience/sheep].<br /> <br /> Thomas, D. L. 2005. Reducing costs with practical feeding of the ewe flock. The Shepherd 50(3):8-11.<br /> <br /> Thomas, D. L. 2005. Reducing costs with practical feeding of the ewe flock. The Banner Sheep Magazine 28(2):96-97.<br /> <br /> Thonney, M. L. 2004. Lamb: U.S. Marketing. Page 575-577 in Encyclopedia of Animal Science. W. G. Pond and A. W. Bell, eds. Marcel Dekker, New York.<br /> <br /> Vanimisetti, H. B., S. P. Greiner, A. M. Zajac, and D. R. Notter. 2004. Performance of hair sheep composite breeds: resistance of lambs to Haemonchus contortus. J. Anim. Sci. 82:595-604.<br /> <br /> Vanimisetti, H. B., S. L. Andrew, D. R. Notter, and A. M. Zajac. 2004. Inheritance of fecal egg count and packed cell volume and their relationship with production traits in sheep infected with Haemonchus contortus. J. Anim. Sci. 82:1602-1611. <br /> <br /> Waldron, D.F. and C.J. Lupton. 2005. Improvement of sheep through selection of performance-tested and progeny-tested breeding animals. Texas Agric. Exp. Sta. Res. Cen. Rep. 2005-1.<br /> <br /> Waldron, D.F. 2005. Sire summary of ram test performance (1995  2005). Texas Agric. Exp. Sta. Res. Cen. Rep. 2005-2.<br /> <br /> Wildeus, S. and J. R. Collins. 2004. Timing of sperm abnormalities in rams and bucks following short-duration scrotal insulation, 15th Int. Cong. Anim. Reprod., Porto Seguro, Brazil, Abstracts, vol. 1:278<br /> <br /> Wildeus, S. and J. R. Collins. 2004. Fertilization failure after timed AI in sheep and goats using eCG/hCG following synchronization with MAP sponges. Reprod., Fertility and Develop., 16:509<br /> <br /> Wildeus, S., K. E Turner, and J. R. Collins. 2004. Effect of species and breed within species on forage intake and growth in hair sheep lambs and meat goat kids offered alfalfa and grass hay diets with a corn-based supplement. J. Anim. Sci., 82, Suppl. 1:223<br /> <br /> Wildeus, S., D.H. Keisler, and J.R. Collins. 2005. Use of melengestrol acetate (MGA) feeding to synchronize mating in hair sheep and meat goats during seasonal breeding. J. Anim. Sci., 83, Suppl. 2:13-14<br /> <br /> Wildeus, S. and J.R. Collins. 2005. Application of a bovine electronic estrus mount detection system for use in goats and hair sheep. J. Anim. Sci., 83, Suppl. 2:14.<br /> <br /> Wildeus, S., J.E. Miller, and J.R. Collins. 2005. Effect of breed, rearing management, and supplement type on gastrointestinal parasitism in hair sheep lambs. J. Anim. Sci., 83, Suppl. 2:14-15.<br /> <br /> Willard, S.T., A.J. Weis, R.E. Dodson, M. Loewer and R.W. Godfrey. 2004. Plasma progesterone response to ACTH administration in the ewe during early and late stages of gestation. J. Anim. Sci. 82(Suppl. 1):459.<br /> <br /> Wulster-Radcliffe, M. C., S. Wang, and G. S. Lewis. 2004. Transcervical artificial insemination in sheep: Effects of a new transcervical artificial insemination instrument and traversing the cervix on pregnancy and lambing rates. Theriogenology 62:990-1002.<br /> <br /> Wulster-Radcliffe, M. C., R. C. Seals, and G. S. Lewis. 2005. Uterine response to multiple inoculations with Arcanobacterium Pyogenes and Escherichia Coli in nulliparous ewes. Am. J. Reprod. Immunol. (In press).<br />

Impact Statements

1. The committee co-sponsored a hair sheep workshop that was held in conjunction with the NCREA 190 meeting at Virginia State University. The workshop was funded by a grant from the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center ($15,000) to Virgina State University (Stephan Wildeus). The Workshop provided an overview of current hair sheep research and the workshop material will be summarized on a web-site oriented towards producers.
2. The committee co-sponsored a symposium on Management of Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Sheep at 2005 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science. The symposium was organized by committee member Dr. Joan Burke and funded by a grant of the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center to the American Society of Animal Science. Audio-visual proceedings of the Symposium will be available through the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI).
3. Activities of the NCERA 190 committee, especially by committee members Dr. David Thomas and Dr. Yves Berger, in dairy sheep research and extension have contributed to the growth of the U.S. dairy sheep industry.
4. The NCERA 190 committee is involved in activities of the National Sheep Industry Improvement Program (NSIP) through Dr. Dave Notter, and contributed to the expansion of the program in breeds and number of animals enrolled.

Back to top

Report Information

Participants

Berg, Paul, North Dakota State University
Berger, Yves (ymberger@wisc.edu), University of Wisconsin
Bunch, Thomas D. (tombunch@cc.usu.edu), Utah State University
Burfening, Peter (pburfening@csrees.usda.gov), USDA, CSREES
Burke, Joan M. (jmburke@sps.ars.usda.gov), USDA, ARService
Collins, Joni (jcollins@vsu.edu), Virginia State University
Daniel, Jay (jay_daniel@sdstate.edu), South Dakota State University
Getz, Will (getzw@fvsu.edu), Fort Valley State University
Godfrey, Bob (rgodfre@uvi.edu), University of the Virgin Islands
Held, Jeff (Jeffrey.Held@sdstate.edu), South Dakota State University
Hogue, Douglas (deh17@cornell.edu), Cornell University
Irwin, Lyndon (lirwin@prodigy.net), American Sheep Industry Association
Kuehn, Larry (kuehn@email.marc.usda.gov), USDA, ARS, USMARC
Lewis, Gregory (glewis@pw.ars.usda.gov), USDA, ARS, USSES
Leymaster, Kreg (leymaster@email.marc.usda.gov), USDA, ARS, USMARC
Luther, Justin (Justin.Luther@ndsu.edu), North Dakota State University
Meyer, Howard (howard.h.meyer@orst.edu), Oregon State University
Miller, James (jmille1@lsu.edu), Louisiana State University
Morgan, James (jlmm@earthlink.net), National Sheep Improvement Program
Morrical, Dan (morrical@iastate.edu), Iowa State University
Notter, David (drnotter@vt.edu), Virginia Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ.
Rodgers, Paul (prodgers2@earthlink.net), American Sheep Industry Association
Schaefer, Dan (schaeferd@ansci.wisc.edu), University of Wisconsin
Thomas, Dave (dlthomas@wiscmail.wisc.edu), University of Wisconsin
Thonney, Michael L. (mlt2@cornell.edu), Cornell University
Waldron, Dan (d-waldron@tamu.edu), Texas A&M University
Wildeus, Stephan (swildeus@vsu.edu), Virginia State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Use of fermentable fiber for better feed efficiency in self-fed rations for sheep. Metabolic problems, including sub-clinical acidosis and reduced feed intake, prevent sheep from fully utilizing components of self-fed concentrate diets. A new concept in ruminant nutrition developed scientists at Cornell University is that ruminant diets should contain certain minimum concentrations of fermentable fiber based upon the class and productivity of the animals. Many diets formulated for sheep are deficient in fermentable fiber. Experiments have shown that rumen metabolic problems can be eliminated and feed intake maximized when sheep are fed diets balanced for fermentable neutral detergent fiber (FNDF) and nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCHO). Feeding recommendations for minimum levels of FDNF and maximum levels of NSCHO have been estimated and incorporated into a diet formulation program that will be tested by other experiment stations involved in the NCERA-190 project. Testing and refinement of this new approach for balancing diets for sheep will lead to logical nutritional recommendations for including by-product feeds from processing corn, soybeans, wheat, and other grains. Utilizing the high concentrations of FNDF in these by-product feeds by incorporating them into self-fed diets will eliminate death losses that commonly occur from "grain overload" and improve feed intake of highly productive animals such as feedlot lambs and dairy ewes or ewes nursing twins and triplets.<br /> <br /> <br /> Isolation of genetic markers associated with production traits in sheep. Scientists from Utah State University and Texas A&M are working toward whole-genome physical mapping of sheep. Objectives are to expedite positional cloning efforts of trait genes underlying QTL, to generate gene arrays for more informative expression analyses, to target specific chromosomal regions for marker development, to provide a scaffolding for sequencing of the ovine genome, and to conduct cross-species comparative genome analyses.<br /> <br /> <br /> Evaluation of lamb production of Dorper ewes at Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. Increasing production costs are a challenge to the economic sustainability of sheep production and may be reduced by proper breed selection. Rambouillet, a wool breed well adapted to arid Texas conditions, has traditionally been used by southwestern US producers, but has lost its economic advantage because of decreased wool value. Evaluation for life time lamb production of the Dorper, a hair or shedding breed adapted to hot arid climates, compared with the Rambouillet is necessary. The potential economic impact will be a function of number of lambs born, lamb survival, lamb growth rate, and lamb carcass and pelt value. The first lambs were produced in 2005. Information from this project, when completed, will be used to help sheep producers make informed decisions about which breed to raise and the expected economic impact of their breed choice.<br /> <br /> <br /> Healthy lamb products. Scientists at South Dakota University cooperated with those at NDSU Hettinger Research Station on development of high selenium lamb as a human health food.<br /> <br /> <br /> Hair sheep efforts. In an effort to manage the limited Barbados Blackbelly germplasm, UVI and Virginia State University have exchanged rams. The Barbados Blackbelly is a hair breed with important traits such as gastrointestinal parasite resistance and high prolificacy. When used in a crossbreeding scheme with traditional U.S. breeds, these traits may lend improvements to a flock.<br />

Publications

Impact Statements

1. Effects of dietary intake and maternal growth during pregnancy in ewe lambs. Ewe lambs compared with yearlings can yield more pounds of lamb over their reproductive lifetime. Scientists from NDSU and USDA, ARS, U.S. Sheep Experiment Station determined that optimizing nutrition during pregnancy in the ewe lamb has the potential to enhance the level of lamb production on the U.S. sheep enterprise. These findings will allow sheep producers to make better management decisions when breeding ewe lambs under traditional and accelerated sheep production systems.
2. Feeding twice daily in tropics can decrease weight loss in post-partum ewes. Weight lost after lambing can decrease reproductive responses in ewes. Scientists at the University of the Virgin Islands determined that by feeding in morning and afternoons, ewes consumed more feed and lost less weight than those fed once daily; however, reproductive responses were not improved.
3. Terminal sires improve lamb carcass traits. Scientists from the USDA, ARS U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Virginia Tech, and SDSU collaborated on evaluation of terminal sires. In addition, scientists from USDA, ARS, MARC and Texas A&M developed strategies to improve efficiency of lean growth, carcass quality, and meat palatability through the use of a composite sire breed. Production of improved breed-types potentially leads to competitive lamb products in U.S. and international markets.
4. Use of antibiotic fails to control lung lesions in lambs. Severe lung lesions result in reduced average daily gain in lambs. Scientists at South Dakota State University determined that targeted feeding of chlorotetracycline did not reduce the prevalence of lung lesions, though a reduction would result in fewer days on feed or increased market weights of lambs, increasing the market price of the animal. This information is important to producers, extension agents, and veterinarians.
5. Dairy sheep research. The University of Wisconsin-Madison has the only research program dedicated to dairy sheep production in North America. Cornell University and UW have collaborated in providing Extension support to this new and growing industry. UW-Madison assisted and remains active in the development of the Wisconsin Sheep Dairy Cooperative (WSDC). There was an increase in sheep milk marketings by the WSDC - from 20,500 kg in its initial year in 1996 to over 455,000 kg in 2006; a 21-fold increase in marketing of milk.
6. Hair sheep research captured. Research presented at the 2005 Hair Sheep Workshop that was held at Virginia State University in conjunction with the NCERA-190 meeting can be found at the American Sheep Industry website, http://www.sheepandgoat.com/HairSheepWorkshop/index.html. This information is important to scientists, producers and other sheep industry professionals and can lead to improved management decisions and proper breed selection.
7. Management of hair sheep for optimal lamb production. The use of hair breeds for lamb production has increased over the past few years, but little has been reported on out-of-season breeding. ARS scientists in AR determined that Dorper, Katahdin, and St. Croix ewes were all capable of breeding out-of-season and Utah State University and the ARS US Sheep Experiment Station determined that accelerated breeding can increase production by 20% in St. Croix. These results indicate suitable breeds for seasonal breeding, which support increased sheep numbers in southeastern US.
8. Sheep numbers increase in U.S. Activities of the NCERA 190 committee have contributed to the growth of the hair sheep and dairy sheep industry in the U.S. and sheep and lamb numbers increased in 2005 and 2006 according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
9. Locating markers for parasite resistance in sheep. Gastrointestinal parasites have a profound effect on sheep production. In a collaborative study between Utah State University and Louisiana State University, regions in the ovine genome on chromosomes 1 and 9 have been identified that may play a role in resistance to gastrointestinal parasites. This may have an impact on identification and production of parasite resistant sheep.
10. Copper oxide wire particles (COWP) as an effective method to control internal parasites in sheep. Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) that causes anemia and death is a major problem for sheep producers. Scientists at USDA, ARS in AR, LSU, Fort Valley State University, and Iowa State University determined that 0.5 g COWP can be safely used in lambs without causing toxicity and costs less than 10% of conventional dewormers. This finding is important to producers in warm, humid climates looking for sustainable alternatives to chemical dewormers.
11. The NCERA 190 committee is involved in activities of the National Sheep Industry Improvement Program (NSIP) through Dr. Dave Notter, and contributed to the expansion of the program in breeds and number of animals enrolled.

Back to top

Report Information

Participants

Bunch, Thomas (tombunch@cc.usu.edu) Utah State University; Burfening, Peter (pburfening@csrees.usda.gov) USDA, CSREES; Burke, Joan (jmburke@sps.ars.usda.gov) USDA, ARService; Driscoll, Rosemary (rdrisco@uvi.edu ) University of the Virgin Islands; Kuber, Paul (kuber.2@osu.edu) The Ohio State University; Lane, Woody (woody@woodylane.com) Lane Livestock Services; Lewis, Gregory (glewis@pw.ars.usda.gov) USDA, ARS, USSES; Leymaster, Kreg (leymaster@email.marc.usda.gov) USDA, ARS, USMARC; Luther, Justin (Justin.Luther@ndsu.edu) North Dakota State University; Mateescu, Raluca (raluca@okstate.edu) Oklahoma State University; Meyer, Howard (howard.h.meyer@orst.edu) Oregon State University; Miller, James (jmille1@lsu.edu) Louisiana State University; Morgan, James (jlmm@earthlink.net) National Sheep Improvement Program; Notter, David (drnotter@vt.edu) Virginia Polytechnic Inst. & State University; Rodgers, Paul (prodgers2@earthlink.net) American Sheep Industry Association; Schaefer, Dan (schaeferd@ansci.wisc.edu) University of Wisconsin; Thomas, Dave (dlthomas@wiscmail.wisc.edu) University of Wisconsin; Thompson, Jim (james.thompson@oregonstate.edu) Oregon State University; Thonney, Michael (mlt2@cornell.edu) Cornell University; Waldron, Dan (d-waldron@tamu.edu) Texas A&M University; Wildeus, Stephan (swildeus@vsu.edu) Virginia State University; Zerby, Henry (zerby.8@osu.edu) The Ohio State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Accomplishments<br /> <br /> At the Cornell University experiment station in New York the formulation of diets on the basis of fermentable NDF has enabled commercial sheep and goat farmers in the Northeast to make better decisions about how to include grain by-product ingredients in complete-mixed diets for ewes and does and for growing animals. The vaccination of sheep against Johnes Disease has been shown to be feasible. When refined vaccines based upon recombinant proteins become available commercially, it will likely be possible to eradicate the disease. 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 and increasing opportunities to take advantage of optimal times to markets.<br /> <br /> At North Dakota State University, data are currently being collected for the project entitled: Evaluation of Katahdin Influenced Ewes under Minimal Management Conditions. These data will be reported at next year's meeting. Data have been collected and analyzed for the project entitled: Application of Hormonal Technologies for Out-of-Season Breeding in Sheep. These data are currently being prepared for publication. Data have been collected and analyzed for the project entitled: Effects of Dietary Intake and Maternal Growth during Pregnancy in Ewe Lambs. Numerous abstracts for these data have been published and manuscripts are in preparation.<br /> <br /> At Oregon State University, the third crop of Dorper-cross lambs has just been born for assessment of survival and growth; the first crop of crossbred lambs is completing their first reproductive cycle to assess reproductive performance while generating ¾ Dorper lambs for future assessment.<br /> <br /> At South Dakota State University, studies with co-product (SH and DDGS) based sheep diets have shown they can serve as primary feed ingredients in nutrition management applications for intensively managed commercial sheep that improve animal growth, milk production and have not contributed to the incidence of acidosis or copper toxicity. Research summary data and recommendations on use of co-products in sheep diets have been disseminated to the target audience - producers, nutritionists and sheep research academia. The written and oral communication mechanisms employed to disseminate the information are peer-reviewed manuscripts, extension publications, conferences, workshops, field days and media (print, television and radio). Multi-state and functional efforts were incorporated in dissemination of key research based recommendations. Other station research projects had multi-state, disciplinary and functional efforts.<br /> <br /> At the Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, USDA  Arkansas, copper oxide wire particles (COWP) as an effective method to control internal parasites in small ruminants. Haemonchus contortus causes anemia and death in sheep and goats living in warm, humid climates. Scientists at USDA, ARS in Arkansas, Louisiana State University, and Fort Valley State University continued studies on the practical use of COWP for management of H. contortus. Doses as low as 0.5 g can be used in kids and lambs at very low cost to producers. This finding is important to producers in warm, humid climates looking for sustainable alternatives to chemical dewormers.<br /> <br /> At the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, USDA  Nebraska, Data collection during phase 1 of the experiment Evaluation of wool and hair breeds under high- and low-input production systems was completed, data were edited, and analyses started. The second phase of the experiment Evaluation of wool and hair breeds under high and low-input production systems was revised to extend evaluation of F1 ewes for spring fertility from 5 to 6 years of age. The experiment Evaluation of reciprocal crossbred ewes and terminal sire breeds was revised to extend evaluation of ewes from 3 to 5 parities. Plans were approved to start an experiment investigating effects of myostatin and callipyge mutations in sheep. A flock of Katahdin sheep was established at USMARC to serve as a control for future research on easy-care breeds.<br /> <br /> At the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, USDA  Idaho, the use of specialized paternal and maternal lines in terminal crossbreeding systems will likely result in greater lamb birth weights, which may increase the incidence of dystocia. Scientists at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, ID, have implemented a study to evaluate the relationships between birth weight, birth order, litter size, and incidence of dystocia in modern sheep to better understand the factors associated with dystocia. Polypay is a semiprolific breed of sheep with potential for use as a maternal breed in terminal crossbreeding systems. The traditional management practice of litter reduction (i.e., orphaning) is arbitrary and may adversely affect litter weight at weaning. Scientists at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station Dubois, ID, have implemented a multiyear study to evaluate the effects of arbitrary litter reduction practices on lamb survival and litter weight at weaning in mature Polypay ewes. Terminal crossbreeding systems in western range production would benefit from a composite terminal sire line that is adapted to extensive management systems and produces progeny that excel in survival, growth rate and efficiency, carcass composition, muscle quality, and pelt quality. Scientists at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, ID, in collaboration with scientists at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, The Ohio State University, Columbus, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, are evaluating progeny from four terminal sire breeds (Columbia, MARCIII, Suffolk, and Texel) over 3 yr to guide the development of a white-faced, composite terminal sire line adapted to an extensive western range environment. Collection of survival, growth, and carcass data for the first year of the study has been completed, progeny for the second year have been produced, and analyses of the data from the first year have been initiated. Lateral transmission of blood borne diseases in sheep is possible when reusing a needle during routine vaccination. In addition, needle injections can cause damage to the lamb carcass and reduce its value. Scientists at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, ID, in collaboration with scientists at the U.S. Animal Disease Research Unit, Pullman, WA, are evaluating a needleless vaccination system in sheep. Preliminary data indicate that the needleless vaccination system elicits the same antibody response as needle vaccinations, and the needleless vaccination system is more time-efficient than needle vaccinations.<br /> <br /> At Utah State University, the identification of when Locoweed has the greatest fetotoxic impact on livestock production will lead to better management practices. The fact that Locoweed has a breed and species specific effect may help to identify how certain genotypes of animals have become more tolerant to Locoweed poisoning. Such information may lead to better treatment for poisoned animals as well as aid in the development of genetic markers that might result in Locoweed resistant livestock. Detailed high-resolution RH maps for seven chromosomes and associated comparative maps were developed. These chromosome-specific RH maps demonstrate the utility of the ovine whole genome radiation hybrid panel (USUoRH5000) for constructing an integrated RH map for sheep. 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 will enable identification of precise locations of multi-species conserved chromosome segments and evolutionary breakpoints in related species.<br /> <br /> At the University of the Virgin Islands, during the past year the Animal Science Program has given tours of the Sheep Research Facility to over 500 students from the public schools; the Animal Science Program mentored a student in the VI Department of Labor, Labor Investing for Tomorrow (LIFT) program drug the summer of 2006. Aletha Baumann is a local student who is a pre-vet student at Florida A&M University; Christie Ketring, Research Analyst, worked with the 4-H program to conduct a lamb rearing workshop so that members would have more information on bottle rearing lambs; and Dr Godfrey was the keynote speaker at the Sheep Producers Association of Hawaii, Sheep Producers Grazing Management Workshop, Kamuela, HI in October 2006.<br /> <br /> At Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, an assessment of the potential for development of genetic improvement strategies for reproductive traits in flocks practicing accelerated lambing has been completed; and a flock of Katahdin sheep has been established at the Southwest Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center and will be used to assess alternative mating systems and develop genetic evaluation methods appropriate for hair sheep.<br /> <br /> At Virginia State University, grant funding was obtained and research was initiated on a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary project evaluating the impact of migratory and resident wild bird populations on the prevalence of Salmonella and Campylobacter on grazing small ruminants through fecal contamination.<br /> <br /> Collaborations<br /> <br /> Louisiana State University is working with USDA ARS Booneville, AR to develop these control measures for implementation into production schemes to alleviate reliance on anthelmintics. <br /> <br /> Diets for sheep at the Wisconsin, USDA-MARC, and USDA-Dubois experiment stations were evaluated at Cornell University for level of fermentable NDF and suggestions were made about how to increase FNDF in the diets.<br /> <br /> North Dakota State University will continue to work with the US Sheep Experiment Station on the project entitled: Sheep Breeds at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois ID  1950-2003.<br /> <br /> Results and outcomes of the project at Oregon State University will be combined with two similar projects designed to assess the potential role of non-wool breeds in reduced input production systems.<br /> <br /> South Dakota State University is collaborating with Iowa State University and the University of Kentucky to evaluate the effect of whole soybean supplementation in the fall breeding season on ewe reproductive efficiency. This study will be conducted for two years ending with the 2008 spring born lamb crop.<br /> <br /> Hair sheep resources at the Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, USDA  Arkansas (St. Croix and Katahdin ewes and rams) were shared between NCERA-190 members at USDA, ARS in Booneville, Arkansas and Virginia State University to further Objective 4 of the current Project.<br /> <br /> The U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, USDA  Nebraska is producing Composite rams for use by ARS scientists at Dubois, ID to evaluate terminal sire breeds. We are also producing crossbred Romanov rams to contribute to maternal line evaluation at Dubois.<br /> <br /> The research at Utah State University has been in collaboration with Christopher A. Bidwell, Purdue University, Department of West Lafayette, IN 47907-1026; Gary D. Snowder, USDA, ARS, Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933; James E. Miller, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803; James E. Womack, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843; and Kip E. Panter, USDA Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory; Logan UT.<br /> <br /> The University of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station is working with Virginia State University (S. Wildeus) and Mississippi State University (S. Willard) on several projects.<br /> <br /> Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is collaborating with 1) Montana State University to assess genetic variance in fitness traits in Targhee sheep and to develop methods for genetic evaluation of these traits; 2) the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station in the design of experiments to compare terminal sire breeds of sheep, develop methods for ultrasonic evaluation of carcass merit, and develop a terminal-sire composite breed; 3) <br /> <br /> the Center for Animal Functional Genomics at Michigan State University to utilize microarray analyses to identify genes that are differentially expressed in parasitized hair and wool sheep; and 4) a group of NSIP Katahdin breeders and with Katahdin breeders participating in a Midwestern SARE producer project to estimate of heritabilities for fecal egg counts in Katahdin sheep.<br /> <br /> Research at Virginia State University on differences in parasite tolerance between hair sheep breeds was conducted in cooperation with Virginia Tech. The genetic diversity of the St. Croix and Katahdin hair sheep research flocks at VSU was enhanced through the transfer of ewes and rams from the USDA-ARS, AR flock.

Publications

A. J. Nedrow, J. Gavalchin, M. C. Smith, S. M. Stehman, J. K. Maul, S. P. McDonough, and M. L. Thonney. Antibody and skin-test responses of sheep vaccinated against Johne's disease. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 116:109-112.<br /> <br /> A.T. Grazul-Bilska, D. Pant, J.S. Luther, P.P. Borowicz, C. Navanukraw, J.S. Caton, M.A. Ward, D. A. Redmer, L.P. Reynolds. 2006. Pregnancy rates and gravid uterine parameters in single, twin and triplet pregnancies in naturally bred ewes and ewes after transfer of in vitro produced embryos. Animal Reproduction Science 92: 268-283.<br /> <br /> Arndt, W. J., A. T. Grazul-Bilska, J. S. Caton, E. Borowczyk, P. P. Borowicz, M. Ward, D. A. Redmer, L. P. Reynolds, and K. S. Vonnahme. 2006. Cellular proliferation in fetal ovarian follicles obtained from sheep in late pregnancy fed maintenance or restricted diets with normal or enhanced selenium concentrations. 32nd Annual Conference of the IETS. Abstract.<br /> <br /> Barraza, M. L. , J. R. Strickland, H. Zepeda, J. B. Taylor, C. R. Krehbiel, G. S. Bell, and J. L. Klotz. 2006. Gross and histopathological observations of long-term catheterized vessels in experimental sheep. J. Vet. Med. 53:230-238.<br /> <br /> Beever, J. E., M. A. Smit, S. N. Meyers, T. S. Hadfield, C. Bottema, J. Albretsen, and N. E. Cockett, 2006. A single-base change in the tyrosine kinase II domain of ovine FGFR3 causes hereditary chondrodysplasia in sheep. Anim. Genet. 37:66-71.<br /> <br /> Bidwell, C. and N. Cockett (2006) Genomic regions associated with sheep muscle and carcass traits. Amer. Soc. Anim. Science (abstract).<br /> <br /> Borowicz, P. P., A. T. Grazul-Bilska, D. A. Redmer, K. A. Vonnahme, J. S. Caton, and L. P. Reynolds. 2007a. The Influence of Maternal and Fetal Breed on Vascularity of the Placenta in Sheep. Journal of Animal Science 85 (Suppl.1).<br /> <br /> Borowicz, P. P., A. T. Grazul-Bilska, K. A. Vonnahme, J. S. Caton, D. A. Redmer, and L. P. Reynolds. 2006b. Influence of maternal and fetal breed on placental and fetal weight in sheep. Journal of Animal Science 84 (Neville et al., 2006):206.<br /> <br /> Borowicz, P. P., A. T. Grazul-bilska, K. A. Vonnahme, J. S., Caton, D. A. Redmer, and L. P. Reynolds. 2006 Influence of maternal and fetal breed on placental and fetal weight in sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 84 (suppl. 1):206.<br /> <br /> Borowicz, P. P., D. A. Redmer, A. T. Grazul-Bilska, G. Ptak, P. Loi, and L. P. Reynolds. 2006c. Expression of angiogenic factors and their major receptors in the sheep placenta throughout the early pregnancy. IETS.<br /> <br /> Borowicz, P. P., D. R. Arnold, M. L. Johnson, A. T. Grazul-Bilska, D. A. Redmer, and L.P. Reynolds. 2007. Placental Growth Throughout the Last Two Thirds of Pregnancy in Sheep: Vascular Development and Angiogenic Factor Expression. Biol Reprod 76:259-267.<br /> <br /> Borowicz, P. P., E. Borowczyk, K. A. Vonnahme, A. T. Grazul-Bilska, D. A. Redmer, and L. P. Reynolds. 2006a. Effect of age at first pregnancy on placental vascularity in sheep. Biology of Reproduction 74 (Neville et al., 2006):159.<br /> <br /> Borowicz, P. P., M. A. Minten, G. Ptak, P. Lio, L. Della Salda, C. Palmieri, P. A. Scapolo, A. Cuomo, Z. K. Jablonska, D. A. Redmer, A. T. Grazul-Bilska, and L. P. Reynolds. 2007c. Maternal Placental Vascularity And Capillary Endothelial Cell Proliferation During Early Pregnancy After Transfer Of Embryos Generated Through Assisted Reproductive Technology In Sheep. Biology of Reproduction 76 (Suppl.1).<br /> <br /> Borowicz, P. P., M. L. Johnson, K. A. Vonnahme, A. T. Grazul-Bilska, D. A. Redmer, and L. P. Reynolds. 2007b. The Effect Of Adolescence On Fetal, Placental, And Uterine Development, Placental Vascular Measures, And The Correlation Of Changes In Placental Vascularity With Expression Of Major Angiogenic Factors And Their Receptors In Sheep. Perinatal Biology Symposium.<br /> <br /> Borowicz, P.P., E. Borowczyk, K.A. Vonnahme, A.T. Grazul-Bilska, D.A. Redmer, L.P. Reynolds. 2006. Effect of age at first pregnancy on placental vascularity in sheep. SSR Meeting. July 29-August 1. Omaha, NE. Abstract#392.<br /> <br /> Bunch, T.D., C. Wu, Y-P. Zhang, and S. Wang. 2006. Phylogenetic analysis of snow sheep (Ovis nivicola) and closely related taxa. J. Hered. 97:21-30. <br /> <br /> Burke JM, Apple JK. 2007. Growth performance and carcass traits of forage-fed hair sheep wethers. Small Rum. Res. 67:264-270.<br /> <br /> Burke JM, Miller JE, Terrill TH, Mosjidis JA. 2007. Interaction between copper oxide wire particles and grazing sericea lespedeza to control gastrointestinal nematodes in goats. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Supplement 2):32(Abstract).<br /> <br /> Burke JM, Miller JE, Terrill TH. 2007. Interaction between high protein supplement and copper oxide wire particles to control gastrointestinal nematodes in growing goats. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Supplement 2):32(Abstract).<br /> <br /> Burke JM, Miller JE, Terrill TH. 2007. Low dose titration of copper oxide wire particles for control of gastrointestinal nematodes in weaned kids. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Supplement 2):32(Abstract).<br /> <br /> Burke JM, Miller JE. Control of Haemonchus contortus in goats with a sustained-release multi-trace element/vitamin ruminal bolus. 2006. Vet. Parasitol. 141:132-137.<br /> <br /> Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., 2006. Control of Haemonchus contortus in ewes and does with a sustained-release multi-trace element/vitamin ruminal bolus. Vet Parasitol 141, 132-137.<br /> <br /> Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., 2006. Evaluation of multiple low dose copper oxide wire particle boluses for control of Haemonchus contortus in lambs. Vet Parasitol 139, 145-149.<br /> <br /> Burke, J.M., Morrical, D., Miller, J.E. 2007. Control of gastrointestinal nematodes with copper oxide wire particles in a flock of lactating Polypay ewes and offspring in Iowa. Vet. Parasitol. 146:372-375.<br /> <br /> C.W. Galbreath, M. R. ONeil, J.D. Kirsch, J.W. Schroeder, K.G. Odde, G.P. Lardy, and K.A. Vonnahme. 2006. Effect of feeding ax or linseed meal on progesterone clearance rate in ovariectomized ewes. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 84, Suppl. 1. Abst. 582.<br /> <br /> Campbell, A.W. and D.F. Waldron. 2006. Genetic improvement of meat production in small ruminants. Proc. 8th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Aug 13-18, 2006. (www.wcgalp8.org.br/wcgalp8/articles/paper/4_551-776.pdf) <br /> <br /> Carneiro, A., A. Esquivel, D.E. Hogue, and M.L. Thonney. 2006. Effect of fermentable fiber level and protein source on feed intake and efficiency of growth lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 84, Supplement 1, p. 268.<br /> <br /> Casellas, J., D. L. Thomas and Y. M. Berger. 2006. Comparison of East Friesian and Lacaune dairy sheep breeds in the USA. Book of Abstracts of the 57th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production. Antalya, Turkey. No. 12:80.<br /> <br /> Caton, J. S., A. T. Grazul-Bilska, K. A. Vonnahme, J. S. Luther, G. P. Lardy, C. J. Hammer, D. A. Redmer, and L. P. Reynolds. 2007. (Invited) Nutritional Management During Gestation: Impacts on Lifelong Performance. Proc.18th Annual Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium. pages 144-163.<br /> <br /> Chafton LA, Miller JE, Mosjidis JA, Terrill TH, Burke JM. 2007. The effect of the condensed tannin containing forage, sericea lespedeza, fed as ground hay on existing and establishing infection of Haemonchus contortus in sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Supplement 2):43(Abstract).<br /> <br /> Chafton, L.A., Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J.A., Terrill, T.H., Burke, J.M., 2006. The effect of the condensed tannin containing forage sericea lespedza fed as a meal on existing and establishing infection of Haemonchus contortus in sheep. Proc 51stAnn Meet Amer Assoc Vet Parasitol: 38.<br /> <br /> Cockett, N. E. (2006) The Sheep Genome. In: Structure and Evolution of Vertebrate Genomics. Editor: J. N. Volff. Karger, Germany, pp. 79-85.<br /> <br /> Cockett, N. E., T. S. Hadfield, C. H. Wu and K. Nomura (2006) Resources available for sheep genomics research. Amer. Soc. Anim. Science (abstract). <br /> <br /> Daniel, J. A. and J. E. Held. 2006. Testing Intervention Strategies to Reduce the Prevalence of Lung Lesions in Lambs. SDSU Sheep Research Report  2006  2.<br /> <br /> Daniel, J. A., J. E. Held, D. G. Brake, D. M. Wulf, and W. E. Epperson. 2006. Evaluation of the Prevalence and Onset of Lung Lesions and their Impact on Growth of Lambs. AJVR 67(5):890-894.<br /> <br /> Davis, G. H., L. Balakrishnan, I. K. Ross, T. Wilson, S. M. Galloway, B. M. Lumsden, J. P. Hanrahan, M. Mullen, X. Z. Mao, G. L. Wnag, Z. S. Zhao, Y. G. Zeng, J. J. Robinson, A. P. Mavrogenis, C. Papchristoforou, C. Peter, R. Baumung, P. Cardyn, I. Boujenane, N. E. Cockett, E. Eythorsdottir, J. J. Arranz and D. R. Notter (2006) Investigation of the Boorola (FecB) and Inverdale (FecXI) mutations in 21 prolific breeds and strains of sheep sampled in13 countries. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 92:87-96.<br /> <br /> Davis, G. H., L. Balakrishnan, I.K. Ross, T. Wilson, S.M. Galloway, B.M. Lumsden, J.P. Hanrahan, M. Mullen, X.Z. Mao, G.L. Wang, Z.S. Zhao, Y.Q. Zeng, J. J. Robinson, A.P. Mavrogenis, C. Papachristoforou, C. Peter, R. Baumung, P. Cardyn, I. Boujenane, N.E. Cockett, E. Eythorsdottir, J. J. Arranz, and D.R. Notter. 2006. Investigation of the Booroola (FecB) and Inverdale (FecXI) mutations in 21 prolific breeds and strains of sheep sampled in 13 countries. Anim. Repro. Sci. 92:87-96.<br /> <br /> Di Meo, G.P., A. Perucatti, S. Floriot, R. Rullo, D. Incarnato, N. Cockett, E. Cribiu, J. Williams, A. Eggen and L. Iannuzzi (2006) The sheep (Ovis aries, 2n=54) cytogenetic map: assignment of 41 loci by FISH-mapping and R-banding. 17th European Colloquium Cytogen. Gene Mapping (Lisbon).<br /> <br /> Dykes, G.S., Terrill, T.H., Shaik, S.A., Miller, J.E., Kouakou, B., Kannan, G., Burke, J.M., Kaplan, .M., Mosjidis, J.A., 2006. Effect of sericea lespedeza hay on gastrointestinal nematode infection in goats. Proc Amer Forage Grassland Council.<br /> <br /> E. Windorski, C. Schauer, D. Pearson, A. Wurst, K. Inskeep, and J. Luther. 2007. Effects of Melengestrol Acetate and PG600 on Fertility in Rambouillet Ewes Outside the Normal Breeding Season. Proc. West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 58.<br /> <br /> E. Windorski, C. Schauer, D. Pearson, A. Wurst, K. Inskeep, and J. Luther. 2007. Influence of Melengestrol Acetate and PG600 on Fertility in Rambouillet Ewes Outside the Normal Breeding Season. Hettinger Research Report.<br /> <br /> Fleming, J. N., L. M. Wilson, G. R. Olbricht, T. Vuocolo, K. Byrne, B. A. Braig, R. L. Tellam, N. E. Cockett and C. A. Bidwell (2006) Analysis of gene expression during the onset of muscle hypertrophy in callipyge lambs. Proc., Plant and Animal Genome XIV, poster P724, p. 281.<br /> <br /> Fleming-Waddell, J. N., L. M. Wilson, G. R. Olbricht, T. Vuocolo, K. Byrne, B. A. Braig, R. L. Tellam, N. E. Cockett and C. A. Bidwell (2006) Gene expression profiling of two hypertrophied muscles in callipyge lambs. 30th International Conference on Animal Genetics C514.<br /> <br /> Flemming, S.A., Craig. T., Kaplan, R., Miller, J.E., Navarre, C, Riggs, M., 2006. Anthelmintic resistance of gastrointestinal parasites in small ruminants. J Vet Intern Med 20, 435-441.<br /> <br /> Godfrey, R.W. and M.C. Vinson. 2006. The effect of time of day of supplemental feeding on production traits of lactating hair sheep in the tropics. J. Animal Sci. 84(Suppl. 2).<br /> <br /> Godfrey. R.W. and R.E. Dodson. 2006. Alternative methods of controlling parasites in small ruminants. Pages 62-70 in Alternative Health Practices for Livestock. T.F. Morris and M.T. Keilty, eds. Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA.<br /> <br /> Goldammer, T., T. S. Hadfield, C. Kühn, C. A. Gill, R. Weikard, R. M. Brunner, K. Wimmers, J. E. Womack and N. E. Cockett (2006) A comparative radiation hybrid map of sheep chromosome OAR26. 30th International Conference on Animal Genetics B2.<br /> <br /> Grazul-Bilska A.T., E. Borowczyk, W. Arndt, J. Evoniuk, M. ONeil, J.J. Bilski, R.M. Weigl, J.J. Kirsch, K.C. Kraft, K.A. Vonnahme, D.A. Redmer, L.P. Reynolds, J.S. Caton. 2006. Effects of overnutrition and undernutriton on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and early embryonic development in sheep. SSR Meeting, July 29-August 1. Omaha, NE. Abstract #267.<br /> <br /> Hadfield, T. S., J. E. Miller, S. Bishop, G. Davies and N. E. Cockett (2006) Putative QTL for parasite resistance in sheep. 30th International Conference on Animal Genetics D407.<br /> <br /> Held, J.E. 2006. Feeding Soyhulls and Dried Distillers Grain with Solubles to Sheep. South Dakota State University ExEx 2052.<br /> <br /> Held, J.E. 2006. Using DDGS in Mixed Lamb Diets. South Dakota State University ExEx. 2053.<br /> <br /> Huls, T. J., A. J. Bartosh, J. A. Daniel, R. D. Zelinsky, J. E. Held, and A. E. Wertz-Lutz. 2006. Feeding dried distillers grains with solubles as a replacement for soybean meal and a portion of the corn in finishing wether diets. J. Anim. Sci. 84 (Suppl. 2):87.<br /> <br /> Huls, T. J., A. J. Bartosh, J. A. Daniel, R. D. Zelinsky, J. Held, and A. E. Wertz-Lutz. 2006. Efficacy of feeding dried distillers grains with solubles as a replacement for soybean meal and a portion of the corn in a finishing wether diet. Sheep and Goat Res. J. 21:30-34. <br /> <br /> Jackson, F., Miller, J.E., 2006. Alternative approaches to control - Quo vadis. Vet Parasitol 139, 371-384.<br /> <br /> Julius, S., M. Ward, J. Caton, J. Taylor, S. Soto-Navarro, K. Vonnahme, T. Neville, J. Reed, P. Borowicz, D. Redmer, and L. Reynolds. 2006. Effects of level and source of selenium on maternal jejunal vascularity in growing pregnant ewe lambs. J. Anim. Sci.84(Suppl. 2):54.<br /> <br /> Kuehn, L. A., R. M. Lewis, and D. R. Notter. 2006. Connectedness in Targhee and Suffolk flocks participating in the U.S. National Sheep Improvement Program. J. Anim. Sci. 84(Suppl. 1):445.<br /> <br /> Kunkle, R. A., J. M. Miller, D. P. Alt, R. C. Cutlip, N. E. Cockett, S. Wang, J. A. Richt, B. V. Thomsen and S. M. Hall (2006) Determination of sheep prion gene polymorphisms from paraffin-embedded tissue. J. Vet. Diagnostic Investigations. 18:443-7.<br /> <br /> Lange, K.C., Olcott, D.D., Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J.A., Terrill, T.H., Burke, J.M., Kearney, M.T., 2006. Effect of sericea lespedeza, fed as hay, on natural and experimental Haemonchus contortus infections in lambs. Vet Parasitol 141, 273-278.<br /> <br /> Lewis, G. S. and M. C. Wulster-Radcliffe. 2006. Prostaglandin F2a up regulates uterine immune defenses in the presence of the immunosuppressive steroid progesterone. Am. J. Reprod. Immunol. 56:102-111.<br /> <br /> Leymaster, K. A., S. D. Shackelford, T. L. Wheeler, and M. Koohmaraie. 2006. Direct breed effects on growth, carcass and meat quality traits of sheep. CD-ROM Communication No. 32-12 in Proc. 8th World Cong. Genet. Appl. Livest. Prod. <br /> <br /> Leytem, A. B., J. B. Taylor, V. Raboy, and P. W. Plumstead. 2006. Dietary low-phytate mutant-M 955 barley grain alters phytate degradation and mineral digestion in sheep fed high-grain diets. Anim. Feed Sci. Tech. http://dx.doi.org/ , doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2006.11.005.<br /> <br /> Looper ML, Edrington, TS, Flores R, Burke JM, Callaway TR, Aiken GE, Schrick F, Rosenkarans C. 2007. Influence of dietary endophyte-infected (Neotyphodium coenophialum) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) seed on fecal shedding of antibiotic-resistance selected Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ewes. J. Anim. Sci. 85:1102-1108.<br /> <br /> Luther, J.S. 2006. Abortions in Sheep Causes, Control and Prevention. In: The North Dakota Sheep Industry. April/May 2006: No. 41.<br /> <br /> Luther, J.S. 2006. Body Condition Scoring: A Necessary Management Tool in the Sheep Enterprise. In: The North Dakota Sheep Industry. October/November 2006: No. 44. <br /> <br /> Luther, J.S. 2006. Controlling Abortions in Sheep. Tri-State Livestock News. <br /> <br /> Luther, J.S. 2006. Is Early Weaning The Right Option? In: The North Dakota Sheep Industry. June/July 2006: No. 42. <br /> <br /> Luther, J.S. 2006. Questions to Consider When Selecting A Ram. In: The North Dakota Sheep Industry. August/September 2006: No. 43.<br /> <br /> Luther, J.S. 2006. Techniques for Developing a Fall Lambing Flock. In: The North Dakota Sheep Industry. December/January 2006: No. 45.<br /> <br /> Luther, J.S. 2007. New Techniques for Controlling the Same Old Worm. In: The North Dakota Sheep Industry. April/May 2007: No. 47.<br /> <br /> Luther, J.S. 2007. Sheep Measles: A Hot Topic. In: The North Dakota Sheep Industry. February/March 2007: No. 46.<br /> <br /> MacKinnon, K. M., J. L. Burton, and D. R. Notter. 2006. Microarray analysis of abomasal tissues of hair and wool sheep to identify genes associated with resistance to the gastrointestinal parasite, Haemonchus contortus. Proc. 2nd Intern. Symp. Anim. Functional Genomics, East Lansing, MI, CD-ROM communication no. P28. <br /> <br /> Meadows, J. R. S., O. Hanotte, C. Drögemüller, J. Calvo, R. Godfrey, D. Coltman, J. F. Maddox, N. Marzanov, J. Kantanen and J. W. Kijas. 2006. Globally dispersed Y chromosomal haplotypes in wild and domestic sheep. Animal Genetics 37:444-453.<br /> <br /> Mikolayunas, C.M., D.L. Thomas, K.A. Albrecht, D.K. Combs, and Y. M. Berger. 2006. Effect of supplementation and stage of lactation on performance of grazing dairy ewes. Proc. 12th Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp., La Crosse, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Anim. Sci. pp. 56-71. <br /> <br /> Mikolayunas, C.M., D.L. Thomas, K.A. Albrecht, Y.M. Berger. 2006. Effect of supplementation and stage of lactation on performance of grazing dairy ewes. J. Anim. Sci. 84(Suppl. 1) and J. Dairy Sci. 89(Suppl. 1):267-268.<br /> <br /> Mikolayunas, C.M., D.L. Thomas, Y. M. Berger, T.F. Gressley, and G.E. Dahl. 2006. Effect of prepartum photoperiod on prolactin and milk production of dairy ewes. Proc. 12th Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp., La Crosse, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Anim. Sci. pp. 72-81. <br /> <br /> Miller J. E., N. E. Cockett, S.C. Bishop and R.A. McGraw (2006) Segregation of gastrointestinal nematode infection in F2 progeny from susceptible Suffolk and resistant Gulf Coast Native sheep. Vet. Parasitology 140:83-89.<br /> <br /> Moore DA, Terrill TH, Shaik SA, Miller JE, Burke JM, Muir JP, Wolfe R, Mosjidis JA. 2007. Effect of pelleting on anthelmintic efficacy of sericea lespedeza hay against gastrointestinal nematodes of goats. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Supplement 2):27(Abstract).<br /> <br /> Nester, P., J. Reed, D.A. Redmer, L.P. Reynolds, K.A. Vonnahme, and J.S. Caton. 2006. Effects on Maternal Undernutrition and High Selenium (Se) on Mammary Gland Growth in Late Pregnant Sheep. J. Anim. Sci.84 (Suppl. 2):54.<br /> <br /> Nester, P., J. Reed, D.A. Redmer, L.P. Reynolds, K.A. Vonnahme, and J.S. Caton. 2006. Effects on Maternal Undernutrition and High Selenium (Se) on Mammary Gland Growth in Late Pregnant Sheep. ASAS/ADSA Midwest Meeting (Abstr.)<br /> <br /> Neville, T. L. J. J. Reed, R. Reddy, M. A. Ward, P. P. Borowicz, J. B. Taylor, K. A. Vonnahme, M. Kappahan, D. A. Redmer, L. P. Reynolds, and J. S. Caton. 2006. Effects of nutrient restriction during early of late gestation and dietary Se supply on Se concentrations in maternal and fetal tissues. J. Anim. Sci. 84 (Suppl. 1):226<br /> <br /> Neville, T. L. M. A. Ward, J. J. Reed, J. B. Taylor, K. A. Vonnahme, A. T. Grazul-Bilska, P. P. Borowicz, D. A. Redmer, L. P. Reynolds, and J. S. Caton. 2006. Effects of maternal selenium supply and dietary restriction on cellularity estimates of fetal jejunum, heart, and skeletal muscle. J Anim. Sci. 84:(Suppl. 2):154.<br /> <br /> Neville, T. L. M. A. Ward, J. J. Reed, J. B. Taylor, K. A. Vonnahme, A. T. Grazul-Bilska, P. P. Borowicz, D. A. Redmer, L. P. Reynolds, and J. S. Caton. 2006. Effects of maternal selenium supply and dietary restriction on cellularity estimates of fetal jejunum, heart, and skeletal muscle. Proc. West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 57: <br /> <br /> Nomura, K., C. H. Wu, T. S. Hadfield, J. E. Womack and N. E. Cockett (2006) Radiation hybrid maps of sheep chromosome 2 and 6. 30th International Conference on Animal Genetics B220.<br /> <br /> ONeil, M. R., G. P. Lardy, L Reynolds, J. S. Caton, M. L. Johnson, and K. A. Vonnahme. 2006. Effects of estradiol (E2) and linseed meal (LSM) on caruncular angiogenic factors in ovariectomized (OVX) ewes. SSR Abstract.<br /> <br /> ONeil, M., G. P. Lardy, L Reynolds, J. S. Caton, and K. A. Vonnahme. 2006. Effects of estradiol (E2) and Linseed meal (LSM) on Jejunal cellular proliferation in ovariectomized (OVX) ewes. J. Anim. Sci. 84 (Suppl. 1):128.<br /> <br /> ONeil, M.R., G.P. Lardy, L.P. Reynolds, J.S. Caton, M.L. Johnson, K.A. Vonnahme. 2006. Effects of estradiol (E2) and linseed meal (LSM) on caruncular angiogenic factors in ovariectomized (OVX) ewes. SSR Meeting, July 29-August 1. Omaha, NE. Abstract #273.<br /> <br /> O'Neil, M.R., G. Lardy, L.P. Reynolds, J.S. Caton, and K.A. Vonnahme. 2006. Effects of Estradiol (E2) and Linseed Meal (LSM) on Organ Jejunal Cellular Proliferation in Ovariectomized (OVX) Ewes. ASAS/ADSA Midwest Meeting (Abstr.)<br /> <br /> Paape, M.J., G.R. Wiggans, D.D. Bannerman, D.L. Thomas, A.H. Sanders, A. Contreras, P. Moroni, and R.H. Miller. 2007. Monitoring goat and sheep milk somatic cell counts. Small Ruminant Res. 68:114-125.<br /> <br /> Panitz, E., R.E. Dodson and R.W. Godfrey. 2006. Infections of Moniezia expansa (Rudolphi, 1810) in sheep during the wet and dry seasons on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Comp. Parasitol. 73:179-183.<br /> <br /> Perkins, A. C., L. N. Kramer, D. E. Moody, T. S. Hadfield, N. E. Cockett and C. A. Bidwell (2006) Postnatal changes in gene expression from the callipyge region in sheep skeletal muscle. Anim. Genet. 37:535-542.<br /> <br /> Qin, Y., J. Wetherall, K. Munyard, N. Cockett and D. Groth (2006) Polymorphic loci within the ovine MHC central region. 30th International Conference on Animal Genetics B490.<br /> <br /> Reddy, R. J. J. Reed, TR. L. Neville, J. B. Taylor, L. P. Reynolds, D. A. Redmer, K. A. Vonnahme, and J. S. Caton. 2006. Effects of nutrient restriction during early or late gestation and dietary Se supply on Maternal and fetal intestinal growth in sheep. J. Anim. Sci 84:(Suppl. 1):226.<br /> <br /> Reddy, R., J. Reed, D. Redmer, L. Reynolds, K. Vonnahme, and J. Caton. 2006. Effect of nutrient restriction and dietary selenium (Se) on maternal and fetal organ mass in pregnant ewe lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 84: (Suppl 1):128.<br /> <br /> Reddy, R., J. Reed, D.A. Redmer, L.P. Reynolds, K.A. Vonnahme, and J. S. Caton. 2006. Effect of Nutrient Restriction and Dietary Selenium (Se) in Maternal and Fetal Organ Mass in Pregnant Ewe Lambs. ASAS/ADSA Midwest Meeting (Abstr.)<br /> <br /> Reed, J. J. P. P. Borowicz, R. Reddy, S. L. Julius, J. B. Taylor, T. L. Neville, L. P. Reynolds, D. A. Redmer, K. A. Vonnahme, and J. S. Caton 2006. Effects of nutrient restriction during early or late gestation and dietary Se supply on cell proliferation and vascularity in maternal jejunal tissue of sheep. J Anim. Sci. 84:(Suppl. 1):226.<br /> <br /> Reynolds L.P., J.S. Caton, D.A. Redmer, A.T. Grazul-Bilska, K.A. Vonnahme, P.P. Borowicz, J.S. Luther, J.M. Wallace, G. Wu, T.E. Spencer. 2006. Evidence for altered placental blood flow and vascularity in compromised pregnancies. Journal of Physiology. 51-8 (Invited Review).<br /> <br /> Schauer, C. S., J. E. Held, J. A. Daniel, J. S. Caton, P. G. Hatfield, R. Stobart and J. O. Hall. 2006. Lamb Muscle Selenium Concentration Plateaus following 56 days of Selenium Supplementation. Proceedings, Western Section- American Society of Animal Science. (Abst.).<br /> <br /> Schauer, C. S., J. Held, J. A. Daniel, J. S. Caton, P. G. Hatfield, R. Stobart, and J. O. Hall. 2006. Lamb muscle selenium concentration plateaus following 56 days of selenium supplementation. J. Anim. Sci.84(Suppl. 2):153.<br /> <br /> Schauer, C. S., J. Held, J. A. Daniel, J. S. Caton, P. G. Hatfield, R. Stobart, and J. O. Hall. 2006. Lamb muscle selenium concentration plateaus following 56 days of selenium supplementation. Proc. West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 57.<br /> <br /> Seefeldt, S.S., J. B. Taylor, and S. Van Vleet. 2006. Reducing Euphorbia esula with a combination of sheep grazing and imazapic. J. Arid Environ. 69:432-440.<br /> <br /> Self, R. 2007. Changes in performance of traits measured in performance tests on Rambouillet rams. M.S. Thesis, Angelo State University. <br /> <br /> Shaik SA, Terrill TH, Miller JE, Kouakou B, Kannan G, Kaplan RM, Burke JM, Mosjidis J. 2006. Sericea lespedeza hay as a natural deworming agent against Haemonchus contortus infection in goats. Vet. Parasitol. 139:150-157.<br /> <br /> Shaik, S.A., Terrill, T.H., Miller, J.E., Kouakou, B., Kannan, G., Kaplan, R.M., Burke, J.M., Mosjidis, J., 2006. Sericea lespedeza hay as a natural deworming agent against Haemonchus contortus infection in goats. Vet Parasitol 139, 150-157. <br /> <br /> Sheldon I. M., G. S. Lewis, S. Leblanc, and R. O. Gilbert. 2006. Defining postpartum uterine disease in cattle. Theriogenology 65:1516-1530.<br /> <br /> Skipwith, A., N. E. Cockett and C. A Bidwell (2006) Regulatory activity of DNA sequences surrounding the callipyge mutation on ovine chromosome 18. Proc., Plant and Animal Genome XIV, poster P786, p. 296.<br /> <br /> Smart, A. J., J. A. Daniel, K. Bruns, and J. E. Held. 2006. Browsing of Western Snowberry by Goats and Sheep. Sheep and Goat Research Journal 21:1-5.<br /> <br /> Stellflug, J. N. and G. S. Lewis. 2007. Effect of early and late exposure to estrual ewes on ram sexual performance classifications. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 97:295-302.<br /> <br /> Stellflug, J. N., N. E. Cockett and G. S. Lewis (2006) Rams of different sexual behavior classification in a competitive breeding environment affect the number of ewes lambing and number of lambs born. J. Anim. Sci. 84:463-468.<br /> <br /> Stellflug, J. N., N. E. Cockett, and G. S. Lewis. 2006. Relationship between sexual behavior classifications of rams and lambs sired in a competitive breeding environment. J. Anim. Sci. 84:463-468.<br /> <br /> Stellflug, J.N. 2006. Comparison of cortisol, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone responses to a defined stressor in sexually inactive rams and sexually active female-oriented and male-oriented rams. J. Anim. Sci. 84:1520-1525.<br /> <br /> Takeda, H., T. Caiment, M. Smit, S. Hiand, X. Tordoir, N. Cockett, M. Georges and C. Charlier (2006) The callipyge mutation enhances bidirectional long-range DLK1-GTL2 intergenic transcription in cis. PNAS 103:8119-8124.<br /> <br /> Taus, N. S., D. R. Herndon, D. L. Traul, J. P. Stewart, M. Ackermann, H. Li, D. P. Knowles, G. S. Lewis, and K. A. Brayton. 2007. Comparison of ovine herpesvirus 2 genomes isolated from domestic sheep (Ovis aries) and a clinically affected cow (Bos bovis). J. Gen. Virol. 88(Pt 1):40-45.<br /> <br /> Tellam, R., T. Vuocolo, K. Byrne, J. White, S. McWilliam, A. Reverter-Gomez and N. Cockett (2006) Transcriptional profiling of callipyge skeletal muscle during development. 30th International Conference on Animal Genetics C537.<br /> <br /> Terrill TH, Mosjidis JA, Moore DA, Shaik SA, Miller JE, Burke JM, Muir JP, Wolfe R. 2007. Effect of pelleting on efficacy of sericea lespedeza hay as a natural dewormer in goats. Vet. Parasitol. 146:117-122.<br /> <br /> Terrill, T.H., Dykes, G.S., Shaik, S.A., Miller, J.E., Kouakou, B., Kannan, G., Burke, J.M., Kaplan, R.M., Mosjidis, J.A., 2006, Controlling gastrointestinal nematode infection in goats using sun-dried forage high in condensed tannins. Proc 51st Ann Meet Amer Assoc Vet Parasitol: 60-61.<br /> <br /> Tetens J., T. Goldammer, J. F. Maddox, N. Cockett and C. Drögemüller (2006) A high-resolution, integrated, comprehensive, and comparative radiation hybrid map of sheep chromosome 23. 30th International Conference on Animal Genetics B180.<br /> <br /> Thomas, D. L. 2006. Useable crossbreeding programs for small and large flocks. 2006 Sheep Management WisLine Program. Viewed at: [http://www.uwex.edu/ces/animalscience/sheep].<br /> <br /> Thomas, D. L. 2007. Tools Available to Wisconsin Sheep Producers for Genetic Improvement of Their Flocks. Sheep Management WisLine Program. Viewed at: [http://www.uwex.edu/ces/animalscience/sheep].<br /> <br /> Thomas, D. L. 2007. Tools available to Wisconsin sheep producers for genetic improvement of their flocks. The Shepherd. 52(3):6-10.<br /> <br /> Thomas, D.L., M. Hernandez-Jover, M. Rovai, M. Bishop, G. Caja, Y.M. Berger, T.A. Taylor, B. Bishop, L. Taylor, R.G. Gottfredson, M. Frank, R. Schlapper, B. Bolan, and W. Keough. 2006. Variable effectiveness of radio frequency ear tags and rumen boluses for electronic identification of sheep. Proc. 52nd Biennial Spooner Sheep Day, Dept. Animal Sci., Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison. pp. 11-21.<br /> <br /> Vanimisetti, H. B. 2006. Genetic evaluation of ewe productivity and its component traits in Katahdin and Polypay sheep. Ph.D. Dissertation, Viriginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.<br /> <br /> Vanimisetti, H. B. and D. R. Notter. 2006. Predicting genetic merit for total weight of lamb weaned. Proc. 8th World Congr. Genet. Appl. Livest. Prod. CD-ROM communication no. 04-09 (4 pp.).<br /> <br /> Vuocolo, T., K. Byrne, J. White, N. Cockett, A. Reverter and R. Tellam (2006) Changes in skeletal muscle gene expression caused by the callipyge mutation in sheep. Proc., Plant and Animal Genome XIV,W219, p. 57.<br /> <br /> Vuocolo, T., K. Byrne, J. White, S. McWilliam, T. Reverter, N. E. Cockett and R. L. Tellam (2006) Identification of a gene network contributing to muscle hypertrophy in callipyge skeletal muscle. Physiological Genomics PMID:17077277.<br /> <br /> Vuocolo, T., K. Byrne, S. McWilliam, A. Reverter, N. Cockett and R. Tellam (2006) Transcriptional profiling of callipyge skeletal muscle. Proc., Plant and Animal Genome XIV, poster P753, p. 288. <br /> <br /> Waldron, D.F. 2007. Sire summary of ram test performance (1995  2007). Texas Agric. Exp. Sta. Res. Cen. Rep. 2007-2.<br /> <br /> Waldron, D.F. and C.J. Lupton. 2007. Improvement of sheep through selection of performance-tested and progeny-tested breeding animals. Texas Agric. Exp. Sta. Res. Cen. Rep. 2007-1.<br /> <br /> Wallace J.M., J.S. Luther, J.S. Milne, R.P. Aitken, D.A. Reynolds, L.P. Reynolds, W.W. Jr. Hay. 2006. Nutritional modulation of adolescent pregnancy outcome -- a review. Placenta. 27 (Supp. A):S61-S68 (Invited Review).<br /> <br /> Wheaton, J. and D. Thomas. 2006. Effects of active immunization against inhibin ±-subunit on testicular weight and sperm production in ram lambs. Biology of Reproduction Special Issue. Abstr. no. 495, p. 182.<br /> <br /> Whitley NC, Jackson DJ, Cazac D, Miller JE, Burke JM, Schoenian S. 2007. Pasture-raised Katahdin and Katahdin crossbred lambs: growth and parasite resistance. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Supplement 2):34(Abstract).<br /> <br /> Whitley NC, Miller JE, Burke JM, Cazac D, Subburathinam R, Dykes L. 2007. Influence of high tannin grain sorghum on gastrointestinal nematode infection in goats. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Supplement 2):33(Abstract).<br /> <br /> Wildeus, S. and A. M. Zajac. 2007.Fecal egg counts and packed blood cell volume in periparturient Katahdin and St. Croix hair sheep ewes grazing naturally infected pasture. J. Anim. Sci, 85, (Suppl. 2, Southern Sec. Meeting): #100. <br /> <br /> Wildeus, S. and J. R. Collins. 2006. Efficacy of melengestrol acetate feeding to advance breeding in hair sheep and meat goats managed in an accelerated mating system. J. Anim. Sci, 84, (Suppl. 1):326<br /> <br /> Wildeus, S. and J. R. Collins. 2007. Estrus response and timing of ovulation in estrus synchronized goats and hair sheep treated with a combination of eCG and hCG. J. Anim. Sci, 85, (Suppl. 2, Southern Sec. Meeting): #110. <br /> <br /> Wildeus, S., K. E. Tuner, and J. R. Collins. 2007. Growth, intake diet digestibility, and nitrogen use in three hair sheep breeds fed alfalfa hay. Small Rumin. Res. 69:221-227<br /> <br /> Willard, S., T. Dickerson, R. Dodson, A. Weis and R. Godfrey. 2006. Administration of 6-methoxybenzoxazolinone (MBOA) does not augment ovulatory responses in St. Croix White ewes superovulated with PMSG. Animal Reproduction Science, 93: 280-291. <br /> <br /> Willard, S.T., M.C. Vinson and R.W. Godfrey. 2006. Digital infrared thermal imaging of the eye as correlated to rectal and vaginal temperature measurements in the ewe. J. Animal Sci. 84(Suppl. 1):434.<br /> <br /> Wilson, L. M., J. N. Waddell, M. Neary, N. E. Cockett and C. A. Bidwell (2006) The callipyge mutation does not alter DLK1 expression in visceral or subcutaneous adipose tissue in sheep. 30th International Conference on Animal Genetics C529. <br /> <br /> Wu, C. H., T. S. Hadfield, J. E. Womack, J. Williams, M. Jones, O. Jann and N. E. Cockett (2006) Radiation hybrid maps for 12 ovine autosomal chromosomes. 30th International Conference on Animal Genetics B350.<br /> <br /> Zelinsky, R., Daniel and J. Held. 2006. The Effect of Corn or Soybean Hull Diets Supplemented with Dried Distillers Grain with Solubles (DDGS) on Finishing Lamb Performance and Carcass Merit. SDSU Sheep Research Report  2006 - 3.

Impact Statements

1. Louisiana State University showed that copper oxide wire particles and sericea lespedeza control worm parasites in small ruminant. This will reduce reliance on chemicals and extend the useful life of those that are still effective.
2. At Cornell University, minimal levels of fermentable NDF in diets for optimum production of lactating ewes have been bracketed and changes in management have improved reproductive performance and lamb survival for the STAR accelerated lambing systems.
3. Vaccination against Johnes Disease in sheep was shown at Cornell University to be a possible method of eradication.
4. The level of maternal dietary intake and the associated changes in maternal body weight gain during pregnancy were shown by North Dakota State University to affect gestation length, lamb birth weight, colostrum yield and offspring growth and metabolism. These findings will allow sheep producers to make better management decisions when breeding ewe lambs under traditional and accelerated sheep production systems.
5. Knowledge gained from corn co-product research at South Dakota State University over the past 6 years has provided producers, nutrition consultants and extension educators in the Upper Midwest with broader nutrition management recommendation options to cope with drought conditions, improve labor efficiency, reduce feed costs and improve animal performance.
6. Information obtained by South Dakota State University on rumen acidosis and copper toxicity potential when sheep are fed high co-product based diets aids producer decision making in feeding management practices. Identification of high energy feed ingredients having low acidosis potential provides producers more feeding management options for all classes of sheep. Awareness that some soy hull-based diets elevate liver copper stores is important for producers and nutritionists and requires prompt attention to molybdenum supplementation in these diets.
7. Research on by-product feeds by South Dakota State University is applicable in lamb feedlot receiving programs, growing and finishing lamb diets and a broad array of ewe flock applications. Soy hulls can be effectively and safely formulated into sheep diets beyond the 40% inclusion recommended for cattle. Thousands of sheep and lambs have been fed diets containing these co-products at high inclusion rates with excellent reported health status.
8. Scientists at USDA, ARS in Booneville, AR, Brooksville, FL, Fort Valley State University, University of Georgia, Louisiana State University, University of Puerto Rico, and Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa determined that the FAMACHA© system helped producers identify parasite resistant animals that may not need deworming at all and reduced amount of dewormer used. Widespread use of FAMACHA© throughout warm, humid areas (including summers for many states) is now being practiced as a result of these research efforts.
9. Variation in the prion gene is associated with susceptibility and resistance to scrapie, a neurological disease of sheep that is similar to BSE in cattle. USMARC scientists created a control DNA panel from sheep representing each of 21 prion genotypes associated with susceptibility and resistance to scrapie t is used to detect genotyping errors and to improve the quality of genetic information. This panel is hellping producers in the United States and other countries to correctly select for genetic resistance to scrapie and to achieve the industry goal of eradicating scrapie.
10. USMARC scientists documented important differences among nine sheep breeds for growth, carcass, and tenderness traits, whereas breed effects on juiciness, flavor intensity, and off-flavor scores were relatively minor. When supplemented by data on reproductive performance, these results help to determine the appropriate use of breeds in commercial lamb production. If meat quality traits such as juiciness and flavor intensity limit marketing opportunities, then selection within breeds rather than among breeds may be necessary to produce lamb with greater palatability.
11. Markers identified by Utah State University for parasite resistance can be applied across flocks to enhance resistance and/or eliminate susceptible animals.
12. The development of the whole-genome physical map of sheep being lead by Utah State University will expedite 1) positional cloning efforts of genes underlying quantitative trait loci; 2) the generation of gene arrays for more informative expression analyses; 3) targeting specific chromosomal regions for marker development; 4) scaffolding for sequencing of the ovine genome; and 5) cross-species comparative genome analyses.
13. Over 75% of all sheep producers in the U.S. Virgin Islands are now using Dorper genetics in their flocks to take advantage of enhanced growth rate. Many of the new producers have purchased Dorper × St Croix crossbred rams and ewes from the University of the Virgin Islands flock to start their own flocks.
14. The National Sheep Improvement Program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has provided EPDs to breeders of 109 sheep flocks representing nine sheep breeds. A total of 6,658 breeding ewes, and 11,103 lambs were evaluated. A fecal egg count EPD developed for Katahdin sheep will help breeders select for resistance to worms. Methods for incorporation of ultrasonic measurements were developed and EPDs from a preliminary analysis for loin eye area and backfat thickness in live animals were released to five participating Suffolk breeders.
15. The University of Wisconsin-Madison operates the only dairy sheep production research unit in North America. The research and outreach 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 the increased marketing of sheep milk by the Wisconsin Sheep Dairy Cooperative. In 2006, the cooperative marketed almost one million pounds of sheep milk. This is approximately 20 times the amount of milk marketed in the initial year of 1996 and almost a double the amount of milk marketed in 2003.

Back to top

Report Information

Participants

Burke, Joan (joan.burke@ars.usda.gov)- USDA, ARS, Arkansas;
Miller, Jim (jmille1@lsu.edu)- Louisiana State University;
Wildeus, Stephan (swildeus@vsu.edu)- Virginia State University;
Zerby, Henry (zerby.8@osu.edu)- Ohio State University;
Godfrey, Bob (rgodfre@uvi.edu)- University of the Virgin Islands;
Leymaster, Kreg (kreg.leymaster@ars.usda.gov) - USDA, ARS, MARC;
Notter, David (drnotter@vt.edu)- Virginia Tech;
Luther, Justin (justin.luther@ndsu.edu)- North Dakota State University;
Hansen, Ben (bhansen_05@hotmail.com)- USDA, ARS, MARC;
Waldron, Dan (d-waldron@tamu.edu)- Texas AgriLife;
Meyer, Howard (howard.h.meyer@oregonstate.edu)- Oregon State University;
Ely, Don (dely@uky.edu)- University of Kentucky;
Morrical, Dan (morrical@iastate.edu)- Iowa State University;
Thonney, Mike (mlt2@cornell.edu)- Cornell University;
Mateescu, Raluca (raluca@okstate.edu)- Oklahoma State University;
Bunch, Tom (tom.bunch@usu.edu)- Utah State University;
Schaefer, Dan (schaeferd@ansci.wisc.edu)- University of Wisconsin;
Thomas, Dave (dlthomas@wisc.edu)- University of Wisconsin;
Lewis, Greg (Gregory.Lewis@ARS.USDA.GOV)- USDA, ARS, Dubois;
Flora, Guy (sheepmag@brightnet.com) - ASI;
Irwin, Lyndon (lirwin@prodigy.net) - ASI;
Pfligier, Burton (bppfarm@hotmail.com) - ASI;
Rodgers, Paul (prodgers2@earthlink.net) - ASI;
Hinson, Margaret (msoulen@ruralnetwork.net) - ASI;
Mousel, Michelle (mmousel@pw.ars.usda.gov) - USDA, ARS, Dubois;
Morgan, James (jlmm@earthlink.net) - NSIP;
Slyter, Lowell (lowell_slyter@hotmail.com);

Brief Summary of Minutes

2008 NCERA  190 Annual Meeting Minutes


USDA Sheep Experiment Station
Dubois, ID
9  11 June 2008


Monday 9 June 2008
Greg Lewis, host of the meeting, welcomed the group to the USDA Sheep Experiment Station. He proceeded by introducing Bret Taylor and Michelle Mousel (other researchers at the station). Greg briefly outlined a tentative schedule for touring the facilities during the forthcoming days.


Joan Burke called the meeting to order and allowed the participants to introduce themselves. Joan then announced that Justin Luther and Dan Waldron would serve on the resolutions committee and that Dan Morrical, Stephan Wildeus, and Jim Miller would serve on the nominations committee. Joan then outlined the schedule for station reports and breaks for the next two days. These minutes describe the order of the reports for the NCERA-190 committee.


Mike Thonney chaired station reports for Objective 1 (Develop and evaluate methods to improve ewe reproductive efficiency) by Virginia State University (Stephan Wildeus), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Dave Notter), USDA Meat Animal Research Center (Kreg Leymaster), Oklahoma State University (Raluca Mateescu), North Dakota State University (Justin Luther), and Cornell University (Mike Thonney).


Joan Burke chaired the station reports for Objective 2 (Develop genetic and environmental strategies to improve efficiency and consumer acceptability of lean tissue accretion in lamb) with began with a collaborative presentation by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Dave Notter) and USDA Sheep Experiment Station (Greg Lewis and Michelle Mousel), USDA U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (Kreg Leymaster), University of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station (Bob Godfrey), and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Dave Notter).


Henry Zerby chaired the afternoon presentation of station reports for Objective 4 (Evaluate and further develop hair sheep genetic resources in easy-care production systems) by Louisiana State University (Jim Miller who also took the opportunity to provide information on Lagniappe  something extra), Texas AgriLife Research Texas A & M System (Dan Waldron), University of Kentucky (Debra Aaron), Dale Bumbers Small farm Research Center, USDA, Arkansas (Joan Burke), and USDA U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (Kreg Leymaster). The last station report for objective for was tabled until the following day.


Jim Miller announced that they will be conducting a train-the-trainer program for FAMANCHA training and shared some materials that will be utilized in the program.


Tuesday 11 June 2007
The meeting reconvened and the last station report for Objective 4 was presented by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Dave Notter). Then Dave Thomas of the University of Wisconsin provided the only station report for Objective 3 (Evaluate genetic resources, nutrient requirements, and production systems for milk production).


Following reports by stations Paul Rodgers from the American Sheep Industry Association introduced other board members who were present (Lyndon Irwin, Guy Flora, Margaret Hinson, and Burton Pfliger). Paul expressed his appreciation on behalf of ASI and commented that the research and collaborations from the NCERA 190 group have helped move forward the objectives set by the Lamb Meat Adjustment Plan that were put in place. Paul then provided a brief summary of legislative and other issues being addressed by ASI. Jim Morgan, President of the National Sheep Improvement Program, summarized new and ongoing activities of NSIP. Then Lowell Slyter, editor of the Sheep & Goat Research journal provided n update on the active status of the journal.


Our administrative advisor, Dr. Dan Schaefer of the University of Wisconsin gave a brief report.


He indicated that our annual report is needed in the next 60 days and should include attendance, minutes, accomplishments, etc. He also stated that the year four of NCERA-190 Committee will expire on September 30, 2009; thus, he recommended that a writing committee be organized to draft a new proposal. Dan stated the committee is functioning well and vibrantly, collaboration and research has been very good. Dan also explained that due to changes in his current professional responsibilities he will continue to work with the committee through the submission of the new project, but then will resign from his administrative responsibilities to the committee. Dan noted that he was very pleased with continued evolution of the committee over recent years and its inclusion of scientist from other research areas, which has resulted in a very balanced committee with integrated members further facilitating collaborative research efforts.


Greg Lewis agreed with Dans closing remarks and mentioned that the research conducted by the NCERA committee has contributed greatly to several FASS publications.


Kreg Leymaster thanked Dan Schaefer for his service to the committee and recognized that Dans administrative duties and capacity in this area have been the best he has ever seen.


Dave Thomas then recognized two members that were retiring from the committee.
Howard Meyer (Oregon State University  first experience with the committee was in 1970; it was note that Howard was wearing long pants)
Yves Berger (University of Wisconsin)


Business meeting
1. The business meeting was called to order by Chair Joan Burke.


2. Dan Morrical moved and James Miller seconded a motion to approve the minutes from the 2007 meeting. The motion was approved unanimously.


3. On behalf of the nominations committee, Dan Morrical presented the following proposed slate of officers for 2008-2009:


Chair: Mike Thonney (New York)
Vice-chair: Henry Zerby (Ohio)
Secretary: Justin Luther (North Dakota State University)


Kreg Leymaster moved to accept the proposed slate of officers. The motion was seconded by Dan Morrical and passed unanimously.


4. On behalf of the resolutions committee (Justin Luther and Dan Waldron), Justin Luther
presented the following resolutions:



Resolution 1: Be it resolved, the members of the NCERA-190 committee on Increased Efficiency of Sheep Production express thanks to Greg Lewis, Michele Mousel, other staff members and the 'Mess Club' of the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station for their gracious hospitality and organization of a successful annual meeting of the NCERA-190 sheep research and extension committee. (To be sent to Greg Lewis, U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, ID and Dr. Andrew Hammond.)


Mike Thonney moved and Dave Thomas seconded and motion was approved.


Resolution 2: Be it resolved, the members of the NCERA-190 committee on Increased Efficiency of Sheep Production wish to express appreciation to the following:


a) American Sheep Industry Association for the presence of Paul Rodgers, Margaret Soulen-Hinson, Guy Flora, Lyndon Irwin, Burton Pfliger and Lowell Slyter. (To be sent to Peter Orwick, Executive Director of ASI and Burdell Johnson, President of ASI)


b) The National Sheep Improvement Program for the presence of Jim Morgan. (To be sent to Jim Morgan, Chairman of NSIP)


Dave Thomas moved and Dave Notter seconded and motion was approved.


Resolution 3: Whereas the NCERA-190 committee on Increased Efficiency of Sheep Production is composed of sheep scientists from 15 U.S. agricultural universities and three USDA Agricultural Research Service stations, who conduct a large portion of the public sheep research in the U.S., and whereas the committee members review each others research and cooperate on joint research projects for the benefit of the U.S. Sheep Industry, be it resolved, the members of the NCERA-190 committee urge the American Lamb Board to direct a portion of their producer check-off funds to the support of sheep production research to improve the competitiveness of U.S. sheep producers. (To be sent to Megan Wortman, Program Director and the ALB President)


Dan Morical moved and Don Ely seconded and motion was approved.


Resolution 4: Be it resolved, the members of NCERA-190 committee on Increased Efficiency of Sheep Production commend the American Sheep and Goat Center on allocating funds and requesting proposals for sheep and goat research.
(To be sent to Paul Lewis, Chairman of the Board, American Sheep and Goat Center)


Dave Notter moved and Dan Morrical seconded and motion was approved.


Resolution 5: Be it resolved, the members of the NCERA-190 committee on Increased Efficiency of Sheep Production, composed of scientists from 15 agricultural universities and three USDA, Agricultural Research Service stations who conduct a large portion of the public funded sheep research in the U.S., would like to petition the National Organic Program to accept copper oxide wire particles (COWP) as a control aid for the gastrointestinal parasite, Haemonchus contortus. This nematode causes anemia and is one of the limiting factors of organic sheep production in warm, humid climates. Several scientific publications document the efficacy of COWP to control Haemonchus contortus. There are currently no acceptable measures of acute control in lambs that would retain their marketability for organic production. COWP can be packaged into organic capsules and administered to lambs at 0.5 to 1.0 grams per dose.
(To be included in the official minutes of the 2008 Annual NCERA-190 meeting and available to the submitter of the petition to National Organic Program, James Miller)


Mike Thonney moved and Dan Waldron seconded and motion was approved.


Resolution 6: Be it resolved that the NCERA 190 committee on Increased Efficiency of Sheep Production recognize the excellent contributions of Dr. Howard Meyer, Oregon State University. Congratulations and enjoy a retirement of fulfilling activities.


Dan Morrical moved and Mike Thonney seconded and motion was approved.


Resolution 7: Be it resolved that the NCERA 190 committee on Increased Efficiency of Sheep Production acknowledges the past involvement and strong contributions made by Yves Berger, University of Wisconsin. Congratulations and enjoy a retirement of fulfilling activities.


Dan Waldron moved and Dan Morrical seconded and motion was approved.


Resolution 8: Be it resolved that the NCERA 190 committee on Increased Efficiency of Sheep Production recognizes the life long contributions of Dr. Eric Bradford and expresses heartfelt sympathy to his family. (To be sent to Mrs. Eric Bradford).


Dan Morrical moved and Dave Notter seconded and motion was approved.


5. A committee was appointed to draft a new project proposal.
Joan Burke - Committee Chair
Mike Thonney
Dan Waldron


Discussion ensued on changing from a NCERA committee to a NC type committee. It was ultimately decided that the strength of the present committee (the multiple discipline areas, which contribute to the holistic systems approach, and facilitates the collaborative arrangements and research among the committee members) is a better fit for the NCR format.


Preliminary discussion for the proposal surrounded potential modifications to Objective 4 and to invite university personnel with an extension component to enhance the outreach and technology transfer from the committee.


6. Jim Miller (Louisiana State University) proposed to host the meeting for the following year. Greg Lewis moved to accept the invitation, Bob Godfrey seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.


7. Dan Morrical announced that Iowa State was developing a software to assist with balancing rations for small ruminants and that it would be available in the near future.


8. It was moved and seconded that the business meeting be adjourned and the motion passed unanimously.


(End of business meeting minutes)


After lunch, Henry Zerby (Ohio State University) presented a seminar on lamb carcass traits and meat quality. Then Kreg Leymaster (USDA U.S. Meat Animal Research Center) presented a seminar on genetics and their influence on sheep and lamb production.


The attendees then had the opportunity to tour the USDA Sheep Experiment Station and received an update on some rangeland image analysis research being conducted at the station, to visit a nearby potato processing plant, an alfalfa hay distribution center, and a complex that utilized barley for beer processing.


After the tours the participants dispersed.


Respectfully submitted,
Henry N. Zerby,
Secretary
26 June 2008

Accomplishments

The benefits of diets containing minimum concentrations of fermentable fiber available from by-product feeds have been documented. An initial experiment showed that fiber digestibility decreases dramatically as feed intake increases.<br /> <br /> An experiment is underway to test the effectiveness of a new vaccine against Clostridium perfringens type A to prevent abomasal hemorrhage in young, fast growing lambs.<br /> <br /> Phenotypes on ability to breed and lamb out-of-season continue to be collected for a project designed to identify DNA markers.<br /> <br /> 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 and increases opportunities to take advantage of optimal times to market lambs. Methods are being tested to improve reproductive rates and lamb survival under the system.<br /> <br /> Developed strategies that may improve reproductive performance in sheep. L-arginine supplementation enhances ovarian function and the number of embryos per ewe during early pregnancy.<br /> <br /> Started to generate data to investigate the use of P.G. 600 in place of eCG for estrous synchronization protocols for LAI in sheep. <br /> <br /> 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 5 years of age. <br /> <br /> The first year of creating an organic forage system for lamb production was completed adding both cool and warm season forages to increase protein and energy levels of existing tall fescue pasture. This is a long-term project that will lead to Best Management Practices for organic lamb production for GIN control and limited need for grain supplements throughout the year. In addition, copper oxide wire particles (COWP) are an effective method to control internal parasites in small ruminants. Haemonchus contortus causes anemia and death in sheep and goats living in warm, humid climates. Scientists at USDA, ARS in Arkansas, Louisiana State University, and Fort Valley State University continued studies on the practical use of COWP for management of H. contortus in low input systems. This finding is important to producers in warm, humid climates looking for sustainable alternatives to chemical dewormers.<br /> <br /> An experiment was started to investigate effects of myostatin and callipyge mutations on carcass and meat quality traits.<br /> Plans were approved to infuse one-quarter Texel germplasm into Composite lines fixed for alternative callipyge alleles and also to fix the myostatin mutation in each line.<br /> <br /> A flock of Polypay sheep was established at USMARC to serve as a control for future research on easy-care breeds. Obtained data to provide breed comparisons in an extensive range environment that can be used to develop breeding objectives for terminal sires. Obtained data to data indicate biological and economical incentives for increasing loin muscle area in wethers, and live-animal ultrasound can provide reliable estimates of carcass measures. These results are applicable to terminal sire breeders and producers who market sheep using carcass-merit pricing systems.<br /> <br /> A report was developed that outlines an objective approach for establishing ultrasound accuracy criteria for sheep.<br /> <br /> Needle-free injections will reduce biohazard waste, eliminate the possibility of accidental needle sticks for livestock handlers, and will likely reduce iatrogenic infection of sheep.<br /> <br /> Research continued on a forage-based production system under an 8-months mating scheduled. Research was completed on the use of induced, synchronized mating to concentrate lambing and retain ewes in the accelerated system.<br />

Publications

Schotthofer, M A., M.L. Thonney, and D. E. Hogue. 2007. Effect of level of fermentable NDF on feed intake and production of lactating ewes. J. Anim. Sci. 85: Suppl. 1, p. 180.<br /> <br /> Thonney, M. L. and D. E. Hogue. 2007. Formulation of ruminant diets using potentially-fermentable NDF and nonstructural carbohydrates. Proc. Cornell Nutr. Conf. 69:113-123.<br /> <br /> M. L. Thonney, P. A. Martinez-Hernandez, J. B. Taylor, and D. L. Thomas. 2008. Sheep symposium: Biology and management of low-input lambing in easy-care systems. J. Anim. Sci. 86: E244-245E.<br /> <br /> Thonney, M. L., M. C. Smith, R. G. Mateescu, and C. Heuer. 2008. Vaccination of ewes and lambs against parainfluenza3 to prevent lamb pneumonia. Small Ruminant Research 74:30-36.<br /> <br /> Terrill, T.H., Mosjidis, J.A., Moore, D.A., Shaik, S.A., Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., Muir, J.P., Wolfe, R., 2007. Effect of pelleting on efficacy of sericea lespedeza hay as a natural dewormer in goats. Vet Parasitol 146, 117-122.<br /> <br /> Burke, J.M., Morrical, D., Miller, J.E., 2007. Control of gastrointestinal nematodes with copper oxide wire particles in a flock of Polypay ewes and offspring in Iowa. Vet Parasitol 146, 372-375.<br /> <br /> Burke, J.M., Kaplan, R.M., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., Getz, W.R., Mobini, S., Valencia, E., Williams, M.J., Williamson, L.H., Vatta, A.F. 2007. Accuracy of the FAMACHA system for on-farm use by sheep and goat producers in the southeastern United States. Vet Parasitol 147, 89-95.<br /> <br /> Burke, J.M., Terrill, T.H., Kallu, R.R., Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J. 2007. Use of copper oxide wire particles to control gastrointestinal nematodes in goats. J Anim Sci 85, 2753-2761.<br /> <br /> Terrill, T.H., Moore, D.A., Kouakou, B., Shaik, S.A., Vanguru, M., Mosjidis, J.A., Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., 2007. Effect of Sericea lespedeza hay feeding on growth rate of goats infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. Proc. 21st Inter Conf World Assoc Adv Vet Parasitol, 139.<br /> <br /> Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J.A., Terrill, T.H., Burke, J.M., 2007. The effect of sericea lespedeza, fed as pellets, on established infection of Haemonchus contortus in sheep. Proc. 21st Inter Conf World Assoc Adv Vet Parasitol, 262.<br /> <br /> Moore, D.A., Terrill, T.H., Shaik, S.A., Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., Muir, J.P., Wolfe, R., Mosjidis, J.A., 2007. Effect of pelleting on anthelmintic efficacy of sericea lespedeza hay against gastrointestinal nematodes of goats. J Anim Sci 85 (Suppl. 2), 29.<br /> <br /> Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., 2007. Interaction between high protein supplement and copper oxide wire particles to control gastrointestinal nematodes in growing goats. J Anim Sci 85 (Suppl. 2), 33-34.<br /> <br /> Burke, J.M. Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., 2007. Low dose titration of copper oxide wire particles for control of gastrointestinal nematodes in weaned kids. J Anim Sci 85 (Suppl. 2), 34.<br /> <br /> Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., Mosjidis, J., 2007. Interaction between copper oxide wire particles and grazing sericea lespedeza to control gastrointestinal nematodes in goats. J Anim Sci 85 (Suppl. 2), 34.<br /> <br /> Whitley, N.C., Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., Cazac, D., Subburathinam, R., Dykes, L., 2007. Influence of high tannin grain sorghum on gastrointestinal nematode infection (GIN) in goats. J Anim Sci 85 (Suppl. 2), 35.<br /> <br /> Chafton, L.A., Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J.A., Terrill, T.H., Burke, J.M., 2007. The effect of sericea lespedza, fed as ground hay, on existing and establishing infection of Haemonchus contortus in sheep. J Anim Sci 85 (Suppl. 2), 38.<br /> <br /> J.S. Luther, A.T. Grazul-Bilska, J.D. Kirsch, R.M. Weigl, K.C. Kraft, C. Navanukraw, D. Pant, L.P. Reynolds, D.A. Redmer. 2007. The effect of GnRH, eCG and progestin type on estrous synchronization following laparoscopic AI in ewes. Small Ruminant Research; 72:227-231.<br /> <br /> E.J. Windorski, C.S. Schauer, A.K. Wurst, E.K. Inskeep, and J.S. Luther. Effects of Melengestrol Acetate and P.G. 600 on fertility in Rambouillet ewes outside the natural breeding season. 2008. Theriogenology (accepted). <br /> <br /> T.J. Swanson, C.J. Hammer, J. S. Luther, D.B. Carlson, J.B. Taylor, D.A. Redmer, T.L. Neville, J.J. Reed, L.P. Reynolds, J.S. Caton, K.A. Vonnahme. Effects of plane of nutrition and selenium supplementation on colostrum quality and mammary development in pregnant ewe lambs. 2008. Journal of Animal Science (accepted).<br /> <br /> Grazul-Bilska, A.T., J. D. Kirsch, J. J. Bilski, K.C. Kraft, E. J. Windorski, J. S. Luther, K. A. Vonnahme, L. P. Reynolds and D. A. Redmer. 2007. Superovulation in sheep: Number and weight of the corpora lutea and serum progesterone. Sheet and Goat Research Journal. 22:26-31.<br /> <br /> J.S. Luther, R.P. Aitken, J.S. Milne, M. Matsuzaki, L.P. Reynolds, D.A. Redmer, J.M. Wallace. 2007. Maternal and fetal growth, body composition, endocrinology, and metabolic status in undernourished adolescent sheep. Biology of Reproduction; 77, 343-350.<br /> <br /> J.S. Luther, J.S. Milne, R.P. Aitken, M. Matsuzaki, L.P. Reynolds, D.A. Redmer, J.M. Wallace. 2007. Placental growth, angiogenic gene expression, and vascular development in undernourished adolescent sheep. Biology of Reproduction; 77, 351-357.<br /> <br /> Windorski, C.S. Schauer, D.P. Pearson, A.M. Wurst, E.K. Inskeep, and J.S. Luther. 2007. Influence of MGA and PG600 on Reproductive Performance in Rambouillet Ewes Outside the Normal Breeding Season. Western Sections, Journal of Animal Science Western section of American Society of Animal Sciences meeting, Moscow, Idaho. Abstract 91.<br /> <br /> Vonnahme, K.A., J.D. Kirsch, T.L. Neville, J.J. Reed, C.J. Hammer, J.S. Luther, D.A. Redmer, L.P. Reynolds, and J.S. Caton. 2007. Effects of maternal diet on circulating hormone concentrations during mid to late pregnancy in first parity ewes. Aspen Perinatal Biology Symposium, Aspen, CO. Abstract 33.<br /> <br /> Grazul-Bilska, A.T., C. Boehler, J.S. Luther, M.L. Johnson, D.A. Redmer, L.P. Reynolds, and K.A. Vonnahme. 2007. Protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2), and their receptors in ovine placentomes in single, twin and triplet pregnancies. Biol. Reprod, Special Issue, p. 102, abstr. no. 114, 40th Annual SSR Meeting, July.<br /> <br /> <br /> Reed, J. J., T. L. Neville, K. A. Vonnahme, P. P. Borowicz, J. B. Taylor, D. A. Redmer, J. S. Luther, C. J. Hammer, L. P. Reynolds, and J. S. Caton. 2007. Effects of maternal nutrition and selenium supply on visceral organ mass of pregnant ewe lambs. American Society of Animal Sciences meeting. San Antonio, TX. Abstract T375. <br /> <br /> Hammer, C. J., K. A. Vonnahme, J. B. Taylor, D. A. Redmer, J. S. Luther, T. L. Neville, J. J. Reed, J. S. Caton, and L. P. Reynolds. 2007. Effects of maternal nutrition and selenium supplementation on absorption of IgG and survival of lambs. American Society of Animal Sciences meeting. San Antonio, TX. Abstract 464.<br /> <br /> Swanson T. J. , C. J. Hammer, J. B. Taylor, D. A. Redmer, K. A. Vonnahme, J. S. Luther, T. L. Neville, J. J. Reed, J. S. Caton, and L. P. Reynolds. 2007. Effects of plane of nutrition and selenium on colostrum quality and mammary development in ewes. American Society of Animal Sciences meeting. San Antonio, TX. Abstract 968. <br /> <br /> Neville, T. L., J. J. Reed, K. A. Vonnahme, P. P. Borowicz, J. B. Taylor, D. A. Redmer, J. S. Luther, C. J. Hammer, G. P. Lardy, L. P. Reynolds, and J. S. Caton. 2007. Effects of maternal nutrition and selenium supply on ewe and lamb performance. American Society of Animal Sciences meeting. San Antonio, TX. Abstract 778. <br /> <br /> Caton, J. S., J. J. Reed, T. L. Neville, K. A. Vonnahme, P. P. Borowicz, J. B. Taylor, D. A. Redmer, J. S. Luther, C. J. Hammer, K. R. Carlin, and L. P. Reynolds. 2007. Effects of maternal nutrition and selenium supply on postnatal organ mass: Evidence for developmental programming in lambs. American Society of Animal Sciences meeting. San Antonio, TX. Abstract 777. <br /> <br /> Grazul-Bilska, A.T., E. Windorski, J.S. Luther, J.J. Bilski, J.D. Kirsch, E. Borowczyk, K.A. Vonnahme, L.P. Reynolds and D.A. Redmer. 2007. Superovulation in sheep: number and weight of the corpora lutea (CL) and serum progesterone. Western section of American Society of Animal Sciences meeting, Moscow, Idaho. Abstract 91. <br /> <br /> Effertz, C.M., J.S. Caton, C.J. Hammer, J.S. Luther, T.L. Neville, J.J. Reed, D.A. Redmer, L.P. Reynolds, K.A. Vonnahme. 2007. Glucose tolerance of offspring born from ewes receiving differing nutritional levels during pregnancy. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Suppl. 2):79 (Abstract 247). <br /> <br /> Walker, J.W., E.S. Campbell, C.J. Lupton, C.A. Taylor, Jr., D.F. Waldron, and S.Y. Landau. 2007. Effects of breed, sex, and age on the variation and ability of fecal near-infrared reflectance spectra to predict the composition of goat diets. J. Anim. Sci. 85: 518-526.<br /> <br /> White, S., L. Herrmann, K. ORourke, D. Waldron, J. Rowe, J. Alverson. 2008. Prion gene (PRNP) haplotype variation in United States goat breeds. Genet. Sel. Evol. (accepted)<br /> <br /> Whitney, T.R., D.F. Waldron, T.D. Willingham, and B.O. Payne. 2007 Evaluating nutritional status of Dorper and Rambouillet ewes in a range sheep production system. J. Anim. Sci. 85. Suppl. 1:677(Abstr.). <br /> <br /> Arnaud, F., Caporale, M., Varela, M., Biek, R., Chessa, B., Alberti, A., Golder, M., Mura, M., Zhang, Y-P, Yu, L., DeMartini, J.C., Leymaster, K., Spencer, T.E. and Palmarini, M. 2007. A paradigm for virus-host coevolution: sequential counter-adaptations between endogenous and exogenous retroviruses. PLoS Pathogens, 3(11): e170.<br /> <br /> Kuehn, L. A., R. M. Thallman, and K. A. Leymaster. 2007. Evaluating the feasibility of fitting haplotype effects as random: Variance component estimation. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Suppl. 1):669-670.<br /> <br /> Leymaster, K. A. 2007. Evaluation of Dorper, Dorset, Katahdin, and Rambouillet crossbred ewes in high- and low-input production systems. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Suppl. 1):458-459.<br /> <br /> Evoniuk, J. M., P. P. Borowicz, J. S. Caton, K. A. Vonnahme, L. P. Reynolds, J. B. Taylor, C. L. Stoltenow, K. L. O'Rourke, and D. A. Redmer. 2008. Effects of nutrition and genotype on prion protein (PrPC) gene expression in the fetal and maternal sheep placenta. Placenta. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.placenta.2008.02.003.<br /> <br /> Herrmann-Hoesing, L. M., S. N. White, G. S. Lewis, M. R. Mousel, and D. P. Knowles. 2007. Development and validation of an ovine progressive pneumonia virus quantitative PCR. Clin. Vaccine. Immunol. 14:1274-1278. <br /> <br /> Herrmann-Hoesing, L. M., S. N. White, G. S. Lewis, M. R. Mousel, and D. P. Knowles. 2008. Genetic analysis of Ovis aries (Ovar) MHC Class IIa loci from a Rambouillet ram. Immunogenet. In Press.<br /> <br /> Leeds, T. D., M. R. Mousel, D. R. Notter, H. N. Zerby, C. A. Moffet, and G. S. Lewis. 2008. B-mode, real-time ultrasound for estimating carcass composition in live sheep: Accuracy of ultrasound measures and their relationships with carcass composition. J. Anim. Sci. (In press).<br /> <br /> Leytem, A. B., J. B. Taylor, V. Raboy, and P. W. Plumstead. 2007. Dietary low-phytate mutant-M 955 barley grain alters phytate degradation and mineral digestion in sheep fed high-grain diets. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 138:13-28.<br /> <br /> Lewis, G. S., M. C. Wulster-Radcliffe, and J. H. Herbein. 2008. Fatty acid profiles, growth, and immune responses of neonatal lambs fed milk replacer and supplemented with fish oil or safflower oil. Small Rumin. Res. (In press).<br /> <br /> Mousel, M. R., T. D. Leeds, S. N. White, and L. M. Herrmann-Hoesing. 2008. Technical Note: Comparison of traditional needle vaccination with pneumatic, needle-free vaccination for sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 86:1468-1471.<br /> <br /> Neville, T. L., M. A. Ward, J. J. Reed, S. A. Soto-Navarro, S. L. Julius, P. P. Borowicz, J. B. Taylor, D. A. Redmer, L. P. Reynolds, and J. S. Caton. 2008. Effects of level and source of dietary selenium on maternal and fetal body weight, visceral organ mass, cellularity estimates, and jejunal vascularity in pregnant ewe lambs. J. Anim. Sci. doi: jas.2006-839v1.<br /> <br /> Reed, J. J., W. A. Ward, K. A. Vonnahme, T. L. Neville, S. L. Julius, P. P. Borowicz, J. B. Taylor, D. A. Redmer, A. T. Grazul-Bilska, L. P. Reynolds, J. S. Caton. 2007. Effects of selenium supply and dietary restriction on maternal and fetal body weight, visceral organ mass, cellularity estimates, and jejunal vascularity in pregnant ewe lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 85:2721-2733.<br /> <br /> Scoles, G. A. W. L. Goff, T. J. Lysyk, G. S. Lewis, and D. P. Knowles. 2008. Validation of an Anaplasma marginale cELISA for use in the diagnosis of A. ovis infections in domestic sheep and Anaplasma spp. in wild ungulates. Vet. Microbiol. Available online January 5, 2008. doi:10.1016/j.vetmic.2007.12.020<br /> <br /> Seefeldt, S. S., J. B. Taylor, and S. Van Vleet. 2007. Reducing Euphorbia esula with a combination of sheep grazing and imazapic. J. Arid Environ. 69:432-440.<br /> <br /> Stellflug, J. N., N. E. Cockett, and G. S. Lewis. 2008. The influence of breeding intensity on above- and below-average sexual performance rams in single- and multiple-sire breeding environments. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 104:248-256.<br /> <br /> Stellflug, J. N. and G. S. Lewis. 2007. Effect of early and late exposure to estrual ewes on ram sexual performance classifications. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 97:295-302.<br /> <br /> Stellflug, J. N., G. S. Lewis, C. A. Moffet, and T. D. Leeds. 2008. Evaluation of three-ram cohort serving capacity tests as a substitute for individual serving capacity tests. J. Anim. Sci. doi:10.2527/jas.2007-0820.<br /> <br /> Swanson, T. J., C. J. Hammer, J. S. Luther, D. B. Carlson, J. B. Taylor, D. A. Redmer, T. L. Neville, J. J. Reed, L. P. Reynolds, J. S. Caton, and K. A. Vonnahme. 2008. Effects of gestational plane of nutrition and selenium supplementation on mammary development and colostrum quality in pregnant ewe lambs. J. Anim. Sci. (In press).<br /> <br /> Taus, N. S., D. R. Herndon, D. L. Traul, J. P. Stewart, M. Ackermann, H. Li, D. P. Knowles, G. S. Lewis, and K. A. Brayton. 2007. Comparison of ovine herpesvirus 2 genomes isolated from domestic sheep (Ovis aries) and a clinically affected cow (Bos bovis). J. Gen. Virol. 88(Pt 1):40-45.<br /> <br /> Taylor, J. B., M. J. Marchello, J. W. Finley, T. L. Neville, G. F. Combs, and J. S. Caton. 2008. Nutritive value and display-life attributes of selenium-enriched beef-muscle foods. J. Food Comp. Anal. 21:183-186.<br /> <br /> Thelen, T. M., C. A. Löest, J. B. Taylor, S. Wang, and G. S. Lewis. 2007. Intrauterine bacterial inoculation and level of dietary methionine alter amino acid metabolism in nulliparous yearling ewes. J. Anim. Sci. 85:33713382.<br /> <br /> Thelen, T. M., J. B. Taylor, and H. F. Mayland. 2008. Inclusion of morning and evening-harvested alfalfa hays in diets fed to newly-received sheep. Prof. Anim. Sci. (In press).<br /> <br /> Ward, M. A., T. L. Neville, J. J. Reed, J. B. Taylor, D. M. Hallford, S. A. Soto-Navarro, K. A. Vonnahme, D. A. Redmer, L. P. Reynolds, and J. S. Caton. 2008. Effects of selenium supply and dietary restriction on maternal and fetal metabolic hormones in pregnant ewe lambs. J. Anim. Sci. doi: jas.2007-0509v1.<br /> <br /> Aaron, D. K. D. G. Ely, E. Fink, B. T. Burden, and M. M. Simpson. 2008. Carcass composition of Polypay versus White Dorper x Polypay crossbred lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 1). In Press.<br /> <br /> Lunsford, A. K., D. G. Ely, D. K. Aaron, M. M. Simpson, and R. A. Zinner. 2008. Nutrient utilization in Polypay and percentage White Dorper lambs fed a high-roughage and a high concentrate diet. Sheep & Goat Res. J. 23:1-6.<br /> <br /> Simpson, M. M., D. K. Aaron, E. Fink, B. T. Burden, and D. G. Ely. 2008. Control of Haemonchus contortus in ewes with copper sulfate. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 1). In Press.<br /> <br /> Godfrey, R.W., M. C. Vinson, and R. C. Ketring. 2007. The effect of breed and feeding a split ration to lactating hair sheep on ewe body temperature in the tropics. J. Animal Sci. 85(Suppl. 1):230<br /> <br /> Weiss, S.A., R. C. Ketring, and R. W. Godfrey. 2007. Evaluation of alternative small ruminant finishing systems for the tropics. J. Animal Sci. 85(Suppl. 1):661.<br /> <br /> Godfrey, R.W., R. C. Ketring and S. T. Willard. 2007. Use of infrared thermal imaging to measure changes in body temperature following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration in hair sheep ewes. J. Animal Sci. 85(Suppl. 1):676<br /> <br /> Godfrey, R.W. and R.C. Driscoll. 2007. The effect of feeding a split ration to lactating hair sheep on production traits during the cool season in the tropics. J. Animal Sci. 85(Suppl. 2):36.<br /> <br /> Godfrey, R.W., R. E. Dodson, M. C. Vinson, and R. C. Driscoll. 2007. Production traits of Dorper crossbred ewes in an accelerated lambing system in the tropics., J. Animal Sci.85(Suppl. 2):39.<br /> <br /> Notter, D. R., L. A. Kuehn, and R. M. Kott. 2007. Genetic analysis of fibre characteristics in adult Targhee ewes and their relationship to breeding value estimates derived from yearling fleeces. Small Ruminant Res. 67:164-172. <br /> <br /> Vanimisetti, H. B., D. R. Notter, and L. A. Kuehn. 2007. Genetic (co)variance components for ewe productivity traits in Katahdin sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 85:60-68.<br /> <br /> Notter, D. R., R. L. Baker, and N. E. Cockett. 2007. Preface: The outlook for quantitative and molecular genetic applications in improving sheep and goats. Small Ruminant Res. 70:1-3.<br /> <br /> Kuehn, L. A., R. M. Lewis, and D. R. Notter. 2007. Managing the risk of comparing estimated breeding values across flocks or herds through connectedness: a review and application. Genet. Selec. Evol. 39:225-247. <br /> <br /> Borg, R. C., D. R. Notter, L. A. Kuehn, and R. W. Kott. 2007. Breeding objectives for Targhee sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 85:2815-2829.<br /> <br /> Leeds, T. D., M. R. Mousel, D. R. Notter, G. S. Lewis. 2007. Ultrasound estimates of loin muscle measures and backfat thickness augment live animal prediction of weights of subprimal cuts in sheep. Proc. Western Section, Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 58:97-100. <br /> <br /> Geven, J. A., H. N. Zerby, P.S. Kuber, S. J. Moeller, M. P. Wick, D. R. Notter, T. D. Leeds, and M. R. Mousel. 2007. Relationship between calpastatin activity and lamb carcass characteristics. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Suppl. 1):21 (Abstr.). <br /> <br /> Borg, R. C., D. R. Notter, and R. W. Kott. 2007. Genetic analysis of ewe stayability and its association with lamb growth and adult body weight. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Suppl. 1):624-625 (Abstr.). <br /> <br /> Mousel, M. R., T. D. Leeds, D. R. Notter, and H. N. Zerby. 2007. Prediction of lamb carcass leg and loin weights using leg score and leg width measurements. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Suppl. 1):663 (Abstr.). <br /> <br /> Leeds, T. D., M. R. Mousel, D. R. Notter, and G. S. Lewis. 2007. Prediction of carcass measures and wholesale product weights in sheep using B-mode ultrasound. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Suppl. 1):662-663 (Abstr.). <br /> <br /> Mook , J.L. and S. Wildeus. 2007. Effect of extender on retention of viability and motility in hair sheep and goat semen stored at 4°C. Journal of Animal Science, 85, Suppl. 1:534<br /> <br /> Mikolayunas, C. M., D. L. Thomas, K. A. Albrecht, D. K. Combs, Y. M. Berger, and S. R. Eckerman. 2008. Effects of supplementation and stage of lactation on performance of grazing dairy ewes. J. Dairy Sci. 91:1477-1485.<br /> <br /> Mikolayunas, C. M., D. L. Thomas, G. E. Dahl, T. F. Gressley, and Y.M. Berger. 2008. Effect of prepartum photoperiod on milk production and prolactin concentration of dairy ewes. J. Dairy Sci. 91:85-90.<br /> <br /> Berger, Y. M. and D. L. Thomas. 2007. Evolution of ewe milk production at the Spooner Agricultural Research Station from 1996 through 2006. In: Proc. 5th International Symposium on the Challenge to Sheep and Goats Milk Sectors. Alghero, Sardinia, Italy, April 18-20, 2007. International Dairy Federation (In Press). <br /> <br /> Casellas, J., D. L. Thomas, and Y. M. Berger. 2007. Estimates of genetic parameters for milk production traits and litter size of U.S. dairy ewes. In: Proc. 5th International Symposium on the Challenge to Sheep and Goats Milk Sectors. Alghero, Sardinia, Italy, April 18-20, 2007. International Dairy Federation (In Press).<br /> <br /> Mikolayunas, C. M., D. L. Thomas, Y. M. Berger, T. F. Gressley, and G. E. Dahl. 2008. Effect of prepartum photoperiod on milk production of dairy ewes. In: Proc. 5th International Symposium on the Challenge to Sheep and Goats Milk Sectors. Alghero, Sardinia, Italy, April 18-20, 2007. International Dairy Federation (In Press).<br />

Impact Statements

1. 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 2007, the cooperative marketed 418,000 kg of sheep milk.
2. Two important goals of the sheep industry are to increase reproductive rate and to decrease costs of labor. Hair breeds of sheep evolved to express &lsquo;easy-care&lsquo; attributes and are widely perceived to perform well with minimum labor requirements due to hardiness, parasite tolerance, and shedding of hair/wool. Experimental results from USDA, ARS MARC documented that prolific sheep and low inputs can be successfully combined to increase profitability for sheep producers.
3. Scientists at USDA, ARS in Booneville, Arkansas, Louisiana State University and Fort Valley State University in Georgia determined that low cost, sustainable control of gastrointestinal nematodes is possible through rotational grazing, use of copper oxide wire particles, and implementation of the FAMACHA system to identify resistant/resilient animals. This will allow producers using grass-fed and organic principles to capture premiums on lambs marketed, and reduce number of animals lost to nematode parasite infection.
4. Strategies have been developed for application of strategies to reduce reproductive losses in sheep. Prenatal mortality represents a large portion of economic loss in the sheep enterprise. Average embryonic and fetal mortality has been estimated at 30 to 50% in sheep. Scientists at North Dakota State University determined that L-Arginine supplementation is proving to be an effective strategy to improve reproductive performance in sheep.
5. Scientists at Cornell University have documented the impact of level of feed intake on digestibility of fermentable fiber, with dramatically lower digestibility at high ad libitum intakes for diets high in digestible fiber from by-product feeds. Thus, the use of such byproduct feeds as the main dietary ingredient when diets are offered ad libitum may be inefficient.

Back to top

Report Information

Participants

Aaron, Debra (daaron@email.uky.edu)-University of Kentucky;
Burke, Joan (joan.burke@ars.usda.gov)-USDA, ARS, Arkansas;
Earhardt, Richard (ehrhard5@msu.edu)-Michigan State University;
Ely, Don (dely@uky.edu)-University of Kentucky;
Getz, Will (getzw@fvsu.edu)-ASI;
Godfrey, Bob (rgodfre@uvi.edu)-University of the Virgin Islands;
Held, Jeff (Jeffrey.Held@sdstate.edu)-South Dakota State University;
Kirby, John (John.Kirby@sdstate.edu)-South Dakota State University;
Lewis, Greg (Gregory.Lewis@ARS.USDA.GOV)-USDA, ARS, Dubois;
Leymaster, Kreg (kreg.leymaster@ars.usda.gov)-USDA, MARC;
Luther, Justin (Justin.Luther@ndsu.edu)-North Dakota State University;
Mateescu, Raluca (raluca@okstate.edu)-Oklahoma State University;
Miller, Jim (jmille1@lsu.edu)-Louisiana State University;
Morrical, Dan (morrical@iastate.edu)-Iowa State University;
Notter, David (drnotter@vt.edu)-Virginia Tech;
Peterson, Katherine (kpetersson@uri.edu)-University of Rhode Island;
Rodgers, Paul (prodgers2@earthlink.net)-ASI;
Schoenian, Susan (sschoen@umd.edu)-University of Maryland;
Thomas, Dave (dlthomas@wisc.edu)-University of Wisconsin, Madison;
Thompson, James (james.thompson@oregonstate.edu)-Oregon State University;
Thonney, Mike (mlt2@cornell.edu)-University of Cornell;
Turner, Tim (stevelee@asgcusa.org)-ASGC;
Waldron, Dan (d-waldron@tamu.edu)-Texas AgriLife;
Wildeus, Stephan (swildeus@vsu.edu)-Virginia State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

Agricultural Center and School of Veterinary Medicine,
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
June 8-10, 2009


Monday, June 8


Jim Miller, host of the meeting, welcomed the group to the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Peter Haynes, Dean of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, welcomed the group and discussed some of the future directions of the school. Dr. Morrison, Director of the LSU Agricultural Center, also welcomed the group and described the purpose and mission of the Center. Dr. Morrison briefly touched on some aspects of Louisiana agriculture.


A 2010 meeting location was discussed. Bob Godfrey, Dan Morrical, and Debra Aaron were appointed to a committee to determine the next meeting location. Justin Luther stated that Christopher Schauer would like to host a joint meeting (WERA 112/NCERA 190) in 2011. David Notter and Dan Waldron were appointed to the 2009 Resolutions Committee.


Mike Thonney chaired station reports for Objective 1 (Develop and evaluate methods to improve reproductive efficiency) by Cornell University (Mike Thonney), North Dakota State University (Justin Luther), Oklahoma State University (Mike Thonney, representing Raluca Mateescu), U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, USDA Nebraska (Kreg Leymaster). A break was taken, and then station reports for Objective 1 continued with South Dakota State University (Jeff Held), University of Virgin Islands (Bob Godfrey), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (David Notter), and Virginia State University (Stephan Wildeus).


Mike Thonney chaired the afternoon presentation of station reports for Objective 2 (Develop strategies to improve the efficiency of lean growth, carcass quality, and meat palatability) by the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, USDA Nebraska (Kreg Leymaster), South Dakota State University (Jeff Held), U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, USDA, Idaho (Greg Lewis), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (David Notter).


Mike Thonney chaired the station report for Objective 3 (Evaluate genetic resources, nutrient requirements, and production systems for milk production) by the University of Wisconsin-Madison (David Thomas).


Yahia Khandoker, Department of Animal Breeding & Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, provided a guest presentation to the group on his research and extension efforts associated with Black Bengal goats. Yahia is collaborating with David Notter and Robert Godfrey on a project funded by the USDA. Black Bengal goats have a mature weight of approximately 25 kg and are an important part of the agricultural economy in Bangladesh.


Jim Miller discussed logistics associated with the evening dinner and social events. The group enjoyed an authentic crawfish boil.


Monday, June 8


The meeting reconvened at 8:00 a.m. David Notter solicited resolutions as chair of the 2009 NCERA Resolutions Committee.


Mike Thonney chaired station reports for Objective 4 (Evaluate and further develop hair sheep genetic resources in easycare production systems) by the University of Kentucky (Debra Aaron), Louisiana State University (Jim Miller), Oregon State University (Jim Thompson), Texas A&M Agricultural Experiment Station (Dan Waldron), Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, USDA, Arkansas (Joan Burke), U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, USDA, Nebraska (Kreg Leymaster), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (David Notter), and Virginia State University (Stephan Wildeus).


Business Meeting


1. The meeting was called to order by Mike Thonney, President. Greg Lewis discussed collaborative projects taking place between the USSES, Dubois and the MARC, Nebraska. Maternal and paternal lines of sheep are under development for future studies. Development of these lines and the breed composition of each were discussed by David Notter.


2. Approval of the 2008 meeting minutes was requested by Mike Thonney. Dave Thomas stated that Dan Waldrons name was spelled wrong in the 2008 minutes. Jim Miller asked to be added to the list of 2008 attendees. Dan Morrical moved to approve the minutes pending the above changes, and Jim Miller seconded the motion.


3. Kreg Leymaster nominated Henry Zerby (Chair), Justin Luther (Vice-Chair) and Jim Miller (Secretary) as the 2009 officers. Bob Godfrey moved to accept the nominated officers, seconded by Dan Morrical.


4. On behalf of the 2010 meeting committee (Dan Morrical, Debra Aaron, and Bob Godfrey), the following locations were discussed; Iowa, Kentucky and St. Croix. After much discussion Dan Morrical moved that the 2010 meeting be hosted by the University of Kentucky. The motion was seconded by Jim Miller. The motion was passed.


5. On behalf of the resolutions committee (David Notter and Dan Waldron), David Notter presented the following resolutions:


Resolution 1: Be it resolved, the members of the NCERA-190 committee on Increased Efficiency of Sheep Production express thanks to Jim Miller and to the students and staff at Louisiana State University for their hospitality in organizing a successful annual meeting of the NCERA-190 sheep research and extension committee. (To be sent to Jim Miller, David Morrison, Dean Peter Haynes.)


Resolution 2: Be it resolved, the members of the NCERA-190 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-190 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 their past and anticipated future support for sheep and goat research in the U.S. The members likewise appreciate the presence and participation of Tim Turner at the meeting. (To be sent to Chase Hibbard, Chairman of the Board, American Sheep and Goat Center).


Greg Lewis moved to accept the proposed resolutions, and the motion was seconded by Joan Burke. The motion was passed.


6. Joan Burke discussed development of the new NCERA-190 project. It was suggested by Joan Burke that members not listed on the committee should log onto NIMS and enroll themselves as official members. John Kirby, the NCERA-190 Administrative Advisor, explained this process.


7. Paul Rodgers gave a report on behalf of ASI. He extended a thank you to those committee members who submitted journal articles to the Sheep and Goat Research Journal. A recent letter describing hair contamination from hair sheep to wool sheep was further discussed. Carbon emissions from sheep and the need to quantify emissions was discussed. Paul suggested committee members to investigate New Zealands sheep carbon emission model. Approval of new anthelmentic products should also be investigated by the committee. NRSP-7, which was funded by a line item in congress, provides funds for approval of such products in minor species. Injectable iodine and an anthelmentic product are currently under review by NRSP-7. According to Paul, CIDRs will probably be approved in the current year. Members were urged to log onto the NRSP-7 website for more information. The ASI sheep production handbook was discussed. Paul asked the committee for suggestions on improving the book, and further asked for ways to better transmit the information contained within. The ASI Sheep Research Symposium was discussed. It was suggested that a committee be established by NCERA-190 to continue this program. Justin Luther, Dan Morrical, Dave Thomas and Debra Aaron agreed to be members of the committee. Will Getz, co-chair of the ASI PERC committee, introduced himself and spoke on behalf of the committee. Tim Turner of the American Sheep and Goat Center provided an update for attendees. Chase Hibbard is the new Chair of the ASGC Board. Tim discussed future funding possibilities through the ASGC.


8. John Kirby discussed the approval process for a new project proposal. John described that the mid-term review process will be simplified, while the administrative advisor will have more of an influence on the annual review process. John was pleased with the presence of industry representatives and producers at this meeting and the inclusion of extension activities in committee reports. He urged the group to investigate ways to include sheep production courses and lessons into the undergraduate student curriculum.


John described some examples being implemented around the nation for species other than sheep. Implementation of a similar program for sheep was discussed by the group. John stated that industry needed to be involved in this process. John also stated annual reports need to be submitted within the next 60 days. Mike Thonney asked the group for further discussion on sheep curriculum development. It was discussed if a committee of NCERA 190 members should be established to lead this effort. Mike Thonney, Jeff Held, Richard Earhardt and Debra Aaron offered to be members of the committee. It was further suggested that members of WERA should be involved in the committee. Mike was designated as the chair of the committee and he charged the other committee members to investigate development of undergraduate student sheep curriculum concepts.


The attendees then toured the LSU sheep and goat facilities. After the tour, attendees met at a local establishment for dinner and more socializing.


Respectfully submitted,
Justin Luther,
Secretary
11 June 2009

Accomplishments

Cornell has investigated the benefits of diets containing minimum concentrations of fermentable fiber available from by-product feeds have been documented. Increasing feed intake by growing lambs and mature, dry ewes has been has been shown to reduce digestibility of NDF.<br /> <br /> Cornell University has completed experiments to document the effects of lambing cubicles on intensity of lambing management and on lamb survival are under way. Initial results indicate that the flow-through lambing cubicle approach may reduce human and animal stress associated with lambing time.<br /> <br /> Phenotypes on ability to breed and lamb out-of-season continue to be collected for a project designed to identify DNA markers by Cornell University.<br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> North Dakota State University is continuing to develop strategies for reducing prenatal loss and ultimately, improving reproductive performance in sheep. A newly developed rumen by-pass arginine product is currently under investigation. We are also investigating the use of P.G. 600 in place of eCG for estrous synchronization protocols for LAI in sheep. Although this project has largely involved producer flocks from throughout the state of North Dakota, we plan to collaborate with other universities from throughout the Midwest. In 2008, we secured approximately $500,000 in grant funds for improving reproductive performance in sheep.<br /> <br /> Oklahoma State University has developed a backcross pedigree which proved to have sufficient power to detect QTL, even with a limited number of markers, and we have collected multiple measures (presence/absence of estrous cycles, regularity of estrous cycles, number of estrous cycles, early conception, early pregnancy, lambing success, progesterone levels during pre-breeding and post-breeding periods) to better describe a dichotomous aseasonal reproduction phenotype (yes/no) and improve the power of our study. It is possible, in principle, to use molecular genetics to improve aseasonal reproduction in sheep, the first steps toward providing the tools for achieving this have been completed. <br /> <br /> Texas AgriLife has 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 6 years of age. The main objective of this study is to evaluate lifetime lamb production from Dorper and Rambouillet ewes.<br /> <br /> Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, USDA, Arkansas is in the second year of transitioning to an organic forage system for lamb production was completed. The pasture consists of warm and cool season grasses and legumes and is currently being subdivided for rotational grazing. This is a long-term project that will lead to Best Management Practices for organic lamb production for GIN control and limited need for grain supplements throughout the year. In addition, scientists at USDA, ARS in Arkansas, Louisiana State University, and Fort Valley State University continued studies on the practical use of COWP and sericea lespedeza for management of H. contortus in low input systems. This finding is important to producers in warm, humid climates looking for sustainable alternatives to chemical dewormers.<br /> <br /> Plans are being implemented at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, USDA, Nebraska to increase the number of breeding ewes at USMARC by about 1,000 head. The increase is being accomplished by expanding the number of easy-care sheep in our pasture-lambing, low-input production system. An experiment was completed to investigate effects of myostatin and callipyge mutations on carcass and meat quality traits. Plans are being implemented to infuse one-quarter Texel germplasm into Composite lines fixed for alternative callipyge alleles and also to fix the myostatin mutation in each line. Flocks of Katahdin and Polypay sheep are being established at USMARC to serve as industry controls for future research on easy-care breeds.<br /> <br /> South Dakota State University's work with co-products, DDGS and soyhulls, has demonstrated these feed ingredients can lower unit cost of production and improve production efficiency in sheep operations. Feeding management strategies with these co-products were presented at national and international conferences and symposia. Level of vitamin E, 50 or 200 IU/d, supplementation to mature ewes exposed for spring mating did not affect reproductive efficiency. Preliminary data for a study evaluating Southdown compared to Hampshire for terminal sired lamb production has yielded information on lamb vigor and pre-weaning lamb growth. Post-weaning growth performance and carcass merit data will be collected for all lambs in this project. A study is being conducted to evaluate the effect of glycerol in a lamb finishing diet on growth performance and carcass traits. Glycerol is another co-product created from new-generation ethanol production facilities<br /> <br /> University of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station has given tours of the Sheep Research Facility to over 500 students from the public schools. The Animal Science Program mentored student supported by funds from the USDA-CSREES grant for resident instruction in agriculture in the insular areas (No. 2006-38416-17727) as well as a student supported by the VI Dept of Labor.<br /> <br /> Moving live breeding stock between farms at distant locations is a significant limitation for sheep production on small-scale farms with limited technical training. Work at Virginia State University was initiated to validate results reported from Europe on the effective use of vaginal (shot-in-the-dark) AI with liquid semen for hair sheep.<br /> <br />

Publications

Aaron, D.K. D.G. Ely, E. Fink, B.T. Burden, and M.M. Simpson. 2008. Carcass composition of Polypay versus White Dorper x Polypay crossbred lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (E-Suppl. 1):30 <br /> <br /> <br /> Aaron, D.K., D.G. Ely, E. Fink, and B.T. Burden. 2009. Grading-up to hair sheep genetics in a pasture-based production system. In: Sheep Research Program Proceedings, ASI Annual Meeting, January 21-24, San Diego, CA, pp 50-52. <br /> <br /> Aaron, D.K., D.G. Ely, E. Fink, B.T. Burden, and M.M. Simpson. 2009. Factors affecting indicators of Haemonchus contortus infection in Polypay and percentage White Dorper ewes. J. Anim. Sci. (In Press.) <br /> <br /> <br /> Aaron, D.K., D.G. Ely, E. Fink, B.T. Burden, M.M. Simpson, and A.K. Lunsford. 2008. Phenotypic correlations among growth and carcass traits of Polypay and White Dorper crossbred lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 2):340. <br /> <br /> <br /> Berger, Y.M. 2009. Opportunities in sheep dairying. Sheep Management WisLine Program. Viewed at: [www.ansci.wisc.edu/Extension-New%20copy/sheep/wisline_09/wisline09.html]. <br /> <br /> <br /> Berger, Y.M. and D.L. Thomas. 2008. Sheep production economics in 2008. Proc. 53rd Biennial Spooner Sheep Day, Dept. Animal Sci., Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison. pp. 1-4. <br /> <br /> <br /> Berger, Y.M. and D.L. Thomas. 2008. Sheep production economics in 2008. Sheep Canada. 23(3):23-28. <br /> <br /> <br /> Berger, Y.M. and D.L. Thomas. 2008. Sheep production economics in 2008. The Banner Sheep Magazine. 31(8):30, 32. <br /> <br /> <br /> Berger, Y.M. and D.L. Thomas. 2008. Sheep production economics in 2008. The Shepherd. 53(10):8-9. <br /> <br /> <br /> Blackburn, H., M. Brown, S.Wildeus, R. Stobart, D.Bixby, J. Dzakuma, S. Ericsson, W. Getz, N. Crockett, D.Matsa, C. Welsh, S. Spiller, and D.Waldron. 2008. Genetic diversity of U.S. sheep breeds. J. Anim. Sci., 86, Suppl. 2:596 <br /> <br /> <br /> Bowdridge, S.A., G.P. Smith, A.M. Zajac, and D.R. Notter. 2008. The early cellular immune response to Haemonchus contortus in resistant and susceptible sheep. Proc. Annu. Meeting Amer. Assoc. Vet. Parasitologists, New Orleans, LA, July 19-22, pp 39-40. <br /> <br /> <br /> Bowdridge, S.A., K.M. MacKinnon, J. McCann, A.M. Zajac, and D.R. Notter. 2008. Humoral immune response to nematode parasite infection is accelerated and longer-lived in hair-type sheep. Proc. Annu. Meeting Amer. Assoc. Vet. Parasitologists, New Orleans, LA, July 19-22, p 76. <br /> <br /> <br /> Burke, J.M., Casey, P.L., Wells, A., Paddock, R. 2009. Influence of chicory in a rotational grazing system on gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in sheep. J. Anim. Sci. (Suppl. 2). <br /> <br /> <br /> Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E. 2008. Dietary copper sulfate for control of gastrointestinal nematodes in goats. Vet. Parasitol. 154, 289-293. <br /> <br /> <br /> Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., 2008. Dietary copper sulfate for control of gastrointestinal nematodes in goats. Vet Parasitol 154, 289-293. <br /> <br /> <br /> Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., 2008. Use of FAMACHA system to evaluate gastrointestinal nematode resistance in offspring of stud rams. Vet Parasitol 153, 185-192. <br /> <br /> <br /> Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H. 2009. Impact of rotational grazing on management of gastrointestinal nematodes in weaned lambs. Vet. Parasitol. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.03.054). <br /> <br /> <br /> 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. (Suppl. 2). <br /> <br /> <br /> Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., 2008. Impact of grazing systems on management of gastrointestinal nematodes in weaned lambs in Arkansas. J Anim Sci 86 (Suppl. 2), 394. <br /> <br /> <br /> 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. (Suppl. 2). <br /> <br /> <br /> Burke, J.M., Wells, A., Casey, P., Kaplan, R.M. 2009. Herbal dewormer fails to control gastrointestinal nematodes in goats. Vet. Parasitol. 160, 168-170. <br /> <br /> <br /> Burke, J.M., Wells, A., Casey, P., Miller, J.E. 2009. Garlic and papaya lack control over gastrointestinal nematodes in goats and lambs. Vet. Parasitol. 159: 171-174. <br /> <br /> <br /> 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. <br /> <br /> <br /> Clark, P.E., S.P. Hardegree, C.A. Moffet, and F.B. Pierson. 2008. Point sampling to stratify biomass variability in sagebrush steppe vegetation. Rangeland Ecol. Manag. 61:614-622. <br /> <br /> <br /> Dave Notter, Tim Leeds, Michelle Mousel, Kreg Leymaster, and Greg Lewis. 2009. Does breed of ram affect ewe and lamb productivity? The Shepherd Vol. 54, Number 3: 8-10. <br /> <br /> <br /> Evoniuk, J.M., M L. Johnson, P.P. Borowicz, J.S. Caton, K.A. Vonnahme, L.P. Reynolds, J.B. Taylor, C.L. Stoltenow, K.I. O'Rourke, and D.A. Redmer. 2008. Effects of nutrition and genotype on prion protein (PrPC) gene expression in the fetal and maternal sheep placenta. Placenta 29:422-428. <br /> <br /> <br /> Garbel, L.J., A. M. Meyer, J. J. Reed, T. L. Neville, J. D. Kirsch, W. L. Keller, R. M. Weigl, J. B. Taylor, L. P. Reynolds, J. S. Luther, D. A. Redmer, J. S. Caton, and K. A. Vonnahme. Effects of nutritional plane and selenium supply during gestation on milk yield and composition in ewes. Midwestern Section, Journal of Animal Science. Accepted Abstract. <br /> <br /> <br /> Godfrey, R.W. and R.C. Ketring. 2008. The effect of time of day of feeding on growth and body temperature of hair sheep lambs in the tropics. J. Animal Sci. 86(Suppl. 1).<br /> <br /> <br /> Grazul-Bilska, A.T., C. Boehler, J.S. Luther, M.L. Johnson, D.A. Redmer, L.P. Reynolds, and K.A. Vonnahme. 2007. Protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2), and their receptors in ovine placentomes in single, twin and triplet pregnancies. Biol. Reprod, Special Issue, p. 102, abstr. no. 114, 40th Annual SSR Meeting, July. <br /> <br /> Grazul-Bilska, A.T., J. D. Kirsch, J. J. Bilski, K.C. Kraft, E. J. Windorski, J. S. Luther, K. A. Vonnahme, L. P. Reynolds and D. A. Redmer. 2007. Superovulation in sheep: Number and weight of the corpora lutea and serum progesterone. Sheep and Goat Research Journal. 22:26-31. <br /> <br /> <br /> Haas, J. 2008. Comparison of Dorper and Polypay as maternal sire breeds for reduced input lamb production. M.S. Thesis, Oregon state University. <br /> <br /> <br /> Hagens, B., N. Whitely, S. Wildeus, M. Wilson, J. Luchansky, M. Ettinger, and S. Pao. 2009. The impact of wild birds and farm management on Salmonella and Champylobacter in small ruminants. Proc. 15th Biennial Research Symposium, Assoc. Res. Dir., p. 70. <br /> <br /> <br /> Hall, A.R., J. Van Saun, T Nichols, W. Mosher and, G. Pirelli. 2009. Comparison of selenium status in sheep after short-term exposure to high-selenium-fertilized forage or mineral supplement. Small Rum Res.82:40-45. <br /> <br /> <br /> Haux, W.V., K.A. Vonnahme, K.C. Kraft, T.L. Neville, J.J. Reed, D.A. Redmer, C.J. Hammer, L.P. Reynolds, J.S. Caton, and J.S. Luther. 2008. Ewe Nutrition During Pregnancy Influences Offspring Wool Production and Wool Follicle Development. Midwestern Section, Journal of Animal Science. Abstract #126. <br /> Hein, D.C. 2009. The Effect of Intake Level of a Soy Hull Diet on Digestibility in Ram Lambs and Mature Non-Lactating Ewes. Cornell University Undergraduate Honors Thesis. <br /> <br /> Held, J.E. 2008. Sheep Industry Innovations. Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival. Jefferson, WI, September 5-7, View at: http://ars.sdstate.edu/sheepext/EducProg.htm <br /> <br /> Held, J.E. 2008. Sheep Production in an Era of High Feed Costs. Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival. Jefferson, WI, September 5-7, View at: http://ars.sdstate.edu/sheepext/EducProg.htm <br /> <br /> Held, J.E. 2008. Using Co-product Feed Ingredients in Your Sheep Enterprise. Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival. Jefferson, WI, September 5-7, View at: http://ars.sdstate.edu/sheepext/EducProg.htm <br /> <br /> Held, J.E. 2008. Lamb Growth Efficiency and Cost of Gain. Proc. 2008 Mountain-Plains Sheep and Goat Conference. Greeley CO, November 14-15, pp. 1-16. <br /> <br /> Held, J.E. 2008. Common Sense Sheep Feeding. Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival. Jefferson, WI, September 5-7, View at: http://ars.sdstate.edu/sheepext/EducProg.htm <br /> <br /> Held, J.E. 2008. Cost of Gain in Feedlot Lambs. SD Cooperative Extension Service Emerging Issues Task Force: Managing Change in Livestock Production. September 2008. <br /> <br /> Held, J.E. 2008. DDGS Nutritional Performance: Sheep Diets. 3rd Annual International Distillers Grains Conference and Trade Show, Indianapolis, IN, October 19-21. View at: www.distillersgrains.com. <br /> <br /> Held, J.E. 2008. Feeding Co-products to Sheep. Missouri Livestock Symposium. Kirksville, MO, December 5-6, View at: http://ars.sdstate.edu/sheepext/EducProg.htm <br /> <br /> Held, J.E. 2008. Lowering Unit Cost of Production. SD Cooperative Extension Service Emerging Issues Task Force: Managing Change in Livestock Production. September 2008. <br /> <br /> Held, J.E. 2008. Using Soyhulls and DDGS to Lower Sheep Feed Costs. IL Extension Producer Education Network Sheep Series. January 8, 2008. <br /> <br /> Held, J.E. Improving Cost Efficiency in Sheep Operations with Soyhull Based Diets. <br /> <br /> Held, J.E. SDSU  Researching the Future of the U.S. Sheep Industry. In: Tri State <br /> <br /> Held, J.E. Using DDGS and Soyhulls Based Lamb Finishing Diets. In: Feedstuffs, <br /> Held, J.E. Using DDGS in Sheep Diets. In: US Distillers Grains Council  Quarterly Publication: Ethanol Producer Magazine-April 2008. <br /> <br /> Herrmann-Hoesing, L.M., S.N. White, M.R. Mousel, G.S. Lewis, and D.P. Knowles. 2008. Ovine progressive pneumonia provirus levels associate with breed and Ovar-DRB1. Immunogenet. 60:749-758. <br /> <br /> Howell, S.B., Burke, J,M., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., Valencia, E., Williams, M.J., Williamson, L.H., Zajac, A.M., Kaplan, R.M. 2008. Anthelmintic resistance on sheep and goat farms in the southeastern United States. J. Amer. Vet. Med. Assoc. 233: 1913-1919. <br /> <br /> Howell, S.B., Kaplan, R.M., Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., Valencia, E., Williams, M.J., Williamson, L.H., Zajac, A.M., 2008. Anthelmintic resistance in sheep and goat farms in the southeastern United States. J Amer Vet Med Assoc 233, 1913-1919. <br /> <br /> Iñiguez, L., M. Hilali, D.L. Thomas, and G. Jesry. 2009. Linear udder measurements and milk production in two Awassi sheep genotypes and their crosses. J. Dairy Sci. (In Press). <br /> <br /> Jaeggi, J.J., M.E. Johnson, Y.M. Berger, and W.L. Wendorff. 2008. Impact of weaning system on composition and yield of a semi-soft ovine-milk cheese. Small Rum. Res. 79:124-128. <br /> <br /> Jordan, K.M. 2008. Characterization of seasonal reproduction in Virginia Tech Selection Line, St. Croix, and Suffolk ewes. Ph.D. Dissertation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg. <br /> <br /> Jordan, K.M., J.W. Knight, and D.R. Notter. 2008. Ability of ewes to rebreed while lactating in spring. J. Anim. Sci. 86(E-Suppl. 2):395. <br /> <br /> Kuehn, L.A., D.R. Notter, and R.M. Lewis. 2008. Assessing genetic gain, inbreeding, and bias due to different flock genetic means in alternative sheep sire referencing schemes. J. Anim. Sci. 86:526-535. <br /> <br /> Kuehn, L.A., D.R. Notter, G. Nieuwhof and R.M. Lewis. 2008. Changes in connectedness over time in alternative sheep sire referencing schemes. J. Anim. Sci. 86:536-544. <br /> <br /> <br /> Leeds, T.D., C.A. Moffet, and D.R. Notter. 2008. Expected rank correlations for varying levels of ultrasound accuracy. J. Anim. Sci. 86(E-Suppl. 2):339. <br /> <br /> Leeds, T.D., M.R. Mousel, D.R. Notter, H.N. Zerby, C.A. Moffet, and G.S. Lewis. 2008. Backfat thickness, LM area, and LM depth effects on carcass yield, composition, and value in sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 86(E-Suppl. 2):339. <br /> <br /> Leeds, T.D., M.R. Mousel, D.R. Notter, H.N. Zerby, C.A. Moffet, and G.S. Lewis. 2008. B-mode, real-time ultrasound for estimating carcass composition in live sheep: Accuracy of ultrasound measures and their relationships with carcass composition. J. Anim. Sci. 86:3203-3214. <br /> <br /> <br /> Leeds, T.D., M.R. Mousel, D.R. Notter, H.N. Zerby, C.A. Moffet, and G.S. Lewis. 2008. B-mode, real-time ultrasound for estimating carcass composition in live sheep: Accuracy of ultrasound measures and their relationships with carcass composition. J. Anim. Sci. 86:3203-3214. <br /> <br /> <br /> Leeds, T.D., M.R. Mousel, D.R. Notter, K.A. Leymaster, and G.S. Lewis. 2008. Evaluation of Columbia, USMARC-Composite, Suffolk, and Texel rams as terminal sires: Effects of ram breed on ewe productivity and F1 lamb survival and growth. Proc., Western Section, American Society of Animal Science 59:65-68. <br /> <br /> Leeds, T.D., M.R. Mousel, D.R. Notter, K.A. Leymaster, and G.S. Lewis. 2008. Evaluation of Columbia, USMARC-Composite, Suffolk, and Texel rams as terminal sires: effects of ram breed on ewe productivity and F1 lamb survival and growth. Proc. Western Section, Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 59:65-68. <br /> <br /> Lewis, G.S., M.C. Wulster-Radcliffe, and J.H. Herbein. 2008. Fatty acid profiles, growth, and immune responses of neonatal lambs fed milk replacer and supplemented with fish oil or safflower oil. Small Rumin. Res. 79:167-173. <br /> <br /> Luther, J. and C. Stoltenow.Causes, Prevention and Treatment of Rectal Prolapse in Sheep. AS1388. <br /> <br /> Luther, J.S. 2008. Application of Artificial Insemination Techniques to the North Dakota Sheep Industry. Hettinger Research Report. No. 50. <br /> <br /> Luther, J.S., E.J. Windorski, C.S. Schauer, J.D. Kirsch, K.A. Vonnahme, L.P. Reynolds, J.S. Caton and G. Wu. Impacts of L-arginine on ovarian function and reproductive performance in ewes. National ASAS Meeting  Late Breaking Abstract Session, Indianappolis, IN, Journal of Animal Science. Accepted Abstract. <br /> <br /> Luther, J.S., E.J. Windorski, J.S. Caton, G. Wu, J.D. Kirsch, K.A. Vonnahme, L.P. Reynolds, and C.S. Schauer. 2009. Effects of arginine supplementation on reproductive performance in Rambouillet ewes. Hettinger Research Report. No. 51 <br /> <br /> Mateescu, R.G., A.K. Lunsford, and M.L. Thonney. 2009. Association between melatonin receptor 1a gene polymorphism and reproductive performance in Dorset ewes. J. Anim. Sci. 10.2527/jas.2008-1688, 2009. <br /> <br /> Mikolayunas, C.M., L.E. Armentano, and D.L. Thomas. 2008. Effect of protein degradability on milk production of dairy ewes. J. Anim. Sci. 86(E-Suppl. 2) and J. Dairy Sci. 91(E-Suppl. 1):396. (Accessed at: http://adsa.asas.org/meetings/2008/abstracts/0394.PDF). (Abstr.). <br /> <br /> 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. (In Press).<br /> <br /> Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J.A., Terrill, T.H., Burke, J.M., 2008. The effect of sericea lespedeza, fed as pellets, on established infection of Haemonchus contortus in sheep. Ann Meet So Sect Amer Soc Anim Sci: 32. <br /> <br /> Miller, J.E., Shakya, K.P., Smith, W.D., 2008. Effect of vaccinating grazing ewes with H-11/H-gal-GP antigens from intestinal membrane cells on established Haemonchus contortus infection. Ann Meet So Sect Amer Soc Anim Sci: 32. <br /> <br /> Mook, J.L., J.R. Collins, and S.Wildeus. 2008. Retention of sperm motility, viability and fertility in ram semen after liquid storage at 4°C for up to 96 hours. J. Anim. Sci., 86, Suppl. 2:496-497. <br /> <br /> Moore, D.A., Terrill, T.H., Kouakou, B., Shaik, S.A., Mosjidis, J.A., Miller, J.E., Vanguru, M., Kannan, G., Burke, J.M. 2008. The effects of feeding sericea lespedeza hay on growth rate of goats naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. J. Anim. Sci. 86:2328-2337. <br /> <br /> Moore, D.A., Terrill, T.H., Kouakou, B., Shaik, S.A., Mosjidis, J.A., Miller, J.E., Vanguru, M., Kannan, G., Burke, J.M. 2008. The effects of feeding sericea lespedeza hay on growth rate of goats naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. J Anim Sci 86, 2328-2337. <br /> <br /> Neville, T.L., M.A. Ward, J.J. Reed, S.A. Soto-Navarro, S.L. Julius, P.P. Borowicz, J. B. Taylor, D.A. Redmer, L.P.. Reynolds, and J.S. Caton. 2008. Effects of level and source of dietary selenium on maternal and fetal body weight, visceral organ mass, cellularity estimates, and jejunal vascularity in pregnant ewe lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 86:890-901. <br /> <br /> Notter, D.R. 2008. Genetic aspects of reproduction in sheep. Reprod. Domes. Anim. 43(Suppl. 2): 122-128. <br /> <br /> <br /> Notter, D.R., D.L. Thomas, and D.F. Waldron. 2008. Biological and economic consequences of the FecB mutation in the U.S.A. Workshop Papers, Helen Newton Turner Memorial International Workshop on Using the FecB (Booroola) Gene in Sheep Breeding Programs. Pune, Maharashtra, India, Nov. 10-12, pp. 118-125. <br /> <br /> <br /> Notter, D.R., D.L. Thomas, and D.F. Waldron. 2008. Biological and economic consequences of the FecB mutation in the U.S.A. Workshop Papers, Helen Newton Turner Memorial International Workshop on Using the FecB (Booroola) Gene in Sheep Breeding Programs. Pune, Maharashtra, India, Nov. 10-12, pp. 118-125. <br /> <br /> Pierson, F.B., P.P. Robichaud, C.A. Moffet, K.E. Spaeth, S.P. Hardegree, P.E. Clark, and C.J. Williams. 2008. Fire effects on rangeland hydrology and erosion in a steep sagebrush-dominated landscape. Hydrol. Process. 22:2916-2929. <br /> <br /> Pierson, F.B., P.R. Robichaud, C.A. Moffet, K.E. Spaeth, C. . Williams, S.P. Hardegree, and P.E. Clark. 2008. Soil water repellency and infiltration in coarse-textured soils of burned and unburned sagebrush ecosystems. Catena 74:98-108. <br /> <br /> <br /> Redmer, D.A., J.S. Luther, R.P. Aitken, J.S. Milne, M. Matsuzaki, L.P. Reynolds and J.M. Wallace. 2009. Placental Growth, Angiogenic Gene Expression and Vascular Development in Rapidly Growing Adolescent Sheep. Journal of Reproduction. In Press. <br /> <br /> Saevre, C. and J. Luther.Youth Market Lamb Management Guide. AS1382. <br /> <br /> Sankey, T.T., C. Moffet, and K. Weber. 2008. Postfire recovery of sagebrush communities: Assessment using SPOT-5 and very large-scale aerial imagery. Rangeland Ecol. Manag. 61:598-604. <br /> <br /> Sartell, K.G. and M.L. Thonney. 2008. Assessment of aseasonal reproduction in yearling backcross ewes. The Shepherd 53:20-21. <br /> <br /> <br /> Scoles, G..A. W.L. Goff, T.J. Lysyk, G.S. Lewis, and D.P. Knowles. 2008. Validation of an Anaplasma marginale cELISA for use in the diagnosis of A. ovis infections in domestic sheep and Anaplasma spp. in wild ungulates. Vet. Microbiol. 130:184-190. <br /> <br /> <br /> Shaik, S.A., Terrill1, T.H., Mosjidis, J.A., Dykes, G.S., Miller, J.E., Kouakou, B., Kannan, G., Burke, J.M., 2008. Use of sericea lespedeza hay to reduce worm burden in goats. Ann Meet So Sect Amer Soc Anim Sci: 32-33. <br /> <br /> Simpson, M.M., D.K. Aaron, E. Fink, B.T. Burden, and D.G. Ely. 2008. Control of Haemonchus contortus in ewes with copper sulfate. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (E-Suppl. 3): 33. <br /> <br /> <br /> Smith, T.P.L., B.A. Freking, S.D. Shackelford, D.A. King, T.L. Wheeler, and K.A. Leymaster. 2009. Extreme muscle development in sheep heterozygous for both myostatin and callipyge mutations. In: Plant and Animal Genome XVII Conference, San Diego, CA. Poster #W084. <br /> <br /> <br /> Soli, F.A., Terrill, T.H., Getz, W.R., Shaik, S.A., Vanguru1, M., Vuggam, A.K., Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., 2008. Comparison of sheep and goats for efficacy of copper oxide wire particles against gastrointestinal nematodes. Ann Meet So Sect Amer Soc Anim Sci: 33. <br /> <br /> Spanu, C., Y.M. Berger, D.L. Thomas, and P.L. Ruegg. 2008. Effect of dry treatment on mastitis in dairy sheep. Proc. 14th Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp., Maryville, Tennessee. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Anim. Sci. pp. 56-63.<br /> <br /> Stellflug, J.N., G.S. Lewis, C.A. Moffet, and T.D. Leeds. 2008. Evaluation of three-ram cohort serving capacity tests as a substitute for individual serving capacity tests. J. Anim. 86 2024-2031. <br /> <br /> Stellflug, J.N., N.E. Cockett, and G.S. Lewis. 2008. The influence of breeding intensity on above- and below-average sexual performance rams in single- and multiple-sire breeding environments. Anim Reprod Sci. 104:248-256. <br /> <br /> Swanson T.J., Hammer C.J., Luther J.S., Carlson D.B., Taylor J.B., Redmer D.A., Neville T.L., Reed J.J., Reynolds L.P., Caton J.S., Vonnahme K.A. 2008. Effects of gestational plane of nutrition and selenium supplementation on mammary development and colostrum quality in pregnant ewe lambs. J Anim Sci. 86(9):2415-2423. <br /> <br /> Swanson, T.J., C.J. Hammer, J.S. Luther, D.B. Carlson, J.B. Taylor, D.A. Redmer, T.L. Neville, J.J. Reed, L.P. Reynolds, J.S. Caton, and K.A. Vonnahme. 2008. Effects of gestational plane of nutrition and selenium supplementation on mammary development and colostrum quality in pregnant ewe lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 86:2415-2423. <br /> <br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 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. (In Press).<br /> <br /> Thomas, D. L. 2008. Can you make money with sheep? The Shepherd 53(6):9-11. <br /> Thomas, D. L. 2008. Myths and realities of making genetic improvement in sheep in the U.S. The Shepherd 53(8):16-17. <br /> <br /> Thomas, D. L. 2009. Breeds of sheep in the U.S. and their uses in production. Sheep Management WisLine Program. Viewed at: [www.ansci.wisc.edu/Extension-New%20copy/sheep/wisline_09/wisline09.html]. <br /> <br /> Thomas, D.L. 2008. Performance and utilization of Northern European short-tailed breeds of sheep and their crosses in North America: a review. Book of Abstracts of the 59th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production. Vilnius, Lithuania. No. 14:251. (Abstr.). <br /> <br /> Thomas, D.L. 2008. Update on importation of ram semen into the U.S. Proc. 14th Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp., Maryville, Tennessee. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Anim. Sci. pp. 45-55. <br /> <br /> Thompson, T.C, J.R. Collins, E.J. Chozu, and S. Wildeus. 2009. Vaginal artificial insemination in hair sheep ewe lambs using liquid semen stored at room temperature. Proc. 15th Biennial Research Symposium, Assoc. Res. Dir., p. 145. <br /> <br /> Thonney, M.L., M.C. Smith, R.G. Mateescu, and C. Heuer. 2008. Vaccination of ewes and lambs against parainfluenza3 to prevent lamb pneumonia. Small Ruminant Research 74:30-36. <br /> <br /> Vonnahme K.A., Evoniuk J., Johnson M.L., Borowicz P.P., Luther J.S., Pant D., Redmer D.A., Reynolds L.P., Grazul-Bilska A.T. 2008. Placental vascularity and growth factor expression in singleton, twin, and triplet pregnancies in the sheep. Endocrine. 33(1): 53-61. <br /> <br /> Vonnahme, K.A., J.D. Kirsch, T.L. Neville, J.J. Reed, C.J. Hammer, J.S. Luther, D.A. Redmer, L.P. Reynolds, and J.S. Caton. 2007. Effects of maternal diet on circulating hormone concentrations during mid to late pregnancy in first parity ewes. Aspen Perinatal Biology Symposium, Aspen, CO. Abstract #33. <br /> <br /> Waldron, D.F. 2009. Sire summary of ram test performance (1995  2009). Texas AgriLife Res. San Angelo. Rep. 2009-2. <br /> <br /> Waldron, D.F. and C.J. Lupton. 2009. Improvement of sheep through selection of performance-tested and progeny-tested breeding animals. Texas AgriLife Res. San Angelo. Rep. 2009-1. <br /> <br /> Waldron, D.F., C.A. Taylor Jr., J.W. Walker, E.S. Campbell, C.J. Lupton, T.D. Willingham, S.Y. Landau. 2009. Heritability of juniper consumption in goats. J. Anim. Sci. 87:491-495. <br /> <br /> Ward, M.A., T.L. Neville, J. . Reed, J.B. Taylor, D.M. Hallford, S.A. Soto-Navarro, K.A. Vonnahme, D.A. Redmer, L.P. Reynolds, J.S. Caton. 2008. Effects of selenium supply and dietary restriction on maternal and fetal metabolic hormones in pregnant ewe lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 86:1254-1262. <br /> <br /> Wendorff, W.L., M.A. Dufek, J.J. Jaeggi, Y. Peng, Y.M. Berger, and J.A. Lucey. 2008. Impact of handling and thawing on cheesemaking properties of frozen sheep milk. Proc. 14th Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symp., Maryville, Tennessee. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Anim. Sci. pp. 35-44. <br /> <br /> White, S., L. Herrmann, K. ORourke, D. Waldron, J. Rowe, J. Alverson. 2008. Prion gene (PRNP) haplotype variation in United States goat breeds. Genet. Sel. Evol. 40:553-561. <br /> <br /> Whitley, N.C., Terrill, T.H., Miller, J.E., Burke, J.M., Gooden, M.C., 2008. Influence of sericea lespedeza pellets on gastrointestinal parasite fecal egg counts in goats. J Anim Sci 86 (Supple. 2), 92-93. <br /> <br /> Whitney, T.R., D.F. Waldron, and T.D. Willingham. 2009. Evaluating nutritional status of Dorper and Rambouillet ewes in range sheep production. Sheep & Goat Res. J. 24:10-16. <br /> <br /> Wildeus, S. and J.R. Collins, (2009). Intake and growth of hair sheep and goats pen-fed in single and mixed species groups of different sizes. Proc. Ann. Meet. South. Sect. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci., p. 32. <br /> <br /> Wildeus, S., Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E. 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. (Suppl. 2). <br /> <br /> Williams, G.W., D. Bailey, O. Capps, Jr., L.A. Detwiler, H.A. Glimp, T. Hammonds, D.D. Hedley, H.H. Jensen, P.S. Kuber, and D.L. Thomas. 2008. Changes in the Sheep Industry in the United States  Making the Transition from Tradition. National Research Council of The National Academies. The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C. 347 pp. <br /> <br /> Windorski E.J., Schauer C.S., Wurst A.K., Inskeep E.K., Luther J.S. 2008. Effects of melengestrol acetate and P.G. 600 on fertility in Rambouillet ewes outside the natural breeding season. Theriogenology. 15;70(2):227-232. <br /> <br /> Windorski, E.J., K.A. Vonnahme, C.S. Schauer, J.D. Kirsch, L.A. Silva, L.P. Reynolds, and J.S. Luther. 2008. Sildenafil citrate (Viagra") influences ovarian hemodynamics and progesterone concentrations in Rambouillet ewes. Abstract #225. <br /> <br /> Zelinsky, R.D., A.E. Wertz-Lutz, and J.E. Held. 2008. Effects of Increasing Dietary Energy Density by replacing Grass Hay with Soybean Hulls and Distillers Grains with Solubles on Nutrient Digestibility and Rumen Function. J. Anim. Sci. 86(e-Suppl. 3): Abstr. 246. <br /> <br /> Zelinsky, R.D., A.E. Wertz-Lutz, and J.E. Held. 2008. Replacing Grass Hay with Soybean Hulls and Distillers Grains with Solubles alters Ewe Milk Composition and Lamb Performance. J. Anim. Sci. 86(e-Suppl. 3): Abstr. 247. <br />

Impact Statements

1. The impact of level of feed intake on digestibility of NDF has been documented for growing lambs and mature dry ewes, with dramatically lower NDF digestibility with increasing intakes for diets high in digestible fiber from by-product feeds. Water added to complete mixed dry diets appears to dramatically reduce the incidence of lamb pneumonia.
2. The use of COWP for small ruminant worm parasites continues to demonstrate feasibility. Results of Study 2 indicated that deworming with COWP is just as good as using anthelmintic treatment. This will reduce reliance on chemicals and extend the useful life of those that are still effective.
3. This is the first genome scan for QTL for aseasonal reproduction in sheep. We expect this information to increase our understanding of the genetic mechanisms responsible for controlling seasonality of reproduction with the intent of providing tools (selection and management aids) needed to implement effective genetic improvement programs and to more efficiently manage groups of animals according to their ability to reproduce in or out-of-season.
4. Reduced input sheep production may allow sheep producers to lower cost associated with labor at lambing and the need to shear. Results of this research will provide information on productivity of highly prolific ewes such as the Polypay on a low input system in comparison to Dorpers. This information can be used by producers in making the decision to move to a low input production system.
5. Research has focused on feeding management strategies for co-product feed ingredients to reduce the unit cost of production and improve production efficiency in sheep. Feeding strategies developed from DDGS and soyhull research provide useful guidelines to the sheep industry nationally and internationally. Through outreach activities, the applications of these co-product feeds to feedlot receiving programs, growing and finishing diets and ewe flock has been shared with producers, nutrition consultants and extension educators. Producer testimonials on feeding strategies with these co-product ingredients include improved animal performance and lower cost compared to conventional diets in growing/finishing lambs, and higher lactation response and reduced labor cost in ewes.
6. Range sheep production research has provided 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.
7. Small ruminant producers in the southeastern US are troubled by infection of GIN in their lambs that can lead to anemia and death loss, decreased profits from decreased weight gains, and lost organic premiums from animals that required chemical dewormer.
8. Determined that forage systems can impact GIN infection in lambs and can be integrated with COWP and FAMACHA with minimal need for chemical anthelmintics. This will allow producers using grass-fed and organic principles to capture premiums on lambs marketed, reduce number of animals lost to GIN infection and perhaps increase weight of lambs marketed.
9. Sheep producers are reluctant to use prolific breeds in pasture-lambing, low-input production systems because of the perception that such breeds require extra labor at lambing and that the increased prolificacy will be entirely offset by lower lamb survival. To investigate these issues, rams of two wool breeds (Dorset, Rambouillet) and three hair breeds (Dorper, Katahdin, and White Dorper) were mated to Romanov ewes and the resulting crossbred daughters evaluated for productivity in low-input production systems. White Dorper x Romanov crossbred ewes were the most productive as 60% of these ewes that gave birth to triplets raised their entire litters. Matching genetic resources to the pasture-lambing, low-input production system increased output, while concurrently decreasing input, at least 30% relative to actual productivity achieved in nine states of the upper Midwest region.
10. 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 2008, the cooperative marketed approximately 400,000 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.
11. Based on current feed costs, which includes shipping to the Virgin Islands, 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.

Back to top