Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Meeting Agenda: 8:30 AM Time to load presentations onto computer 9:00 AM Welcome and introduction of group members 9:15 AM Administrative update by Dr. Robert Godfrey (advisor) 9:30 AM Station Reports - AM session chaired by Dr. Nada Nadarajah 12:00 PM Lunch 1:30 PM Station Reports - PM session chaired by Dr. Stephan Wildeus 3:30 PM Business meeting, election of secretary for 2014-2015 3:30 PM National Sheep Improvement Program - Ken Andries 4:30 PM Adjourn Brief Summary of Minutes for SCC081 meeting Feb 2, 2014: Meeting was called to order by the Chair at 9 am. The first order of business was the Administrative report by Bob Godfrey. Bob Godfrey provided the administrative advisor report to the group. He stated that there are more people reporting to the project than are official members of the project. He advised on how individuals from different groups go about becoming official members of the group. He reminded the participants that each University and ARS station have only one official designee though they can have multiple people participate in the project. The loss of names on the official list may be due to the re-authorized of the project and the need for people to sign up again under the new project goals. He also discussed the differences between coordinating committees and S projects. He indicated that the rewrite of the project last year was submitted and approved so the group is authorized for the next 5 years. We do need to get participant list corrected and look for possible additional members. After the administrative report, individual station reports were given by each station by objective. The group broke for lunch at noon and returned at 2 pm to complete station reports. After station reports, a short business meeting was held. The first order of business was the election of Secretary for the 2014 program year. Nar Gurung of Tuskegee University was elected. Other business was discussed as follows: • A short discussion occurred related to submitting the official report for the project. The need for the report to be completed and submitted to the administrator within 60 days of the meeting was stressed. The Chair also indicated that she would provide information to the entering chair on the format for the station reports to help with future writing of the station reports. • The need for increased small ruminant abstracts submitted for the Southern Section Animal Science meetings was discussed. Members were reminded that much of the work they are reporting on could also be submitted for presentation at the meetings. • A question was raised related to membership being required or voluntary. Discussion on the process of becoming an official member of the group was again discussed and Godfrey indicated that he would contact those that attended/submitted who are not on the official list to get them correctly listed as part of the committee. Discussion also continued related to the reason for only one official member from a station but allowing multiple members from the groups. • Stephen Wildeus mentioned that the National small ruminant germplasm project was set to meet at 7 pm on Feb. 3 and invited members of the group to participate in that meeting. • Ken Andries presented information on the relaunch of the NSIP program. The NSIP program would like participation from Universities and is looking for groups to possibly conduct research looking into the application and impact of the NSIP program in sheep and goats. He also mentioned a desire to work with others in the group to seek grant funding to do a goat NSIP project to gather data to show the effectiveness of the program for goat producers. He requested that anyone interested in working with him on this contact him after the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 4:30 pm. ? Station Reports from attending members: (See proceedings for details and for reports from members who did not attend the meeting) One representative per station reported for all station objectives. Objective 1 Develop integrated GIN control methods that decrease reliance on chemical dewormers through the use of selective deworming (FAMACHA system), better forage management and grazing options and breed or animal selection for nematode resistance or resilience. Nada Nadarajah, Auburn University; Steve Hart, Langston University; Jim Miller, Louisiana State University; Niki Whitley, North Carolina A&T State University; Nar Garung, Tuskegee University; Bob Godfrey, University of the Virgin Islands; and Joan Burke, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Booneville, AR. Objective 2 Develop a forage-based feeding system for year-round grazing that meets nutritional requirements by evaluating performance of forage (legumes, grass and browse) varieties and/or forage systems and animal performance. Ken Andries, Kentucky State University; Jean-Marie Luginbuhl, North Carolina State University; Nar Garung, Tuskegee University; and Stephan Wildeus, Virginia State University. Objective 3 Evaluate the production potential of pure- and crossbred sheep and goat germplasm under low-input, forage-based production systems in the Southeastern US. Ken Andries, Kentucky State University; Nar Garung, Tuskegee University; and Stephan Wildeus, Virginia State University. Objective 4 Disseminate research results and information to producers through station field days, workshops and websites. Nada Nadarajah, Auburn University; Ken Andries, Kentucky State University; Jim Miller, Louisiana State University; Niki Whitley, North Carolina A&T State University; Jean-Marie Luginbuhl, North Carolina State University; Nar Garung, Tuskegee State University; David Fernandez, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; Susan Schoenian, University of Maryland (College Park); Nelson Escobar, University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Joan Burke, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Booneville, AR; and Stephan Wildeus, Virginia State University. Impact Statements Auburn University Study showed that between animal variation for GIP infestation and growth performance exists among bucks in the test program. Goat producers should take advantage of it through participating in national or regional buck performance test programs to select top sires of genetic merit as breeding animals. Delaware State University Hoegger’s herbal dewormer was not effective in controlling internal parasites in lactating meat goats. Learning these integrated approaches to parasite control, including fecal egg counts and FAMACHA, will allow producers to more effectively manage internal parasites on their farm. Kentucky State University Fescue is the dominate forage through much of the upper Southeast region. The research on the impact of fescue toxicosis on goats is very limited. The research will provide a compressive look at the impact of toxic fescue on goats and possible differences in performance and health of animals. In the short time the evaluation of breeds through the GHIP program and the other projects in the state are allowing producers to make a more informed choice between breeds for their production systems. Producer evaluations from the different programs has indicated that they continue to increase their knowledge of forage and disease management through the programs being offered. Louisiana State University Eprinomectin (LongRange®) may be a viable treatment in lambs to aid in the control of gastrointestinal nematode infection. But, use should be restricted to targeted selective treatment or salvage treatment to preserve efficacy. Dissemination of research results had led to use of technologies to better manage parasites, reduce animal losses, and increase profits. Knowledge gained by scientists. North Carolina A&T State University Under the conditions of the studies, moringa oleifera did not appear to impact goat GIN parasite FEC and PCV. Tasco® addition to the diet did not impact indicators of GIN parasitism, growth, or feed efficiency under these conditions. Aqueous extracts from moringa affect cell-mediated immunity in goats and may aid in the reduction of parasite burden in a GIN-species specific manner. More research is needed to determine the potential impact of probiotics on gastrointestinal parasites in goats. With this training, field staff and farmers are better able to understand how to manage GIN parasites in small ruminants. The public is learning more about projects going on at the Site and producers are receiving training to help them be more profitable. North Carolina State University Inclusion of clovers resulted in similar yields and gains as POS and increased N cycling in the pasture system, thus potentially increasing profitability and sustainability. Utilization and management of forages by goat producers is increasing, and resulting in a more sustainable industry. The increased knowledge of participants results in changes in gastrointestinal parasite control approach by producers and resulted in healthier animals, lower production costs and better culling and management decisions. In addition, many producers planted or requested information about sericea lespedeza due to our research results using this legume in a summer grazing system. Participants increased their knowledge, skills and abilities in goat production, including parasite control and forage management. Tuskegee University Results indicated that feeding pine bark diet selectively reduced bacteria and methanogenenicarchaea population. Finding indicates a possible association of Hc-NIM-1 with moxidectin resistance in H. contortus. The locations serve as demonstration sites for silvopasture and undergrowth vegetation management for both Tuskegee University Cooperative extension agents and students for experiential learning. The results indicated that the combination of forages used for grazing should be selected to optimize animal performance, enhance the soil property and reduce environmental impacts from animals while reducing dependency on petrochemical fertilizers. The results suggest that goats may be used to manage understory vegetation under longleaf pines but more data is needed to validate the results. Castration more than breed contributed to some important changes in fatty acid profiles resulting in higher amount of unsaturated fatty acids. Results of this study also suggest that caution is warranted when considering the infusion of Boer genetics into meat goat breeding herds managed under wet climate pasture conditions when management inputs are provided at low to moderate levels. This further strengthens the position forwarded in our other report, that Boer goats, on average, are poorly suited for a pasture-based limited resource production system representative of the current management, pathogen challenge, and climatic conditions in southeast Alabama. The project resulted in increased knowledge gained by 50 participants from four states including agricultural professionals, graduate students and producers on goat management. Further, the grantsmanship workshop resulted in an increased awareness of funding opportunities for Producers. The majority of the respondents indicated that this was the first AI training that they had received and by its conclusion they had a better understanding of the artificial insemination techniques and its benefits. Local youth gained valuable experience in goat showmanship as well as a chance to develop their leadership skills and increase their self-confidence. The program provided agricultural professionals and producers with increased knowledge and awareness of the management techniques and information needed to begin and sustain a profitable dairy goat operation. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Small ruminant producers increased their knowledge of science-based pest, disease and parasite management, improved reproductive management and nutritional management. They have also learned where to find up-to-date science-based information on small ruminant production and management. Further, USDA NRCS personnel are better informed on small ruminant grazing for use in preparing environmental quality assessments on farms in Arkansas. University of Maryland (College Park) The profitability of pen vs. pasture rearing will vary by year and farm and is dependent upon many factors such as genetics, climate, stocking rates, parasite challenge, feed costs, and market prices. Online surveys have indicated that over 90 percent of participants learn something new at the Lambing & Kidding School that they plan to apply to their sheep and/or goat enterprises. Youth participants have had fun, while learning something new about their project animals. University of Maryland Eastern Shore The principal investigators are monitoring and actively participating in the implementation of the project. Annual reports will be prepared as required by the funding agency and abstracts, posters and presentation will be designed and developed as data become manageable and available. The significance of this project to sheep and goats farmers includes the following items: reduced herbicide and fertilizer use and cost; alternate biological control for unwanted vegetation in pastures; and increasee sustainability and profitability of the small family farms University of the Virgin Islands Weaning hair lambs later than 63 days of age results in heavier lambs at weaning. Parasite burdens increase in all lambs regardless of weaning age but this was not detected using the FAMACHA© scores. Because of the parasite resilience of hair sheep breeds in the USVI, the FAMACHA© system may not be as applicable as it is for other more susceptible breeds. USDA, Agricultural Service, Booneville, AR Changes in TM status of lambs, especially Cu, Mo, Se, and Zn, could explain poor production reported in previous experiments. Sericea lespedeza provides organic producers a viable method of controlling parasites in conventional and organic sheep production. There was more than $1.3 billion in sales associated with organic livestock in 2011 (USDA, 2012). Dissemination of research results had led to use of technologies to better manage parasites, reduce animal losses, and increase profits. Knowledge gained by scientists. Dissemination of genetics with known breeding values to improve flock genetics, especially parasite resistance. Virginia State University Results indicate that soy hull supplementation can be an effective and economically viable means to improve growth performance of hair sheep lambs on pasture, thus reducing the time for lambs to reach a marketable weight. Pregnancy rates, though lower than we observed in earlier trials during the breeding season, suggested breed type of rams used as source of semen may have a significant effect on the outcome of pregnancy in liquid semen vaginal AI. Results indicate that the use of terminal sire mating of land race hair sheep breeds with low maintenance requirements can increase pre-weaning growth performance of lambs without adversely affecting survival to weaning. Wool x hair crossbred lambs grew faster and achieved higher final weights than purebred land race hair sheep lambs grazing stockpiled fescue pasture. The participant evaluation indicated that the workshop filled an educational need, and encouraged producers to explore the option of low-input pasture lambing in their operations. West Virginia University The results of this study indicate that a significant effect on timing in the increase of cell populations and antigen-specific antibody in blood are associated with enhanced resistance to H. contortus infection. Knowledge of these specific times will allow us to design better experiments that specifically target these critical days and whereby further clarifying the enhanced immune response found in St. Croix sheep While this product was not found to be effective in reducing FEC in Dorset x Texel lambs that does not preclude its effectiveness in other more parasite susceptible breeds. Identification of differential gene expression in sheep that are parasite-resistant reveal mechanisms involved in enhanced immunity found in these breeds. Knowledge of these mechanisms will improve our ability to modify immunity of parasite-susceptible sheep and improve the potential for discovering a candidate genetic marker for parasite resistance. This year I have trained 25 producers in the FAMACHA© system. Across the different workshops I have conducted over 500 producers have learned more about managing parasites in their flock.