Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

MINUTES WESTERN EXTENSION, RESEARCH, AND ACADEMIC COORDINATING COMMITTEE 039 (WERA 039) MAY 16 - 17, 2005 Chairperson Bret Taylor called the WERA 039 meeting to order at 12:30 P.M., May 16, 2005 at the La Quinta Inn, Houston, Texas. Those in attendance were: Dick Battaglia (Administrative Advisor; University of Idaho), Kim Chapman (Utah State University), Erika Campbell (Texas A&M University), Frank Craddock (Texas A&M University), Jackson Dzakuma (Prairie View A&M University), Tim Faller (North Dakota State University), Pat Hatfield (Montana State University), Chris Lupton (Texas A&M University), Howard Meyer (Oregon State University), Larry Miller (Program Leader; USDA-CSREES), Faron Pfeiffer (Texas A&M University), Shawn Ramsey (Texas A&M University), Tim Ross (New Mexico State University), Mike Salisbury (Angelo State University), Bob Stobart (University of Wyoming), Bret Taylor (USDA-ARS, U.S. Sheep Experiment Station), John Walker (Texas A&M University), and Travis Whitney (Texas A&M University). The tentative agenda was modified slightly and then approved by general consent. Minutes from the previous meeting (May 17  18, 2004) were accepted by general consent. Chairman Taylor called on Larry Miller to make his presentation on behalf of USDA-CSREES. Dr. Millers presentation is included in the 2005 WERA 039 Proceedings booklet (pp 3-5). To the great disappointment of the group, Larry announced his intention to retire in 2006. Reports were presented from Montana State University, North Dakota State University (Tim Faller also announced his intention to retire before the next WERA 039 meeting), Texas A&M University (new program in nutrition research by Travis Whitney), the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, New Mexico State University, Angelo State University, Utah State University, and Prairie View A&M University. Summaries of all these reports (except Whitneys) are contained in the 2005 WERA 039 Proceedings booklet. Chairman Taylor called a recess at 5:45 P.M. 7:00 A.M., 5-17-05. The group departed from the La Quinta Inn in Houston heading to Prairie View A&M University. Upon arrival, delegates were provided with a nice continental breakfast organized by Dr. Dzakuma. Chairman Taylor called the business meeting to order at 8:15 A.M. and called on our Administrative Advisor to make his comments. Dr. Battaglia discussed the new WERA 039 petition and indicated a few areas that required changing before it would be acceptable to the Western Directors. The modified petition should be submitted before June 15, 2005. He also stressed the importance for each participant to file an Appendix E form so that they can be officially listed as members of the new WERA 039 coordinating committee. He also discussed the necessity for the group to write concise impact statements on a regular basis. These should address the five CSREES goals listed in Dr. Millers presentation (slide 14) as well as our own WERA 039 objectives. Next, Dr. Alfred Parkes (Director, Prairie View A&M University Experiment Station) officially welcomed the group to the Prairie View campus. Chairman Taylor discussed the possibility of inviting (paid) speakers to future meetings. Locations considered were Denver, Rapid City, and San Angelo. Tim Faller moved that the 2006 meeting be held in Denver, CO. Motion died for lack of second. On behalf of Angelo State University, Mike Salisbury formally invited the group to meet in San Angelo in 2006. Mike Salisbury entered the invitation as a motion and Shawn Ramsey seconded. The group accepted by general consent. Meeting dates will be May 15 and 16, 2006. Following a report from the nomination committee (Tim Faller, Howard Meyer, Shawn Ramsey), Chris Lupton and Mike Salisbury were appointed Chairman and Secretary, respectively, of WERA 039 by general consent. Dr. Miller encouraged those present to assist Harvey Blackburn and Mike Brown (National Animal Germplasm Program) by volunteering to collect blood samples from sheep and goats for this conservation program. Chairman Taylor called on the following institutions to make the remaining reports: Oregon State University, University of Wyoming, and Texas A&M University (Frank Craddock). At this point, Dr. Linda Williams-Willis, Interim Dean and Administrator, Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension Program, welcomed the group to the campus. Reports resumed from Oregon State University, Texas A&M University (John Walker, Erika Campbell and Chris Lupton), University of Wyoming, and Texas A&M University (Shawn Ramsey). Following this final report, the meeting was adjourned by Chairman Taylor at 12:25 PM and the group enjoyed a very nice lunch organized by Dr. Dzakuma. After lunch, Dr. Dzakuma led on informative tour of the Prairie View A&M University animal and laboratory facilities. Subsequently, Dr. Ramsey toured the group through the Texas A&M University Animal Science Teaching, Research and Extension Center in College Station. This tour concluded at 5:30 P.M.

Accomplishments and Impacts For Objective 1, descriptions of potential impacts and applications were presented addressing sheep grazing in dryland grain production systems and their effects on control of wheat stem sawfly, biomass and weed density, and soil bulk density and soil nutrients. (Montana State University). The Montana Sheep Institute (Montana State University) submitted a report summarizing the impact of sheep grazing on leafy spurge for 2003 and 2004. A nine-year summary was presented on the effects of multi-species grazing of leafy spurge infested rangeland using twice-over rotation and season long grazing treatments (North Dakota State University). Short-duration intensive sheep grazing resulted in an immediate and high utilization of leafy spurge (USDA-ARS-USSES). Pre-weaning exposure of lambs to false brome greatly increased their short-term propensity to eat the plant (Oregon State University). In a selective breeding program with goats, near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy of their fecal material was used to measure the consumption of the toxic shrub juniper (Texas A&M University). For Objective 2, descriptions of potential impacts and applications were presented (written report only, Colorado State University) addressing the effects of husbandry and management practices on the incidence of pathogens in live lambs and on the incidence of Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter jejuni/coli on lamb carcasses at six lamb packing plants. Range raised Suffolk X Whiteface lamb crosses were reported to be 8.5% heavier at weaning than whiteface lambs (New Mexico State University). A trial was initiated (Oregon State University) to examine breeding and management practices that will contribute to systems of profitable reduced input sheep production. Three breeds of goat were evaluated for their natural resistance/tolerance to/of endoparasites (Prairie View A&M University). Sheep and goat extension programs in two states were reviewed (Texas A&M University and Utah State University). Young rams from a summer performance test were evaluated in terms of their breeding capacity and the performance of their lambs through feeding and processing (University of Wyoming). In addition radio frequency ear tags were evaluated for their ability to retain identification of lambs from feeding through processing. For Objective 3, one report summarized the relationships between the quantity of hair at birth of fine-wool lambs and fiber diameter and staple length at weaning (Angelo State University) and two reports described how near-infrared spectroscopy is being utilized to develop faster and potentially less expensive test methods for characterizing animal fibers (Texas A&M University and University of Wyoming).

2004 / 2005 PUBLICATIONS Alexander, B.M., R.H. Stobart, W.C. Russell, K.I. O'Rourke, G.S. Lewis, J.R. Logan, J.V. Duncan and G.E. Moss. 2005. The occurrence of scrapie resistance genotypes in five breeds of sheep and production traits of ewes associated with those genotypes. J. Animal Sci. 83:455-459. Alexander, B.M., R.H. Stobart, W.C. Russell, K.I. O'Rourke, W.J. Means, D.C. Rule and G.E. Moss. 2004. Effect of selecting for scrapie resistance at condon 171 on ram performance and carcass quality. Proc. West. Section ASAS 55:151-153. Alexander, B.M., R.H. Stobart, W.C. Russell, K.I. O'Rourke, W.J. Means, D.C. Rule and G.E. Moss. 2004. Effect of selecting for scrapie resistance at codon 171 on ram performance and carcass quality. J. Animal Sci. 82 (Suppl. 2): 13 (#22). Beckford, N.C., J.M. Dzakuma, E. Risch, and L.C. Nuti. 2004. Genotype x environmental interactions in goats. Southern Section. Abstracts. Tulsa, OK. February 14-18, 2004: 28. Bisson, M.G., C.B. Scott, C.A. Taylor, Jr., and R.A. Moen. 2001. Activated charcoal and experience affect intake of juniper by goats. Journal of Rangeland Ecology and Management. 54:274-278. Boles, J. A., R. W. Kott, and P. G. Hatfield. 200_. Supplemental safflower oil affects initial color and fatty acid profile of lamb. J. Anim. Sci. (in press). Borg, R.C., D.R. Notter, R.W. Kott, and L.A. Kuehn. 2004. Developing breeding objectives for Targhee sheep. J Anim. Sci. Vol. 82 (Suppl. 1):390. Campbell, E.S., and C.A. Jr. Taylor. Gland development and monoterpene content of redberry juniper following fire. Journal of Rangeland Ecology and Management. (submitted). Campbell, E.S., C.J. Lupton, C.B. Scott, C.A. Taylor, Jr., D.F. Waldron, and J.W. Walker. 2005. The use of fecal NIRS as a tool to identify levels of consumption of the toxic shrub juniper in a selective breeding program. 2005. ISOPP7, Logan, Utah. Chapman, C.K., and C. R. Reid. 2004. Sheep and Goats: Ecological Tools for the 21st Century. Utah State University Extension Electronic Publication. Available: http://extension.usu.edu/files/factsheets/Sheep%20and%20Goats.pdf . Danson, W.T, C.B. Scott, E.S. Campbell, C.A. Taylor, Jr., M.A. Can', and T.R. Callaway. 2005. Rumen function and the ability of goats to consume redberry juniper (Juniperus pinchottii). ISOPP7, Logan, Utah. Davis, E.E., C.J. Lupton, O. Capps, D.P. Anderson, and S.D. Hager. 2004. Determining price differences among different classes of wool from the U.S. and Australia. Final Report to the American Sheep Industry Association, July. Dzakuma, J.M. 2004. Goats: Genetics and Breeding. Encyclopedia Ani. Sci. Marcel Dekker, Inc. pp 486-488. Dzakuma, J.M., and B.M. Johnson. 2004. Goats: Breeds. Encyclopedia Ani. Sci. Marcel Dekker, Inc. pp 489-491. Dzakuma, J.M., E. Risch, C.O. Smith, and H.D. Blackburn. 2004. Level of feed intake on performance of two genotypes. So. African J. Anim. Sci. 34 (Suppl. 1): 38- 41. Ellis, C.R., R.E. Jones, C.B. Scott, C.A. Taylor, Jr., J.W. Walker, and D.F. Waldron. 2004. Sire influence on juniper consumption by goats Journal of Rangeland Ecology and Management. (in press). 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. Flaherty, C. Environment and grain growers friend: Sheep offer more than warm fuzzy 2004. www. Montana,edu/commserv/csnews. Agweek, Billings Gazette, Great Falls TributeCascade Courier, Stillwater county news, Daniels County leader, Laurel Outlook, Billings Outpost. Flaherty, C. Environment and grain growers friend: sheep. 2005 MSU new service. Flaherty, C., Sheep find their own  Home on the Range. Using sheep in fallow grain fields may help cut herbicide, fuel use. 2004 Bozeman, Daily Chronical. Goosey, H. B., P. G. Hatfield, A. W. Lenssen, S. L. Blodgett, and R. W. Kott. 200_.The Potential Role of Sheep in Dryland Grain Production Systems. Agric., Ecosystems & Envir. Small Rum. Res. (in press). Goosey, H. B., P. G. Hatfield, S. L. Blodgett, and S. D. Cash. 2004. Evaluation of Alfalfa Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Densities and Regrowth Characteristics of Alfalfa Grazed by Sheep in Winter and Spring. J. of Entomol. Sci. 39:598-610. Goosey, H. G., P. G. Hatfield, S. L. Blodgett, S. Dennis Cash1, J. Helle, and T. Helle. 2004. Evaluation of Alfalfa Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Densities and Regrowth Characteristics of Alfalfa Grazed by Sheep in Winter and Spring. Proc. Montana Livestock Nutr. Conf. 53:___. Hager, S.D. 2004. Determining price differences among different classes of wool from the U.S. and Australia. M.S. Thesis. Dept. Agric. Eco. Texas A&M University. Hatfield, P. 2004. Grain fallow management: comparing sheep grazing with mechanical and chemical fallow management. Montana Woolgrower Bulletin. Fall 2004 Page 20. Hatfield, P. Bug Beaters. 2004 Page 11 Simply sustainable: People and projects sustaining western agriculture. Hatfield, P. G., A. W. Lenssen, T. M. Spezzano, S. L. Blodgett, H. B. Goosey, R. W. Kott, and C. B. Marlow. 200_. Incorporating sheep into dryland grain production systems: II Impact on changes in biomass and weed frequency. Small Rum. Res. (in press). Hatfield, P. G., H. B. Goosey, T. M. Spezzano, S. L. Blodgett, A. W. Lenssen, R. W. Kott, and C. B. Marlow. 200_. Incorporating sheep into dryland grain production systems: III Impact on changes in soil bulk density and soil nutrient profiles. Small Rum. Res. (in press). Hatfield, P. G., S. L. Blodgett, T. M. Spezzano, H. B. Goosey, A. W. Lenssen, R. W. Kott, and C. B. Marlow. 200_ Incorporating sheep into dryland grain production systems: I Impact on over-wintering larva populations of Wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cintus Norton, (Hymenoptera: Cephidae) (in press). Hatfield, P., H. Goosey, S. Blodgett, and R. Kott. 2005. Montana State University Research update. 2005. Integrating sheep into grain production systems achieves 74% reduction in wheat stem sawfly. Montana Woolgrower Bulletin. Feb. Mar Page 9. Lawler, T. L., M. J. Marchello, J. B. Taylor, and J. S. Caton. 2004. Effect of supranutritional and organically-bound dietary selenium on the nutritive value and case longevity of beef. Proc. 50th International Congress of Meat Science and Technology, Helsinki, Finland. Lupton, C.J. 2004. 2003 report on OFDA2000 usage in Texas. Ann. Rep. Amer. Sheep Indus. Assoc. 3/1/04. Lupton, C.J. 2004. Angora goats: production and management. IN Encyclopedia of Animal Science, Pond, W.G. and A.W. Bell, Eds. Marcel Dekker Inc., New York:13-15. Lupton, C.J. 2004. Export potential, market outlook, and value-added processing of goat fibers. Ann. Mtg. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci., St. Louis. J. Anim. Sci. 82(Suppl 1):446. Lupton, C.J. 2004. Mohair: biology and characteristics. IN Encyclopedia of Animal Science, Pond W.G. and A.W. Bell, Eds. Marcel Dekker Inc., New York:645-648. Lupton, C.J. 2004. Mohair: production and marketing. IN Encyclopedia of Animal Science, Pond, W.G. and A.W. Bell, Eds. Marcel Dekker Inc., New York:649-652. Lupton, C.J. 2004. Use of genetics, nutrition, and management to produce high quality wool. Proc. 7th World Sheep and Wool Congress, Quebec, Canada:51-63. 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. Lupton, C.J., F.A. Pfeiffer, and R. Pope. 2004. Application of OFDA2000 technology to wool marketing and other fibers. Texas Agric. Exp. Sta. Ann. Prog. Rep. Texas Food & Fibers Comm: 29-34. Lupton, C.J., J.E. Huston, K.S. Rhee, B.F. Craddock, W. Polk, and F.A. Pfeiffer. 2004. Evaluation of an innovative system for producing high quality mohair and meat from Angora male kids. 8th. Int. Conf. on Goats. Pretoria, South Africa. Book of Abstracts, Production:194. Lupton, C.J., J.W. Walker, B.S. Engdahl, and F.A. Pfeiffer. 2004. Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for rapid estimation of commercially important characteristics of raw animal fibers. Texas Agric. Exp. Sta. Ann. Prog. Rep. Texas Food & Fibers Comm: 19-27. McColl, A., M. McColl, C.J. Lupton, and B. Stobart. 2004. Fiber characteristics of U.S. Huacaya alpacas. Alpaca Magazine. Summer:2-11. Moss, G.E., J.C. Whittier, R.H. Stobart, D.S. Baker, J.T. Doubet and B.L. Golden. 2004. Computer matching of digital images of retinal vascular patterns of sheep for animal verification. Proc. West. Section ASAS 55:134-136. Moss, G.E., J.C. Whittier, R.H. Stobart, D.S. Baker, J.T. Doubet and B.L. Golden. 2004. Computer matching of digital images of retinal vascular patterns of sheep for animal verification. J. Animal Sci. 82 (Suppl. 2): 112 (#17). Obeidat, B. S., J. R. Strickland, M. L. Vogt, C. A. Loest, and J. B. Taylor. 2004. Effects of locoweed on serum constituents and rumen profiles of sheep. Proc. Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science 55:410-414. 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. 83:466-77. Pfeiffer, F.A., C.J. Lupton, and D.F. Waldron. 2004. Interrelationship of traits measured on male Angora goats during a central performance test. J. Anim. Sci. 82:(Suppl 1):59. Roeder, Brent L., Jeffery C. Mosley, Tracy K. Brewer, and Rodney W. Kott. 2005. Prescribed sheep and goat grazing for controlling conifer encroachment. Abstract. Society for Range Management Annual Meeting, Fort Worth, Texas. 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. Soto-Navarro, S. A., T. L. Lawler, J. B. Taylor, L. P. Reynolds, J. J. Reed, J. W. Finley, and J. S. Caton. 2004. Effect of high-selenium wheat on visceral organ mass, and intestinal cellularity and vascularity in finishing beef steers. J. Anim. Sci. 82:1788-93. Suber, L., Roeder, B., P. G. Hatfield, and R. W. Kott. Feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of spring-born wethers finished on an 80% barley diet either in the fall or spring and slaughtered at seven to eight, or fourteen to fifteen months of age, respectively. Small Rum. Res. (in review). Taylor, C.A., Jr., E.S. Campbell, C.J. Lupton, D.F. Waldron, and J.W. Walker. 2004. Improving the use of goats to manage juniper. Texas Agric. Exp. Sta. Ann. Prog. Pep. Texas Food & Fibers Comm:9-17. Taylor, C.A., Jr., E.S. Campbell, C.J.Lupton, D.F.Waldron, and J.W. walker. 2004. Improving the use of goats to manage juniper. Texas Agric. Exp. Sta. Ann. Prog. Rep. Texas Food & Fibers Comm: 9-17. Taylor, J. B. 2005. Time dependent influence of supranutritional organically-bound selenium on selenium accumulation in growing wether lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 83: 1186-93. 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. Taylor, J. B., J. W. Finley, and J. S. Caton. 2005. Effect of the chemical form of supranutritional selenium on selenium load and selenoprotein activities in virgin, pregnant, and lactating rats. J. Anim. Sci. 83:422-9. Thrift, Brian D., Brent L. Roeder, Tracy K. Brewer, Jeffrey C. Mosley, Rodney W. Kott, and Bret E. Olson. 2005. Summer diets of a ewe-lamb band grazing spotted knapweed-infested rangeland. Abstract. Society for Range Management Annual Meeting, Fort Worth, Texas. Thrift, Brian D., Tracy K. Brewer, Brent L. Roeder, Jeffrey C. Mosley, Rodney W. Kott, and Bret E. Olson. 2004. Summer diets of sheep grazing within spotted knapweed infestations. Abstract. Western Society of Weed Science Annual Meeting, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Thrift, Brian D., Tracy K. Brewer, Jeffrey C. Mosley, Rodney W. Kott, and Bret E. Olson. 2004. Prescribed sheep grazing to suppress spotted knapweed. Abstract. Society for Range Management Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, January 24-30 (Abstract):200. Waldron, D.F. and C.J. Lupton. 2004. Angora goat performance test report. Texas Agric. Exp. Sta. Res. Cen. Tech. Rep. 2004-3. 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. Tech. Rep. 2005-1. Ward, J. A., J. S. Caton, J. B. Taylor and T. L. Lawler. 2004. Effect of level and source of selenium on maternal and fetal metabolic hormones in pregnant yearling ewes. Proc. Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science 55:367-371. Ward, M. A., J. S. Caton, J. B. Taylor, L. P. Reynolds, and D. A. Redmer. 2004. Effect of level and source of selenium on size of gravid uterine tissues. J. Soc. Gyn. Invest. 2:216A.