Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The meeting was called to order by Jim Miller, current Chair of the project. He welcomed the participants to the virtual meeting. Jim stated that Robert Godfrey is the Administrator and that Art Goetsch is the current Secretary, responsible for taking minutes of the meeting and developing the Annual Report within 60 days. Jim Miller also chaired the session on station reports, normally presented in alphabetical order. But at this meeting there was some deviation due to the occasional online absence of individuals. The order of presentations was Langston University (Art Goetsch for research and Terry Gipson, Roger Merkel, and Steve Hart for extension), Louisiana State University (Jim Miller and later Adriano Vatta), Prairie View A&M University (Gary Newton and Bill Foxworth), Delaware State University (Kwame Matthews), Tuskegee University (Uma Karki), University of Florida (Diwaker Vyas), University of Georgia (Todd Callaway), University of Maryland (Susan Schoenian), USDA-ARS, Booneville (Joan Burke), University of the Virgin Islands (Robert Godfrey), Virginia State University (Stephan Wildeus and Dahlia O’Brien), and West Virginia University (Scott Bowdridge).

The morning session was adjourned at 11:30 AM central time, and the afternoon session began at 12:30 PM with the final station reports given first, followed by the business meeting. Jim Miller discussed the symposia that were scheduled for the Southern ASAS meetings to be held in late January in Raleigh, NC, which now have been moved to occur in conjunction with the National ASAS meetings in July, 2021. The first symposium is joint with the SERA 41 cattle project to be held in a morning. There will be three presentations, two dealing with leguminous forages and primarily addressing cattle and one use of Sericea lespedeza by small ruminants to be given by Tom Terrill of Fort Valley State University. The second symposium in an afternoon also will have three presentations. The topics are mixed species grazing (Joan Burke), how can integrated small ruminant parasite control be applied to cattle (Christine Navarre of Louisiana State University), and use BioWorma for small ruminant parasite control (Jim Miller).

The upcoming revision of the SCC-81 project was discussed. The topic was introduced by Jim Miller, and Art Goetsch provided an update. It was stated that a revision committee was formed at the last meeting in 2020 in Chattanooga by Stephan Wildeus, consisting of Art Goetsch, Joan Burke, Scott Bowdridge, Stephan Wildeus, and Susan Schoenian. The committee, along with Jim Miller and Terry Gipson, had a virtual preliminary meeting on January 7, 2021. At that meeting there was consensus that the current four objectives relating to internal parasitism, year-round forage reliance, reproduction, and extension should remain as objectives in the next project, albeit with potential modifications of justifications and anticipated activities in the next project period of 2022 – 2027. Moreover, Art Goetsch provided an overview of activities to occur in the Southern SARE large meat goat systems project in 2020 – 2025, with one focal point being marketing of small ruminants and their products. In this regard, it was proposed that an objective for the SCC-81 project pertaining to marketing could be added. Terry Gipson posted a file with the previous project description on GoogleDrive so that all committee members and, later, all project members could access for revision. Revision activities that have occurred since the January 7 meeting were described, which include modification by Art Goetsch of the forage reliance objective justification and addition of two relevant activities at Langston University. Similar changes for the internal parasitism objective were made by Joan Burke. Stephan Wildeus described some comparable modifications for the reproduction objective, as well as contact of some of the other institutions regarding future activities in this area. Terry Gipson described the addition of a justification section and accompanying activities for the marketing area, indicating a basis on the Southern SARE large meat goat systems project description. All members were encouraged to contribute to the revision process by modifying the description of activities in accordance with plans for the upcoming project period. Lastly, Jim Miller provided a timeline for the revision, indicating that an official notification of need for revision would be received in January, 2022, with the next project period beginning October 1, 2022.

Membership in the project was discussed, including desirability to have a person of each institution designated as a lead. In this regard, it was stated that Raluca Mateescu of the University of Florida now focuses primarily on research with beef cattle and, thus, the lead person from that institution could be changed to Diwaker Vyas. Attendees not presently official members were encouraged to join, and all members were asked to encourage others to join the project as well. Art Goetsch will be the Chair this year, and Stephan Wildeus nominated Bill Foxworth of Prairie View A&M University as the new Secretary, which he agreed to.

The location of the 2022 meeting was identified as Fort Worth, Texas. Relatedly, a topic that was not addressed is a potential symposium for the 2022 meeting. Perhaps this can be discussed at the Southern and National ASAS meetings in July, 2021.

Objective 1: Utilization of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) control methods including selective deworming, forage/grazing management, and animal selection for GIN resistance.

Delaware State University reported on 3 studies. Study 1 evaluated use of the DrenchRite® larval development assay to characterize levels of gastrointestinal nematode resistance on small ruminant farms in Delaware. Fecal samples were collected from 5 goat and 4 sheep farms. Varying levels of resistance on the farms were found for benzimidazole, ivermectin, and levamisole. The second study evaluated in vitro anthelmintic effects on Haemonchus contortus of 10 chemical compounds. One compound was highly inhibitory against larval stages L3 and L4 and two impacted motility. The third study evaluated in vitro anthelmintic effects of various pumpkin extracts. There were some promising effects of an extract of pumpkin flesh at 24 hours of incubation.

Fort Valley State University reported on 2 studies. Study 1 investigated treatment of Spanish goats infected with H. contortus with copper oxide wire particles (COWP) alone or in combination with levamisole in one experiment and albendazole in a second trial. COWP was very effective in both studies, and efficacy was enhanced by simultaneous use of levamisole but not albendazole. The second study entailed a survey to determine knowledge of bioactive forages among small ruminant producers, primarily in regard to anthelmintic activity. About three-fourths of the respondents from 26 states were aware of forage plants with bioactivity, one-third had used or grown Sericea lespedeza, and about one-half were willing to grow it.

Langston University reported on one study that is relevant to both Objectives 1 and 2. The objective was to determine effects of feeding meat goats Sericea lespedeza as supplemental pellets or grazed forage on ruminal methane emission and health status compared with grazing grass-based pasture and supplemental forage-concentrate pellets.  Lespedeza consumption decreased ruminal methane emission, with pasture grazing having greater effect than lespedeza pellet supplementation. Likewise, intake of lespedeza decreased FAMACHA© score, with a similar effect for both forms of lespedeza. Effects of consumption of lespedeza on methane emission and FAMACHA© score presumably relate to condensed tannins, and greater impact of grazing lespedeza pasture on methane emission could involve higher dietary levels of lespedeza and tannins.

North Carolina A&T University conducted a study evaluating the possible immunomodulatory effect in goat blood of Gum arabica in a herbal medication from Acacia senegal (L.) Willdenow trees. There were some changes noted in indicators of anemia and immune modulation suggesting need for further study.

Tuskegee University reported on 3 studies. Study 1 addressed effects of grazing grass-legume versus grass pasture on load of gastrointestinal parasites in Katahdin-St. Croix sheep and Kiko goats. Fecal egg count was less for grass-legume than for grass pasture and for sheep than for goats. Study 2 was with 6 sheep and(or) goat farms in the fall of 2020. Animal variables and parasite infection level varied widely among farms. Body condition score of both goats and sheep was negatively correlated with FAMACHA© score. In the third study, 6 mature male Kiko goats were evaluated during winter, spring, summer, and fall seasons, with variables such as body weight, body condition score, FAMACHA© score, fecal egg count, and packed cell volume assessed. As noted in study 2, there was a negative correlation between body condition score and FAMACHA© score.

USDA-ARS, Booneville reported on a study determining the influence of season of lambing on gastrointestinal nematode infection of Katahdin lambs. Lambs were born in the fall or winter, weaned at 90-120 days of age, and measures occurred at approximately 60, 90, 120, and 150 days. H. contortus was the major gastrointestinal nematode at most times in both seasons. Though gastrointestinal nematode infection was less in lambs born in the fall than winter, perhaps because of forage conditions body weight of fall-born lambs was lower.

University of Florida reported on 2 studies. Study 1 addressed the genetics of resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infection in Florida Native sheep. Data were collected from 80 sheep with lowest fecal egg count and 80 with highest values. Potential candidate gene markers (i.e., ITGA4, MUC15, TLR3, PCDH7, CFI, CXCL10, TNF, CCL26, IL16, STAT3, GPX2, IL2RB, and STAT6) were identified for parasite resistance in Florida Native sheep. The second study will characterize current production and management practices of small ruminant farms, assess challenges in establishing small ruminant operations, and conduct a producer-centric survey to address consumer demand and market potential issues for small ruminant products.

West Virginia State University reported on 2 studies. Study 1 addressed using performance tests to evaluate parasite resistance in Kiko goats. 126 bucks entered the 63-day test. After being treated with 3 anthlemintics, bucks were infected with 5,000 H. contortus larvae. Results indicated moderate anthelmintic resistance. In addition to assessing internal parasitism, feed intake, growth, and ribeye area were determined. In study 2, the relationship between antibody level and fecal egg count (FEC) breeding values in Shropshire sheep were determined. Feces and blood of lambs from a farm submitting FEC data to NSIP were sampled after weaning, with FEC and IgG being determined. PFEC data were provided for 48 lambs. The preliminary data suggest that general immunity is greater in lambs with lower PFEC EBVs.

Objective 2: Emphasis of forage feeding systems for year-round grazing to meet nutritional requirements that mitigate drought and other plant and animal stressors.

Tuskegee University reported on 11 studies under this objective. The first study was with woodland plots and southern pine as the main timber species. Treatments were no cutting of non-pine species or cutting at heights of 0, 0.9, or 1.5 m. Understory vegetation was increased by cutting and greatest change was at the 0-m height. Sheep and goats spent most time in sections with vegetation heights of 0 and 0.9 m, consuming vegetation from 0-1.5 m and 0-1.1 m for goats and sheep, respectively. Similar findings were noted in another study with cutting heights of 0, 0.91, and 1.52 m. The second experiment demonstrated performance benefits for yearling Kiko does by inclusion of the legume hairy vetch in pastures with Marshall ryegrass or rye. The growing pattern of major browse plant species in the region was characterized, with categorization as early or late growers. Kiko wethers and Katahdin rams were co-stocked in studies in woodlands with diverse vegetation to compare performance, with that of both animal types being acceptable. Similarly, summer performance of Katahdin-St. Croix ewes was compared when grazing pine silvopasture with different cool- and warm-season forages or woodlands with diverse understory shrubs and herbaceous species. Lower weight gain for ewes in woodlands suggest need for supplementation. Three studies addressed effects of consumption by growing meat goats of diets with varying levels of hempseed meal. Hempseed level may impact body weight and average daily gain but would not appear to affect carcass and meat quality.

University of Maryland reported on a 3-month study starting in June to determine effects of supplementation of Katahdin ram lambs grazing grass-legume pasture with whole barley. Supplemented lambs gained weight more consistently than did pasture-only lambs, although the total increase in body weight was similar.

USDA-ARS, Booneville conducted a study to determine if cytochrome P450 could serve as an indicator of consumption of endophyte-infected tall fescue in sheep. Katahdin ewes were fed diets with endophyte-infected or endophyte-free fescue. Results suggest that cytochrome P450 may not be adequately reflective of endophyte-infected fescue consumption in sheep as it is in cattle.

Virginia State University conducted 2 studies under this objective. Study 1 investigated growth performance of short scrotum (SS) and castrated (CA) hair sheep lambs during different seasons. Ewe, SS, and CS lambs of Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix breeds were born in December or April, with a target slaughter weight of 35 and 40 kg for ewe and male lambs, respectively. Average daily gain was greatest and the number of days to target slaughter weight was lowest for SS lambs for both seasons of birth. A second study addressed carcass characteristics of Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix sheep lambs as wethers or rendered SS, with a target weight of 40 kg. Carcass traits were minimally influenced by breed and sex class.

Objective 3: Strategies for the improvement of small ruminant reproduction.

Langston University reported on 2 studies. Study 1 was conducted to evaluate body composition and various composition indicators and effects on reproductive performance of different nutritional planes before breeding with Dorper, Katahdin, and St. Croix ewes. Wheat straw was consumed ad libitum for 11 wk before breeding. Ewes on a low nutritional plane were supplemented with 0.16% body weight (dry matter basis) of soybean meal and ewes on the high plane of nutrition received 0.8% body weight of a mixture of 25% soybean meal and 75% ground corn. Nutritional plane did not influence reproductive performance assessed early after breeding regardless of breed despite differences in average daily gain and change in body condition score, which may have been due to the initial moderate body condition score, increased straw intake by ewes on the low nutritional plane, and the relatively short period of subjection to the different nutritional planes.  Body mass indexes were more highly related to and predictive of change in body composition  determined by urea dilution compared with body condition score. In study 2, a simplified artificial insemination technique with cooled, fresh semen and vaginal insemination was evaluated. Insemination was with 300 versus 500 million motile sperm and volumes of 1 or 2 ml. A 3-cc syringe and a sheath cut to 18 cm was used to deposit the doses vaginally. 15 females per treatment were monitored for non-return to estrus, with a preliminary finding of 50%. Moreover, an artificial insemination laboratory was developed at the collaborating institution Egerton University in Kenya, where this technique is now being used as well as in the surrounding community.

Prairie View A&M University conducted a study to characterize the transcriptomic profiles, using RNA-sequencing, of the abnormal regressing versus normal cycling day-5 corpora lutea (late metestrus) in Alpine dairy goats. Corpora lutea (abnormal n = 3 and normal n = 3) were collected from multiparous Alpines on day 5 of the estrous cycle (day 1 = standing estrus). Of the 33,433 genes analyzed, 1,516 were differentially expressed between abnormally regressed and normal cycling caprine corpora lutea. Specifically, 932 genes were upregulated and 584 genes were downregulated. Differential expression analysis revealed a significantly decreased expression of superoxide dismutase 1, which in tandem with increased reactive oxygen species exerts a luteolytic effect.

University of the Virgin Islands reported on a study to evaluate the quality of extended hair sheep ram semen stored as a liquid at 5°C. Semen was collected from St. Croix White and Dorper × St. Croix White rams using either intravaginal collection vials or artificial vagina. Because of severe damage to research facilities from the 2017 category 5 hurricane, including a current lack of electricity, semen samples were maintained in insulated containers prior to transport to the laboratory. The delay in getting samples to the laboratory resulted in very low sperm survival and viability. Other methods of insulating the semen after collection are being evaluated in order for samples to survive long enough to be evaluated, extended, and stored for evaluation.

Virginia State University reported on 2 studies. In study 1, fertility, prolificacy, and productivity of Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix ewes were evaluated with a pasture-based 8-month accelerated mating system using purebred and terminal sire mating. Ewes were exposed to rams of their own breed (pure) or Dorset (cross) in November (2012 and 2014), July (2013 and 2015), and March (2014 and 2016). Fertility was greater for Barbados Blackbelly than for St. Croix ewes but breed did not affect any other trait. The system × mating month-year interaction effect was significant for all traits except number of lambs born. Fertility was greater for pure than for cross mated ewes in November and July. Following the July mating, both numbers of lambs born and weaned were greater for pure than for cross mated ewes. However, litter weaning weight was greater for cross than for pure mated ewes with November and March matings. It was concluded that using a terminal sire in landrace hair sheep under an accelerated mating system generally reduced fertility and number of lambs born and weaned but increased litter weaning weight. The strategic use of terminal sire mating should consider differential responses associated with breeding season. In study 2, the survival and body weight of lambs from Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix sheep in a pasture-based 8-month accelerated mating system were evaluated. Lambs were born to dams either mated within breed (pure) or crossed to Dorset (cross). Body weight at birth and the 65-day adjusted weaning weight were greater for males than for females and for singles than for multiples. Lamb birth weight was greater for lambs born to St. Croix than Blackbelly Barbados and for cross than for pure lambs. Survival was greater for singles than multiples and for lambs born to Barbados Blackbelly than St. Croix, but was not affected by mating system or month of birth. Birth month did not impact lamb birth weight or survival, but 65-day adjusted weight was greater for lambs born in August than April or December, which were not different. It was concluded that using a terminal sire increased weaning weight by 22%, while not affecting lamb survival, making this a viable management tool to increase productivity of landrace hair sheep under a forage-based production system.

Objective 4: Disseminate research results and information to stakeholders.

Delaware State University reported on 2 extension activities.  The first was the development and implementation of an online integrated parasite management and FAMACHA© certification training program. The training covered the basics of selective internal parasite control, most prevalent internal parasites, best ways to utilize dewormers, role of pasture management, and alternative treatments. This was a collaborative activity with the University of Delaware. The training was conducted and recorded in Zoom. Participants were required to take an online quiz and submit a video of themselves conducting FAMACHA© scoring on their animal (sheep or goat) using the correct technique in order to receive a FAMACHA© card and certificate via mail. The program had an integrative parasite management lecture to educate individuals on all the major parasites, most effective use of dewormers, and integrated parasite management, followed by a video on FAMACHA© eyelid color scoring. At least 50 participants attended the Zoom training program and received training in integrated parasite management. Twenty participants were FAMACHA©-certified and 10 need to resubmit their videos. Post-conference evaluations returned showed that 90% of participants rated the overall workshop as excellent and the remaining 10% as good, with all the participants believing the information was given in a clear and concise manner. The second information dissemination activity was the development of an online webinar series that covered the best way to grow and utilize pasture and hay to meet nutrient requirements of small ruminants.  This was also in collaboration with the University of Delaware. Six Zoom webinars were conducted and recorded and the participants all received a copy of the presentations. Presentation titles were ‘Making Quality Baleage for Ruminants,’ ‘Multispecies Grazing,’ ‘Hey Hay!’, ‘Pasture Weed Management,’ ‘Renovating Pastures,’ and ‘Fall Pasture Management.’ The Zoom series resulted in 330 participants who learned quality information on using pasture and hay in different ways to feed their animals.

Fort Valley State University reported on 4 extension activities. There was online training of producers and ag professionals in integrated gastrointestinal parasite control, with links available at www.wormx.info. This activity involved collaboration with Virginia State University and Georgia Extension Agents. Weekly webinars were held to provide internal parasite control information to producers and other ag professionals, in collaboration with the University of Maryland, Virginia State University, and Delaware State University. Links are also available at www.wormx.info. The third activity was in collaboration with the University of Maryland, Virginia State University, and Delaware State University as well. There were periodic webinars with question and answer periods to provide information to producers and other ag professionals related to forages/feeding, health/parasite control, and animal management. Lastly, Integrated Parasite Management Best Practices Fact Sheets (ACSRPC) were written, edited, and published online (www.wormx.info) in collaboration with the University of Maryland and Langston University.

Langston University reported on a number of extension activities. Some ones planned were cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, which include the Goat and Hair Sheep Field Day, Goatskin Tanning Workshop, and Artificial Insemination Workshop. However, an online internal parasite and FAMACHA© workshop was held. Four goats were used for the FAMACHA© training session. A tablet equipped with Zoom provided the video/audio feed for the live animal FAMACHA© training and for the laboratory session for fecal egg count. 23 people registered from around the US, 13 attended the live Zoom workshop, 10 took the required quiz, and 5 submitted the required video of COVER, PUSH, PULL, POP (30 sec max).  Thus, 5 participants received certificates and purchased FAMACHA© cards. Ongoing activities are online meat and dairy goat certification courses. The objectives of this program are to provide 1) reliable educational information incorporating a Quality Assurance Program that is suitable for dairy and meat goat producers, county agents, and other agriculture professionals and 2) testing methodologies allowing for certification of dairy and meat goat production for those producers desiring certification. To date, 728 and 2,023 participants have enrolled in the meat goat and dairy goat certification course in English, respectively, and 19 and 33 participants have enrolled in the meat goat and dairy goat certification course in Spanish, respectively.  The number of participants completing and receiving certification for the meat goat course is 458 and 13 and for the dairy goat course is 157 and 24 for the English and Spanish versions, respectively.  Certified participants represent 49 US states, Puerto Rico, and 18 countries. Overall pretest scores for required and elective modules averaged approximately 71%; thus, most producers were required to study module content and take the post-test. Post-test scores are roughly 30% higher than pre-test scores, indicating a gain in knowledge by the producer. Another ongoing activity is the website of the American Institute for Goat Research. Overall in 2020 there were 82,224 visits (down 17% from 2019). This decrease may be attributable to a number of server downtime periods. Visitors spent an average of 1 minute and 23 seconds on the site, which is down slightly from 2019 (1 minutes, 31 seconds). The United States accounted for 47% of all users.

Louisiana State University held a workshop to disseminate parasite control information. 35 professionals/producers were in attendance.

North Carolina A&T University personnel made an invited presentation to the program called OPERA, entitled ‘Management and Selection for Goat Production,’ held by the Faculty of Animal Science Universitas Gadha Mada in Indonesia.

Tuskegee University reported on 3 extension activities. There was a training session at the state level with topics of ‘Importance of leguminous forages and browse for grazing animals,’ ‘Leguminous browse: growth period and preference of small ruminants,’ ‘Leguminous forages suitable for small ruminants,’ and ‘Economic value of including leguminous forages and browse in grazing systems.’ 15 producers, professionals, and students participated in the event. There was a workshop on both beef cattle and goat production during the Annual Farmers’ Conference, with education provided on a wide array of topics. The third activity is the Tuskegee University Master Goat Producer Training Program (MGPCP), in its 13^th year. This consists of a comprehensive 5-day intensive course (live lectures and demonstrations delivered virtually) in meat goat production, covering topics such as marketing, enterprise budgets, record keeping, facilities, livestock evaluation, parasite management, pasture management, nutrition, reproduction, predator management, and more. Participants completed an exam to evaluate their ability to apply the newly learned information as well as surveys to assess the likeability of the events and to ascertain demographic information. The program also includes potential visits to farms of participants trained in earlier years.

University of Maryland reported on 2 extension activities. The first was webinars noted earlier in collaboration with Delaware State University, Virginia State University, and Fort Valley State University. A weekly worm webinar series was initiated in April and held for 8 consecutive weeks. A webinar on BioWorma® was mixed into the line-up in May. During the same time period, a series of small ruminant question and answer webinars was held. There were 4 sessions in which participants could ask questions of panelists (experts). All webinars were offered via Zoom. They were promoted mostly via social media. Pre-registration was required, but there was no cost to participate. The webinars were recorded. Recordings from the worm webinars (n = 9) were minimally edited and uploaded to YouTube. Accompanying PowerPoint presentations were uploaded to SlideShare. Links were shared via the webinar registration list, websites, newsletters, and social media. Almost 2,500 small ruminant producers participated in the 2 webinar series. Another 5,327 viewed the YouTube videos from the 9 worm-related webinars. 6,242 viewed the PowerPoint presentations from the nine worm-related webinars. The second activity was the online FAMACHA© certification program. To receive FAMACHA© certification and be able to purchase a FAMACHA© card, online participants were required to watch a video, pass a quiz (70%), and submit a video demonstrating proper FAMACHA© scoring technique. After meeting requirements for certification, participants were issued a certificate of competence and provided instructions for purchasing a FAMACHA© card. The online certification was promoted via social media, websites, and newsletters. 396 producers participated in the live FAMACHA© webinar. 581 producers watched the recording of the FAMACHA© webinar. 347 quiz responses were submitted. 92 videos were received.

USDA-ARS, Booneville participated in many technology transfer activities, including attendance in virtual meetings of the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (ACSRPC), ASAS, and NCERA-214 (Increased Efficiency of Sheep Production). There is transfer of parasite resistant sheep through public bid and trade as well as numerous phone and email conversations with producers.

Virginia State University reported on 2 extension activities. The first was the online integrated parasitism management and FAMACHA© certification program for extension agents and producers developed in collaboration with Fort Valley State University as noted elsewhere. 2 zoom trainings were conducted and recorded and participants were required to take an online quiz (passing grade of 70%) and submit a video of themselves conducting the FAMACHA© eye score on a sheep, goat, llama, or alpaca using the correct technique in order to receive a FAMACHA© card and certificate in the mail. Zoom trainings resulted in 412 participants trained in integrated parasite management and 61 participants FAMACHA©-certified. The recorded training, online quiz, certificate, and FAMACHA© cards have been made available to extension agents in Virginia and Georgia as well as posted on the ACSRPC website. The second activity was the ‘VA’s Own Mobile Processing Unit (MPU).’ The unit was designed and built for slaughter processing to educate and enhance profitability of Virginia’s small ruminant industry. A honey wagon also was purchased to capture wastewater for land application. This unit will provide access of many producers located in central and eastern VA to an additional USDA-inspected slaughter facility so that they can take full advantage of profitability in the growing local food system marketplace.

West Virginia University reported on disseminated parasite control information by a variety of means, which include NKR’s Corn Country Meat Goat Conference, Corydon, IN; American Sheep Industry Annual Meeting, Scottsdale, AZ; Virginia Feed Association Annual Meeting, Roanoke, VA; and ASI Research Update Podcast Series. Over 200 professionals/producers attended these events.

Journal articles

Acharya, M., J. M. Burke, A. J. Ashworth, and R. W. Rorie. 2020. Relationship of anti-Mullerian hormone to reproductive traits in Katahdin ewes bred in late spring or fall. Adv. Repro. Sci. 8:48-56.

Acharya, M., J. M. Burke, J. E. Miller, T. H. Terrill, E. L. Wood, and J. P. Muir. 2020. Quebracho tannins aid in the control of Eimeria spp. in lambs and goat kids. Vet. Parasitol. 288:1-8.

Bhattrai, S., U. Karki, S. Poudel, W. McElhenney, and B. Paneru. 2020. Diurnal behavior and distribution patterns of Kiko wethers and Katahdin rams in woodlands with different vegetation heights during fall. Agroforestry Syst. doi.org/10.1007/s10457-020-00500-x

Bhattrai, S., U. Karki, S. Poudel, B. Paneru, and N. Ellis. 2020. Maintenance of non-timber plants at low heights increased the solar radiation influx and understory vegetation biomass in woodlands. Global J. Agric. Allied Sci. 2(1):18-24.  https://doi.org/10.35251/gjaas.2020.003

Chai, J., S. Alrashedi, K. Coffey, J. Burke, K. Feye, S. C. Ricke, S. H. Park, J. L. Edwards, and J. Zhao. 2020. Endophyte-infected tall fescue affects rumen microbiome in grazing ewes at gestation and lactation. Front. Vet. Sci. 7:1-13.

Crawford, C. D., D. J. Mata-Padrino, D. P. Belesky, and S. A. Bowdridge. 2020. Effects of supplementation containing rumen by-pass protein on parasitism in grazing lambs. Small Rumin. Res. doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2020.106161

Gurung, N. K., K. B. Tuoho, F. W. Abrahamsen, and B. R. Min. 2020. Elevated supplementations of crude glycerin in diets for meat goats: ruminal fermentation, metabolism, and blood chemistry profile, animal performance, and carcass traits. J. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nutr. (In press).

Jacobs, J. R., D. Middleton, S. P. Greiner, and S. A. Bowdridge. 2020. RNA-sequencing of ovine PBMC after exposure to Haemonchus contortus antigen. Parasit. Immunol. doi: 10.1111/pim.12697

Mata-Padrino, D. J., E. M. Pena-Yewtukhiw, D. P. Belesky, W. B. Bryan, and S. A. Bowdridge. 2020. Season-long, mixed stocking of a cool-temperate pasture. Grassland Sci. doi:10.111/grs.12281

Mechineni, A., D. S. Kommuru, T. H. Terrill, B. Kouakou, J. H. Lee, S. Gujja, J. J. Burke, and G. Kannan. 2021. Forage type and transportation stress effects on gut microbial counts and meat quality in goats. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 00:1-8, dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjas-2019-0145.

Middleton, D. M., J. J. Garza, S. P. Greiner, and S. A. Bowdridge. 2020. Neutrophils rapidly produce TH2 cytokines in response to larval but not adult helminth antigen. Parasit. Immunol.

doi:10.1111/pim.12679

Ndegwa, E., A. Alahmde, K. Kim, P. Kaseloo, and D. O’Brien. 2020. Age related differences in phylogenetic diversity, prevalence of Shiga toxins, Intimin, Hemolysin genes and select serogroups of Escherichia Coli from pastured meat goats detected in a longitudinal cohort study. BMC Vet. Res. 16:266. https://rdcu.be/b5ZL0

Panda S. S., T. H. Terrill, A. K. Mahapatra, B. Kelly, E. R. Morgan, and J. van Wyk. 2020. Site- specific forage management of Sericea lespedeza: Geospatial technology-based forage quality and yield enhancement model development. Agric. 10:419.

Okere, C., O. Bolden-Tiller, and H. Henderson. 2020. The effects of sire breed on reproductive and progeny performance in Kiko meat goats (Capri hircus). Int. J. Res. Agric. Sci. 7(6):2348–3997.

Reynolds, D., B. R. Min, N. Gurung , W. McElhenney, J. H. Lee, S. Solaiman, and O. Bolden-Tiller. 2020. Influence of tannin-rich pine bark supplementation in the grain mixes for meat goats: Growth performance, blood metabolites, and carcass characteristics. Anim. Nutr. 85e91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aninu.2019.09.003.

Ryan, N., N. Gurung, J. Bryant, F. Abrahamsen, and W. McElhenney. 2020. Sustainable winter-feeding practices for meat goats within the Southeastern United States. Prof. Agric. Workers J. (In Press).

Shepherd, E. A., S. P. Greiner, and S. A. Bowdridge. 2020. Characterization of ovine monocyte activity when cultured with Haemonchus contortus larvae in vitro. Parasit. Immunol.  doi.org/10.1111/pim.12773

Shepherd, E. A., S.  P. Greiner, B. Russ, and S. A. Bowdridge. 2020 Interleukin-13 induces paralysis of Haemonchus contortus larvae in vitro. Parasite Immunol. doi:10.1111/pim.12758

Book Chapter

Gurung, N. K., J. Rush, and D. Pugh. 2020. Feeding and Nutrition. In D. Pugh, N. Baird,

1. Edmondson, and T. Passler (Eds.) Sheep, Goat and Cervid Medicine. 3rd Edn. Elsevier Ltd. UK (Textbook for School of Veterinary Medicine in the U.S.)

Abstracts and Proceedings

Abrahamsen, F., N. Gurung, A. Woubit, G. Reddy, and K. Mullenix. 2020. Effect of varying levels of hempseed meal supplementation on animal performance, rumen fermentation, and blood metabolites of growing meat goats. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl. 4)459–460.

Acharya, M., J. M. Burke, E. Wood, and J. W. S. Yancey. 2020. Developing criteria for forage finished beef in the Southeastern U.S. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl. 2):30-31.

Burke, J. M. 2020. Organic compared with conventional systems for lamb production yield differences in performance in Southeastern U.S. pastures. Southern SAWG Organic Research Forum.

Ahmed, Y., H. Ismail, D. Rehrah, and M. Worku. 2021. Immunomodulatory effects of Gum arabica in goat blood. J. Anim. Sci. 99(Suppl.). (Submitted).

Ahmed, Y., H. Ismail, D.Rehrah, and M. Worku. 2021. Effect of Gum arabica (GA) drench on indicators of anemia in goats. J. Anim. Sci. 99(Suppl.). (Submitted).

Bentley, K., A. R. Weaver, J. M. Burke, J. Morgan, D. L. Wright, S. P. Greiner, and S. A. Bowdridge. 2020. The effect of sire fecal egg count estimated breeding value on antibody production in grazing Katahdin lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl.).

Burke, J. M. 2020. Organic and conventional pasture systems for lamb production in Southeastern U.S. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl. 2):66-67.

Burke, J. M., J. E. Miller, M. Acharya, and E. Wood. 2020. Copper oxide wire particles to complement control of gastrointestinal nematodes with levamisole and/or albendazole in lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl. 2):73.

Burke, J. M., and E. Wood. 2020. Estimating the value of parasite resistance in sheep. Southern SAWG. Little Rock, AR.

Ellis, N., U. Karki, B. Paneru, and S. Bhattrai. 2020. Health parameters of hair sheep raised in silvopasture and woodland systems. Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas (NAPA) Biennial Conference.

Ellis, N., U. Karki, B. Paneru, S. Bhattrai, and L. Karki. 2020. Health and performance of ewes in woodland and silvopasture systems. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl. 2):70.

Ford, S., H. Ismail, and M. Worku. 2020. Using NCBI PubMed to gather research articles about genes encoding ruminant galectins (LGALS 1,3,4, and 9). SNCURCS2020, 11/06,308.

Godfrey, R. W., and S. A. Lakos. 2020. Using estrus detection patches or a ram wearing a marking harness to monitor estrus in synchronized hair sheep ewes. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl. 4):460.

Godfrey, R. W., S. Keiper, and S. A. Lakos. 2020. Evaluation of extended hair sheep ram semen stored as liquid at 5°C. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl. 2):74-75.

Gurung, R., F. Abrahamsen, R. Davis, R. Johnson, and N. Gurung. 2020. Evaluation of beef cattle and goat production workshop held at the 126th annual farmers’ conference through post- event survey. The 78th Professional Agricultural Workers Conf. Tuskegee University.

Gurung, R., F. W. Abrahamsen, K. Moyer, J. T. Sawyer, and N. Gurung. 2021. Carcass traits of growing meat goats fed different levels of hempseed meal. J. Anim. Sci. 99(Suppl.) (Submitted).

Hazard, T., N. Whitley, P. Batchu, C. Pulsifer, B. Kouakou, and T. H. Terrill. 2019. Effect of feeding ‘Serala’ sericea lespedeza hay on indicators of gastrointestinal parasitism in goats. J. Anim. Sci. 97(Suppl. 3):460–461.

Johnson, J. L., U. Karki, A. Tiwari, K. Norwood, and L. Karki. 2020. load of gastrointestinal parasites in small ruminants with or without leguminous forages during the fall season. The 78th Professional Agricultural Workers Conference. Tuskegee University.

Jones, O., J. M. Burke, J. E. Miller, and C. Rosenkrans. 2020. Use of diatomaceous earth and copper oxide wire particles to control gastrointestinal nematodes in lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl. 2):72.

Karki, L., U. Karki, and S. R. Mentreddy. 2020. Possibility of shifting domestic supply curve for lamb and goat meat: the case of market price information in the southeast USA. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl. 2):4

Karki, U., B. Paneru, S. Bhattrai, N. Ellis, and L. Karki. 2020. Woodlands for expanding the grazing opportunity for small ruminants in the Southeast: challenges and opportunities. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl. 4):172-173.

Karki, U., B. Paneru, S. Bhattrai, R. Khatri, N. Ellis, L. Karki, and S. Poudel. 2020. Integrating woodlands and animal production: whole system approach to promote sustainable agriculture. Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas (NAPA) Biennial Conference.

Lourencon, R. V., L.  J. Dawson, R. Puchala, L. P. S. Ribeiro, T. A. Gipson, M. A. Rojas, M. Calle,

2019. S. Scronce, and A.L. Goetsch. 2019. Effects of nutritional plane before breeding on performance of hair sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 97(Suppl.).

Lourencon, R. V., L. J. Dawson, R. Puchala, L. P. S. Ribeiro, T. A. Gipson, E. Loetz, M. A. Rojas, M. Calle, A. S. Scronce, and A. L. Goetsch.  2020.  Effects of nutritional plane before breeding on body condition score, mass indexes, and chemical composition of hair sheep.  J. Anim. Sci. 98 (Suppl.).

Maierle, C. L., A. R. Weaver, E. E. Felton, S. P. Greiner, and S. A. Bowdridge. 2020. Survey of residual feed intake in Katahdin and Texel lambs in a feedlot environment. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl.)

Noorwood, K., U. Karki, J. Johnson, and A. Tiwari. 2020. Health and performance of small ruminants being raised by Alabama farmers during the fall season. The 78th Professional Agricultural Workers Conference. Tuskegee University.

O’Brien, D., S. Wildeus, S. Schoenian, and M. Purdue. 2020.  Reproductive characteristics of post- pubertal lambs after being rendered short scrotum. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl. 2):77. 

Paneru, B., U. Karki, N. Ellis, and S. Bhattrai. 2020. Performance of Kiko wethers and Katahdin rams co-stocked in woodlands with diverse vegetation. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl. 4):261.

Paneru, B., U. Karki, N. Ellis, S. Bhattrai, and L. Karki. 2020. Behavior and landscape-use pattern of small ruminants co-grazed in woodlands with different vegetation characteristics. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl. 2):70-71.

Paneru, B., U. Karki, N. Ellis, and S. Bhattrai. 2020. Vegetation preference and browsing height of Kiko wethers and Katahdin rams co-stocked in woodlands. Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas (NAPA) Biennial Conference.

Paneru, B., S. Bhattrai, N. Ellis, and U. Karki. 2020. Sprouting and canopy development pattern of browse species suitable for grazing small ruminants. Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas (NAPA) Biennial Conference.

Patton, C., C. L. Maierle, A. R. Weaver, S. P. Greiner, and S. A. Bowdridge. 2020. Effect of terminal sire breed on grazing performance, parasitism and market grade of crossbred lambs: Year 2. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl.).

Pech-Cervantes, A. A., I. A. Ogunade, D. Pannell, and B. Kouakou. 2020. Inclusion of dried distillers grains with solubles in Lespedeza or alfalfa-based diets for meat goats is associated with a unique ruminal microbiome. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl. 4):421.

Puchala, R., L. P. S. Ribeiro, R. V. Lourencon, and A. L. Goetsch.  2020.  Effects of Sericea lespedeza on methane emission and health status in grazing Boer goat wethers.  J. Anim. Sci. 98 (Suppl.).

Smith, H. R., F. W. Abrahamsen, J. G. Rehm, B. Wilborn, E. Blythe, J. T. Sawyer, N. Gurung. 2020. PSV-31 Influence of hempseed meal supplementation on fresh and cooked characteristics of Boer cross goats. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl. 4):362.

Tiwari, A., U. Karki, B. Paneru, N. Ellis, and L. Karki. 2020. Legume-grass pastures enhanced the growth of yearling Kiko does. The 78th Professional Agricultural Workers Conference. Tuskegee University.

Weaver, A. R., J. M. Burke, J. Morgan, D. L. Wright, S. P. Greiner, and S. A. Bowdridge. 2020. The effect of sire FEC EBV on parasitism and survivability in grazing Katahdin lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl. 2):71.

Weaver, A. R., J. M. Burke, J. Morgan, D. L. Wright, S. P. Greiner, and S. A. Bowdridge. 2020. The effect of sire FEC EBV on parasitism and survivability in grazing Katahdin lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl.)

Wildeus, S., O’Brien, D., 2020. Reproductive performance of land race hair sheep ewes in different breeding seasons under a semi-continuous production. J. Anim. Sci. 97(Suppl. 2):76.

Wildeus, S., D. O’Brien, G. Pent, and K. Payne. 2020. Growth performance of landrace hair sheep lambs under different forage environments. J. Anim. Sci. 98(Suppl. 2):72-73.

Fact sheets

2020. O’Brien, and S. Wildeus. 2020. Enhancing Reproductive Performance in Small Ruminants: Part II. Puberty and Estrous Cycles. http://digitalpubs.ext.vt.edu/vcedigitalpubs/9333817745874164/MobilePagedReplica.action?pm =2&folio=1#pg1