Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Summary of minutes of annual meeting:  Monday August 2: Richard Ehrhardt chaired the meeting, Tom Murphy was co-chair and Joan Burke secretary.

Richard opened the meeting by going over the meeting agenda and objectives, describing the structure of the meeting which is to be flexible. Introductions were made. Station Reports for each objective were made by participants.

Ernie Minton, administrative advisor and Dean of College of Agriculture, Kansas State University, joined the meeting and  introduced himself. Ernie discussed the new project which began October 1, 2020 and explained the similarities and differences between the current project and the former project (NCERA 214) that this group had pursued. He described that an expectation is for  integrated collaboration among members. Ernie recognized that most members  are faculty members representing sheep and/or small ruminants at their home institution often as sole faculty in this discipline and that participation in this group could offer collegial interaction that they may not have otherwise. He explained further that this project  should seek to demonstrate multi-state collaboration and that this should be emphasized and/or highlighted in the annual and mid-term reports, and renewal if the group so decides.

Christina Hamilton introduced herself. She shared a helpful site to help with reports, etc.: https://www.ncra-saes.org/multistate-handbook. She explained that this project will have shorter reports (3-5 pp.) of multi-state collaborative efforts and  not full station reports with an emphasis on  what the group is doing together.

Questions for advisors. Richard asked about revising current objectives to be more specific. Ernie and Chris replied that since the project is approved, the project cannot be changed. Because each objective is quite broad a lot of people could fit within the objective. Chris included that there is much opportunity for flexibility and to communicate any issues or deviations from the project to her.

Ernie suggested to ask Experiment Station Directors of member locations if there are funds available for the project. Answers will vary by location. Richard asked how new people can enroll in the project. Chris answered that the Experiment Station Director needs to give permission, and for locations without ESD, just contact her. She suggested to contact her if members take more than five minutes on the NIMMS website finding something and she can easily answer questions. Ernie emphasized that our group has already been acting as an ERA, so this new project is not much different.  Ernie explained that if this project proves not to be a good fit as an NC, we can always go back to an ERA.

Participants described their sheep resources, including research, teaching and extension, through slides and discussion: (URI, K. Petersson; MSU, R. Ehrhardt; USDA ARS DBSFRC, J. Burke; UK, D. Aaron, D. Ely; UC-Davis, R. Busch; UI, B. Murdoch; USDA ARS MARC, T. Murphy; MSU, C. Posbergh; UN-Reno, A. Hess; NCSU, A. Weaver; VSU, S. Wildeus)

Business Meeting. Since the last meeting was unofficial and occurred in between NCERA-214 and NC-214, there was no formal approval of the minutes. Discussed “champions” or leaders of each objective who can lead meetings per objective after the annual meeting to ensure full collaboration among members for each objective. Leaders are Richard (Obj 1), Whit (Obj. 2), Tom (Obj. 3), and Joan (Obj. 4). New members should review the description of the objectives on the NIMMS site to decide which to sign up for. It should be noted that all the objectives are research objectives, but include an extension component within each, at least informally. Any extension activities can be reported as impact/outcomes. An email call will go out to all members and prospective members for each objectives meeting, but just attend those of interest. The structure and function within each objective will be discussed. Yearly report due within 60 days of meeting. Evidence of collaborations will need to be included in the next report.

Recruitment of new members. Members are encouraged to reach out to members and perspective members (those involved in last project) to be involved with the Objectives meetings and future meetings.

Invitation to industry groups to attend annual meeting. Meetings have historically included representatives from ASI and NSIP, and sometimes ALB. Members agreed that we do not wish to be exclusive and the discussion focused on other industry groups to invite, including Sheep Genetics USA, Superior, and feedlot groups. The pros and cons of inviting these groups were discussed. Pros were that industry groups could gain an understanding of what our group does and provide input to research objectives. Cons were that industry groups might use information or data from unpublished research reports. The Proceedings is not for publication as Deb Aaron pointed out. Rusty Burgett was happy to be included in the meeting as several members have been involved in upcoming changes to NSIP. Susan Shultz suggested that members reach out and become involved in Sheep Genetics USA, but otherwise that industry group may not otherwise benefit from attendance at NC-214. Richard made a motion to invite ALB, ASI and NSIP to the next meeting which was seconded by Tom. (There was also discussion to include Jim Miller in future meetings since he acts as a valuable consultant and is a former member/retired from LSU).

Memorial for Mike Thonney who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year. Pictures and memories were shared. Mike will be missed.

Nominations committee (Tom and Stephan). Tom nominated Chris Posbergh as Secretary for the 2021-2022 year. Joan Burke will move to Vice-Chair and Tom Murphy to Chair. Katherine seconded the motion.

Resolutions Committee (Joan and Chris P.). Resolutions were developed to gain support of the U.S. sheep industry by Land Grant Universities and USDA, ARS, acknowledge Richard in hosting the virtual meeting, and to thank participants from stakeholder groups (ASI, NSIP).

Future meeting time and location, 2022 decided upon: USDA ARS MARC, Clay Center hosted by Tom Murphy with possible one day at University of Nebraska-Lincoln to be hosted by Ron Lewis. Meeting to occur June 6-7.

Accomplishments: The goal of the NC 214 multistate group is to increase the efficiency of sheep production through a plan specified by 4 major objectives focused on the general areas of: 1) reproductive efficiency, 2) meat yield and quality, 3) genetics, nutrition, production systems and 4) profitable and sustainable grazing systems.   The group has defined a plan to do this through a cooperative multistate effort and began executing this plan in 2021. The outcomes, outputs and activities of this effort are outline below.

Short term outcomes: None to report currently (year 1 of project).

Outputs and Activities:  The cooperative outputs of this project are described according to objective below.  Given that this is the first year of this project, individual station efforts that related to the projects objectives but are not collaborative at this point, are also included. 

Objective 1: Improving reproductive efficiency. 

• Evaluation of Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix hair sheep under accelerated lambing using purebred and terminal sire mating: Ewe fertility, prolificacy, and productivity (Stephan Wildeus, Dahlia O’Brien, Virginia State University; Tom Murphy, USDA-ARS MARC). This project concluded that the use of terminal sire matings should be considered during optimal breeding periods in an accelerated, pasture lambing system.
• Seasonal differences in fescue toxicosis in ewes grazing/fed endophyte-free (EF) or -infected (EI) tall fescue ( Acharya, J.M. Burke, E. Wood, Y. Huang, P.D. Morse, K. Coffey, C. Rosenkrans, J.L. Edwards; Department of Animal Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USDA-ARS, Booneville, AR, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN). This project discovered that cytochrome P450 activity is not a marker for fescue toxicosis in ewes and revealed that a link may exist between circulating prolactin and conception rate in ewes grazing tall fescue. 

Objective 2:  Develop strategies to improve lean lamb growth and meat quality.

• Evaluation of lamb growth and carcass quality in cover crop rearing systems.

(Cathryn Macaluso, Kimberly Cassida, Jeannine Schweihofer, Erin Recktenwald, Daniel Schaub, Barbara Makela and Richard Ehrhardt, Michigan State University).   This project discovered that lambs reared on brassica dominant cover crops can produce high quality carcasses with superior meat quality.   This project seeks to evaluate the impacts of this system on soil and further crop yields in future studies. 

• Harvest season, carcass weight, and fat measurement effects on lamb carcass characteristics and economic comparison of moderate and heavy weight lamb carcasses in the Western lamb processing industry. (R. Whaley, W.C. Stewart C.L. Gifford, T.W. Murphy, W.J. Means, J.P. Ritten, University of Wyoming; T.W. Murphy USDA-ARS U.S. Meat Animal Research Center). This project determined the season of lamb harvest did not impact carcass fatness in lambs harvested in the intermountain West USA.  This study outlined strategies to reduce the proportion of overly fat lambs entering the western USA abattoirs through cooperative efforts between packers and producers. 

• Growth performance of short scrotum and castrated hair sheep lambs on pasture during different seasons (Stephan Wildeus, Dahlia O’Brien, Virginia State University; Gabriel Pent and Kathryn Payne, Virginia Tech). This project revealed that ram lambs subjected to short-scrotum treatment grew faster (20%) and reached market target weight faster than conventional castration methods. 

• Carcass characteristics of Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix hair sheep lambs rendered short scrotum or castrated at weaning. (D. O‘Brien, S. Wildeus; Virginia State University).  This project revealed that ram lambs subjected to short-scrotum treatment were leaner than castrated males. 

Objective 3:  Evaluate genetic resources, nutrient requirements, and production systems for lamb, wool, and milk production.

• Effect of TMEM154 haplotypes “1” and “3” on ewe lentivirus infection and productivity through 5 years (Tom Murphy, Carol Chitko-McKown, Mike Heaton, and Brad Freking; USDA ARS-U.S. Meat Animal Research Center). This project demonstrated that variants within TMEM154 impact lifetime susceptibility to OPPV infection in naturally exposed ewes and quantified these impacts in terms of weight of lamb weaned and value under current market conditions. 

• The relationship between milk score near parturition and udder score near weaning and their effects on Polypay, Rambouillet, and Targhee ewe productivity (Tom Murphy, USDA ARS-U.S. Meat Animal Research Center and J. Bret Taylor, USDA-ARS U.S. Sheep Experiment Station). This study revealed that udder conformation and perceived milk production were related to lamb growth during the preweaning phase.  This studied concluded that these short-term impacts may not be related to future productivity due to udder damage in certain conformations. 

• Evaluation of Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix sheep under accelerated lambing using purebred and terminal sire mating: Lamb survival and body weight (Stephan Wildeus, Dahlia O’Brien, Virginia State University; Tom Murphy, USDA-ARS MARC). This study revealed that use of terminal sires on landrace hair sheep dams improved birth weight without negatively impacting lamb survival in a forage-based accelerated lambing system.

Objective 4:  Develop profitable and sustainable production systems that address grazing strategies for animal health and well-being and for ecosystem health, biological control of invasive plants and wildfire mitigation.  

• Evaluating the environmental footprint of the U.S. sheep industry (Erin Recktenwald, Kim Cassida, Jason Rowntree and Richard Ehrhardt, Michigan State University). This project has developed a model to assess greenhouse gas emissions from a diversity of sheep production systems in the USA.  

• Influence of season of lambing on gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection of lambs (J.M. Burke, E.L. Wood, USDA ARS-DBSFRC; J.E. Miller, Louisiana State University). This studied concluded that gastrointestinal nematode control was more manageable in fall compared to winter born lambs.

• Strategies for using BioWorma to control GIN in sheep pastures (J.M. Burke, M. Acharya, USDA ARS-DBSFRC; J.E. Miller, Louisiana State University). This study was not able to evaluate its experimental objective due to lack of quantifiable infection in study lambs and concluded that individual feeding of the study product would be needed for effective evaluation and will collaborate with URI in future experiments. 

• Efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis crystal protein 5B “IBaCC” against an experimental infection of Haemonchus contortus in lambs (Elizabeth Kass, Carli Garceau, Jeff Chicca, Florentina Rus, Kelly Flanagan, Gary Ostroff, Raffi Aroian, University of Massachusetts Medical School; Delaney Smith, Hanchen Li, Katherine Petersson, University of Rhode Island). Cry5B IBaCC reduced worm burdens compared to controls however further study is needed to optimize this promising treatment option for gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep. 

Publications

Rosales, C., R. Ehrhardt, A. Mantey, B. Makela, T. Byrem, A. Veiga-Lopez. 2020. Preconceptional diet manipulation can influence placenta endocrine function in sheep.  Domestic Animal Endocrinology 74: 1-13.

Posbergh, C.J. and Huson, H.J. (2021), All sheeps and sizes: a genetic investigation of mature body size across sheep breeds reveals a polygenic nature. Anim. Genet., 52: 99-107. https://doi.org/10.1111/age.13016

Salavati M, Caulton A, Clark R, Gazova I, Smith TPL. Worley KC, Cockett NE, Archablad AL, Clarke SM, Murdoch BM, Clark EL. on behalf of the Ovine FAANG Project Consortium. Global analysis of transcription start sites in the new ovine reference genome (Oar rambouillet v1.0). Frontiers in Genetics (2020).

Henslee D, Murdoch B, Yelich, Taylor BJ and Ellison M. Comparative genomics of sheep Tas2r repertoire in cattle, goat, human, dog and mice.  Animal Gene (2020) Oct 22.

Davenport KM, Hiemke C, McKay SD, Thorne JW, Lewis RM, Taylor T, Murdoch BM. Genetic structure and admixture from terminal breeds in the United States. Animal Genetics (2020) Jan 23.

Becker GM, Job RJ, Davenport KM, Burke JM, Lewis RM, Miller JE, Morgan JL, Notter DR, and Murdoch BM. Genome-wide association study to identify loci associated with gastrointestinal nematode resistance in Katahdin. Animal Genetics (2020) Jan 3.

Stewart, W. C., J. D. Scasta, J. B. Taylor, T. W. Murphy, and A. A. M. Julian. 2021. Invited review: Sheep mineral nutrition considerations for extensive production systems. App.                Anim. Sci. 37:256-272. doi:10.15232/aas.2021-02143

Knuth, R. M., W. C. Stewart, J. B. Taylor, B. Bisha, C. J. Yeoman, M. L. Van Emon, and T. W. Murphy. 2021. Relationships among intramammary health, udder and teat characteristics, and productivity of extensively managed ewes. J. Anim. Sci. (in press). doi:10.1093/jas/skab059

Stewart, W. C., D. M. Scott, S. B. Howell, R. M. Kaplan, B. L. Roeder, and T. W. Murphy. 2021. Anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes and associated management factors in Intermountain West sheep flocks. Sheep & Goat Res. J. (in press).

Stewart, W. C., T. W. Murphy, C. M. Page, D. C. Rule, J. B. Taylor. K. Austin, and C. Pankey. 2020. Effect of increasing dietary zinc sulfate fed to primiparous ewes: I Effects on serum metabolites, mineral transfer efficiency, and animal performance. Appl. Anim. Sci. 36:839-850. doi:10.15232/aas.2020-02057.

2020. McGregor, J. G. P. Bowman, C. M. Page, A. R. Hubbard, M. Manoukian, W. C. Stewart, and M. L. Van Emon. 2020. The effect of ensiling sugar beets on preservation characteristics, nutrient profile, and in situ disappearance. J. Agric. Studies. https://doi.org/10.5296/jas.v8i4.17165

2020. D. Scasta, T. Jorns, J. D. Derner, B. Stam, M. McClaren, Craig Calkins, W. C. Stewart. 2020. Technical Note: Toxic plants in sheep diets grazing extensive landscapes: Insights from Fecal DNA metabarcoding. Livestock Sci.

Acharya, M., Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., Wood, E.L., Muir, J.P., 2020.  Quebracho tannins aid in the control of Eimeria spp. in lambs and goat kids. Vet. Parasitol. 288, 1-8 (accepted October 23, 2020, published Dec 2020).

Chai, J., Alrashedi, S., Coffey, K., Burke, J., Feye, K., Ricke, S.C., Park, S.H., Edwards, J.L., Zhao, J., 2020. Endophyte-infected tall fescue affects rumen microbiome in grazing ewes at gestation and lactation. Front. Vet. Sci. 7, 1-13, Article 544707 (accepted 9/9/20, published 10/14/20).

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

Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E. 2020. Sustainable approaches to parasite control in ruminant livestock. Vet. Clin. Food Anim. 36, 89-107.

Acharya, M., Burke, J.M., Rorie, R., 2020. Semen extension in Katahdin rams. Adv. Reprod. Sci. 8, 14-30.

Becker, G.M., Davenport, K.M., Burke, J.M., Lewis, R.M., Miller, J.E., Morgan, J.L., Notter, D.L., Murdoch, B.M., 2020. Genome-wide association study to identify genetic loci associated with gastrointestinal nematode resistance in Katahdin sheep. Anim. Gen. 51, 330-335. doi: 10.1111/age.12895.

Freking, B. A. and T. W. Murphy. 2020. Comparison of performance of F1 Romanov crossbred ewes with wool and hair breeds during spring lambing under intensive and extensive production systems. J. Anim. Sci. doi:10.1093/jas/skaa397.

Li, H., X. Wu, R. G. Tait Jr., S. Bauck, D. L. Thomas, T. W. Murphy, and G. J. M. Rosa. 2020. Genome-wide association study of milk production traits in a crossbred dairy sheep population using three statistical models. Anim. Genet. 51:624-628. doi:10.1111/age.12956.

Murphy, T. W., and B. A. Freking. 2020. Comparison of performance of F1 Romanov crossbred ewes with wool and hair breeds during fall lambing and body weight and longevity            through 6 production years. J. Anim. Sci. doi:10.1093/jas/skaa400.

Murphy, T. W., J. W. Keele, and B. A. Freking. 2020. Genetic and non-genetic factors influencing ewe prolificacy and lamb body weight in a closed Romanov flock. J. Anim. Sci. doi:10.1093/jas/skaa283.

Lonngren, K., Barone, C., Zajac, A., Brown, R., Reed, J, Krueger, C., Petersson, K. (2020) Effect of birdsfoot trefoil cultivars on exsheathment of Haemonchus contortus in fistulated sheep. Veterinary Parasitology 287:109271

Sanders, J., Xie, Y., Gazzola, D., Li, H., Abraham, A., Flanagan, K., Rus, F., Miller, M., Huc, Y., Guynn, S., Draper, A., Vakalapudi, S., Petersson, K., Zarlenga, D., Li, R., Urban Jr., J., Ostroff, G., Zajac, A., Aroian, R. (2020). A New Paraprobiotic-based Treatment for Control of Haemonchus contortus in Sheep. International Journal of Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance 14:230-236.

Extension publications

Recktenwald, E.B and R. A. Ehrhardt.  2020. Methodology for evaluating the environmental footprint of four types of U.S. sheep operations.   Presented to the American Lamb Board.  November 2020.

Recktenwald, E.B and Ehrhardt, R.A. 2020.  Benefits and considerations in using terminal sires. Michigan Shepherd News

Ehrhardt, R.A. and B. Makela. 2020. “How to administer dewormer orally to sheep and goats.” Instructional video for MSU ANS 262 introductory sheep management and MSU Small ruminant extension parasite management program.

Ehrhardt, R.A. and B. Makela. 2020. “How to perform a quantitative fecal egg count.” Instructional video for MSU ANS 262 introductory sheep management and MSU Small ruminant extension parasite management program.

Ehrhardt, R.A. and B. Makela. 2020. “How to screen sheep and goats for parasite infection using the FAMACHA system.” Instructional video for MSU ANS 262 introductory sheep management and MSU Small ruminant extension parasite management program.

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

Ehrhardt, R.A.  “Application of ultrasound technology in the management of reproduction in small ruminants.” Webinar prepared for American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners Webinar Series.  June 16, 2021.

Ehrhardt, R.A. “Nutritional management of ewes in late pregnancy to prevent metabolic disease.”  Webinar prepared for Centre d’expertise en production ovine du Québec (CEPOQ).  April 29, 2021.

Ehrhardt, R.A. and Thorne, J “Winter Ewe Nutrition Podcast”.  American Sheep Industry Podcast series.  Feb. 16, 2021. 

Ehrhardt, R.A. “Managing coccidiosis.” Webinar prepared for the Ontario Master Shepherd course.  Jan. 21, 2021.

Ehrhardt, R.A.  “Ovine Progressive Pneumonia Eradication in 2020: What has worked and has it been worth it?  Michigan Shepherds Weekend. January 10, 2021.

Ehrhardt, R.A. and K. Cassida.   “Cover crop grazing with sheep in Michigan: Results of a 2-year study.  Part 1: Cover crop choices and management options.” Michigan Shepherds Weekend. January 10, 2021.

2021. Macaluso, K. Cassida and R. A. Ehrhardt, “Cover crop grazing with sheep production in Michigan. Part 2: Lamb performance and carcass quality on cover crop grazing systems.” Michigan Shepherds Weekend. January 10, 2021.

E.B. Recktenwald and R.A. Ehrhardt “Evaluating the environmental footprint of US lamb production: Why it matters and opportunities for improvement.” Michigan Shepherds Weekend. January 10, 2021.

Ehrhardt, R.A. “Grazing cover crops.”  Cover Crop Strategies Magazine Podcast.  December 2020.

Ehrhardt, R.A.  “Strategic nutritional management to optimize reproductive success in sheep.   Sheep and Goat Webinar Series from the University of Idaho and the University of Wyoming.  September 24, 2020.

Ehrhardt, R.A. “Grazing annuals as part of a crop/pasture rotation or as cover crops with sheep.”  Missouri sheep and goat conference.   Sept. 18, 2020.

Ehrhardt, R.A.  “Optimizing forage and grazing management for small ruminant health and productivity.  American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners (AASRP) Webinar series.  Sept. 9, 2020.

Recktenwald, E. and R. Ehrhardt “Evaluating the environmental footprint of the US sheep industry.”  Presentation to the American Lamb Board Summer Meeting.  July 20, 2020.

Ehrhardt, R.A.   “Lamb production: providing a year-round supply of lamb with accelerated lambing.”  University of Georgia Extension Small Ruminant Webinar, June 9, 2020.

Ehrhardt, R.A. “Strategies to manage forage quality limitation when feeding sheep and goats.” 2020 Purdue University and University of Kentucky sheep and goat education series. Jan 2020. https://ag.purdue.edu/ansc/sheep-site/Pages/SheepVidArchives.aspx   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD4Mzn_q-Iw