362 Summary of North Carolina Small Ruminant Producer Performance Record Collection Questionnaire

Abstract Growing interest and demand for small ruminant production in the Southeastern United States has garnered the need for improved productivity and greater Extension education programs. To better understand North Carolina small ruminant producer performance record collection, a needs assessment questionnaire was conducted. An online questionnaire was sent to sheep and goat producers via Extension email lists and state producer organizations. Producers were given nine weeks to respond to the survey and provided three email reminders. All responses were anonymous. The survey reached approximately 1200 producers. Of those, 131 agreed to the consent form, indicated they owned sheep and/or goats, and completed subsequent questions. A portion of respondents did not answer all questions. Of the 76 goat producers, 75.0% had 25 or less mature breeding females. Of the 75 sheep producers, 58.7% had 25 or less mature breeding females. Twenty producers had both sheep and goats. The portion of producers recording birth (62.6%) and rear (42.7%) type data on their entire flock was numerically greater than those recording birth (29.0%) and weaning (16.8%) weights on their entire flock. In terms of FAMACHA scores, 19.8% record data on their entire flock compared to 41.2% that record some data and 22.1% with no records. 45.8% of producers indicated no fecal egg count (FEC) records with 27.5% recording some FEC data. In terms of genetic selection tools, 41.2% of producers had not heard of estimated breeding values (EBVs) compared to 39.7% that indicated a basic understanding and 3.8% that use EBVs. This aligns with the 44.3% of producers that have not heard of the National Sheep Improvement Program and 38.2% that have a basic understanding. These data indicate the need for greater collection of performance records and participation in genetic evaluation programs among small ruminant producers in North Carolina.

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203 Investing in parasite resistance in sheep

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz053.171 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 75-76

Author(s):

Joan M Burke ◽

James E Miller

Keyword(s):

Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽

Parasite Resistance ◽

Sheep Flock ◽

Sale Price ◽

Improvement Program ◽

Breeding Values ◽

Fecal Egg Count ◽

Ram Lambs ◽

Estimated Breeding Values

Abstract Genetic parasite resistance in sheep has become an important technology in the control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) due to widespread anthelmintic resistant GIN. The USDA-ARS sheep flock in Booneville, AR, has been selecting for parasite resistance since 2012 through the use of estimated breeding values (EBVs) generated through the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP). Objective is to show value of resistance. Recently, replacement ewes (n = 69) and rams (n = 29) from the flock were offered for sale and a sale catalog with EBVs for growth, reproduction, and parasite resistance, and recent BW was available. There were 73 purchased by 13 buyers from 7 states. Of the ram lambs that sold, post-weaning fecal egg count (FEC) EBVs ranged from -29 to -100, but of the 17 ram lambs offered, only rams with values of -97 or better sold (-100 is the highest FEC EBV and values can reach > +500; the top 10% for breed are P < 0.001). For mature ewes sold, FEC EBVs ranged from 18 to -87 with higher prices offered to ewes with better FEC EBVs (P < 0.002). For all sheep, higher prices may have been offered for animals raised as multiples rather than singles (P = 0.05). Seedstock producers wishing to improve parasite resistance can benefit by using NSIP to increase resistance and sale price. The higher parasite resistance used by commercial producers will reduce the need for deworming lambs.

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The Success of Tree Breeding in the Southern US

BioResources ◽

10.15376/biores.10.1.1-2 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 1-2 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Steve McKeand

Keyword(s):

North Carolina ◽

Pinus Taeda ◽

Loblolly Pine ◽

Tree Breeding ◽

Tree Improvement ◽

State University ◽

Improvement Program ◽

North Carolina State University ◽

The North ◽

Southern Us

Nowhere in the world have tree improvement and silviculture had a bigger impact on forest productivity and value to landowners than in the southern US. The economic impact from almost 60 years of tree improvement in the southern United States has been staggering. For example, over 300,000 hectares are planted each year with seedlings from the breeding efforts with loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) by members and staff of the North Carolina State University Cooperative Tree Improvement Program. The present value of continued genetic gains from traditional tree improvement efforts is estimated to be $2.5 billion USD to landowners and citizens in the southern US.

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PSXIV-19 Heritability for growth and resistance to gastrointestinal parasitism in meat goats and hair sheep

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.867 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 492-493

Author(s):

Yoko Tsukahara ◽

Terry A Gipson ◽

Steven P Hart ◽

Lionel J Dawson ◽

Zaisen Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Performance Test ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Genetic Selection ◽

Residual Variance ◽

Hair Sheep ◽

Fecal Egg Count ◽

Meat Goats ◽

Meat Goat ◽

Variance Estimates ◽

Moderately Resistant

Abstract Genetic selection for resistance to internal parasitism is of great research interest. Heritabilities were determined for average daily gain (ADG), logarithmic transformed fecal egg count (FEC), packed cell volume (PCV), and serum immunoglobin (Ig) levels of growing male meat goats and hair sheep from different farms in the southcentral USA during three consecutive central performance tests (CPT). Tests entailed 7–10 wk of data collection after artificial infection with Haemonchus contortus. In year 1, animals evaluated were selected randomly and in years 2 and 3 progeny of CPT sires classified as highly or moderately resistant, which included 46, 50, and 51 Boer, Kiko, and Spanish and 59, 61, 34, and 46 Dorper, Katahdin-farm A, Katahdin-farm B, and St. Croix, respectively. Females were classified accordingly on-farm based on FEC and FAMACHA. Pedigree records consisted of 32 and 57 known sires, 95 and 152 known dams including 4 and 10 full-sibs and 97 and 149 half-sibs for goats and sheep, respectively. Variance components and heritabilities were estimated by AIREML using WOMBAT with a multivariate animal model. Heritability estimates were 0.48 ± 0.214 and 0.85 ± 0.157 of ADG, 0.31 ± 0.237 and 0.20 ± 0.172 of FEC, 0.60 ± 0.206 and 0.24 ± 0.185 of PCV, 0.26 ± 0.172 and 0.51 ± 0.167 of IgA, 0.335 and 0.543 of IgM, and 0.14 ± 0.192 and 0.31 ± 0.190 of IgG for goats and sheep, respectively. Reasons for relatively high heritabilities for all traits include the low residual variance estimates due primarily to a standardized environment in the performance test. In conclusion, moderate to high heritabilities were found for growth performance and response to parasite infection for growing meat goat and hair sheep males under a standardized environment that suggests considerable for genetic improvement through selection.

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PSXIV-22 Selection for low fecal egg count estimated breeding value correlates with greater circulating antibody in sheep

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.870 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 494-494

Author(s):

Desirae Smith ◽

Kelsey Bentley ◽

Scott A Bowdridge

Keyword(s):

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Breeding Value ◽

Fecal Egg Count ◽

Group A ◽

Selection For ◽

Estimated Breeding Values ◽

Polypay Sheep ◽

Group B ◽

Circulating Antibody ◽

Total Immunoglobulin

Abstract Sheep selected for resistance to gastro-intestinal parasites have been shown to have greater survivability to weaning. Data from Katahdin sheep indicates that selection based on post-weaning fecal egg count estimated breeding values (PWFEC EBV) may further improve generalized immunity. However, no data exists to confirm this increased circulating antibody occurs in breeds genetically unrelated to Katahdins. In the fall of 2020 post-weaning blood and fecal samples were collected from Shropshire sheep (n = 42) and Polypay sheep (n = 91). The blood samples were analyzed for total immunoglobulin-G (IgG) using ELISA. Shropshire sheep were sorted into low (PWFEC EBV < 0) and high (PWFEC EBV > 0) groups based on fecal egg count (FEC), which were analyzed via a modified McMaster’s method. Polypay sheep were sorted into three groups by PWEC EBV; A (< -50) B (>-50 < +50) and C (>+50). In Shropshire group, individuals with low FEC had greater average IgG concentration (87.9 µg/mL) than those with high FEC (62.4 µg/mL) (P > 0.05). In the Polypay group, sheep in PWFEC EBV group A had numerically higher IgG concentration (86.2 µg/mL) than sheep in group B (71.2 µg/mL) and group C (53.1 µg/mL) (P > 0.05). While data in either breed were not significant, the trend observed across breeds indicate that sheep with a lower PWFEC EBV have numerically greater circulating antibody.

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Indices of cellular development in muscles of lambs are influenced by sire estimated breeding values and pastoral nutritional system

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/ar05205 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 57 (6) ◽

pp. 651 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

P. L. Greenwood ◽

G. E. Gardner ◽

R. S. Hegarty

Keyword(s):

Muscle Growth ◽

Genetic Selection ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Semitendinosus Muscle ◽

Eye Muscle ◽

Weaning Weight ◽

Breeding Values ◽

Sire Group ◽

Selection For ◽

Estimated Breeding Values

This study examined influences of sire (n = 9) estimated breeding values (EBVs), sire-group (Muscle, Growth, and Control), and nutrition (low and high quality and availability pasture) from birth to slaughter at ~8 months of age on indices of muscle cellularity and transcriptional and translational capacity in 56 castrate lambs. Effects of nutritional systems to 8 months of age were greater, overall, than those due to EBVs or sire-group. Amount of DNA increased with increasing EBV for post-weaning eye muscle depth (PEMD or Muscle EBV) in longissimus but not in semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles, while Muscle EBV also had an inverse association with concentration of DNA. Protein to DNA and RNA to DNA were related positively to Muscle EBV, the associations being strongest for the semitendinosus muscle. Post-weaning weight (PWWT or Growth) EBV correlated positively with the RNA to DNA ratio and, among high but not low nutrition lambs, was inversely related to concentration of muscle DNA, whereas post-weaning fat depth (PFAT or Fat) EBV was correlated positively with RNA concentration. Overall, the magnitude of effects of sire-group was less than for sire EBVs, presumably due to differing selection pressures for muscling, fatness, and growth. High nutrition lambs had more protein to DNA than low nutrition lambs in the longissimus and semitendinosus muscles, but not in the semimembranosus muscle. In low compared with high nutrition lambs, concentration of DNA was greater in the longissimus and semitendinosus muscles. Total amount of DNA was reduced by more in low compared with high nutrition in the longissimus and semimembranosus than in the semitendinosus, and amount of protein was reduced by more in low compared with high nutrition in the longissimus than in the other two muscles. We conclude that genetic selection for eye muscle depth in sheep has differing effects on cellular characteristics of the longissimus, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus muscles, and has greater effects on muscle cellular characteristics than genetic selection for post-weaning weight or fat depth.

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Sheep of divergent genetic merit for wool growth do not differ in digesta kinetics while on restricted intakes

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an14319 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 54 (9) ◽

pp. 1243 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

I. De Barbieri ◽

R. S. Hegarty ◽

V. H. Oddy ◽

M. C. Barnett ◽

L. Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Compartmental Model ◽

Genetic Selection ◽

Amino Nitrogen ◽

Feeding Level ◽

Wool Growth ◽

Selection For ◽

Fleece Weight ◽

Estimated Breeding Values ◽

Growth Differences ◽

Weight Groups

Sheep selected for high wool growth were previously shown to exhibit higher microbial protein outflow from the rumen and higher uptake of amino nitrogen in portal blood than those selected for low wool growth. This suggests that genetic selection for wool growth may induce changes in foregut physiology. This study was undertaken to determine whether differences in digesta kinetics, especially mean retention mime (MRT), are associated with differences in fleece production between sheep with low or high estimated breeding values (EBVs) for fleece weight. Twenty mature Merino wethers with uniform EBVs for liveweight were allocated to two groups of 10 animals on the basis of high or low EBVs for yearling fleece weight. Five sheep with low-EBVs and five sheep with high-EBVs for fleece weight groups were allocated in a crossover design to low and high feeding-level treatments, which comprised a blended hay diet fed at maintenance or 1.5 times maintenance. All sheep were given single doses of chromium-mordanted fibre and cobalt-EDTA as inert, non-digestible markers. Digesta kinetics was determined by analysis of the faecal marker excretion patterns using a compartmental model. Higher feed intakes from animals fed 1.5 times maintenance were associated with higher rates of wool growth and higher masses of indigestible fibre in the gut, but reduced MRT of digesta. Although sheep with higher EBVs for fleece weight had higher wool growth rates, there was no indication that these wool growth differences were associated with differences in digesta kinetics. The lack of interaction between feeding level and genotype suggests that MRT did not contribute to genotype differences in wool growth in sheep fed restricted intakes. The differences in wool growth among commercial Merino sheep with divergent fleece weight EBVs achieved by multi-trait selection are not attributable to differences in digesta kinetics, at least when feed is not available ad libitum.

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Body Condition Score for Monitoring the Performance and Health of Small Ruminants in Field Conditions

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab096.007 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 5-6

Author(s):

Uma Karki ◽

Anand Tiwari ◽

Kendra Norwood ◽

Ja’Nia Johnson ◽

Lila B Karki

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Small Ruminant ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Live Weight ◽

Field Conditions ◽

Performance Variables ◽

Fecal Egg Count ◽

Meat Goats ◽

Condition Score

Abstract Frequent inspection and provision for necessary care are of prime importance for sustainable production and improving the wellbeing of small ruminants. Most small-ruminant farmers are small-scale, with limited resources, and do not have facilities needed for routine evaluation and intensive care of animals. The identification of a predictive variable of animal health and wellbeing would be useful for small ruminant management in field conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the relation of body condition score to other health parameters in meat goats and hair sheep. Performance data (live weight, body condition score (BCS – 1–5: 1- very thin, 5 - obese), and FAMACHA (a 5-color chart used to monitor anemic condition in small ruminants caused by barber pole worm; score - 1–5: 1–2- not anemic, 5 - extremely anemic) of meat goats (Kiko) and hair sheep (Katahdin and Katahdin-St. Croix cross) were collected from different grazing studies conducted from 2015 to 2020 (15) and similar data plus hoof condition (1–3: 1-good, no trimming required; 2 – trimming required; 3 – trimming and additional care required) collected from farmers’ field (6; animals in a herd/flock ranged from 15 to 65) in 2020 were used in this study. Data from each study and for each animal species were analyzed separately for correlation among the performance variables in SAS 9.4, with alpha value set at 0.05. Except for few data sets, correlations between BCS and FAMACHA were negative and significant (P < 0.05) with correlation coefficient (r) ranging from -0.18 to -0.64. BCS was positively correlated with live weight (P < 0.05, r = 0.15–0.76) in most of the studies. In one study, which also included fecal egg count for the quantification of gastrointestinal parasites along with other animal performance variables, BCS was negatively correlated with the total fecal egg count (P < 0.0001, r=-0.38). BCS showed negative correlation with hoof score in goats (P < 0.001, r=-0.33). Results show that BCS can be used as a predictor for small-ruminant health, especially in field conditions where other evaluation methods are not available.

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105 Integrated approach for controlling diseases and parasites in small ruminants: extension education and adoption

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.180 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 87-88

Author(s):

Uma Karki ◽

Lila Karki ◽

Nar Gurung

Keyword(s):

Small Ruminant ◽

Animal Health ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

State Level ◽

Limited Resource ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Extension Education ◽

Educational Materials ◽

Extension Educators ◽

Low Performance

Abstract Small-ruminant production is important farm enterprise in Alabama and other states of the Southeast, especially for small and limited-resource farmers. Poor health of animals caused by various diseases and parasites, resulting in a low performance is a major problem faced by most farmers. There are various strategies that can be adopted to minimize the prevalence of diseases and parasites and improve animal health. However, the majority of farmers are lacking the needed knowledge to adopt such strategies. The objective of this program was to educate farmers and extension educators on the integrated approach for controlling diseases and parasites in small ruminants. The program was initiated in 2010 and has been continued with training sessions (n = 7) conducted at the state level. County-level based programming (n = 22) has also been delivered in the form of hands-on training sessions and field days. Moreover, educational materials in the form of workshop proceedings (n = 1) and handouts, flyers, and fact sheets (n = 11) were developed and disseminated to the target audience and public through different outlets (county extension offices, training sessions, field days, farm visits, emails, blog, social media, web pages). Because of this program, numerous small-ruminant farmers and extension professionals are being trained every year (n = 40–51/yr.), and many more have access to educational materials (n = 1,100–1,700/yr.). Short-term impact evaluation of the program shows that knowledge and skills of the trainees have increased significantly (21–62%; P < 0.05). Trainees rated the presented topics useful (94%), they were very likely to implement what they learned (96%), and mentioned that such implementation would improve their farm situation (88%). Several trained farmers were found adopting the integrated approach and educators training their clientele on using the integrated approach to minimize health problems in small ruminants.

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