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

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 492-493
Author(s):  
Yoko Tsukahara ◽  
Terry A Gipson ◽  
Steven P Hart ◽  
Lionel J Dawson ◽  
Zaisen Wang ◽  
...  

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.

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 493-493
Author(s):  
Arthur L Goetsch ◽  
Yoko Tsukahara ◽  
Terry A Gipson ◽  
Steven P Hart ◽  
Lionel J Dawson ◽  
...  

Abstract Progress from selecting meat goats and hair sheep from different farms in the southcentral United States for resistance to internal parasitism during three consecutive central performance tests was evaluated. Tests entailed 7–10 wk of data collection after artificial infection of growing males with Haemonchus contortus larvae. There were 44, 50, and 50 Boer, Kiko, and Spanish goats and 54, 55, 34, and 47 Dorper, Katahdin-farm-A, Katahdin-farm-B, and St. Croix sheep, respectively. In year 1, males were randomly selected and in years 2 and 3 were progeny of sires and females classified as highly and moderately resistant. Criteria for males was average daily gain and residual feed intake during the performance test and means of fecal egg count (FEC) and packed cell volume after artificial infection and for females was FEC and FAMACHA on-farm. There were interactions in FEC of breed×year (P < 0.001) for both species (1,046; 1,134; and 2,630 for Boer; 3,781; 1,239; and 1,216 for Kiko; 1,303; 1,357; and 1,464 for Spanish; 3,288; 1,956; and 1,315 for Dorper; 1,528; 1,759; and 2,241 for Katahdin-A, 2,414; 3,874; and 1,793 for Katahdin-B; and 1,371; 1,160; and 1,175 eggs/g for St. Croix in years 1, 2, and 3, respectively) and year×resistance group (RG; P = 0.005) for goats (1,359; 610, and 552 for high; 1,951; 1,268; and 1,440 for moderate; 2,821; 1,852; and 3,118 eggs/g for low RG in years 1, 2, and 3, respectively) but not for sheep (P = 0.639). In conclusion, resistance appeared greatest for Spanish and St. Croix within species and was increased by selection of Kiko and Dorper. For highly resistant goats, lower FEC in year 2 and 3 vs. 1, compared with no year differences for moderate and low RG, indicates selection progress, and the lack of similar differences for sheep may reflect their relatively greater resistance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 491-492
Author(s):  
Yoko Tsukahara ◽  
Terry A Gipson ◽  
Steven P Hart ◽  
Lionel J Dawson ◽  
Zaisen Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Genetic and phenotypic correlations for growth and response to parasite infection traits were estimated for growing male meat goats and hair sheep from different farms in the southcentral United States during three consecutive central performance tests (CPT). Data were collected for 7–10 wk after artificial infection with Haemonchus contortus, which included average daily gain (ADG), fecal egg count (FEC), packed cell volume (PCV), and immunoglobin (Ig) levels. Animals evaluated were selected randomly in year 1 and in years 2 and 3 progeny of CPT sires classified as highly or moderately resistant and included 46, 50, and 51 Boer, Kiko, and Spanish goats and 59, 61, 34, and 46 Dorper, Katahdin-farm A, Katahdin-farm B, and St. Croix sheep, respectively. Females were classified accordingly on-farm based on FEC and FAMACHA. Pedigree records included 4 and 10 full-sibs and 97 and 149 half-sibs for goats and sheep, respectively. Variance components and correlations were estimated by AIREML using WOMBAT with a multivariate animal model. The additive genetic correlation between FEC and PCV was negative for goats (r=-041, P < 0.001) but positive for sheep (r=0.21, P = 0.004), whereas the phenotypic correlation between FEC and PCV was nonsignificant for goats but negative for sheep (r=-0.252, P < 0.001). The genetic correlation between FEC and IgA was positive (r=0.39, P < 0.001) for goats but nonsignificant (P = 0.439) for sheep, whereas those of FEC with IgM and IgG were both negative (r=-0.369 and -0.732 with IgM and r=-0.284 and -0.702 for goats and sheep, respectively; P < 0.001). Genetic and phenotypic correlations between ADG and FEC were nonsignificant for both species. In conclusion, different relationships of FEC and PCV between species require careful attention during selection and the lack of relationship between ADG and FEC suggests that selection of growing male meat goats and hair sheep for resistance to internal parasitism will not adversely affect growth performance.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1902
Author(s):  
Yoko Tsukahara ◽  
Terry A. Gipson ◽  
Steven P. Hart ◽  
Lionel Dawson ◽  
Zaisen Wang ◽  
...  

Internal parasitism has been the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in small ruminants in many areas such as the southcentral USA. Among the different approaches and management practices to cope with internal parasitism, genetic selection for internal parasite resistance is recognized as one with considerable potential long-term impact. A central performance test with artificial infection of Haemonchus contortus for selection of growing meat goats and hair sheep for breeding to increase resistance to internal parasitism and on-farm selection of females was conducted for 3 years. The results varied considerably among breeds of goats and flocks of sheep. Spanish goats and St. Croix sheep maintained relatively low fecal egg count (FEC) each year, whereas for goats categorized as being of high resistance and Dorper sheep FEC decreased with advancing year. Packed call volume (PCV) and total serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels were not strongly related to FEC. Genetic parameters varied between the two species, which might be related to previous selection pressure exerted for parasite resistance. Heritability of FEC was higher in goats than sheep. The genetic correlation between FEC and IgM and IgG was negative for both species, which suggests possible genetic association. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between ADG and FEC were nonsignificant for both species. In conclusion, different relationships of FEC and PCV between species require careful attention during selection and the lack of relationship between ADG and FEC suggests that selection of growing male meat goats and hair sheep for resistance to internal parasitism will not adversely affect growth performance.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. D. M. Dugas ◽  
K. W. McMillin

ObjectivesFeed is a large input cost to a goat operation (Gillespiex et al., 2013) so the optimal time to supplement pasture grazing impacts the economic return on the feed investment. The objective of this study was to compare growth, carcass traits, and goat meat properties of weaned kid goats on pasture with access to sunn hemp followed by concentrate feed 50 d prior to slaughter or supplementation with concentrates and switching to sunn hemp 50 d prior to slaughter.Materials and MethodsSavanna (n = 23) and Savanna-Kiko (n = 14) kid meat goats from the Louisiana State University meat goat herd were ranked by weight within each breed into groups of the four heaviest goats, next four heaviest goats and continuing until all goats were assigned into four groups. The two treatments were sunn hemp and native pasture or native pasture supplemented with 16% crude protein feed daily at 3% of the average group body weight with two replications of each treatment. After 50 d, the animals were switched to the opposite treatment. Goats were weighed weekly and linear dimensions were measured prior to overnight fasting and humane slaughter at Day 100 at an average live weight of 27.2 kg. Temperature and pH of the M. Semimembranosus were measured after hide removal and 1 h, 3 h and 24 h after stunning. Carcasses were chilled overnight at 2°C before determination of carcass characteristics, the M. Longissimus dorsi area and body wall thickness at the 13th thoracic vertebrae, and L*, a*, and b* color of the M. Rectus abdominis flank muscle and M. Longissimus dorsi. Right sides were fabricated into USDA IMPS food service style cuts with an additional transverse cut between the fourth and fifth ribs. Consistent with previous experiments, M. Semimembranosus muscles were vacuum packaged and held at 4°C for 7 d before grilling on a conveyor oven to an internal temperature of 75°C. Cook yield was determined as cooked weight divided by raw weight. Three 1.27-cm cores were removed parallel to the muscle grain for Warner-Bratzler shear force. Data were analyzed with effects of treatment, breed, replication, and interactions by R-studio aov function with separation of least squares means and significance set at P < 0.05.ResultsSavannah goats were heavier than Savannah-Kiko goats through the 100-d trial and finished on concentrate compared with those finished on sunn hemp, but average daily gain was not different (P > 0.05) with feed or breed. The only difference among the carcass traits were dressing percentages of 50.81% with the concentrate and 48.13% with sunn hemp (P < 0.05). Boneless lean yield and shear force were not different (P > 0.05) with treatment or breed.ConclusionThe minor differences in results did not clearly distinguish between the supplementation methods to improve growth, carcass traits, or meat characteristics of the two types of kid meat goats.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 454-455
Author(s):  
Terry A Gipson ◽  
Steven P Hart ◽  
Ryszard Puchala ◽  
Zaisen Wang ◽  
Jessica Quijada ◽  
...  

Abstract Resistance to internal parasites (IP) is important in the sustainability of a meat goat enterprise. Langston University (LU) and the American Kiko Goat Association conducted a SecondGeneration Buck Performance Test in 2019. The performance test measured fecal egg count (FEC) and packed-cell volume (PCV) in a natural challenge of 6 wk on pasture (PAS) and in an artificial challenge in dry-lot confinement (CON). Seventy-seven Kiko bucks less than 1 yr of age completed both PAS and CON. The PAS was conducted on a 23-ha pasture with native grasses and forbs. Bucks were supplemented at 0.5% BW (25.8±0.18 kg) daily to facilitate visual inspection of animals. CON was conducted at LU’s testing facility. Bucks were sampled every 2 wk in PAS. In CON, bucks were sampled on d 29, 34, and 38 following an artificial challenge with each buck receiving 7,000 L3 Haemonchus contortus larvae. Average FEC and PCV for each buck for PAS and CON were analyzed. The correlation between FEC-PAS and PCV-PAS was -0.283 (P &lt; 0.05), which is almost identical to the correlation between FEC-CON and PCV-CON (r=-0.280, P &lt; 0.05). The Spearman rank correlation between FEC-PAS and FEC-CON was 0.069 (P &gt; 0.50). However, the Spearman rank correlation between PCV-PAS and PCV-CON was 0.376 (P &lt; 0.01). Using mixed model methods, the means for FEC-CON and FEC-PAS were similar (1,428 vs 1,698±169 epg for CON and PAS, respectively). However, PCV were different (P &lt; 0.01), with 28.3 vs. 20.7±0.34 for CON and PAS, respectively. Pasture PCV was a predictor of PCV in confinement and vice versa; however, that was not true for FEC, indicating that FEC in PAS and in CON may be two separate traits. Future buck performance tests should incorporate pasture and confinement phases to more precisely identify superior bucks for IP resistance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 459-460
Author(s):  
Frank W Abrahamsen ◽  
Nar Gurung ◽  
Woubit Abdela ◽  
Gopal Reddy ◽  
Kim Mullenix

Abstract Hempseed meal (HSM) is a byproduct of hemp oil production and is high in crude protein, fiber, and fat, making it a potential feedstuff for ruminants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of HSM supplementation on growth performance, rumen fermentation and blood chemistry profile of growing meat goats. Forty castrated, Boer cross goats were randomly assigned to one of the four treatments (n = 10): control, 10%, 20%, and 30% HSM supplementation. Data collected over a period of a 60-day feeding trial were analyzed utilizing the mixed model analysis function of SYSTAT, version 13. The result revealed total live weight gain decreased with the increasing levels of HSM supplementation 10.75, 9.53, 8.48, and 7.80 kg, for 0, 10, 20, and 30%, respectively. Average daily gain followed the same trend 0.179, 0.159, 0.141, and 0.13 kg, with a significant difference (P &lt; 0.05) observed between the control and 30 % supplementation. Conversely, feed to gain ratio increased with the increasing levels of supplementation 9.0, 10.2, 11.9, 12.2, likewise a significant difference was observed (P &lt; 0.05) between the control and 30% supplementation. Acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, iso-valeric, and iso-butyric acid concentrations as well as the total VFA concentration decreased significantly (P &lt; 0.05) with the increasing level of supplementation. Acetic to propionic acid ratios increased with increasing level of supplementation 3.43, 4.36, 4.52, and 4.59, significant differences (P &lt; 0.05) were observed between control-20% and 30% HSM group. Serum glucose concentration decreased with an increasing rate of HSM supplementation while BUN concentration increased with no significant differences. These findings provide new insights into the feeding value of HSM for meat goats; however, further research needs to be conducted to determine the optimal level of supplementation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 489-490
Author(s):  
Farida Belkasmi ◽  
Raquel V Lourencon ◽  
Ryszard Puchala ◽  
Terry A Gipson ◽  
Luana Ribeiro ◽  
...  

Abstract Female hair sheep, 27 Dorper (DOR), 41 Katahdin (KAT), and 39 St. Croix (STC), were used to determine influences of nutritional planes before and after breeding on performance. There were 35 multiparous and 72 primiparous sheep, the latter 2.8±0.20 yr of age. Wheat straw [4% crude protein; dry matter (DM) basis] was consumed ad libitum and supplemented with approximately 0.25% initial body weight (BW) of soybean meal (SBM; Low) or a 1:3 mixture of SBM and rolled corn at 1% BW (High; DM). The supplementation period was 162 d, and with breeding of animals in 2 groups sequentially the pre-breeding period was 84 and 97 d and that after breeding began was 78 and 65 d. Wheat straw DM intake (1.75, 1.30, 1.57, 1.15, 1.80, and 1.38% BW; SEM=0.112), average daily gain (-46, 42, -44, 70, -47, and 51 g; SEM=7.3), and change in body condition score (-0.61, 0.36, -0.53, 0.27, -0.39, and -0.18 for DOR-Low, DOR-High, KAT-Low, KAT-High, STC-Low, and STC-High, respectively; SEM=0.058) were influenced (P &lt; 0.05) by supplement treatment. Birth rate (66.7, 93.5, 84.6, 95.5, 82.8, and 100.0; SEM=9.83) and individual lamb birth weight (4.50, 4.61, 4.28, 3.98, 3.73, and 3.88 kg; SEM=0.201) were not affected by supplement treatment (P = 0.063 and 0.787, respectively), although litter size (0.92, 1.21, 1.17, 1.86, 1.12, and 1.82; SEM=0.221) and total litter birth weight (5.84, 5.74, 5.92, 7.52, 5.04, and 6.78 kg for DOR-Low, DOR-High, KAT-Low, KAT-High, STC-Low, and STC-High, respectively; SEM=0.529) were greater (P &lt; 0.05) for High than for Low. In conclusion, although there was some compensation in wheat straw intake for the different levels of supplementation, SBM given alone rather than with cereal grain adversely affected body weight and condition and reproductive performance, the latter primarily through litter size but also via a trend for an effect on birth rate.


2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 55-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Bahelka ◽  
P. Fľak ◽  
Anna Lukácová

The effect of own performance traits of meat breed boars on fattening and carcass parameters of progeny in two different test stations (Bucany and Nitra) was evaluated. Own performance traits of boars were average daily gain (ADG) from birth to 100 kg live weight, backfat thickness (BF) and lean meat content (LMC) in field conditions. Progeny of boars was housed in pairs (gilt and barrow) and fed standardized feed mixture semi ad libitum. Progeny test lasted from 30 to 100 kg live weight. There were evaluated following parameters: ADG and feed consumption/kg gain (FC) at test from 30 to 100 kg live weight, slaughter weight (SW), proportion of meaty cuts (PMC) proportion of ham (PHAM), eye muscle area (EMA), and BF. At Bucany and Nitra was found the effect of genotype of boars on progeny BF and/or FC respectively. Better tested boars from own performance test individually as well as a group achieved in progeny better fattening and carcass traits than worse tested boars at Bucany (+33 g ADG, -0.21 cm BF, +2.34 % PMC). Progeny performance from better evaluated boars at Nitra did not exceed the progeny performance from worse tested boars. There was found significant effect of dams on progeny performance.


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