Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In the past year, near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) has been further evaluated for estimation of value-determining traits of animal fibers. Also, an evaluation of the SAMBA instrument for measurement of luster in Suri alpaca was successfully concluded. In addition, project personnel have collaborated in on-going projects: to compare wool and lamb production in Rambouillet and Australian Merino X Rambouillet ewes maintained on rangeland; to evaluate fine-wool rams (Texas, Wyoming, and North and South Dakota) and Angora billie goats (Texas and Alberta) in central performance tests; to identify and select for goats capable of consuming more juniper in their diet as a potential method of controlling this undesirable brush species on rangeland; to compare the productivity of Dorper and Rambouillet ewes maintained on rangeland; to determine the relative sustainability of production by meat goats (Spanish X Boer crosses), Angora goats, hair sheep (Dorper X Barbado crosses), and fine-wool Rambouillet sheep in a low-input grazing system; measurement of skin and wool quality attributes in lambs bred primarily for meat production; and to determine the effects of experimental lamb and kid rations containing juniper and distillers dried grains. Results of this research have been reported to other scientists at the annual regional WERA 039 meeting in Spearfish, South Dakota (June 2011), and to producers at 2 field days and the Annual Convention of the American Sheep Industry Association (Reno, Nevada, January 2011). Research results have also been communicated to other scientists via published scientific reports (see below) and to producers and the general public through popular articles written about the project by the project leader and others. Through this project, collaborations have continued with researchers at The University of Wyoming, Montana State University, Virginia State University and USDA, ARS at Dubois, ID. PARTICIPANTS: Christopher J. Lupton was the Principal Investigator on this project having designed the instrument experiments, written and applied for the grant, conducted the experiments, negotiated the collaborations, analyzed much of the data generated, wrote several of the reports, and made numerous presentations to academics, producers, and the general public. Faron A. Pfeiffer was the Senior Research Associate in the project and was responsible for supervising the technician, B. Sue Engdahl and 3 student workers who analyzed fleeces, fiber and fecal samples in the Wool and Mohair Research Lab. He also was partially responsible for the well being of many of the animals used in this project, and entered and summarized data for the project leader. Four undergraduate students received training in fiber testing and sheep and goat husbandry during the period of this project. Partner organizations were the University of Wyoming (R. H. Stobart), Montana State University (R. Kott), Virginia State University (S. Wildeus), Yocom-McColl Testing Laboratories (A. McColl), North Dakota State University (C. Schauer),and Texas A&M University (S. Ramsey). Collaborators at Texas AgriLife Research, San Angelo were my colleagues T. R. Whitney, D. F. Waldron. C. A. Taylor, Jr. and J. W. Walker TARGET AUDIENCES: Sheep, Angora, Cashmere and meat goat, and alpaca breeders and producers. New knowledge was delivered to them at field days, association meetings, and through popular articles. Other scientists conducting research with small ruminants. New knowledge was shared with them in refereed journal articles, abstracts, and presentations at national and regional meetings and symposia. The general public through articles in magazines and newspapers and news stories on the radio and TV. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
We have demonstrated conclusively that NIRS can provide a less expensive estimate of clean yield in raw animal fibers wool and mohair. Estimation of luster in mohair and Suri alpaca using the SAMBA instrument is only weakly correlated with subjective assessments. However, SAMBA measurements of luster and luminance can be accurately predicted using NIRS, i.e., the instrument data are in agreement. Demand for an objective measurement of luster by the Suri alpaca industry will likely result in this test being offered by the U.S. commercial animal fiber testing lab within the next year. The technological support that was provided to collaborators resulted in new knowledge that permitted breeders and producers to better identify their most productive animals (in the case of the central performance tests) some of which were made available to other producers at post-test sales. Individual animal performance was fully documented in test reports that were available to the public in hard copy and on line. In the meat goat and Angora goat selection experiment, another two sets of fleece data were generated for the Angora goats and 4 collections of fecal samples were analyzed to determine (using NIRS) juniper consumption in each goat that in turn was used to make this year's breeding assignments. This work was summarized in quarterly reports. In the rangeland breed comparisons, fiber data were provided to the principle investigator to establish the value of the fiber produced by Angora goats and Rambouillet sheep that contributed to the overall economic comparison. Thirty four skin and wool traits were measured on 353 lamb pelts and the data provided to USDA researchers at Dubois to assist them in their overall evaluation of crossbred lambs. Several feedlot nutrition studies were completed with lambs and kids and again the contribution of this project was to provide fiber data for the products grown during the experimental period.
Publications
- Lupton, C. J. and A. McColl. 2011. Measurement of luster in Suri alpaca fiber. Small Ruminant Res. 99:178-186.
- Whitney, T. R., C. J. Lupton, and S. B. Smith. 2011. Redberry juniper as a roughage source in lamb feedlot rations: wool and carcass characteristics, meat fatty acid profiles, and sensory panel traits. Meat Sci. 89:160-165.
- McColl, A. and C. J. Lupton. 2011. Measurement of luster in Suri alpaca fiber. Purelysuri Magazine:10-13.
- Walker, J. W., E. S. Campbell, C. A. Taylor, Jr., C. J. Lupton, and D. F. Waldron. 2011. Divergent selection of goats for high and low juniper consumption - year 9. WERA 039 Ann. Rep. Lead, SD:24-27.
- Waldron, D. F., and C. J. Lupton. 2011. Improvement of sheep through selection of performance-tested and progeny-tested breeding animals. Texas AgriLife Res. Cen. Tech. Rep. 2011-1. Waldron, D. F., and C. J. Lupton. 2011. Angora goat performance test report. Texas AgriLife Res. Cen. Tech. Rep. 2011-3.
- Pope, R., J. E. Huston, D. F. Waldron, C. J. Lupton, B. F. Craddock, R. Q. Landers, and F. Campbell. 2011. Texas Rambouillet Superior Genetics 1999-2010. A model for grass-roots improvement of a breed. Ranch and Rural Living. 92, 4:20-22.
- Pope, R., J. E. Huston, D. F. Waldron, C. J. Lupton, B. F. Craddock, R. Q. Landers, and F. Campbell 2010. Texas Rambouillet Superior Genetics Program. A model for grass-roots improvement of a breed, 1999-2010. Sheep Industry News, 15, 2:10-11.
- Lupton, C. J., F. A. Pfeiffer, W. S. Ramsey, M. Salisbury, D. F. Waldron, J. W. Walker, and T. D. Willingham. 2011. A comparison between Texas Rambouillet sheep and Merino F1 crosses - year 4. WERA 039 Ann. Rep. Lead, SD:41-43.
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