Progress 09/01/10 to 12/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Small-scale, limited resource farmers and producers are the primary target audience for the workshops and educational materials created for the project through the Cooperative Extension system (field staff trained, then farmers trained by field and state level staff). However, students and researchers have also benefited and will continue to benefit from the use of the demonstration sites. Changes/Problems: An additional hoop structure was provided for in funding, but cannot be established at the NC site due to unforeseen circumstances. In addition, the NC farm staff was not able to provide labor for much of the fencing, so grant funding was used to provide that service. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training and professional development has included providing opportunities for research and teaching at the sites to expand professional development of extension field staff and students. In addition, research at the sites was presented at professional meetings that included professional development events. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Extension based workshops, field days, trainings and seminars have allowed for the use of the sites and dissemination of the information developed (research and extension). In addition, research was presented at scientific presentations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Demonstration sites for sustainable pasture swine, goat and hair sheep production were developed/updated, including the addition or expansion of of rotational grazing sites for demonstration and research for goats, pigs and hair sheep. A silvopasture/timber cutover area was created for demonstration use at A&T, and alternative breeds were added to A&T stock. Several research projects were conducted (see publications list), including those related to alternative feedings/feeding, sustainable parasite control and use of alternative/heritage breeds among others. At least 10 graduate and undergraduate students benefitted directly from research or work programs at the sites. Scientific publications and presentations were developed through alternative funding but using the Sites. Demonstrations and trainings for producers and field staff involving all of the sites on multiple topics were provided, including pasture pork production, low-input lambing, small ruminant integrated parasite management, forages/rotational grazing and more. Well over 2000 people were hosted at the multiple sites combined over the project period, and if youth/chaperones involved in Discover Agriculture programming were included, that number would be even greater. Evaluations conducted at specific trainings and for course lectures indicated those responding increased their knowledge of sustainable production. More than 5 handouts were created and used and many others drafted. Specific accomplishments since the last report: At VSU, another workshop was conducted on liquid semen artificial insemination for small scale producers. Participation was limited to the first 15 registrants to allow for detailed hands-on training. Workshop participants were given an overview of assisted reproduction in small ruminants and the principles of estrus synchronization, semen collection, and simple vaginal artificial insemination, and then provided with an opportunity for various hands-on activities associated with artificial insemination using the VSU research flock.The workshop was well received and participants provided input towards for future educational events (100% indicated they found the information informative/useful). A similar workshop was held at the USDA-ARS Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center in Booneville, AR. VSU: A small ruminant management demonstration was conducted over a two-day period for 40 students enrolled the veterinary science program of a regional technical center on October 14 and 15, 2014. Students were presented with an overview of pasture-based small ruminant production and then provided with hands-on training in handling sheep (weighing, feeding, restraint, hoof trimming, vaccination, semen collection, etc.). VSU: A lab session was hosted for the Pasture and Forages Class (PLSC 352) at the rotational grazing unit that included a pasture walk and demonstrations of annual forages grown for sheep grazing. At A&T, a course lab session on sustainable pork production were conducted for the Swine Production Class at the Site (40+ students enrolled). The Introduction to Laboratory Animal and Animal Science class toured the Sites (100+ students enrolled) Overall, this project allowed for the expansion of extension, research and teaching efforts in sustainable livestock production at both North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University as well as Virginia State University. The capacity to continue this type of work has increased greatly and the opportunities to compete for external research and extension grant funded has expanded.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Goat Hoof Care and Foot Rot Prevention. Cooperative Extension Program handout.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Goat Vaccination Program, Cooperative Extension Program handout.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Wildeus, S. and Teutsch, C. D. (2014) Response to increasing levels of soy hull supplementation in hair sheep lambs grazing fescue pasture. J. Anim. Sci. E-Suppl 1:37.
https://www.asas.org/docs/default-source/southern-section/2014-southern-section-abstract-book.pdf?sfvrsn=0
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Oh, S.-H., N. C. Whitley, F. McElveen, and H.-S. Park. 2014. Growth Rate of Purebred Berkshire Pigs Housed in Hoop Buildings in North Carolina. J. Anim. Sci. 92 E Suppl.2:479.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Whitley, N.C., S.-H. Oh, K. Moulton, R.A. Franco, S.B. Routh, D. King, C. Kyle and J. Idassi. 2015. Influence of Moringa Oleifera on Fecal Egg Counts and Packed Cell Volume in Meat Goats. J. Anim. Sci. 93 E. Suppl.1:45.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Whitley, N. 2012. Pasture Pork - Breed Selection. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Cooperative Extension Program handout.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Whitley, N. 2012. Pasture Pork - Basics of Feeding. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Cooperative Extension Program handout.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Whitley, N. 2012. Pasture Pork - Parasite Control. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Cooperative Extension Program handout.
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Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Small-scale, limited resource farmers and producers are the primary target audience for the workshops and educational materials created for the project through the Cooperative Extension system (field staff trained, then farmers trained by field and state level staff). However, students and researchers have also benefited and will continue to benefit from the use of the demonstration sites. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Professional development for students, staff and producers was provided through use of the sites for extension, teaching and research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results are disseminated through research and extension presentations, farm tours and through reports to the administration. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? There are onlyfour months left on the project; researchers will continue with trainings, workshops and support of teaching and evaulation.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This year, at least two course laboratories were held at the A&T sites and will be held in the future beyond the granting period. Graduate students and several undergraduates have worked at the swine and small ruminant sites as well as the sheep site at VSU, including those paid with research funding. The sites were used in demonstrations/trainings and for teaching and research. Several farm tours were held at the A&T sites. Participants (over 300 farmers, field staff and students) of field days, trainings and workshops have indicated that they increased their knowledge. More thansix undergraduate and graduate students worked in sustainable production and relevant applied research on the sites updated/developed. The capacity of both universities to train agents, farmers and students has increased. Several publications (not previously reported) were obtained from applied, sustainable agriculture based research conducted at the demonstration sites. Collaborations among academic departments and extension personnel have increased. At VSU, a second pasture lambing workshop was conducted in the summer. Participation was again limited to 16 producers to allow hands-on training and give all participants the opportunity to process lambs at birthing. The workshop was scheduled at the time of peak seasonal lambing. The workshop was well received by participants and they were asked to give input towards future educational events. One hundred percent of participants responding to the survey, even experienced producers, agreed that they found the information useful and would attend future events. A lamb grazing trial was conducted using a rotational pasture system with novel, non-toxic endophyte pastures under summer grazing conditions. The experiment evaluated effects of soy hull supplementation, breed type and sex on growth rate and gastrointestinal parasite burden in pasture-raised lambs. Lambs were slaughtered at the end of the trial, carcass characteristics were determined.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Whitley, N.C., S.-H. Oh, K. Moulton, R.A. Franco, S. B. Routh, and C.A. Kyle. 2014. Effect of Tasco� on Fecal Egg Counts and Packed Cell Volume in Meat Goats. J. Anim. Sci. 92 E Suppl.2:929.
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Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Small-scale, limited resource farmers and producers are the primary target audience for the workshops and educational materials created for the project through the Cooperative Extension system (field staff trained, then farmers trained by field and state level staff). However, students and researchers have also benefited and will continue to benefit from the use of the demonstration sites. Changes/Problems: An additional hoop structure was provided for in funding, but cannot be established at the NC site due to unforeseen circumstances. In addition, the NC farm staff was not able to provide labor for much of the fencing, so funding was used to provide that service. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Students and field staff attended classes, workshops, field days and other professional development opportunities at the demonstration sites. The research funded through other sources but conducted at the sties allowed for graduate and undergraduate student training and professional development of the scientists, especially when presented at professional meetings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results have been disseminated through field days, farm tours, workshops,scientific presentations and courses taught. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Researchers plan to continue to work with advisory group/PIs to update sites, provide trainings and teach classes; and also conduct evaluations.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Plans made with the advisory team allowed for updates to the applied research individual paddock numbers (also used for demonstration of fencing and housing types and rotational management of outdoor plots and replication of a forage comparison plots) at the outdoor swine demonstration site. The site has been used for training of agents, farmers and students. A course laboratory was held at the unit and another is expected this year and in the future beyond the granting period. Graduate students and several undergraduates have worked at the swine and small ruminant sites, including those paid with research funding. Rotational grazing paddocks were added to the NCA&TSU for use in demonstrations/trainings and used during field days and for teaching. Agents, farmers and students have been trained at the site. Several farm tours have been held. The Virginia State University (VSU) sustainable sheep production demonstration site has conducted some applied research with student assistance on feeds/feeding and parasite management and alternative forage/rotational grazing work. The PIs and collaborators (university farm staff and co-authors on publications) worked on the project, planning the demonstration site updates, conducting applied research at the site, teaching course laboratories, writing and presenting research and project data, and developing and conducting field staff, student and farmer training, field days and other events at the sites. Students were involved in research, field days and trainings held at the site. In 2013, the following numbers applied to the farm units at A&T: 165 farmers/clients/agents toured and 141 students attended classes at the Small Ruminant Unit, 296 clients/farmers/agents toured and 419 students attended classes at the Swine Unit.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Whitley, N., W.E.M. Morrow, M.T. See and S. H. Oh. 2012. Comparison of growth performance of antibiotic-free Yorkshire crossbreds sired by Berkshire, Large Black, and Tamworth breeds raised in hoop structures. Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 25:1351-1356.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Wildeus, S. and C.D. Teutsch. 2012. Corn gluten feed supplementation effects on growth and intake in hair sheep lambs fed hay-based diets. J. Anim. Sci. 91 E-Suppl 1: 28.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Wildeus, S. (2012) Pregnancy rates in hair sheep ewes following vaginal insemination with fresh and short-term stored liquid semen. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 47 (Suppl. 4): 422.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Wildeus, S. (2012) Accelerated hair sheep lamb production systems in the tropics: Joining three times in two years. Tecnol. & Ci�n. Agropec. 6:55-63
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: An advisory team for the Small Ruminant Unit and Swine Unit site updates at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&TSU) was created including the PIs, researchers working at the sites, the University Farm Superintendent, and the Unit managers. A plan was created for the outdoor swine unit and signed by the advisory team. The updates that have been completed include updating the fencing at the wood lots for applied research and demonstration of rotational management and the expansion of wood lot numbers for more replications in potential applied research. Plans for further updates include expanding applied research individual paddock numbers (also used for demonstration of fencing and housing types and rotational management of outdoor plots and replication of a forage comparison plot. The site has been used for training of agents, farmers and students. A course laboratory was held at the Unit and another is expected this year and in the future beyond the granting period. A graduate student (Capacity funded) and several undergraduates have worked at the site, including those paid with research funding. For sustainable small ruminant production demonstration, a silvopasture site was established in collaboration with Dr. Joshua Idassi, Natural Resources Specialist at NCA&TSU. He has used the site for agent and agricultural professional training from multiple 1890 Universities. A wooded pasture lot was created for use with demonstration of browsing with goats; rotational grazing paddocks were added to the NCA&TSU for use in demonstrations/trainings, applied research and teaching. Agents, farmers and students have been trained at the site. Several farm tours have been held, including a farm tour of 80+ farmers and Extension staff from Alabama and Tennessee. A graduate student was hired to assist with small ruminant and outdoor swine work. The Virginia State University (VSU) sustainable sheep production demonstration site has conducted some applied research with student assistance on forages, alternative (cheaper) feeds for farmers and parasite management and is planning an alternative forage/rotational grazing work at the farm. A Hair Sheep Field Day was held for farmers and agents. Six students were trained in low-input hair sheep production, including pasture lambing at VSU. PARTICIPANTS: The PIs (Whitley, Wildeus, Noble, Oh and Burke) and collaborators (University farm staff and co-authors on publications) worked on the project, planning the demonstration site updates, conducting applied research at the site, teaching course laboratories, writing and presenting research and project data, and developing and conducting field staff, student and farmer training, Field Days and other events at the sites. Students were involved in research, field days and trainings held at the site. Dr. Maria Browning from Tennessee State University brought over 80 farmers from Alabama and Tennessee to the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Farm demonstration sites (specifically interested in small ruminants) for a tour. Overall, 300+ individuals have participated at events at the sites. TARGET AUDIENCES: Small-scale, limited resource farmers and producers are the primary target audience for the workshops and educational materials created for the project through the Cooperative Extension systesm (field staff trained, then farmers trained by field and state level staff). However, students and researchers have also benefited and will continue to benefits from the use of the demonstration sites. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: An additional hoop structure was provided for in funding, but cannot be established at the NC site due to unforeseen circumstances. In addition, the NC farm staff was not able to provide labor for much of the fencing, so funding was used to provide that service.
Impacts
Participants (over 300 farmers, field staff and students) of Field Days, trainings and workshops have indicated that they increased their knowledge of sustainable production. More than 10 undergraduate and one graduate student have worked in sustainable production and relevant applied research on the sites updated/developed. The graduate student working with the project helped develop some educational training materials for extension use and helped with farmer training to get experience for her future goal of working in Cooperative Extension. The capacity of both Universities to train agents, farmers and students has increased. At least one journal article and seven abstract publications (not previously reported) were obtained from applied, sustainable agriculture based research conducted at the demonstration sites. Collaborations among academic departments and extension personnel have increased. Further evaluation of impacts, including surveys, have been designed and will be implemented in the next year.
Publications
- Whitley, N., D. Hanson, W.E.M. Morrow, M.T. See and S.H. Oh. 2012. Comparison of pork quality and sensory characteristics for Yorkshire crossbred pigs raised in hoop houses without antibiotics. Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 25:1634-1640.
- Wildeus, S. and E.J. Chozu. 2011. Performance of two breeds of lactating hair sheep ewes fed rumen by-pass fat following winter lambing. J. Anim. Sci. E Suppl. 1:33.
- Oh, S.-H., D. Bautista, D. Hanson, N. Whitley, M. Morrow, and M. T. See. 2012. Comparison of pork quality characteristics among Hereford, Tamworth and Large Black crossbred pigs raised in a hoop barn during the finishing phase. J. Anim. Sci. 90 E-Suppl. 3:8.
- Whitley, N.C., K. Moulton, R.A. Franco, A.E. Cooper and T.J. Conrad-Acuna. 2012. Comparison of out-of-season estrus synchronization protocols for naturally bred Boer goats. J. Anim. Sci. 90 E-Suppl. 1:281.
- D. S. Kommuru, T. H. Terrill, N. C. Whitley, J.E. Miller, and J. M. Burke. 2012. Effect of feeding sericea lespedeza pellets on Haemonchus contortus in goats. J. Anim. Sci. 90 E-Suppl. 1:440.
- Abdalla, H. Ismail, S. Ibrahim, N. Whitley, and M. Worku. 2012. Evaluation of the impact of dietary sericea lespedeza on rumen microflora and innate immunity in goats. J. Anim. Sci. 90 E-Suppl 1: 384-385.
- Szabo, S.D., S. Wildeus, and C.D. Teutsch. 2012. Growth, intake and feed efficiency in hair sheep lambs fed a hay-based diet with increasing levels of soyhull inclusion. J. Anim. Sci. 90 E-Suppl 1:4.
- Wildeus, S. and S.S. Zeng. 2012. Effect of season and by-pass fat supplementation on milk composition of hair sheep ewes lambing in spring and fall. J. Anim. Sci. 90 E-Suppl 1:30.
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The North Carolina A&T State University Swine Unit outdoor facilities have begun to be updated; pastures at the Small Ruminant Unit have been divided for demonstration of rotational grazing; a Silvopasture demonstrate site for Small Ruminants has also been added to the University farm to demonstration the use of integrated production methods. At least two students have worked at the Units (one in each facility) and a graduate student as been identified to possibly work at one of the the sustainable agriculture sites. At least two farm tours have been conducted with information provided on sustainable/outdoor swine production and goat production (including integrated parasite management), including a tour of 80+ minority farmers from Alabama and Tennesse interested in goat production. Research projects are being conducted at both sites and are being expanded at the outdoor swine production site. Plans are being made at the Virginia State Site; someone was hired to assist with project work and research has been conducted there. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Small-scale, limited resource farmers and producers are the primary target audience for the workshops and educational materials for the project through the Cooperative Extension system (field staff and then farmer training). However, students and researchers also benefit from use of the demonstration sites. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: An additional Hoop structure was provided for in funding, but cannot be established at the site due to unforseen circumstances. Alternative outdoor swine housing and facilities are being discussed.
Impacts
So far, particpants at farms tours have indicated that they have increased their knowledge of sustainable production. Students have increased their knowledge of alternative outdoor swine production and goat production.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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