Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences included regional sheep producers, especially those participating in the Wyoming Ram Tests. These producers received information about residual feed intake (RFI), our trait of interest, in their test results, including RFI rankings. Conversations were also held with the Wyoming Wool Growers to discuss including the RFI measurement in the economic index currently used. Relative weights for the index have been determined, andthe RFI measurement is expected to be included in the revised economic index. One producer also provided lambs for the animal trials for this project. Finally, the development of the Sheep Production Community of Practice (CoP) was a success, reaching producers, consumers, and stakeholders. Features such as "Ask-an-Expert" allowed team members to interact with sheep producers and consumers. Coursework in an Animal Breeding and Genetics course was supplemented with introduction of sheep selection tools and the use of a sheep selection simulation program in the class. Finally, fellow sheep research scientists have been reached through the dissemination of knowledge gained from this project. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has been the basis for graduate student training, including three PhD students and two MS students. PhD Students: The rumen microbial part of this project has been the disseration project for one PhD student under the direction of PI Cammack. This student also received bioinformatics and statistical analysis training via co-PIs Conant and Lamberson at the University of Missouri, as well as RNA sequencing training via collaborator LeLuo Guan. The rumen microbial sequencing data has also been used as a major part of another disseration project by a PhD student under the direction of co-PIs Conant and Lamberson. That data was used to develop several analysis pipelines, and was used in several cross-species comparisons at the University of Missouri. Finally, another PhD student at the University of Wyoming, under the direction of PI Cammack, used a portion of the rumen microbial data (i.e. the antibiotic rumen microbial data set) for bioinformatics training purposes.MS Students: One MS student under the direction of PI Cammackused the antibiotic rumen microbial data set produced from this research forher thesis project. She also followed this up with additional genetic marker tests. Another MS student used the RFI data for economic simulations and analyses to determine the effects of RFI selection on profitability and stocking rates. This student was advised byco-PI Ritten. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The development of the Sheep Community of Practice through eXtension led to the transfer of much-needed sheep information to the greater community. In addition, several presentations (both oral and poster) have been made by the PIs and their graduate students at several scientific meetings, including the American Society of Animal Science annual meeting, the Plant and Animal Genomes international conference, and the Northeastern Agricultural & Resource Economic Association/Canadian Agricultural Economics Society joint annual meeting. In total, 13 abstracts and conference proceedings resulting from this project have been published, along with numerous station and departmental reports. Two manuscripts arecurrently under review, with another two manuscripts in preparation. Finally, this research has been the main focus for one disseration and two theses at the University of Wyoming, and has been an integral part of another dissertation at the University of Missouri. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1. A Sheep Production Community of Practice (CoP) was developed and is a working part of the eXtension network. It has 60+ members, and includes 7 leaders from key universities as well as the American Sheep Industry Association. Through this project, we worked closely with sheep producers, particularly in the Western region, to advance knowledge regarding feed efficiency traits in sheep. In particular, we worked with producers participating in annual Ram Tests (University of Wyoming) and provided them with data on their own animals regarding feed efficiency traits, and provided information on the traits (in particular Residual Feed Intake) when requested forinterpretations and use in selection decisions. We also partnered with a few key sheep producers to get feedback on their use and interpretation of feed efficiency traits. Finally, we worked with the Wyoming Wool Growers to include Residual Feed Intake in the economic index generated from Ram Test data. Diffierent indexes were developed and compared to determine thebestindex for producer use. Objective 2. The economic analyses were completed. These analyses were the major thesis project for one MS student under the direction of co-PI Ritten (Wyoming). The student analyzed the impact of RFI selection on producer profitability potential and stocking ratios. The student has yet to defend her thesis. In addition to that economic analysis, the PhD student assigned to the animal portion of this research also conducted basic analyses topredict the economic impact of selecting for RFI.Her findings were publishedin herdissertation. Objective 3. Both of the intake trials were successfully completed. The first trial was used to develop rumen microbial 'profiles' associated with high and low RFI in lambs. This was accomplished by DNA sequencing rumen fluid samples from the 10% highest ranking and the 10% lowest ranking lambs for RFI. The second feed intake trial was used to determine the predictive ability of these microbial profiles for RFI. The DNA sequencing was completed for microbial determination, and predictive ability analyses were completed by the PhD student assigned to this project. The results were published in the student's dissertation, which was successfully completed and defended in April of 2016. One manuscript is currently in review, with second manuscript in preparation. Objective 4. RNA sequencing was completed to complement the DNA sequencing part of this project. The PhD student assigned to this project worked collaboratively with a colleague (LeLuo Guan) to complete the RNA sequencing.Functional analysis has also been completedin conjunction with collaborators. A manuscript is being prepared. The project has been completed, and all data analyzed. The final step is to complete the publishing of study results. We expect a minimum of four peer-reviewed publications from this project. Two manuscripts arecurrently under review, with another two expected to be submitted for peer-review this spring.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Ellison, M.J., G. Conant, W.R. Lamberson, T. Taxis, E.A. Van Kirk, D.C. Rule, H.C. Cunningham, K.J. Austin, and K.M. Cammack. 2016. The effect of residual feed intake on rumen microbial profiles in growing ewe lambs. Plant & Animal Genomes XXIV Conference. P0608.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Ellison, M.J., K.J. Austin, and K.M. Cammack. 2016. Rumen microbial profiles associated with feed efficiency in lambs. University of Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station Field Day Report.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Ellison, M.J. 2016. Microbial ecology associated with improved feed efficiency in sheep. Dissertation. University of Wyoming.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Ellison, M.M., G. Conant, W.R. Lamberson, R.R. Cockrum, K.J. Austin, D.C. Rule, and K.M. Cammack. 2017. The effects of diet and feed efficiency status on rumen microbial profiles in sheep. Small Rum. Res. Submitted.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Ellison, M.M., G. Conant, W.R. Lamberson, R.R. Cockrum, K.J. Austin, D.C. Rule, and K.M. Cammack. 2017. Predicting ewe lamb feed efficiency status using rumen microbial profiles. Small Rum. Res. In preparation.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Taxis, T.M., S.M. Wolff, G.C. Conant, K.M. Cammack, and W.R. Lamberson. 2017. Effects of host diet, species, and domestication status on microbiome. PLOS ONE. In review.
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Progress 01/01/15 to 12/31/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences included regional sheep producers, especially those participating in the Wyoming Ram Tests. Also, one producer provided lambs for the animal trials. We continue to includeresidual feed intake (RFI; a measure of feed efficiency) in the Ram Test results and assist producers with any needed interpretations of the data. Efforts are being made to includeRFI in a new Wyoming Ram Test economic index. The development of the Sheep Production Community of Practice (CoP) through eXtension has been a success, reaching producers, consumers, and stakeholders. Features such as Ask-an-Expert have allowed team leaders to interact with sheep producers and consumers. Coursework continues to includesheep production curricula, including use of sheep selection tools and a simulation program in one Senior-level Animal Breeding course at the University of Wyoming. Changes/Problems:As previously reported, one change has been made to Objective 4. We originally proposed to compare microbial profiles in conjunction with a colleague at AgResearch of New Zealand. The colleague we identified to work directly with to achieve this objective was retiring, so we then initiated a new collaboration with colleagues in Australia with similar interests to complete this objective. Unfortunately, a staffing turnover also prevented us from moving forward with thisobjective. We established a new collaboration with a colleague at the University of Alberta, and completed RNA sequencing to complement our DNA sequencing results. This will adda new dimension to our project through functional analysis. This will enable us to complete Objective 4 by better understanding functional changes within the rumen which can lead to improvements in both feed efficiency and methane production. We are also comparing sheep rumen microbial profiles from the current project to other ruminant microbial profiles, including bison, which may also provide some novel information regarding the rumen microbiota and roles in feed efficiency and methane production. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has been the basis for graduate student training, including two PhD students and one MS student. The rumen microbial part of this project has been the dissertation project for one PhD student under the direction of PI Cammack; this student has also received bioinformatics training via co-PIs Conant and Lamberson at the University of MIssouri. The rumen microbial sequence data has also been used as a major part of another PhD student under the direction of co-PIs Lamberson and Conant. That data has been used to develop several analysis pipelines, and has been used in several cross-species comparisons at the University of Missouri. Finally, much of the RFI data has been used by one MS student under the direction of co-PI Ritten. This data was used for several economic simulations/analyses to determine effects of RFI selection on profitability and stocking rates. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The development of the Sheep CoP through eXtension has allowed the transfer of much-needed sheep information to the greater community. In addition, several presentations (both oral and poster) have been made by the PIs and their students at several scientific meetings, including the American Society of Animal Science annual meeting, the Plant and Animal Genomes conference, and theNortheastern Agricultural & Resource Economic Association/Canadian Agricultural Economics Society Joint Annual Meeting. Finally, the RFI work has been discussed at various producer meetings, both formally and informally. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1. This objective is completed. Efforts will be made to maintain and further develop the Sheep CoP. Objective 2. One MS student under the direction of co-PI Ritten has completedthe economic simulations and analyses, and is expected to defend her thesis in the Fall of 2015. We anticipate one economic publication as a result of this work to be published in an appropriate peer-reviewed journal. Objective 3. This objective is nearing completion, with the final analyses underway. It is anticipated that the PhD student associated with this objective will complete her dissertation in early 2016. We anticipate three peer-reviewed publications from this work. Another PhD student at the University of Missouri has also made use of the sequencing data and is expected to defend her dissertation in the summer of 2015. Objective 4. Changes in personnel prevented us from working with our colleague in Australia as originally planned. This objective is aimed at better understanding the relationship between improved feed efficiency and lower methane emissions in ruminants. We established a new collaboration with a colleague at the University of Alberta who helped us to expand our research to include functional analysis of our samples using RNA sequencing. The resulting data has been paired with the DNA sequencing data, to determine microbial abundance and functional differences associated with variation in feed efficiency. We will particularly look at methanogens, which will enable us to accomplish Objective 4 - an improved understanding of the possible link between feed efficiency and methane production. We are also comparing rumen microbial profiles from sheep in this project to profiles from other ruminants, such as bison. These comparisons may also provide new information regarding efficiency and methane production.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1. A Sheep Production Community of Practice (CoP) was developed and is a working part of the eXtension network. It has 60+ members, and includes 7 leaders from key universities as well as the American Sheep Industry Association. We continue to work with sheep producers, particularly in the Western region, to advance knowledge regarding feed efficiency traits in sheep. In particular, we work with producers participating in annual Ram Tests (University of Wyoming) and provide them with data on their own animals regarding feed efficiency traits, and educate them on the traits (in particular Residual Feed Intake) interpretations and importance in selection decisions. We have also partneredwith a few key sheep producers to get feedback on their use and interpretation of feed efficiency traits. Objective 2. The economic analyses are complete. These analyses are the major thesis project for one MS student under the direction of co-PI Ritten (Wyoming). The student has been analyzing the impact of RFI selection on producer profitability potential and stocking ratios. The student is expected to be defending her thesis Fall of 2015. Objective 3. Both of the intake trials have been completed. The first trial was used to develop rumen microbial 'profiles' associated with high and low RFI in lambs. This was accomplished by DNA sequencing rumen fluid samples from the 10% highest ranking and the 10% lowest ranking lambs for RFI. The second feed intake trial is being usedto determine the predictive ability of these microbial profiles for RFI; the sequencing results from that trial have been analyzed. This is the major dissertation project for one PhD student under the direction of PI Cammack; this student is scheduled to defend her dissertation in February of 2016. Objective 4. We are currently comparing microbial profiles of the sheep in this project to other ruminant species, including bison, which may provide novel insights in the the rumen microbiome and methanogens in particular. The PhD student completed RNA sequencing on a number of the sheep rumen samples with a collaborator in Alberta for functional analysis. This data is currently being analyzed and may also provide new insights regarding the balance between improved feed efficiency and lower methane production.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Ellison, M.J., G. Conant, W.R. Lamberson, T.M. Taxis, H.C. Cunningham, K.J. Austin, and K.M. Cammack. 2015. The effect of residual feed intake status on rumen microbial profiles in ewe lambs. Proc. Western Sec. ASAS
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Harlan, M., J. Ritten, B. Rashford, and K. Cammack. 2015. Valuation of residual feed intake as a selection tool for northeastern Wyoming range sheep producers. Northeastern Agricultural & Resource Economic Association/Canadian Agricultural Economics Society Joint Annual Meeting.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Cunningham, H.C., L.E. Speiser, C. Clarskson, M.J. Ellison, K.J. Austin, G. Conant, W.R. Lamberson, and K.M. Cammack. 2015. Rumen microbial populations associated with feed efficiency in lambs fed an antibiotic supplemented forage diet. Plant & Animal Genomes XXII Conference. P0378.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Ellison, M. J., G. Conant, W. R. Lamberson, R. R. Cockrum, K. J. Austin, and K. M. Cammack. 2015. Rumen microbial differences associated with diet and feed efficiency status in sheep. Plant & Animal Genomes XXII Conference. P0380.
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Progress 01/01/14 to 12/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Target audiences included regional sheep producers, especially those participating in the Wyoming Ram Tests. Also, one producer provided lambs for the current studies. Efforts included inclusion of residual feed intake (RFI; a measure of feed efficiency) in the Ram Test results and outreach to producers at regional meetings (e.g., Wyoming Livestock Growers). Future efforts in the short-term include inclusion of RFI in the Wyoming Ram Test economic index and dissemination of economic analysis showing opportunities for RFI in flock development. The development of the Sheep Production Community of Practice (CoP) through eXtension has been a success, reaching producers, consumers, and stakeholders. Features such as Ask-an-Expert have allowed team leaders to interact with sheep producers and consumers. Coursework has been enhanced to include more sheep production curricula, including use of sheep selection tools/simulations in one senior-level Animal Breeding course. Changes/Problems: In regards to Objective 3, we had one feed intake trial that needed to be repeated. There was an error in the feed formulation; specifially, an antibiotic had been included in the pellets (unknown at the time) which would have altered the rumen microbial profile. In light of this, we repeated the initial feed intake trial, and are on track to complete this objective in spring/summer of 2015. As such, we anticipate dissimination of results for this objective to be on track for summer/fall of 2015. While there was an error in feed formulation, this led to an unexpected opportunity to investigate the effects of antibiotic-treated feed on the rumen microbiome. Antibiotic treated feeds are commonly used in sheep feedlot/grower diets; as such, this work is needed to determine effects on the rumen microbial communities and subsequent feed efficiency. We used this feed intake trial (and subsequent rumen microbial DNA sequence data) as a thesis project for one MS student at the University of Wyoming. The student completed her thesis in the summer in 2014, and a publication is currently in preparation (anticipated submission in February, 2015). Also, as previously reported, one change has been made to Objective 4. We originally proposed to compare microbial profiles in conjunction with a colleague at AgResearch of New Zealand. While we still collaborate with AgResearch, the colleague we identified to work directly with to achieve this objective is retiring shortly (this was unexpected at the time of the original grant proposal). We have since initiated a new collaboration with colleagues in Australia with similar interests to complete this objective. Therefore, we will still conduct these analyses (i.e. comparison of rumen microbial profiles across feed efficiency and methane production phenotypes), but with colleagues at the Department of Environmental and Primary Industries in Melbourne, Australia. Colleagues there have already obtained the necessary low-methane producing microbial profiles needed to compare with our feed efficiency data to accomplish this objective. However, staffing turnover in that laboratory has led to a delay in the comparison study. We anticipate completing this objective in spring/summer of 2015. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? This project has been the basis for graduate student training, including two PhD students and one MS student. The rumen microbial part of this project has been the dissertation project for one PhD student under the direction of PI Cammack; this student has also received bioinformatics training via co-PIs Conant and Lamberson at the University of MIssouri. The rumen microbial sequence data has also been used as a major part of another PhD student under the direction of co-PIs Lamberson and Conant. That data has been used to develop several analysis pipelines, and has been used in several cross-species comparisons at the University of Missouri. Finally, much of the RFI data has been used by one MS student under the direction of co-PI Ritten. This data was used for several economic simulations/analyses to determine effects of RFI selection on profitability and stocking rates. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The development of the Sheep CoP through eXtension has allowed the transfer of much-needed sheep information to the greater community. In addition, several presentations (both oral and poster) have been made by the PIs and their students at several scientific meetings, including the American Society of Animal Science and the Plant and Animal Genomes Conferences. Finally, the RFI work has been discussed at several producer meetings, both formally and informally. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Objective 1. This objective is completed. Efforts will be made to maintain and further develop the Sheep CoP. Objective 2. One MS student under the direction of co-PI Ritten will complete the economic simulations and analyses, and is expected to complete her thesis in the spring of 2015. We anticipate one economic publication as a result of this work to be published in an appropriate peer-reviewed journal. Objective 3. This objective is nearing completion, with the final DNA sequencing analyses expected to be completed in the spring of 2015. It is anticipated that the PhD student associated with this objective will complete her dissertation in the fall of 2015. We anticipate three peer-reviewed publications from this work. Another PhD student at the University of Missouri has also made use of the sequencing data and is expected to defend her dissertation in the summer of 2015. Objective 4. We anticipate working with our international colleague to complete this objective in the spring of 2015.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1. A Sheep Production Community of Practice (CoP) was developed and is now part of the eXtension network. It currently has 60+ members, and includes 7 leaders from key universities as well as the American Sheep Industry Association. We continue to work with sheep producers, particularly in the Western region, to advance knowledge regarding feed efficiency traits in sheep. In particular, we work with producers participating in annual Ram Tests (University of Wyoming) and provide them with data on their own animals regarding feed efficiency traits, and educate them on the traits (in particular Residual Feed Intake) interpretations and importance in selection decisions. In addition, we are partnering with a few key sheep producers to get feedback on their use and interpretation of feed efficiency traits, in particular one who is supplying lambs for the research trials as part of this project. Objective 2. The economic analyses are nearing completion. These analyses are the major thesis project for one MS student under the direction of co-PI Ritten (Wyoming). The student is analyzing the impact of RFI selection on producer profitability potential and stocking ratios. Thesis completion is expected in early spring of 2015. Objective 3. Two feed intake trials have been completed. The first trial was used to develop rumen microbial 'profiles' associated with high and low RFI in lambs. This was accomplished by DNA sequencing rumen fluid samples from the 10% highest ranking and the 10% lowest ranking lambs for RFI. The second feed intake trial will allow us to determine the predictive ability of these microbial profiles for RFI. Currently, samples from lambs across the RFI distribution are being prepared for DNA sequencing, expected to be completed in the spring of 2015. This is the major dissertation project for one PhD student under the direction of PI Cammack. Objective 4. We are currently working with a colleague in Australia to compare microbial profiles of feed efficient sheep (generated from our data) to low methane emitting cattle (colleague's data). An unexpected turnover in staffing with the colleague has delayed our efforts, but we anticipate moving forward with this comparison in the spring of 2015. In the meantime, we are working with another colleague in Alberta to look at expression profiles of the rumen microbial samples collected from feed efficiency tested ewe lambs.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Cammack, K.M., M.J. Ellison, G. Conant, W.R. Lamberson, and K.J. Austin. 2014. Rumen microbial species and by-products associated with feed efficiency in sheep. 10th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. Proceedings.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Taxis, T.M., M.J. Ellison, K.M. Cammack, G.C. Conant, and W.R. Lamberson. 2014. Variations of the microbiome among sheep breeds on two different diets. Symp. Gut Health. Accepted.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Ellison, M.J., G. Conant, W.R. Lamberson, R.R. Cockrum, K.J. Austin, and K.M. Cammack. 2014. Rumen microbial species associated with feed efficiency in sheep fed a forage-based diet. ASAS Natl. Meeting.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Conant, G., M.J. Ellison, R.R. Cockrum, K.J. Austin, H. Truong, M. Becchi, W.R. Lamberson, K.M. Cammack. 2014. Combining bioinformatics and statistical modeling to understand the ecology of the rumen microbial ecosystem in sheep. Plant & Animal Genomes XXII Conference. W158. Invited Symposium Speaker.
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Progress 01/01/13 to 12/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Targeted audiences included sheep producers, scientists, researchers, and students. The Sheep Production Community of Practice has been developed through eXtension. Through this, sheep production information has been disseminated to producers and researchers, as well as students. Features such as Ask-an-Expert have allowed team leaders to interact with sheep producers and consumers. Coursework has been enhanced to include more sheep production curricula, including introduction of sheep selection tools/simulations in one senior-level Animal Breeding course. Changes/Problems: One change has been made to Objective 4. We originally proposed to compare microbial profiles in conjunction with a colleague at AgResearch of New Zealand. While we still collaborate with AgResearch, the colleague we identified to work directly with to achieve this objective is retiring shortly (this was unexpected at the time of the original grant proposal). We have since initiated a new collaboration with colleagues in Australia with similar interests to complete this objective. Therefore, we will still conduct these analyses (i.e. comparison of rumen microbial profiles across feed efficiency and methane production phenotypes), but with colleagues at the Department of Environmental and Primary Industries in Melbourne, Australia. Colleagues therehave already obtained the necessary low-methane producing microbial profiles needed to compare with our feed efficiencydata to accomplish this objective. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? This project has been the basis for graduate student training. In particular, one PhD student has trained extensively with co-PIs Conant and Lamberson at the University of Missouri to gain bioinformatics and statistics experience. In addition, one other MS student has worked extensively with this project, as well as two undergraduate students. Additional training will be provided to the PhD student, who will travel internationally to train with bioinformatics colleagues, and importantly accomplish Objective 4. Finally, the PI has been able to develop greater ties to the sheep industry, and served as the Sheep/Goat/Cattle species president for NRSP-8 in 2013. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results to-date are limited, as the research portion of this project is currently underway. However, the development of the Sheep Production CoP has greatly enhanced information dissemination to producers, consumers, stakeholders, etc. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Objective 1. Co-PI Surber will continue to add-to and enhance the Sheep Production CoP. Interaction with producers will be continued to promote feed efficiency trait selection, in particular through the annual Ram Tests. Objective 2. One MS student under the direction of Co-PI Ritten will focus of the economic impacts of feed efficiency selection on the sheep industry for her thesis project. Objective 3. One feed intake trial is currently underway, and a final feed intake trial is scheduled for August of 2014. Rumen microbial "profiles" indicative of feed efficiency status will be developed and tested. This is serving as the dissertation project for one PhD student under the direction of PI Cammack and co-PIs Conant and Lamberson. Objective 4. The PhD student for this project will travel internationally to accomplish this objective. She will work with colleagues to effectively compare rumen microbial profile characteristics of highly feed efficient animals with low-methane producing animals.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1. A Sheep Production Community of Practice (CoP) was developed and is now part of the eXtension network. We continue to work with sheep producers, particularly in the Western region, to advance knowledge regarding feed efficiency traits in sheep. In particular, we work with producers participating in annual Ram Tests (University of Wyoming)and provide them with data on their own animals regarding feed efficiency traits, and educated them on the traits (in particular Residual Feed Intake) interpretations and importance in selection decisions. In addition, we are partnering with a few key sheep producers to get feedback on their use and interpretation of feed efficiency traits, in particular one who is supplying lambs for the research trials as part of this project. Objective 2. One economic study has been completed to-date as part of one MS thesis project. That project will be extended in the following year; it will be the major focus of another MS thesis project (directed by co-PI Ritten). Objective 3. We have completed one feed intake trial to-date. The DNA sequencing on rumen microbial samples collected from lambs divergent for feed efficiency has been recently completed, and subsequent analysis of microbial species is ongoing. We are currently undertaking a second feed intake trial, which is sceduled to be completed within the next month. DNA sequencing of rumen microbial samples will be conducted this spring/summer. Results from these two feed intake trials will be combined (to improve accuracy for prediction), and rumen microbial "profile" will be developed as a predictor of feed efficiency status.A final feed intake trial will be conducted this summer in a naive group of lambsto test the accuracy of the rumen microbial profiles developed in prediction of actual feed efficiency (as assessed by the feed intake trial). Objective 4. Nothing to report to-date. This objective is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2014.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Cockrum, R.R., K.J. Austin, N.K. Pickering, R.M. Anderson, D.L. Hyndman, M.J. Bixley, K.G. Dodds, S.L. Lake, R.H. Stobart, J.C. McEwan, and K.M. Cammack. 2013. Applying genetic selection technology to the sheep industry. Invited Speaker.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Speiser, L.E., K.J. Austin, R.R. Cockrum, and K.M. Cammack. 2014. Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with feed efficiency in sheep. Plant & Animal Genome Conference. In-press.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Ellison, M.J., G. Conant, W.R. Lamberson, R.R. Cockrum, K.J. Austin, and K.M. Cammack. 2014. Effect of feed efficiency status on rumen microbial profiles in sheep fed a concentrate-based diet. Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution Conference. Submitted.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Ellison, M.J., G. Conant, W.R. Lamberson, R.R. Cockrum, K.J. Austin, and K.M. Cammack. 2014. Rumen microbial species associated with feed efficiency in sheep fed a forage-based diet. American Society for Animal Science Annual Meeting. Submitted.
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Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The objectives of this project are to: 1) develop a Sheep Production and Management Community of Practice for eXtension; 2) determine the economic implications of improving feed efficiency in sheep through changes in profitability, stocking ratios, and marketing opportunities; 3) determine the potential uses of rumen microbial profiles as a selection criterion for improving feed efficiency, and 4) determine the relationship between feed efficiency and methane production in sheep. This project is in its beginning stages. To date, numerous lay and news publications have been released announcing the commencement of this project. Sheep producers, especially those participating in Ram Tests, are being made aware of the development of the new Sheep Production and Management Community of Practice for eXtension and are being asked for input. PARTICIPANTS: PIs include animal scientists: Kristi Cammack (University of Wyoming; Assistant Professor); Daniel Rule (University of Wyoming; Professor); Scott Lake (University of Wyoming; Assistant Professor); Steve Paisley (University of Wyoming; Associate Professor); Kathleen Austin (University of Wyoming Research Scientist); Robert Stobart (University of Wyoming; Associate Professor); William Lamberson (University of Missouri; Professor); Gavin Conant (University of Missouri; Assistant Professor); Rodney Kott (Montana State University; Professor); Lisa Surber (Montana State University; Research Scientist); and Reid Redden (North Dakota State University; Assistant Professor). Agricultural economist John Ritten (University of Wyoming; Assistant Professor) is also a PI. Extension collaborators are currently being identified to participate in the development of the Community of Practice. Two graduate students are currently involved in the research part of this project at the University of Wyoming, working both with animal scientists and agricultural economists. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our primary target audience is sheep producers. The goal of this project is to provide sheep producers with the knowledge and tools necessary to improve efficiency, and ultimately profitability, of their operations. Other target audiences include educators, students, and the research and extension communities. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The development of the Sheep Production and Management Community of Practice is underway. The PIs have been working closely with eXtension personnel. A face-to-face meeting of extension PIs and eXtension personnel will be held at the American Sheep Industry's annual meeting in January of 2013. The first animal trial (Objective 3) is starting in December of 2012. Preliminary data gathered from a previous trial has provided opportunities for the PIs to develop data pipelines for DNA sequence data (which will be generated in this first animal trial).
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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