SUSTAINABLE SMALL RUMINANT PRODUCTION

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1015815
• Project Start Date: Mar 23, 2018
• Project End Date: Mar 22, 2023
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
750 AGRONOMY RD STE 2701
COLLEGE STATION,TX 77843-0001

Performing Department
San Angelo-TAMU Agr Res Cntr

Non Technical Summary
This project will provide solutions for rangeland managers and small ruminant producers. Woody plant encroachment is a major problem for rangelands world wide and goat browsing is a sustainable method for reducing woody plant encroachment. We have developed a herd of goats with increased consumption of juniper a major encroahing species in Texas and the U.S. We will investigate the genetic and physiologic processes that allow these goats to consume more juniper to enhance our ability to selectively breed goats for this trait. Because predation is a major factor limiting small ruminant production and dead goats do not eat juniper we are also investigating how to best use livestock guarding dogs to protect goats.

Animal Health Component

80%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

10%

Applied

80%

Developmental

10%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
121	0799	1070	75%
305	3820	1010	25%

Knowledge Area
305 - Animal Physiological Processes; 121 - Management of Range Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0799 - Rangelands and grasslands, general; 3820 - Goats, meat, and mohair;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology; 1010 - Nutrition and metabolism;

Keywords

goat

sheep

livestock guarding dog

juniper

rangelands

Goals / Objectives
The challenge to solving these problems is to develop low-management livestock grazing systems that slow the encroachment of juniper and are benign to white-tailed deer production or preferably enhance deer habitat.1. Conduct research on the rearing and use of Livestock Protection Dogs (LGD) on un-herded sheep and goat operations.2. Develop new methods for determining the botanical composition of ruminant diets.3. Continue to selectively breed high and low juniper consuming lines of Angora and meat goats using fecal NIRS to estimate percent juniper in the diet of free grazing goats and define the phenotypic expression of juniper consumption.4. Investigate physiological and genetic parameters that will more accurately estimate the true propensity of a goat to consume juniper.

Project Methods
Objective 1 - Texas A&M AgriLife Research uses LGD at three locations and is in the process of hiring a Research Technician to conduct research and outreach on LGD. We will use numerous methods to determine the critical factors for a successful LGD program including: 1) interviews and surveys of producers that use LGD; 2) GPS collars on LGD and the stock they are protecting; 3) experiments that compare LGD breeds or bonding procedures on the effectiveness of LGD.Objective 2 - We have been using fecal NIR to determine the amount of juniper in goat diets. A limitation of this technique is that it can only determine a few diet components, diet composition determinations are sensitive to other components in the diet, and multiple expensive feeding trials are required to develop calibrations. Microhistology is the gold standard for determining diet composition. However, this technique is expensive and does not have the throughput capacity to analyze a large number of samples. Advances in image recognition algorithms has the potential to identify plant fragments and thus increase the speed and lower the cost of microhistological analysis. In histology, pattern recognition algorithms of digitized slides are used to discriminate between cancerous and non-cancerous cells and have received FDA approval for clinical use (Hipp et al. 2012). In collaboration with Perry Barboza we will investigate development of machine image recognition of plant fragments to perform microhistological analysis of fecal samples to determine botanical composition of diets.Objective 3 - Flocks of Angora goats at the Read Ranch and a flock of Boer x Spanish goats at the Sonora Station have been selectively bred since 2003 to create genetic lines that are divergent for juniper consumption; i.e., high and low consuming lines. One of the flocks will consist of approximately 200 Angora nannies that will be maintained at the Read Ranch, and the other flock will consist of approximately 100 Boer cross goats maintained at the Sonora Research Station. Selection is based on percentage juniper in the diet as determined by NIRS analysis of fecal samples using calibrations developed during the previous project (Walker et al. 2007). The proportion of juniper in the diet combined with pedigree records are used to calculate expected progeny differences. The difference in expected breeding value percentage juniper in the diet of the highest decile of the high line and the lowest decile of the low line is 16 percentage units. Similarly, the phenotypic difference is 25 percentage units for percent juniper in the diet. Data will be analyzed to estimate heritability for juniper consumption and rate of divergence for the two selection strategies.Objective 4 - Research has shown differences in levels of serum camphor (a major monoterpene in juniper) following intraruminal dosing with camphor, between goats with high compared to low genetic merit for percentage juniper in their diets (Campbell et al. 2010). However, the results did not identify the physiological mechanism for reducing serum levels of camphor. In particular, specialists herbivores are predicted to have high capacities of Phase 1 detoxification enzymes such as the cytochrome P450s (Dearing et al., 2006). We will determine if high juniper consuming goats have faster rates of Phase 1 rates of detoxification using hypnotic state assays.

Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Small ruminant and rangeland managers who use goats as a biological control for invasive juniper. Animal scientists and ecologists interested in foraging behavior and physiological or genetic mechanism that affect diet selection. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results are disseminated at Field days for livestock producers and presentations at professional meetings and journal articles are used to disseminate information to academic audiences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are using GPS collars to determine where goats graze and collecting fecal samples to estimate the percentage juniper in their diets. More analysis on the results of the genome wide association study is planned.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1. Identification of behaviors that helpful in identifying young LGD that will be successful guardians when they mature is important for increasing the adoption of these dogs. I investigated chase and dissect motor action patterns (MAP) of Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGD). All LGD displayed the chase MAP; however, in some young dogs it was not observed on fist trial and in was more of play activity. In older LGD, the chase MAP appeared to be more of an investigative behavior. 10- week-old LGD pups were exposed to still born Angora goat kids. Some LGD chewed ears but none of them opened the body cavity to consume the carcasses. The LGD investigated did not display a dissect MAP. Objective 2. I have purchased a slide scanner and am investigating slide preparation methods and scanning methods most applicable for creating digital images for automated image recognition. Objective 3. High and low lines of juniper consuming goats are being maintained without the use of fecal NIR. Objective 4. A genome wide association study (GWAS) was conducted on high and low juniper consuming meat goats and Angora goats. Seven potential markers were found in the meat goats and none in the Angora goats. These results are consistent with the amount of genetic progress in the two different breeds of goats. The impact of 0.00 and 1.97 mM of camphor on the mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation after 0, 1, 2, 4, 12, and 24 hr of incubation. Total short-chain fatty acid production was increased (P < 0.05) but there was no impact on pH (6.56 ± 0.09). Goats that received the juniper free diet had higher (P < 0.05) short-chain fatty acid production than juniper-containing diets. There was no consistent difference in LJC and HJC microbial fermentation end products caused by the addition of 1.97 mM of camphor, and goats receiving ajuniper free diet consistently generated more short chain fatty acids in the presence of 1.97 mM of camphor. The rumen fluid from juniper free fed goats exhibited greater (P < 0.05) abundances of Ruminococcaceae, whereas juniper fed goats contained more (P < 0.05) Coriobacteriaceae. Results demonstrated that mixed ruminal microorganisms fermentations from high juniper consuming goats did not produce higher concentrations of short-chain fatty acids or have the ability to degrade camphor at a higher rates than did that from low juniper consuming goats. Results suggest that camphor tolerance from J. ashei, was related to hepatic catabolic mechanisms instead of ruminal microbial degradation.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: D.W. Bailey, J.C. Mosley, R.E. Estell, A.F. Cibils, M. Horney, J.R. Hedrickson, J.W. Walker, K.L. Launchbaugh, and E.A. Burritt. Synthesis Paper: Targeted Livestock Grazing: Prescription for Healthy Rangelands, Rangeland Ecology & Management, 72:865-877 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2019.06.003
• Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Belesky, D.P., J.W. Walker, K.A. Cassida, and J.P. Muir. 2020. Forbs and Browse Species. Ch. 19 in K.J. Moore, M. Collins, C.J. Nelson, and D.D. Redfearm (eds) Forages Volume II: The Science of Grassland Agriculture, Seventh Edition. Wiley Blackwell, West Sussex, UK.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Tolleson, D.R., J.W. Walker, M. Vajdos, V. Vogelman, N.E. Garza, K. Hollingsworth, T. Welsh. 2020. Near infrared spectroscopy of liver tissue from goats differing in genetic propensity to consume juniper. In Abstr. 73th Ann. Meeting. Soc.Range Manage. February 16-20. Denver, CO.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Walker, J.W. 2020. Comparison of techniques to analyze diet composition of livestock. Symposium: What are Animals Eating? New Methods for Estimating Diet Composition on Rangeland. 73th Ann. Meeting. Soc.Range Manage. February 16-20. Denver, CO.

Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Small ruminant and rangeland managers who use goats as a biological control for invasive juniper. Animal scientists and ecologists interested in foraging behavior and physiological or genetic mechanism that affect diet selection. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results are disseminated at Field days for livestock producers and presentations at professional meetings and journalarticles are used to disseminate information to academic audiences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are using GPS collars to determine where goats graze and collecting fecal samples to estimate the percentage juniper in their diets. More analysis on the results of the genome wide association study is planned.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1. Identification of behaviors that helpful in identifying young LGD that will be successful guardians when they mature is important for increasing the adoption of these dogs. I investigated chase and dissect motor action patterns (MAP) ofLivestock Guardian Dogs (LGD). All LGD displayed the chase MAP; however, in some young dogs it was not observed on fist trial and in was more of play activity. In older LGD, the chase MAP appeared to be more of an investigative behavior. 10-week-old LGD pups were exposed to still born Angora goat kids. Some LGD chewed ears but none of them opened the body cavity to consume the carcasses. The LGD investigated did not display a dissect MAP. Objective 2. I have purchased a slide scanner and am investigating slide preparation methods and scanning methods most applicable for creating digital images for automated image recognition. Objective 3. High and low lines of juniper consuming goats are being maintained without the use of fecal NIR. Objective 4. A genome wide association study (GWAS) was conducted on high and low juniper consuming meat goats and Angora goats. Seven potential markers were found in the meat goats and none in the Angora goats. These results are consistent with the amount of genetic progress in the two different breeds of goats. The impact of 0.00 and 1.97 mM of camphor on the mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation after 0, 1, 2, 4, 12, and 24 hr of incubation. Total short chain fatty acid production was increased (P < 0.05) but there was no impact on pH (6.56 ± 0.09). Goats that received the juniper free diet had higher (P < 0.05) short-chain fatty acid production than juniper-containing diets. There was no consistent difference in LJC and HJC microbial fermentation end products caused by the addition of 1.97 mM of camphor, and goats receiving a juniper free diet consistently generated more short chain fatty acids in the presence of 1.97 mM of camphor. The rumen fluid from juniper free fed goats exhibited greater (P < 0.05) abundances of Ruminococcaceae, whereas juniper fed goats contained more (P < 0.05) Coriobacteriaceae. Results demonstrated that mixed ruminal microorganisms fermentations from high juniper consuming goats did not produce higher concentrations of short-chain fatty acids or have the ability to degrade camphor at a higher rates than did that from low juniper consuming goats. Results suggest that camphor tolerance from J. ashei, was related to hepatic catabolic mechanisms instead of ruminal microbial degradation.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Stewart, W., T. Whitney, E. Scholljegerdes, D. Waldron, J. Walker, R. Adams, and J. Musser. 2019. Ruminal fermentation characteristics of goats selectively bred to have greater consumption of juniper foliage. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 256 (2019) 114240
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: D.W. Bailey, J.C. Mosley, R.E. Estell, A.F. Cibils, M. Horney, J.R. Hedrickson, J.W. Walker, K.L. Launchbaugh, and E.A. Burritt. Synthesis Paper: Targeted Livestock Grazing: Prescription for Healthy Rangelands, Rangeland Ecology & Management, 72:865-877 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2019.06.003
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Tome?ek, J.M, J.T. French, J.W Walker N.J. Sivy, and N.A.Bromen. 2019. Factors influencing the movement of livestock guardian dogs in the Edwards Plateau of Texas: implications for efficacy, behavior, and territoriality. HumanWildlife Interactions 13(1):1628.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Bromen N.A., J.T. French, J.W Walker, N.J. Sivy, and J.M Tome?ek. 2019. Spatial relationships between livestock guardian dogs and mesocarnivores in central Texas. HumanWildlife Interactions 13(1):2941
• Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Belesky, D.P., J.W. Walker, K.A. Cassida, and J.P. Muir. 2020. Forbs and Browse Species. Ch. 19 in K.J. Moore, M. Collins, C.J. Nelson, and D.D. Redfearm (eds) Forages Volume II: The Science of Grassland Agriculture, Seventh Edition. Wiley Blackwell, West Sussex, UK.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Tolleson, D.R., J.W. Walker, M. Vajdos, V. Vogelman, N.E. Garza, K. Hollingsworth, T. Welsh. 2020. Near infrared spectroscopy of liver tissue from goats differing in genetic propensity to consume juniper. In Abstr. 73th Ann. Meeting. Soc.Range Manage. February 16-20. Denver, CO.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Walker, J.W. 2020. Comparison of techniques to analyze diet composition of livestock. Symposium: What are Animals Eating? New Methods for Estimating Diet Composition on Rangeland. 73th Ann. Meeting. Soc.Range Manage. February 16-20. Denver, CO.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Walker, J.W. 2019. ACE goats: Using classical selection and genomics to improve rangelands. 10 years of Next Generation Sequencing at Texas A&M Symposium. Oct. 29, 2019. College Station, TX.

Progress 03/23/18 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Small ruminant and rangeland managers that use goats as a biological control for invasive juniper and/or are having predation issues.Also animal scientists adn ecologists interested in foraging behavior and physiological or genetic mechanisms that affect diet selection. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?County agents have learned how to use GPS collars including downloading and analyzing the data. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Journal articles, popular press articles, field days, Facebook, and sellin male goats selected for high juniper consumption to the public. We are also analyzing samples from goats on a pasture based central performance test for juniper consumption, which demonstrates the importance of this trait. 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. Bonded livestock guardian dogs (LGD) were provided to sheep and goat producers with GPS tracking collars. For new LGD users the ability to know where there dogs were in real time helped them gain confidence using LGD. Developed external batteries for GPS trackers. Objective 2. Slides with known composition of different plant species were digitized and provided to an electrical engineer to develop image recognition algorithms. Objective 3. We have continued to select meat goats for high and low juniper consumption. Objective 4. DNA samples were collected from 750 goats that have been selected for either high or low juniper consumption. These samples are being sequenced and a genome wide association analysis will be conducted on them. Goats on selected for either high or low juniper consumption were fed diets with 0 or 30% juniper in a factorial design. Rumen fluid was collected from the goats and invitro trials were conducted to determine treatment effects on rumen function, i.e., pH, gas production, VFA, camphor degredation.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Walker, J. W., W. Stewart, R. Pope, S. Spear, M. Ebert, and T. Murphy. 2018. Evaluation of mean fiber diameter measurements by FibreLux micron meter and OFDA2000 in Texas and Intermountain west wool. Small Ruminant Research 159:31-37.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Garnick, S., P. S. Barboza, and J. W. Walker. 2018. Assessment of animal-based methods used for estimating and monitoring rangeland herbivore diet composition. Rangeland Ecology & Management 71:449-457.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Walker, John. 2018. Study to target sever soremouth strain. Ranch and Rural Living. April pg 21.