Preliminary milk-sheep crossbreeding for production system grazing cool and warm-season grasses pasture in Missouri

Recipient Organization
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
820 CHESTNUT ST
JEFFERSON CITY,MO 651023537

Performing Department
Cooperative Extension

Non Technical Summary
Sheep milk production is a farm agribusiness alternative for small-scale farmers. Popular dairy sheep breeds are East Friesian (Germany), Lacaune (France), and Awasii (Israel). These breeds produce from 700 to 1000 pounds/lactation; however, they require supplementation of high-quality grains and forages and a temperate climate. Dairy breeds are susceptible to gastrointestinal parasites (GIP), and they produce wool of limited value representing extra shearing cost. Dairy sheep breeds generally have below-average gain and carcass traits resulting in limited market acceptability of non-breeding offspring. Lincoln University and other evidence show that the Katahdin hair sheep can be managed on pasture in warm and humid climates, like Missouri, do not produce wool, and are tolerant of GIP. There is a high industry demand for sheep dairy products; however, not much research is done to increase sheep milk production in the US. No performance testing has been done with crosses of dairy and Katahdin sheep breeds in Missouri. Crossbred ram and ewe lambs will be obtained from the crossing of Katahdin females and dairy sheep East Friesian rams at Lincoln University Carver Farm. F1, F2 female offspring be evaluated for milk quality and production and the amount of wool cover that occurs. It will also evaluate lambs' live weight, body condition, and parasite resistance/tolerance with FAMACHA and fecal egg count.

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
303	3610	1080	60%
303	3620	1081	40%

Knowledge Area
303 - Genetic Improvement of Animals;

Subject Of Investigation
3610 - Sheep, live animal; 3620 - Meat, sheep;

Field Of Science
1081 - Breeding; 1080 - Genetics;

Keywords

Goals / Objectives
This project intends to help dairy sheep producers incorporate characteristics that make it more sustainable agribusiness. Crossbreed animals produce less milk than their purebred dairy parent stock; however, the Katahdin breed does well in a grass-based system. Utilizing the efficiency of the Katahdin breed will reduce grain needs, thereby reducing production costs. The crossbred offspring should be more parasite resistant than traditional dairy breeds, reducing the expense and use of commercial anthelmintics. The influence of the dairy breed in the cross will result in larger weaning weights for the offspring.Objectives:To evaluate the milk production of crosses F1 and F2.The assessment of the lactation curve by crossbreed.To evaluate milk quality by crossbreed and projection in the evaluation of cheese yieldTo estimate parasite load-resistance in crosses F1, F2, and pure Katahdin breed stockTo educate farmers and other stakeholders on the merits of milk production of sheep crossbreeds.

Project Methods
?Crossbred ram and ewe lambs will be obtained from the crossing of Katahdin females and dairy sheep East Friesian rams at Lincoln University Carver Farm. F1, F2 female offspring be evaluated for milk quality and production and the amount of wool cover that occurs. It will also evaluate lambs' live weight, body condition, and parasite resistance/tolerance with FAMACHA and fecal egg count. 15 students will participate in training in on-farm crossbreeding dairy ram and Katahdin ewes and compare crossbred lamb performance.Randomized block designYijkl= µ + bj + ti + Ak + bi*Ak + ti+Ak+bj*ti*Ak + ?ijklYij = it is the value del i... breed in the j ... blockµ = Population constantb? = Effect of j ... crossbreeding (complete evaluation random block analysis)ti = Effect of i ... breedAk = Effect of evaluation year??? = Effect of Yij; the breed effect of ti is random with mean cero and variance σ2

Progress 06/01/21 to 09/30/21

Outputs
Target Audience:This research project is starting, and no results are available yet. However, these have been visiting farmers that manage dairy sheep, whose concern is the genetic improvement and the production systems management. Also, notes on social media have been posted on sheep improvement and management. Changes/Problems:It is kind of difficult to get pure rams of East Freisiam Breed. However, a breeder has been contacted to buy the second ram needed. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A bachelor student is being trained on the project. Nota Thomas As well a producer Maria Dietz is managing dairy sheep and dairy goats. Ms. Dietzhasbeen involved in field days and webinars to be trained. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?It is planned to share information through milk sheep dairy products to beginners farmers and those who want to give value-add to their products. Most small ruminant farmers have meat or wool goats. So the information of crossbreed sheep will enhance their activity to increase ewes' maternity ability and look for milk production. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The project initiated through the breeding time on November 5th 2021 The lambing period will be during spring 2022. The lambs will be weighed every two weeks. Likewise, the body condition and the sheep's milk will be estimated. For quality analysis, milk and forage samples will be taken and sent to the laboratory.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? To have the cross-bred dairy sheep produce milk and meat on a pasture-fed basis and prepare for climate change. The plan is not to depend much on grain for animal feeding. The goals will be reached till the second and third years of working with these newborn ewes. So far, 27 Katahdin ewes have been bred with an East Friesian Ram. Lambing is planned for Spring 2022.

Publications