Sheep Enterprises Research Articles

Modelling the impact of increasing supplementary feed allowance on predicted sheep enterprise production, profit and financial risk across southern Australia

Context Supplementary feeding may alter sheep enterprise production and profit margin, but use may vary across regions, sheep breeds and mating seasons. Supplementary feeding is a means of ensuring adequate nutrition but increases operating costs. Modelling has previously indicated the most profitable sheep enterprises optimise stocking rate and target lamb production, whereas those that minimise supplementary feeding incur the least financial risk. Aims To explore the impact of increasing supplementary feed allowance on production, profit and financial risk. Methods Seventy-two sheep farm enterprises were simulated across eight southern Australian locations, including three breeds and three mating seasons. For each enterprise a low grain allowance (LGA) of 30 kg/head.year (threshold used in previous modelling) was compared to a high grain allowance (HGA) of 35 kg/head.year and 42 kg/head.year for Merino and non-Merino ewes (current industry recommendations), respectively. The financial risk of each enterprise was determined via Conditional Value at Risk of gross margins over 30 years, exploring downside risk in the worst 20% of scenarios. Key results A HGA increased production and profit in 32% of farm enterprises, but financial risk was often increased. Merino enterprises were generally the most profitable, least risky and consumed the greatest amount of supplementary feed, followed by Composite and then Maternal enterprises. Summer and autumn mating was often most profitable, but high supplement consumption in autumn-mated enterprises increased financial risk. Conclusions Increasing supplementary feeding may improve production and profit but may also increase financial risk using the parameters examined. Implications Producers may be able to improve the production, profit and financial risk of an enterprise through increased supplementary feeding, but this will be dependent on breed, input costs, commodity prices and location.

Greenhouse gas emissions from New Zealand deer farming systems: current and future options

ABSTRACT Deer production options were modelled in two contrasting environments, Otago and Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, to estimate greenhouse gas emissions, productivity and profitability. A standard New Zealand deer farm was compared to the deer production scenarios: (1) increasing hind longevity through improved reproductive performance, (2) improving animal health management to increase weaner growth, (3) pre-winter finishing using larger hinds and superior growth genetics sires or (4) shifting to a mixed velvet antler/venison enterprise. Production (kg product/ha) increased as scenarios 1–3 were applied, being greatest for scenario 3, in both environments (+21% and +2% in the Otago and Hawkes Bay environments respectively). Production increases in the Hawkes Bay environment were muted by the inclusion of beef and sheep enterprises. Production in Otago and Hawkes Bay was reduced in scenario 4 by 12 and 7% but achieved increased gross margin (33% and 20% respectively). Some small differences in the magnitude of response were seen between the environments. Changes in total GHG emissions per hectare ranged between +4.6% and −6.7%. GHG emission per $ gross margin was reduced by up to 15%–21%. Altering production options in the deer industry altered total GHG emissions per hectare and reduced GHG emissions per kg of product.

Small-scale sheep and cattle enterprises in Scotland: Demographics, animal health, and biosecurity

Livestock keepers who operate on a small scale in the United Kingdom are often described as either smallholders or hobby farmers; however, this is not always the case. There is another distinct population in Scotland. The crofting system promotes the preservation of a way of life that is significant to the cultural heritage of Scotland, whilst at the same time utilising and maintaining marginal land that could otherwise be deemed of very low productive value. We developed two cross-sectional questionnaire surveys to gather descriptive data about individuals from two populations (crofters and smallholders) who kept sheep and/or cattle. Our aim was to explore demographics, animal health, husbandry, and biosecurity practices of these two communities, including how they may interact with other livestock sectors. Most respondents in each population kept sheep, with far fewer keeping cattle. There was a distinct geographical difference in the approximate location of respondents’ holdings. Movement of sheep was often local, temporary, and exempt from reporting to national databases. Visits from the vet were infrequent, but the vet remained an important source of animal health advice, alongside peer networks. The information from these surveys is valuable because policy decisions taken with predominantly larger, commercial-scale enterprises in mind also frequently apply to small-scale enterprises, even though these smaller enterprises may not have the same opportunity to influence those decisions or implement the requirements. Aspects of agricultural activity and food production at the scale explored in these surveys – including plurality of employment and diversification away from purely agricultural activities – are relevant to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of sustainable cities and communities, zero hunger and life on land. In this context, competent authorities should support this type of context-sensitive agriculture, alongside seeking to maintain animal health and welfare standards at the highest possible level on a national scale. Our surveys contribute to improved understanding of how these enterprises function and therefore will support policy makers when considering the breadth of keepers and circumstances affected by rules and regulations governing agriculture.

98 Adding parasite resistance to the breeding objective in hair sheep

Abstract Economic selection indexes provide the best method to achieve genetic gain for multiple traits simultaneously. Hair sheep enterprises, particularly in environments with substantial gastrointestinal nematode challenge, may benefit from incorporating parasite resistance in a selection index. However, obtaining the relative economic value (REV) for parasite resistance is challenging; information on its impact on productivity is incomplete, as are the costs of treatment given anthelmintic resistance. The National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) currently provides producers with an index designed to increase total weight of lamb weaned per ewe lambing (TW). Our objective was to assess the effects of including fecal egg count, an indicator of parasite resistance, as an additional goal trait. Including the benchmark scenario with TW as its sole objective, 10 indexes were constructed using standard index theory. Post-weaning fecal egg count (PFEC) was added to this breeding objective with a REV of -1 and the REV for TW was varied from +1 to +5 at +0.5 increments. Weaning weight, number of lambs born and weaned, and PFEC were the selection criteria, modelled as either phenotypes or estimated breeding values (EBV). Phenotypes and EBV were simulated for 1,000 lambs by Cholesky decomposition and used to generate index scores. Ten replicates were run and the top 3% of males and 26% of females were retained on index scores. Annual responses in the goal traits were estimated. Responses in PFEC were expressed as a percentage, assuming a mean PFEC of 2,089 eggs/g as in NSIP. Concordances with those selected in the benchmark scenario were determined. Using EBV as selection criteria, TW increased by 1.7 kg/yr in the benchmark scenario (Table 1). However, unfavorably, PFEC increased by 2.3%/yr. When phenotypic criteria were used, TW increased by 0.5 kg/yr, and PFEC by 0.3%/yr. Once added to the breeding objective, PFEC decreased regardless of the REV of TW. However, response in TW also reduced, although less so as its REV increased. With EBV as the criteria, the REV of +3 for TW appeared preferable: PFEC reduced by 7.1%/yr with 98% of the response in TW retained. With phenotypic selection criteria, PFEC reduced by 5.2%/yr with 94% of the response in TW retained. With +3 REV for TW and EBV as the selection criteria, on average 65% and 82% of males and females, respectively, were chosen in common with the benchmark. When phenotypic criteria were used, those percentages were 60% and 80%, respectively. Implementing a more holistic index with REV of +3 for TW and -1 for PFEC would result in reasonable responses in both traits. However, producers will need to decide if reduced gains in TW is acceptable to improve parasite resistance in a hair sheep breeding program.

74 Effect of grazing native warm season grasses on parasitism and growth in weaned Katahdin lambs

Abstract Parasitism in lambs during the post-weaning period has effects on growth, survival, and sheep enterprise profitability. Opportunities to minimize exposure to infective larvae during this period may reduce clinical effects and improve lamb performance. Native warm season grasses (NWSG) offer increased growth during summer months and taller plants that allow grazing at greater heights. The objective here was to evaluate NWSG as a forage for post-weaning development of lambs in spring lambing, forage-based systems. Over 2 yr, Katahdin lambs (Yr 1, n = 30; Yr 2, n = 31) were managed at a producer farm in the piedmont region of North Carolina. Beginning 2 wk post-weaning, lambs were randomly assigned to graze on either NWSG (Big Bluestem and Indiangrass) or cool season grass (CSG, Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue base) pasture. Lambs were continuously grazed for 70 d in Yr 1 and 55 d in Yr 2. Fecal egg count (FEC), FAMACHA score, and body weight (BW) were measured every two weeks. Lambs were dewormed at FAMACHA ≥ 3. Forage analysis was conducted at the start and end of the grazing period. Statistical analysis were performance using the PROC Mixed procedure of SAS. Lambs in each group were raised in similar litter sizes and sire and sex were evenly distributed between groups. Fecal egg count and growth estimated breeding values (EBV) were similar between NWSG and CSG groups. In Yr 1 and 2, no differences were observed in FEC between grazing groups (P > 0.05). However, FEC did increase in both groups throughout the grazing period (P < 0.05). In Yr 1, no differences were observed in total BW gain (P = 0.74). However, in Yr 2, lambs grazing CSG had greater total BW gain than the NWSG group (P < 0.05). In both years, there were no differences in the percentage of lambs requiring deworming (Yr 1, P = 0.36; Yr 2, P = 0.47) but lambs requiring treatment had greater FEC EBVs (P < 0.05). Nutrient quality of NWSG pasture was reduced compared with CSG pastures. Total digestible nutrients and crude protein were less in NWSG compared with CSG pastures (Yr 2: 61.5% vs. 63.9% and 8.9% vs. 13.6%, respectively) and neutral detergent fiber was greater (Yr 2: 74.1% vs. 65.2%, respectively) resulting in decreased nutrient availability for NWSG group. While NWSG may provide additional biomass for summer grazing, rapid maturity rates may limit nutrient availability for lambs resulting in decreased growth performance despite similar levels of parasitism. Lamb FEC EBV may have a role in parasite resistance and deworming requirements regardless of forage type. Thus, genetics must be considered along with grazing management as part of an integrated parasite management plan.

Um estudo sobre os efeitos do período pandêmico da Covid-19 na criação de ovinos e caprinos

ABSTRACT This study had the objective of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic period on sheep and goat husbandry enterprises. In the study, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic period on the land use of the enterprises, the status of continuing animal husbandry activities, the purpose of production, the characteristics of combining crop production and animal production, the number of animals in the enterprise and the status of the shepherd, the exit of animals to pasture, the supply and use of roughage and concentrate feed, and supplementary feedings were found to be significant. In addition to the uncertainties experienced, breeders were negatively affected by the quarantine and restriction processes applied in this process. They were particularly negatively affected by the problems encountered in the use of pastures and disruptions in the supply of feed, restrictions on animal movements, closure of livestock markets, disruptions in access to veterinary services and vaccine supply, social distancing, travel bans, restrictions on the import-export of products, rapid changes in the price policies of products and increased costs. As a result, it is seen that the COVID-19 pandemic period had a significant impact on sheep and goat breeding enterprises.

Analysis of the Factors Affecting the Climate Change Knowledge Level of Farmers in Sheep Enterprises

Analysis of the Factors Affecting the Climate Change Knowledge Level of Farmers in Sheep Enterprises

Combining sheep and beef cattle in a pasture-based system minorly influenced muscle and fat colour and dorsal fat firmness but increased fat skatole content in lambs.

A recent long-term system-level experiment, using grassland-based organic systems established as separate farmlets, showed that combining sheep and beef cattle within a mixed (MIX) system promoted self-sufficient production of grass-fed meat and improved economic and environmental performance in the sheep enterprise compared to a sheep-only (SH) system. In the present study, we used all male lambs produced over the first year in this experiment to evaluate the effect of this farming practice on some lamb carcass and meat sensory quality traits. Lambing took place at the end of February and lambs were pasture-fed from 1month of age on average until slaughter, unless they were not ready for slaughter at 3-4weeks before the start of the mating period in October, in which case they were finished indoors on a concentrate-based diet. All MIX lambs (n=33) were finished at pasture. One SH lamb (out of a total of 85) had to be finished indoors with a concentrate-based diet. MIX lambs had a higher growth rate than SH lambs (P<0.001), resulting in a lower lamb age at slaughter in MIX than in SH (150 vs 173days, P<0.001). Carcass weight and degree of fatness, kidney fat weight and dorsal fat thickness did not differ between systems. Kidney fat skatole concentration was higher in MIX than in SH (median value reaching 0.15µg/g liquid fat and 0.11µg/g liquid fat in MIX and SH, respectively, P<0.05). This was most likely due to MIX lambs being slaughtered at a younger age and therefore eating younger grass. There were minor differences between MIX and SH lambs in dorsal fat firmness and in colour coordinates of longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle. We conclude that while combining sheep and beef cattle within a mixed system offers advantages in terms of self-sufficient production of grass-fed meat and system economic and environmental performance, it could come at a cost to lamb flavour.

Genetic (co)variance components for slaughter traits in a multi-breed sheep population.

Carcass value is one of the main contributors to revenue in meat sheep enterprises, while age at slaughter is also a major component to the cost of production. Despite the contribution of such traits to overall profit, little is actually known on the extent of exploitable genetic variability in the traits that govern carcass value (i.e. carcass weight, carcass conformation, carcass fat) and age at slaughter, especially independent of each other. The objective of the present study was to estimate genetic (co)variances for and among carcass weight, carcass conformation, carcass fat, kill-out percentage and age at slaughter as well as their genetic (co)variances with traits measured earlier in life. Data consisted of slaughter records from 15714 lambs, with 12630 of these lambs having at least one live weight measure. The heritability (SE) of carcass weight, carcass conformation, carcass fat, kill-out percentage, and age at slaughter was 0.14 (0.02), 0.19 (0.02), 0.08 (0.01), 0.22 (0.03), and 0.16 (0.02), respectively. The maternal heritability for age at slaughter was 0.07 (0.02); no maternal genetic influence was found on any of the other slaughter traits. The coefficient of genetic variation for carcass weight and age at slaughter was 3 and 8%, respectively. The correlations between the direct genetic effects for live weight throughout life, and carcass weight were weak up to weaning but were strong (0.83) thereafter. The correlation between the direct genetic effects of birth weight and age at slaughter was zero, but varied from -0.91 to -0.56 between live weight measured later in life and age at slaughter. Results demonstrate significant exploitable genetic variability in a range of slaughter traits with the prediction of genetic merit for carcass traits and age at slaughter being possible using live weight measures taken on live animals. For example, the accuracy of selection for slaughter traits (comprising of age at slaughter, carcass conformation and carcass fat) from weaning weight records available on 100 progeny was 0.37; when slaughter data were also available for 10 progeny, the accuracy of selection increased to 0.56.

QTLs and Candidate Genes Associated with Semen Traits in Merino Sheep.

Ram semen traits play a significant role in conception outcomes, which in turn may influence reproductive efficiency and the overall productivity and profitability of sheep enterprises. Since hundreds of ewes may be inseminated from a single ejaculate, it is important to evaluate semen quality prior to use in sheep breeding programs. Given that semen traits have been found to be heritable, genetic variation likely contributes to the variability observed in these traits. Identifying such genetic variants could provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying variability in semen traits. Therefore, this study aimed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with semen traits in Merino sheep. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was undertaken using 4506 semen collection records from 246 Merino rams collected between January 2002 and May 2021. The R package RepeatABEL was used to perform a GWAS for semen volume, gross motility, concentration, and percent post-thaw motility. A total of 35 QTLs, located on 16 Ovis aries autosomes (OARs), were significantly associated with either of the four semen traits in this study. A total of 89, 95, 33, and 73 candidate genes were identified, via modified Bonferroni, within the QTLs significantly associated with volume, gross motility, concentration, and percent post-thaw motility, respectively. Among the candidate genes identified, SORD, SH2B1, and NT5E have been previously described to significantly influence spermatogenesis, spermatozoal motility, and high percent post-thaw motility, respectively. Several candidate genes identified could potentially influence ram semen traits based on existing evidence in the literature. As such, validation of these putative candidates may offer the potential to develop future strategies to improve sheep reproductive efficiency. Furthermore, Merino ram semen traits are lowly heritable (0.071-0.139), and thus may be improved by selective breeding.

Combining beef cattle and sheep in an organic system. I. Co-benefits for promoting the production of grass-fed meat and strengthening self-sufficiency.

Numerous advantages of combining cattle and sheep have been demonstrated at the grazing-season level, but the effects of this practice on system self-sufficiency require system-level and longer-term studies. We established three grassland-based organic systems as separate farmlets: one mixed system combining beef cattle and sheep (MIX) and two specialised systems, beef cattle (CAT) and sheep (SH), to serve as reference points. These farmlets were managed for 4years, to assess the benefits of combining beef cattle and sheep in promoting the production of grass-fed meat and strengthening system self-sufficiency. The ratio of cattle to sheep livestock units in MIX was 60:40. The surface area and stocking rate were similar across all systems. Calving and lambing were adjusted to grass growth to optimise grazing. Calves were pasture-fed from 3months old on average until weaning in October, fattened indoors with haylage and slaughtered at 12-15months. Lambs were pasture-fed from 1month old on average until slaughter; if lambs were not ready for slaughter when the ewes mated, they were stall-finished with concentrates. The decision to supplement adult females with concentrate was based on the achievement of a target body condition score (BCS) at key periods. The decision to treat animals with anthelmintics was based on mean faecal egg excretion remaining below a certain threshold. A higher proportion of lambs were pasture-finished in MIX vs SH (P<0.001) due to a higher growth rate (P<0.001) which led to a lower age at slaughter (166 vs 188days, P<0.001). Ewe prolificacy and productivity were higher in MIX vs SH (P<0.02 and P<0.065, respectively). The levels of concentrate consumption and number of anthelmintic treatments in sheep were lower in MIX vs SH (P<0.01 and P<0.08). Cow productivity, calf performance, carcass characteristics and the level of external inputs used did not differ between systems. However, cow BW gain during the grazing season was higher in MIX vs CAT (P<0.05). These outcomes validated our hypothesis that the association of beef cattle and sheep promoted the self-sufficient production of grass-fed meat in the sheep enterprise. It also promoted better ewe and cow BCS and BW at key stages of the reproduction cycle and better development of the females used for replacement, which may enhance animal and system resilience.

Combining beef cattle and sheep in an organic system. II. Benefits for economic and environmental performance.

Combining several animal species to optimise the performance of the whole farming system is one of the core tenets of agroecology. Here, we associated sheep with beef cattle (40-60% livestock units (LU)) in a mixed system (MIXsys) and compared its performances to those of a specialised beef cattle-only system (CATsys) and a specialised sheep-only system (SHsys). All three systems were designed to have identical annual stocking rates and similar farm areas, pastures and animals. The experiment was conducted for four campaigns (2017-2020) in an upland setting exclusively on permanent grassland under certified-organic farming standards. The young animals were fattened almost exclusively with forages: at pasture for lambs and indoors with haylage in winter for young cattle. Abnormally dry weather conditions led to hay purchases. We compared between-system and between-enterprise performances based on technical, economic (gross product, expenses, margins, income), environmental (greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), energy consumption) and feed-food competition balance indicators. The mixed-species association only benefited the sheep enterprise, with +17.1% meat production per LU (P<0.03), -17.8% concentrate used per LU (P<0.02), +10.0% gross margin (P<0.07) and +47.5% income per LU (P<0.03) in MIXsys vs SHsys, as well as environmental performance benefits via a reduction of 10.9% in GHG emissions (P<0.09) and 15.7% in energy consumption (P<0.03), and a 47.2% improvement in feed-food competition (P<0.01) in MIXsys vs SHsys. These results are due to both better animal performance and lower concentrate consumption in MIXsys, as presented in a companion paper. These benefits outweighed the additional costs of the mixed system, especially for fencing, in terms of net income per sheep LU. There were no between-system differences in productive and economic performance (kilos live-weight produced, kilos concentrate used and income per LU) for the beef cattle enterprise. Despite good animal performances, the beef cattle enterprises in both CATsys and MIXsys had poor economic performance due to large purchases of conserved forages and difficulty selling the animals, which were ill-adapted to the traditional downstream sector. This multiyear study at the farming-system level, which has thus far been underresearched for mixed livestock farming systems, highlighted and quantified the benefits for sheep when combined with beef cattle on economic, environmental, and feed-food competition performance.

A regional-scale assessment of nutritional-system strategies for abatement of enteric methane from grazing livestock

Progress towards methane (CH4) mitigation for the red meat, milk and wool sectors in Australia and reduced CH4 emissions intensity (g CH4/kg animal product, typically milk or liveweight gain) involves not only reduced net emissions but also improved productive efficiency. Although nutritional additives have potential to reduce CH4 production rate of livestock (g CH4/head.day), systemic improvement of the nutrition of grazing breeding females, the largest source of CH4 emissions in Australian agriculture, will also be required to reduce emissions intensity. Systemic changes that increase productive efficiency for producers are part of the economic and environmental ‘win–win’ of reducing emissions intensity, and so offer good potential for adoption by industry. For sheep and cattle breeding enterprises, improved nutrition to achieve a younger age at first joining and increased reproductive rate will reduce the proportion of CH4-emitting, but unproductive, animals in a herd. However, if breeding stock are managed to be more productive (e.g. by superior nutrition leading to greater product/breeder) and more efficient (e.g. greater product per kilogram DMI) the producer is faced with the following management challenge. Should the enterprise increase stock numbers to utilise surplus feed and gain extra product, or reduce stock numbers to maintain previous product output with smaller enterprise net emissions (and emissions intensity), and so make land available for other uses (e.g. tree plantings, conservation zones). The right balance of incentives and price on carbon is necessary to achieve a result whereby total emissions from Australian agriculture are reduced, and so a positive impact on climate change is achieved.

ZOOTECHNICAL EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE IN SEMI-FINE-FLEECED SHEEP BREEDS OF THE BELARUSIAN SELECTION

To ensure the development of sheep breeding in order to obtain high-quality competitive products it is necessary that the pedigree sheep of semi-fine fleeced breeds meet current requirements, be resistant to the specific conditions of breeding and maintenance at sheep enterprises of various forms of ownership and departmental subordination. The paper contains the materials of research aimed at refining zootechnical rules for evaluation of semi-fine wool sheep breeds of the Belarusian selection. Within the framework of studies, a comparative evaluation of the exterior and constitution development of producing sheep was carried out, data on linear and height measurements and live weight were obtained. As a result of the research, the minimum requirements for the performance of semi-fine fleeced sheep breeds of the Belarusian selection were determined and the zootechnical rules for their evaluation were refined.

ZOOTECHNICAL EVALUATION OF THE PERFORMANCE OF SEMI-FINE WOOL SHEEP BREEDS OF THE BELARUSIAN SELECTION

To ensure the development of sheep breeding in order to obtain high-quality competitive products it is neces-sary that the pedigree sheep of semi-fine wool breeds meet current requirements, be resistant to the specific condi-tions of breeding and maintenance at sheep enterprises of various forms of ownership and departmental subordina-tion. The paper contains the materials of research aimed at refining zootechnical rules for evaluation of semi-fine wool sheep breeds of the Belarusian selection. Within the framework of studies, a comparative evaluation of exterior and constitution development of producing sheep was carried out, data on linear and height measurements and live weight were obtained. As a result of the research, the minimum requirements for productivity of semi-fine wool sheep breeds of the Belarusian selection were established and the zootechnical rules for their evaluation were refined.

Sustainability of sheep farming: case of İzmir province

Objective: The objective of this study was to measure sustainability level of sheep farming and to make suggestions on the policies that could be developed for improving the production, marketing and management of its processes by examining holistically the economic, social and environmental factors which are effective in sheep farming. Material and Methods: The data set of the study obtained from surveys with 126 sheep enterprises in the year 2018 in İzmir. Sustainability has been measured with the aid of a composite index calculated using a series of hierarchical methods. Results: The sustainability composite index was calculated as 28.30% (economic sustainability 14.13%, social sustainability 4.76% and environmental sustainability 9.42%). According to the sustainability level reference developed by FAO, the sustainability of sheep farming in İzmir is at the limit. Conclusion: Economic factors are more effective than social and environmental factors in the sustainability of sheep farming activities. However, improvement of the system and sustainability depends on a holistic approach that considers the evaluation of economic, social and environmental factors.

Irish farmers’ interactions with regional veterinary laboratories- reasons, results, reactions: a survey

BackgroundAnimal health surveillance is important in ensuring optimal animal health and welfare. Monitoring of diagnostic submissions, including post-mortem examination of carcasses, at the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine laboratories, provides the basis for this type of passive surveillance in Ireland. The process requires engagement from veterinarians and farmers from all sectors of the agricultural spectrum. This study aims to identify the reasons why farmers engaged in dairy, beef, sheep, and mixed farming enterprises submit carcasses or not to the Regional Veterinary Laboratories.ResultsSurveys were distributed in hard copy format at Regional Veterinary Laboratories, and fifty Teagasc facilitated farmer discussion groups. There were 1179 responses collected in 54 locations. The top reasons participants submitted to the laboratories were 1) to guide treatment/ vaccination, 2) fear of a contagious disease, and 3) if their veterinarian advised them to. The top reasons for not submitting were 1) the vet making a diagnosis on the farm, 2) the distance from the laboratory, and 3) lack of time and labour. Implementation of vaccination protocols was the main change implemented based on results, followed by management changes and the use of different treatments, e.g., switching from antibiotic to parasite treatment. Sheep enterprises were more likely than dairy to choose distance and cost as a reason not to submit. Dairying enterprises were more likely than other enterprise types to submit if they feared a contagious or zoonotic disease.ConclusionPositively, this survey shows the desire of participants to submit to the laboratories to guide treatment and vaccination protocols, potentially indicating that positive engagement between stakeholders and the RVLs will help promote optimal animal health and promote responsible antimicrobial use. Results also show the critical role of veterinarians in continued disease surveillance on farms. Maintaining engagement with all farming sectors will be essential in promoting successful animal health surveillance.

Evaluation of terminal sire breeds for hair sheep production systems: Forage environment

Terminal sire crossbreeding systems which improve growth performance while maintaining parasite resistance have the potential to enhance the profitability of hair sheep enterprises. Katahdin (KT, n = 5), Suffolk (SU, n = 4), and Texel (TX, n = 5) rams were randomly mated to KT ewes over three years (Y1, Y2, Y3) at the Virginia Tech Southwest Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Post-lambing until weaning (80 d), pairs were managed on fescue pasture. At weaning, lambs (n = 242) were moved to an ungrazed pasture and provided a concentrate pellet daily for a 90 d grazing trial. During this time, body weight (BW), strongylid egg count (FEC), FAMACHA score and packed cell volume (PCV) were collected every 14 d. FAMACHA score ≥ 3 was utilized as the basis for anthelmintic treatment. Post-grazing, lambs were fed to approximately 50 kg BW. Lambs were harvested at the Virginia Tech Meat Center and carcass evaluation performed 1 d post-harvest. Statistical analyses were conducted using SAS with fixed effects of sire breed. No differences existed between sire breeds for adjusted number of lambs born or number of lambs weaned. At weaning, KT-sired lambs had lower BW than terminal sired lambs (P < 0.05). During the grazing trials, lnFEC, FAMACHA and PCV varied over time (P < 0.001) with lower FAMACHA scores for KT-sired lambs than SU- and TX-sired lambs (P < 0.05). Of the terminal sire breeds, TX-sired lambs had a greater FEC at deworming and required a greater number of days before treatment in Y2 (P < 0.05). At harvest, terminal-sired lambs were heavier than KT-sired lambs (P < 0.05) in Y1 while SU-sired lambs had greater BW than TX-sired lambs (P < 0.05) in Y2. Terminal-sired lambs had greater LM area and leg scores than KT-sired lambs (P = 0.05). These results indicate the potential of terminal sires (SU- and TX-sires) to improve lamb growth and carcass merit. Texel-sired lambs had more similar parasite resistance characteristics to KT-sired lambs and may have potential as terminal sires in forage based hair sheep production systems.

On-farm evaluation of a predictive model for Australian beef and sheep producers’ vulnerability to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease

To explore Australian sheep and beef producer vulnerability to an emergency animal disease outbreak, Bayesian Network models have been developed, with the ultimate goal of creating risk management tool for outbreak preparedness. These models were developed using multiple stakeholder elicitation including modelling experts, epidemiologists and on-farm stakeholders, including on-farm/survey data. An evaluation of the model’s predictive capacity was conducted, using independent, blinded on-farm vulnerability assessments. Nine properties were visited, four each with sheep and beef enterprises, and one mixed enterprise. There were some discrepancies between the model predictions and on-farm assessment in the beef enterprises, with greater disparity with the sheep properties. Discrepancies between the model predictions and on-farm assessments have created opportunities for examination of the data collection process for the model development, the model itself and the on-farm assessment process. Bayesian Network approaches that allow for the inclusion of both continuous and discrete variables may improve the usefulness of these models, avoiding the loss of nuanced data by the need for discretisation of continuous variables, as will the inclusion of input from on-farm stakeholders in model development. Future work includes more data collection to improve the sensitivity of the model predictions, and a deeper, systemic exploration of the factors that may impact Australian producers’ vulnerability to an emergency animal disease outbreak.

STRUCTURAL AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FACILITIES THAT BREED PUREBRED KIVIRCIK SHEEP IN KIRKLARELİ PROVINCE

It was aimed to determine the current general structure of purebred Kıvırcık sheep enterprises, main issues of breeders, and their expectations from the authorities. A questionnaire was applied to farmers in 47 enterprises regarding sheep breeding and various measurements/observations were conducted in the sheepfolds. It has been determined that most of the breeders had a near-lifetime sheep breeding experience and many family members contribute to the breeding. The most commonly used roughage was dry pasture grass and straw, and factory feed and wheat were mostly preferred as concentrate feed. As a result of the study, the amount of area per mother sheep (0.704) and rootstock sheep + one lamb (1.260) was found to be insufficient. Most reported diseases were Bluetongue (45.65%), respiratory system diseases (30.43%) and enterotoxaemia (10.87%) for sheep, and diarrhea/digestive system (45.65%) and respiratory system diseases (36.96%) for lambs. While nearly half of the breeders stated that they were satisfied with sheep farming, the vast majority (81%) stated that they would continue to breed. Most important problems stated by the farmers were feed prices, low product prices, diseases/deaths, finding a shepherd, lack of organization. Most important expectations from authorities were stated as solutions for health issues, marketing problems, increasing product prices and financial support.